Hade's Rose

Chapter 16: Rapid Decline

I'd lost track of how long I'd been in that little loft. Sometimes I'd wake up lucid and clear headed, Birdy anxiously by my side, asking to take me to the capital's hospital. But, regardless of whether I was sane or not, I'd beg her not to and that I just needed more time.

Dreams of him still haunted me, and the persistent voice of my subconscious threatened to wear down my will. But I held on, determined.

One time, when I had been able to stay awake for more than a few minutes, I'd learnt that Birdy was a retired healthcare from Ardel, hence her lack of squeamishness caring for me. When asked what it was that I had done most recently, I revealed that I'd been a housemaid but feigned confusion (not difficult) about where.

Whilst the days carried on, my words became freer and I shared in a disjointed and excitable fashion some memories: reading scraps of stories with my parents, days in school, cleaning pots and pans and raving about the scent of butterscotch. I could detect my filtering was not what it should be, nor the logic of my stories making much sense. It was a horrible feeling, not being in full control of one's own mind.

I think it had been a week? Or, more? I wasn't sure. The fever was getting worse and a raging flu plagued me, as my immune system was shutting down just as predicted. I felt guilty even for putting Birdy through this, this kind stranger who owed me nothing.

Aware of Birdy pressing her small hand in my hot, sweating palm I heard her talk to me, "Miss Tyler?"

"Mmmm" I murmured back in response. The fog in my brain made me dizzy and sluggish, but a discordant note sounded in the back of my thoughts. Something was wrong. I struggled to focus my vision, but my eyes were too puffy to comprehend any details.

"Rose Tyler" Birdy softly pressed me again, her cool hand was soothing to my skin.

"Is my mum here?" I asked, hope in my tone. She must be downstairs. She'd come to take care of me.

"Your family is on its way Rose."

Was that guilt I detected in Birdy's voice? I dismissed it, eager for my parents to take me home. Our wonky, thin-walled yet beloved terrace. My tiny closet bedroom next to theirs, and the sound of the whistling kettle in the mornings. Wood pigeons cooing as I wake-up, and window panes that had frosted over in the night if it was winter. Mellow memories of home softly lulled me happily back into a deep slumber.

Before I became entirely unconscious, I felt Birdy's hand withdraw from my own before squeezing my arm, as if to reassure me that everything would be alright.

- & -

Wrapping a shawl around her shoulders, Birdy stepped out into the cool evening air. Autumn had fallen upon the little lane and a plethora of vibrant yellow lit up the foliage-lined streets. Somewhat furtively, the old woman walked quickly towards Vale's Wolf district.

The wolf-folks' houses were squatter and more rustic than the human-built homes, with larger gardens and more access to paths leading off into the forest. Of course, there were a few humans who lived amongst these suburbs, but wolf-kind tended to prioritise kinship with nature and thought more tribally than their human neighbours. Yet, there was little ill-feeling between the two races in this small hamlet; having operated in harmony for a hundred years already. It was confidence in this 'harmony' that tore Birdy away from her patient's sick bed and to violate confidentiality.

Hurrying, as Birdy worried Rose would take another turn for the worst, she travelled through the lanes, cutting through dirt paths and hedgerow. When she went past the local Pub, a few friends waved at her but Birdy (for once) just gave them a polite wave in return. Decorating the pub door, as was the local pharmacy and grocers, was a poster reading "Rose Tyler. Missing Mate. If found or having any information, must report." Including a fairly accurate list of her patient's features and age.