123 Triumph in Tragedy and Tragedy in Triumph (2/2)
Zariff was in a unique position. He cared for both Jack and Slivia for different reasons. Slivia was someone he had helped protect and save in the past, representing a turning point in his life. Jack was someone who could save his own life and was an instant friend after joining the association. Both were important to him and he would never want to choose between the two in a life or death situation.
”Jack…” After a few minutes of silence, Zariff finally spoke but never received a response. ”Jack, bring her inside. Let's go upstairs.”
Jack said nothing and showed no signs that he heard Zariff, but after a few seconds, the weak Jack managed to cradle Slivia's body in his arms. He turned around and approached the association building.
The others opened the door for him and made sure Jack only had to walk. They wanted to offer to carry her since he was already weak with his own injury, but they knew he would never let them.
It took some time, but they finally got Jack upstairs. They watched him lay her across the conference table. Jack stood over her. He was still in shock from her sudden self-sacrifice.
Rydel left the room and quickly came back with Bowzer. The young fox hurried onto the table and immediately started cuddling up to Slivia's corpse.
No one was able to understand Bowzer's cries. While the others had no mental link to him, Jack wasn't paying Bowzer's cries any attention.
After it grew late into the night, more people entered the room. King Leodoro, Tridon, and Tomas had returned with the news of their battle with smiles on their faces, but they all frowned after reading the mood of the room.
Marisha was the next to enter, hugging and comforting her husband who rarely had such watery eyes.
The last to join the mourning was Maura. She had been locked and stowed away in a backroom by her mother. By no means was she allowed to come out, just like Jack had done with Bowzer.
The syndicate was too much of a threat. Jack feared that Bowzer may be captured if a beast tamer was somehow involved and Marisha feared that her headstrong daughter would cause more trouble then help if she was let out.
When Maura learned of their victory, she was overjoyed. But very quickly that joy was replaced with sorrow. Her only sister-like figure had been killed, sacrificing herself for Jack. No one understood how she did it, but Maura didn't care. She hurried through the halls without hesitation, searching for the others.
Entering the somber room was a heavy blow to her heart. Her eyes first laid on Slivia. She couldn't understand why Slivia was smiling during her final moments.
Then, Maura turned to look at Jack. A small part of her wanted to be at his side and just hug him, but she didn't. She didn't know if he would let her and she was too scared to try and be rejected in front of so many people.
The coldness of Jack's eyes brought Maura even more tears. That happy-go-lucky Jack she had first met was nowhere to be found. There was only coldness. It was clear to her and everyone that he had no desire to talk with anyone.
When Marisha left to bring food for everyone, most ate it and some at least finished a portion. However, Jack never even acknowledged the plate's existence.
As night turned to day, everyone beside Jack eventually left for their own beds in need of a good night's sleep.
Alone with Slivia's now cold body, Jack finally sat down in front of her. He struggled to remain conscious, but his weak self wasn't able to last before the sun came up.
When Maura came back to the room with Jack and Bowzer's breakfast, her heart ached. She saw his head resting on her shoulder and tear stains in his eyes. Bowzer was nuzzled up in her arm, trying to find the warmth that was no longer there.
She stared at them for quite a while, not realizing how much time had passed. When she finally set the food down, a voice startled her.
”Maura…”
Maura stood up straight and noticed Jack turn his head. His eyes were no longer cold, but broken and passionless.
”Maura… Why couldn't it be me instead?”