Predator

40.

The boys' cousin, called Malachi, came over to watch over Neela while the boys went to view their father before his services. "Please don't hesitate to call us if she wakes up," Ryan was too hesitant to leave their home. Even though he knew it was too early for Neela to wake up, he still felt the need to be cautious. It was torturous for Sean and Landon to get him away from the bedroom. He just wouldn't stop talking to Neela!

After Malachi reassured Ryan for the 6th time, he and Neela were finally left alone. First thing on his agenda, blood and try out that human food the boys were going on and on about.

~~

The boys have all decided to take Damien's car, now that they all finally fit into the smaller car together. They knew that they would need each other after seeing their father in the makeup, in the suit, no longer in his body.

To be honest, Damien looked great in the mortuary makeup. He looked human, light blush on his cheeks made it seem like there was blood flowing through him. His face was chiseled to perfection. All the scars that littered his body were covered very well, most weren't able to be seen.

The boys all wanted to see his stomach, the place he took his final blow. However, the mortician could only show a certain area of his body; face, down to his shoulders, nothing more. After handing the mortician the suit they wanted their father presented in, which was the suit he wore for his wedding, they left.

When the boys got home, they found Malachi on their couch, watching tv, while the rest of the house was silent. "Was she okay?" Ryan asked Malachi who had already began to pack his stuff away. "Yup, didn't make a sound, didn't move from her position. She was fine."

After a few minutes of very awkward silence between all of the boys, until Malachi decided to speak up. "How did uncle look? Presentable?"

Landon answered the question that was not directed towards a specific person, "he looked human, I think they did good. The services will be held in three days, hopefully Neela will be awake by then. Even though she'll be riding the day out in pain."

"I should have marked her later, that's why you people should tell me things!" Ryan yelled playfully, making Landon chuckle. "The only people who knew about us leaving were the twins, and they tell us nothing!"

~~

It had been about another day before Neela awoke. Ryan was sat up in bed, supposed to be sleeping, but rather focused on Neela's beating heart. It gave him great satisfaction knowing he would wake up with Neela still there.

Just about the time Ryan was about to lay down to finally rest, the heartbeat next to him increased dramatically. The exhaustion from his body alleviated when he heard this. "Neela," he demanded in a stern voice. The girl answered him with a loud groan.

Ryan scrambled to get out of bed, falling in the process, to leave the room. As he left, he called behind him, "I'll be back! Do not move!"

Upon coming back, he saw the actual pain that Neela was in. As she lied on her back, her eyes were closed, attempting to focus on her rapid breathing. "Water is right here. Can you move?" Still, with eyes closed, she shook her head slowly.

Ryan approached the bed and put his hand under Neela's head and slowly lifted her so her pink lips could take hold of the plastic cup. He noticed how tense she became when he touched her. Neela took big, greedy drinks, quickly making the cup half empty. Ryan sat the cup on the nightstand before sitting himself on the floor beside Neela.  

"You don't have to speak right now, I couldn't imagine the pain." Ryan began patting Neela's arm, wanting to get her attention on a different sensation. "D-d-dad was i-in there," Neela shook along with her words.

Despite her words being so soft and almost incoherent, Ryan still understood her. His eyes softened when he fully comprehended the words Neela spoke. "Was he happy?" Neela nodded her head. "Was mother there?" Another head nod. "Austin, too. He re-reminds them of you," she finally opened her eyes and looked to her side, her neck popping in a few places in the process.

"They were all with you the whole time?" Ryan stopped the patting on Neela's arm to stroke her hair. "Yeah," she gave a weak smile, "your mom loves me," Ryan laughed at Neela's bragging. "Did they want you to tell us anything?"

Neela closed her eyes as they fill with tears, "yeah," she whispered. "They all forgive you, none of it was your fault. Damien regrets not seeing that sooner, he's sorry. Rin misses you and the boys so much. They'll be visiting soon," her eyes were closed the whole time she reiterated the message.

Ryan felt emotional as well, but he wanted to stay strong for Neela, so he decided to change the subject at hand. "Thank you for letting me do it. There are only two little scars, like a snake bite. Your neck won't glow anymore, angel."

Neela thought for a few moments before opening her eyes again, "your new powers?" He shrugged his shoulders, "I haven't trained or practiced lately, I've been by your side mostly the whole time. We won't know until I do those things."

~~

Ryan knee he wasn't going to sleep the previous night, he also knew Neela wasn't going to sleep anymore that night as well. They just stayed up the rest of the night, talking about what Neela saw while she was sleeping, and what was happening with all the boys in the real world. Ryan knew all of the boys would be happy, now that their main source of entertainment, Neela, was back.