A life in the balance

A violet haired girl lay on a bed in intensive care in the General Hospital. A claoked figure sat beside her, holding her hand. The visitor had her hood drawn over her face, trying to hide her expression.

Arnold was the first of the Bristol's to enter, having recieved a fax from Arnold's cousin, who lived in the area.
"SEE! I TOLD YOU!" Arnold panted, clutching her side and pointing, "I TOLD YOU THERE WAS TROUBLE!"
Holly entered next, rolling her eyes, but she stopped as soon as her eyes fell upon the people in the room.

The figure didn't look up from the sleeping girl on the bed.

Ash ran straight into his mother's back.
"Ow." he muttered and looked around, "What on earth ...?"
"Hi...." Holly said slowly, staring from the sleeping girl to the hooded figure.

Natalie entered, holding a brunette hair slight little girl.
"Mummy...what's wrong with Auntie Shadow?" Tomorrow Patterson whispered.
Natalie remained silent, staring at Shadow.

Shadow looked up from Archangel's seemingly lifeless body. Her face was worried, haunted and shadowed.

Arnold pulled on Ash's cloak, and took him outside.
Holly bit her lip nervously and sat opposite Shadow.
She was silent.

"Auntie Shadow's sad..." said Natalie finally.
She looked down at Archangel.
"What...um...how..." Natalie stopped mid-sentence.
She walked and stood beside Holly, putting Tomorrow down as she did so.

"It's taking her life..." Shadow whispered, her gaze on Archangel again.

"What?" Holly asked, eyes wide.

"The cancer." Shadow said quietly.

Natalie was silent.
Then Tomorrow spoke.
"What does that mean...taking her life?" the little girl asked.
Natalie did not answer.

Shadow didn't answer either, biting her lip.

Tomorrow let her quizzing look drop.
She sat on the floor.
Natalie cleared her throat.
"I don't suppose...um...that potion did any good..." she said, indication an open book on the table....open at a potion.

"I've tried everything." Shadow said. "Demonic, Normal, Muggle, nothing's working."

Holly looked the at the floor, unsure of what to say.

Natalie reached out for Holly's hand silently.

Shadow looked close to crying, but she didn't.

"Where's Onyx?" Holly asked finally, looking up at Shadow.

Tears were running down Natalie's face.
Natalie looked up suddenly.
"I have a thought..." she said, "I could save her..."

"Shaeman's taking care of her." Shadow said quietly. She looked up at Natalie with a glimer of hope in her dull eyes.

"Oh." Holly said, and she too looked at Natalie, confused.

"But...there is a catch...you know what I am talking about...just one simple bite...that's all..." said Natalie quietly.

Shadow bit her lip.
"Will it cure her?"

Holly too, was wondering this.