Dreamers- A Merome, Pooflan, Wroetostar and Minizerk Story

⋖Chapter 12⋗

Harry's P.O.V.

It didn't take long for Josh to convince me to bring Vikk and come with him, join him and his boyfriend on their little plot of land that they had claimed as theirs. With Vikk so ill and my health declining, even though I hadn't mentioned it to him because I didn't want to scare him, we were getting to the point that we might not survive on our own. I accepted his offer- Vikk was too sick to understand what was going on.

The night he almost asphyxiated I cried myself to sleep, so scared about losing him. I had known the boy for years and even the idea of him not being around, laughing and joking when he was feeling up to it, his cheeky smile whenever I came into his sight... I couldn't even think about it. I had planned my future with him by my side and his possible death; it didn't seem like a reality.

Josh talked to me about it the next morning while Vikk slept and we packed up our meagre belongings into small bags. I struggled to explain how I was feeling but it did make me feel better afterwards and as I looked across at Vikk, curled tightly up on the ground, still asleep.

Maybe it would be okay?

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Simon was a sweet boy, a little older than the both of us, but it was clear that he was quite ill as well. He was skinny as anything but was sitting up and began chatting to me the second I had laid Vikk down in a corner of the shelter and was overall quite cheerful. Josh had practically deflated in relief the second he saw Simon sitting outside and I saw the tight hug and gentle, passionate kiss they shared.

Because Vikk was so ill (and had slept the whole time) Josh had carried him the entire 12 hour journey back to his place and although I kept trying to help, he only shook me off. He knew I was sick, he told me so, and he just wanted to get us back, safe and warm, so we could recover. Although I didn't want to admit it, I was thankful.

The first night Vikk and I were with them and after they thought I was asleep, I heard Josh quietly explain to Simon who we were and where we had come from. I almost began crying at his words.

"I found them two nights ago and Vikk was having a coughing fit so bad that he probably would have died if I wasn't there..." He paused and I heard him swallow. "I did the same thing I do with you, held him upright and gave him a chest massage, that sort of thing. He's been sleeping pretty much ever since, he woke up a couple of times but only long enough to have something to eat and drink and talk enough to ask who I was."

There was shuffling and Simon mumbled something that I couldn't quite hear.

"I'm not sure but they've known each other for a while and... well Harry's been looking after him for that time. It's rickets and possibly something else but the thing is, Harry's getting ill as well. I'm not sure if he wants to admit it or not but... god I'm just worried about them." He sighed heavily. "I want to help them so much but there's only so much I can do. If it's terminal then..."

He cut himself off very suddenly and didn't say anything more, Simon's soft voice whispering comforting words to him. My grip on Vikk tightened and he groaned softly, stirring for a few moments before settling back down. I knew both Josh and Simon were looking at us.

"I know they're only a few years younger than us but I just- I want to protect them and give them what we have- more than what we have, but I can't. I can't stop them being ill."

"I know Josh." Simon whispered. "We'll just give them everything we can."

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Over a couple of weeks, despite the cold weather, Vikk's condition slowly began to improve. He was in pain less often and had more energy to get up and do things, often leaving just me and Simon in the shelter to chat about whatever topic came to our minds. We didn't want to leave him alone. I tried to get out with Vikk as much as I could too but the pains in my stomach had returned and I was feeling weaker all the time yet I still tried to hide it from Vikk. I just didn't want to worry the boy anymore than I already did.

I knew I was getting very ill, but I didn't want to think about it.

I was sitting in the doorway of the shelter when Simon came up behind me, laying a gentle hand on my shoulder. He looked pretty bad, his cheeks hollow and he barely had the energy to sit upright but he still had the ability to come over and ask me what was wrong when he knew I was looking down.

"I'm worried about... everything." I mumbled, sighing. "I know I'm ill and Vikk's ill too and I just... I don't want to think about dying or him dying. I don't want to leave him alone but I don't want him to go either."

Simon wrapped a gentle arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer, the two of us sitting and watching the two other boys. Josh seemed to be showing Vikk what he was doing with the fields and how to help him and I smiled as I watched Vikk run- read, totter- after him to watch what he was doing. It was pretty sweet and already Josh had taken him under his wing, making my heart flutter. I was glad he was well enough to do things like that, especially after so long of being ill and unable to leave our shelter.

With a heavy heart I laid back down on the thick pile of furs, my body aching. Simon was already sleeping, curled up in a tight ball, so I tried not to disturb as the tears began to flow.

I was scared. I didn't want to die and I didn't want to Vikk to die. Sure, this new start with Josh and Simon was great but it didn't stop the creeping anxiety in my heart about the looming threat of death.

I just prayed that everything would be okay.