A life in the balance

Natalie sighed slightly.
"What?" she asked when she saw Ashton staring.

Shadow held Archangel close, trying to stop her crying.

"I'm sorry Shadow..." said Natalie suddenly, looking at the child, "I AM SUCH A BAD PERSON! What have a done?!?!"
Natalie began to sob too.

"You've saved her." Shadow said.

"I did...but she's in more pain...and it's all my fault...I'm such a bad person," said Natalie, running out of the room.
"WAIT MOMMY WAIT! I WANT TO CRY TOO!" Tomorrow cried, running after her mother.

"Yeah you did." Holly agreed, "Calm down now."

"Stay with Archangel Holly." Shadow pleaded before running after Natalie.

Natalie ran outside, and sat on the wall near the fountain which was of a Mediwitch holding a wand up. Water was shooting out of the wand.
Natalie looked into the fountain.

There was a sign on it which read:

"Make a wish...for the charity foundation of The Wizarding Childrens Orphanage."

Natalie sobbed, "If the pain doesn't mame her, I promise I'll donate...I'll donate a bag of galleons...and I'll volunteer at the Orphanage...I'll do anything...please."

Natalie put her head in her hands.

Shadow caught up with Natalie, the worry tearing at her mind between Archangel and Natalie.

"Go back to your baby Shadow..." Natalie said quietly.

"She's twelve." Shadow said. "You haven't hurt her."

Holly and Ash watched Archangel, interested.
"Where'd she go?" Ash asked.
"I dunno." Holly said, looking after the two.

"I don't know...there is something...you should know...I told you there was a catch...well...some people...after they are bitten...their body cannot cope with the pain...or the stress...they start to...cripple," whispered Natalie, "there is a one in three chance it could happen."

Shadow put a hand on Natalie's shoulder.
"Archangel is... was very strong. She won't give in."

"I hope for her sake..." muttered Natalie.

Shadow swallowed hard.
"The doctors told her that she wouldn't live."

Arnold buzzed around Archangel's head, looking at her interestedly.
"People get annoyed when you do that." Holly whispered tactfully.
Ash took Arnold and put her in her box.
Yes.
A box.
For a fly.

"Doctors are wrong all the time..." said Natalie quietly.

"It's been growing for years, but we didn't know." Shadow said. "I saw the scans."

"The venom is strong enough to melt away steal...it'll melt the cancer away like butter in a frying pan..." said Natalie quickly.

"I hope so." Shadow said quietly.

Arnold threw up accidently in her box.
Ash shook his head and Holly rolled her eyes.

Natalie nodded silently.

"Let's go back and see her." Shadow said.

Natalie nodded, and began to walk back in, holding Tomorrow by the hand.