Chapter Nine: A Serious Conversation

Cloudy sat in the waiting room of Oromo Thuli Hospital with Liloy, waiting for news of Meta Knight, Derek, and Miriam. Her mind flipped back through the pages of the events that had taken place over the last few days. First the moving announcement from Miriam; then Joseph driving through Spring Breeze and abducting Liloy and Miriam; then the search-and-rescue mission; Joe and Sam’s arrest and Derek’s joining forces with Meta Knight and Cloudy; Derek’s running off and the bomb explosion; Joseph cornering them and Derek’s injury; and their miraculous escape. Cloudy knew she would never want to experience anything that frightening ever again. Unfortunately, this wouldn’t be the last time she would go through something truly terrifying. As she later came to realize, her entire life practically revolved around danger.

Just then, the nurse opened the waiting room door and smiled kindly at the two girls. Cloudy rose to her feet. “How are they?” she inquired.

“They’re just fine,” the nurse said. Cloudy and Liloy heaved collective sighs of relief. “Miriam and the knight can go home tomorrow, but they’ll have to take it easy the first few days.”

“And Derek?” Liloy asked.

The nurse’s smile slipped a notch. “Well, he was injured a lot worse than supposed. He may be here a few days, possibly a week. The knife split his forehead nearly to the brain. It’s a pretty bad wound. Had the blade actually hit his brain, the wound would have been fatal.”

Cloudy bit her lip and swiveled her head around to glance up at Liloy. The older woman glanced down at Cloudy with a mixture of sorrow and indecision in her eyes. Then Cloudy turned back to the nurse. “May we see our friends?”

“Certainly,” the nurse agreed, holding open the door for them. “The knight and Miriam are hanging out in Tilry’s room—Room 416. Derek’s two rooms down from them.”

“Thanks,” answered Cloudy, her tone sincere. She rushed past the nurse and trotted to the elevator. As soon as she and Liloy were inside, Liloy pressed the button for the fourth floor. Cloudy stayed perfectly still as the elevator began to rise, enjoying the funny feeling of the ascent. When the doors slid open, they stepped out and began strolling leisurely down the hallway. Cloudy studied each room number as they passed by, looking for the correct one. “Here we are,” she said finally, halting in front of a varnished door. “Room 416.”

Liloy took a deep breath and softly rapped on the door. From within answered a weak voice, “Come in!”

Liloy turned the brass knob, pushed open the wooden door, and marched inside, Cloudy following suit. Tilry was sitting up in bed, Meta Knight seated in a chair beside him. Tilry’s dull eyes brightened with joy when he saw his wife. “Liloy!” he whispered, his voice trembling.

Liloy merely grinned, her face glowing radiant with happiness and overwhelming joy. She felt like crying but knew that would in no way suit this wonderful occasion of being reunited with her loved ones. “Hello, Tilry.” She walked over to him and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Cloudy!” cheered Miriam. She jumped up from the corner where she had been sitting and hugged her best friend. Cloudy noticed Miriam’s arm was swaddled in a clean white bandage that started at the wrist, extended past the elbow, and ended just a few inches below the shoulder.

“How are you feeling?” asked Cloudy.

Miriam smiled grimly. “Okay, I guess—except I’m a little sore from my gunshot wound.” She gave a low, hollow laugh. Then her grimness was replaced by a sincere smile of joy. “Actually, I’m especially feeling wonderful now that I’m back among those whom I know I can actually trust.” She cast a knowing look over her shoulder at Meta Knight, who imperceptibly nodded at her to show he understood.

“Oh, I’m so glad you and Sir Meta Knight showed up and saved us!” Miriam exclaimed, heaving a long sigh of deep, intimate relief. “I don’t think I could have spent another minute in that cold, stuffy prison. If I had, I would have screamed my head off.”

Cloudy had to giggle at the thought. Instantly she became sober. “In all seriousness, I’m glad we rescued you when we did,” she spoke. “Otherwise, you probably would have died.”

“Yeah,” nodded Miriam, her face becoming grave.

There resounded another knock on the door and Miriam went to answer it. A few seconds later, Cloudy heard her shriek with excitement and in rushed Nika and Eloise, their arms around Miriam. All three were hopping up and down and chattering endlessly and squealing with intense delight. Eloise spotted Cloudy and ran over to her, wrapping her arms around the puppy’s neck and hugging her. Cloudy’s oxygen supply was nearly cut off, but she managed to smile and greet her friend, “Hi, Eloise!”

And at that moment, who should enter but Zach! Arrow was beside him. “Hello, everyone!” Arrow joyfully called. When his eyes landed on Cloudy, a broad grin spread across his face and he leaped over to her in three bounds and, oblivious to the others watching, embraced her with all of his strength.

“Don’t forget me!” Lily cried, leaping into the room and landing squarely on all fours, her tail wagging at top speed.

“Lily!” Cloudy exclaimed.

“Cloudy!” responded Lily.

Then in walked Leo, Meredith, and Scazzarda! They stopped short in the doorway and stared incredulously at the vast array of children jumping and swinging around and chatting all at once, laughing and squealing alternately. Liloy caught her grandmother’s eye and made a gesture of joy with her fingers, the faintest smile on her lips.

Scazzarda chuckled. “I take it they’re all glad to be back together?”

“Right,” Liloy replied.

“Okay, kids, settle down!” Meredith called out gently. The children cut their merrymaking and gazed at her with wide solemn eyes filled with respect. Meredith gently shut the door and sat down daintily in an upholstered chair, motioning for them to sit or stand quietly. When everyone was settled, she said, “Now Cloudy, why don’t you tell us about your—uh —adventure with Joseph?”

When Meredith made that request, it was as if the sun hid behind the clouds. Cloudy’s excited, enthusiastic expression she had been wearing with her friends gave way to a tight, angry look. She made a face of disgust and loathing. “I don’t want to talk about it,” she answered in a half-despondent, half-angry tone, her emerald eyes flashing. “I hated every minute of it—the fear and horror we endured, the bomb explosion, and Joseph’s threats! The worst part was when we were nearly killed! It’s a good thing the police showed up at the right time; otherwise, we would be mutilated and bleeding on the cabin floor right about now! We barely escaped with our lives!” She stamped her foot on the floor, her voice rising unexpectedly in shrill rage. “Why must I keep retelling my terrors and bringing up bad memories that I’d much rather forget?!”

Eloise gasped and recoiled, shocked that Cloudy would speak to an adult in such a way. But Meredith seemed to understand Cloudy’s frustration and misery with bringing up touchy subjects. “I see, dear,” she murmured. “Well, if you don’t wish to tell us, you may not, And if you want to keep it to yourself, do so, by all means.”

Cloudy nodded, still looking angry. She lay down on the linoleum tiles, her chin resting on her front paws.

Meanwhile, Tilry hadn’t said a word in all this time. He just watched in silence while Cloudy gave her heated tirade, his expression neutral. But when Cloudy was silent and the entire room was quiet, he sighed and turned his head to look up into his wife’s face. “Liloy, why didn’t you call and tell me you had been kidnapped?” he demanded in an anxious voice, taking her hand.

“I asked Father not to speak of the matter to you,” Liloy explained, “because I didn’t want you to worry.”

“‘Didn’t want me to worry?’” he repeated. His hand clenched tightly around Liloy’s. “I was freaking out over your disappearance! I didn’t know what had happened until Eloise got word from the authorities that you were with Joseph! I had to hear about your abduction from her!”

Cloudy was astounded and completely dumbfounded by that announcement. She turned to Eloise, who looked very embarrassed. She dropped her eyes to the floor when she noticed Cloudy staring at her. “You told Tilry Liloy was kidnapped by a serial killer?!” she exclaimed. “In his critical condition?!! Eloise, why would you do such a thing!”

Eloise didn’t meet Cloudy’s eyes when she spoke. “He was terribly worried about her almost to death, Cloudy,” she slowly answered. “I—I just figured maybe. . .if he knew where she was, he wouldn’t worry so much.”

“Yeah?! And how you think he felt after you told him his spouse was with a murderer who was recently jailed for maiming and killing several innocent people who never did him a lick of harm?!” yelled Cloudy. “I wouldn’t imagine he brought out the noisemakers and party hats! And as for him being worried almost to death, maybe it would have been better never to tell him at all! The way I see it, it would have been better for him to die not knowing of Liloy’s horrible predicament than to nearly kill himself with extreme anguish over her kidnapping by the inappropriate serial killer, Joseph Unswall!” The minute the rude, horrid words left her mouth, she was ashamed of herself.

Meredith let out a loud gasp of horror and placed her hand over her mouth. Leo stared at Cloudy in disbelief. Meta Knight lowered his head as if in shame. And Liloy just looked plain upset. Cloudy focused on the several pairs of eyes staring at her. She hadn’t meant to say something so brusque or even to indirectly imply that Tilry should have died.

Tilry blinked at Cloudy a few times, undecided as to whether he should scold her or keep quiet. Finally, he decided to refrain from rebuking her. Instead he turned to Meta Knight. “Father, you explain this,” he ordered in a stern voice. “Why did you not tell me where Liloy was when you already knew?”

Meta Knight sighed deeply. “Tilry, she asked me not to. And I did not want. . .to worry you.” His voice faltered as he went on, ” I just. . .did not want you. . .to worry. . .was all.”

Tilry’s face showed agony. “Father, you know how much I love Liloy. I love her with all of my heart. And I love you too. So much. But I hate it when you feel as if you have to keep something from me because you’re afraid I’m going to get angry at you or react badly.”

Cloudy raised her head and stared at Tilry. What did he mean by that?

Meta Knight shook his head. “Tilry, I. . .” He alternately clenched and unclenched the folds of his cape. Cloudy could feel the tension rising, and she was frightened by that for reasons she could not explain. “Tilry, I can’t. . .You know I. . .”

“Father!” Tilry’s voice was nearly at the breaking point. “Speak the complete truth about why you did not let me know Liloy was kidnapped! I know it wasn’t just because you didn’t want to worry me. There’s more to it that you’re not telling me.” He reached over and took his father-in-law’s hand. “Father, I beg you. . .please tell me the complete truth.”

Meta Knight glanced down at their joined hands and closed his eyes. Somehow Tilry’s raw vulnerability and honesty gave him the strength to tell the truth. “In truth, Tilry, I—I didn’t tell you because—I can’t stand to look at you. I didn’t want to face you with the truth because I can’t even look at you in your deteriorating state of health.” Overcome with emotion, he couldn’t go on.

The breath Cloudy had been holding in her lungs slowly hissed out. Her ears drooped. She felt sad for Meta Knight. How hard it must have been for him to admit such a thing, she thought, admiration in her eyes. But how terribly sad at the same time. Looking round at her friends, she could tell they felt the same way she did.

Tilry gazed at Meta Knight for the longest time, the love in his eyes salient. Tears filled his eyes and one dropped down on his cheek. A sob emanated from his throat, his body trembling uncontrollably. He raised his hand to hide the tears streaming down his face, but Cloudy saw them. She gasped soundly.

“Tilry,” Liloy pleaded with her husband, tears in her own eyes, “listen to me, babe. Father loves you very much, but this has been extremely hard on him. He would never abandon you, but there are times he needs to step back and think over hard situations.”

Tilry didn’t reply. He sat hunched, one hand covering his eyes, weeping. Scazzarda put an arm around Meredith, who was crying. Leo didn’t cry, but he was obviously touched by the scene. Miriam and the other children did not cry, but stared wide-eyed at the adults, their faces showing slight bewilderment. Meta Knight didn’t know what to say. He felt terrible.

“I’m sorry I hurt you,” Meta Knight whispered, “but you asked me for the truth, my son.” Tears sprang to his eyes. “I didn’t mean. . .”

“Father,” Tilry interrupted, getting control of his emotions and wiping his eyes. “You did not hurt me. I understand the truth is blunt sometimes, but I am not angry with you. I promise.” He let out his breath. “I just felt very overwhelmed by all of this—my hospitalization, Liloy’s abduction—and I broke.” His hands began to shake. “I didn’t mean to cause you so much grief. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“No!” Meta Knight objected. “No, Tilry. I love you, and I always will. You’re not causing me grief. I’m pained to see you in this condition, but you are not in any way causing trouble for me, so do not think you are.” He smiled sadly, though Tilry could not see it. “You’re very valuable to me, and I would not want to lose you for the world. No matter what happens in your life, you’ll always be precious to me.”

Tilry grasped both of Meta Knight’s hands in his, fighting back tears. Then the two embraced as everyone watched. Eloise lifted her hands and began to clap, and one by one, the others joined in the clapping. Soon the whole room echoed with applause.

Meta Knight and Tilry disentangled themselves from their embrace and smiled at their joyous, acclimating friends. Scazzarda meandered up to Tilry and fondled him. Then she did the same to her son. He returned the tender affection, his eyes gleaming light blue. The others began to participate in the hugging. Laughter, bear hugs, and tears shared a part of the sweet, emotional scene young Cloudy was witnessing.

But as Cloudy observed her jubilant friends winging round and round the room, sheer elation written on their faces; and when she saw Meta Knight and Tilry, their hands clasped, the smallest smile sprang to her lips. Yes, Tilry, you are indeed precious to Meta Knight. You’re precious to all of us. I love you more than you’ll ever know.

Tilry laughed and brushed his eyes with the back of his hand. “I’m sorry about all of this, children,” he apologized. “I don’t think you can really comprehend this at your age. You probably think this is odd.”

“No, sir,” answered Eloise in a no-nonsense intonation, firmly but respectfully. “We may be pretty young, but we’re not ignorant. We understand your situation completely.”

“That’s right,” Nika chimed. “Kids are a lot smarter and fathom way more than their executives think.”

Tilry had to smile at that statement. It was true, he knew. His father had once told him the very same thing. “You’re right.” He sighed and leaned back against the pillows, suddenly seeming very drained. Eloise felt sorry for him. He had been through so much in so short a time.

Meredith too noticed Tilry’s exhaustion. “Come, children,” she said in a low voice. “Let’s leave Tilry to his rest.” She opened the door and moved outside, Scazzarda and Leo behind her.

The other kids languidly trooped out of the room, Cloudy halting only once to look back at speak to Tilry. “See you later, Tilry,” she murmured. “I’ll be praying for you—and for your life.”

Tilry smiled tiredly at her. “Bless you, child,” he told her.

Cloudy smiled too, a feeling of warmth and ecstasy moving through her. As she passed out of the room and smoothly shut the door, she prayed in her heart, “Thank You, Jesus, for keeping me, Miriam, Liloy, Derek, and Meta Knight safe while in Joseph’s habitation. And thank You for helping us escape with our lives. I love You forever, Jesus. Amen.” Then she trotted down the hallway, turned the corner, and was gone.