Luna and Mei entered, Luna holding Nori.
Nori, who had been poisoned.
21
Bisma’s stomach lurched. ‘Nori!’
‘Baji,’ the five-year-old cried, face wet with tears.
The veins of her hands were dark blue, the poison spreading up past her wrist.
Bisma and Xander turned to one another at the same time, the same thought crossing their minds.
‘We have to try,’ she said.
Xander didn’t hesitate. He grabbed the potion they had just concocted, and Bisma gathered Nori into her arms. Nori clung tightly to Bisma, both arms wrapped around her neck.
Hot tears fell onto Bisma’s shoulder, and her heart twisted painfully. ‘Shh, you’re going to be fine,’ Bisma said, voice soothing as she sat down, Nori in her lap. ‘Nori, look at me.’ But Nori wouldn’t let go of Bisma’s head. Over Nori’s shoulder, Bisma exchanged a glance with Luna and Mei.
‘Nori, come on,’ Luna coaxed. ‘You have to take some medicine, okay?’
‘I don’t want to!’ Nori cried, clutching Bisma tighter. Bisma stroked her back.
‘Nori, please,’ Mei said. ‘Otherwise you won’t feel better.’
‘Don’t you trust your baji?’ Bisma asked. Nori nodded slightly. ‘Now, come, be a good girl.’ With a sniffle, Nori pulled back, and Bisma brushed aside Nori’s messy hair. ‘That’s it.’
Bisma turned Nori so she was facing forward, still sitting in her lap. She nodded at Xander, who was ready with a small vial of the cure.
‘It’s going to be okay,’ Bisma said, addressing this to Mei and Luna as well. ‘We made a cure; she’ll be fine now.’
‘Hello, brave girl, can you open your mouth, pretty please?’ Xander asked Nori, crouching down in front of her.
Nori looked at the vial, then shook her head, whimpering.
‘It’s medicine, sweet,’ Bisma said, giving the five-year-old a squeeze. ‘Just a sip and you’ll feel better, OK? Pinkie promise.’
Tears rolled down Nori’s face as she shook her head again.
‘Nori, please?’ Bisma asked, her voice breaking. The poison was spreading up Nori’s arms. ‘Just a little bit, I promise.’
Finally, Nori opened her mouth. Without delay, Xander emptied the liquid into her mouth, and she swallowed it, quickly dissolving into tears once more.
‘No taste good,’ she cried, turning to bury her face against her sister.
‘I’m sorry,’ Bisma said, stroking Nori’s hair as she blubbered against Bisma’s chest. ‘But you did so well!’
They waited, holding their breath.
Mei hugged Luna, while Xander stayed crouched in front of Bisma.
She looked at him. Without thinking, she reached for his hand only to find he was already reaching for her. They clutched each other, holding on.
A few long moments passed before Nori stopped crying.
Bisma watched Nori’s arm. ‘Xander, look,’ she said, gasping. The poison was receding. Bisma stood Nori up so they could all see.
‘It’s working,’ he whispered.
