Hati had been in the house all day, but he was too afraid to enter the sickroom. Every day the light in her once-bright blue eyes grew a little dimmer. It was breaking his heart. He tried to stay positive for her since the attack, visit her with stories or news, anything to take her mind of the pain. But it was obvious his mother's health was failing her, and he couldn't handle it anymore.
He was curled into a ball, fingers digging into his sides as he tried to think of something, anything, other than that. It was only the sound of murmured voices that drew his attention -- Ayita had visitors, more than usual. Hati rose quickly and stumbled down the hall, drawn and haggard from losing sleep. His pale eyes were set in deep exhausted circles, his mane disheveled and uncombed for once. He barely ate. It felt so wrong to be healthy and fit while his mother was wasting away. And what had been her crime, to deserve this punishment? All she wanted was to travel, to visit her far-flung family. Hati couldn't deny the vague misdirected anger he felt towards Liam, who had finally returned and had taken his place at Ayita's side. If Liam had never left in the first place, perhaps their mother would not have had reason to travel, and would not have been attacked by some degenerate loner. His feelings toward Skoll were no longer as sharp as they had been weeks ago; the crisis was drawing them closer again, softening the rough edges between the brothers.
Hati stood in the doorway, gazing at the scene before him. Amaranth and Kable, Skoll and Liam, most of his mother's children were gathered by her side. Even Terra, an honorary kinsman, was solemn and still. There was blood in the air, and sickness, and decay; tears were shining in many eyes, as they all gazed sadly on Ayita's broken body, listened to each wheezing breath. Hati trembled, clutching at his chest. It hurt to breathe. He stared at Skoll, brave and powerful Skoll, pressing himself against her like a mewling puppy. It occurred to him, in a strangely detached clarity, that he and his littermates would be yearlings tomorrow. Their mother was not going to see their first birthday.
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