Chapter 13: Remembering

Beep…. Beep….beep….

What’s that noise? Sounds familiar.

Beep… beep… beep….

Hmm….

“Zzzz….”

“ZzzZzzZZzzz…”

“ZZZZZZZ….”

Snoring? Hah! It’s Peppy, Falco, and Slippy. Still can’t get over how loud Slippy can be.

“Mng… ngh….”

Huh? Krystal? Why is she whimpering like that?

“Sniff sniff….”

Who’s crying? And that’s that scent… disinfectant? Am I in a hospital? Slowly Fox opened his eyes to see white tile above his head and IV’s, one filled with blood and a heart monitor. Ah! Hospital. As his head and back were slightly elevated, he didn’t have to move much more than his eyes to see Peppy in a cushy chair near the foot of the bed, fast asleep. Nearby to the hare’s left Slippy and Falco had their chairs facing each other with their feet propped up on the other’s seat, a trick all three had mastered at the Academy. Both were asleep too.

Fox slowly turned his head slightly to his left, to see Krystal in a bed pushed not one foot from his. She was squirming slightly in her sleep, making soft whimpering noises as is she was having nightmare.

Then Fox heard the crying again. He turned his head a bit to the right where he saw a pristine white fox standing at the window looking out, his back to the beds. He was leaning on his hand on the glass, his other hand wiping at his eyes apparently. Fox wanted to say something, but his throat was parched and painful, and his voice wouldn’t work so all that came out was a ragged gasp. Instantly Skye raised his head and, seeing the reflection in the window, spun around the, in a few quick steps was at the bedside.

“Fox!” Skye’s voice was not much more than a relieved whisper in itself. “You’re awake! Thank heavens.” Again Fox tried to speak, but couldn’t. Skye shook his head. “The doc said you might not be able to speak at first. Throat dry?” A nod. “He said it would be cuz… cuz you lost a lot of blood. Here.” Skye picked up a cup of water at the bedside table, stuck in a straw for Fox, and gave him a drink. The first gulp was painful, but it passed as the cool liquid refreshed his throat. When he’d had enough, his brother put the cup back down and clasped Fox’s hand in his to tightly it almost hurt. But Fox just returned the gesture as best able. “Fox, I’m so sorry - “ Fox’s smile and slight shake of his head interrupted Skye, and he whispered softly,

“My… brother….” It nearly reduced Skye to tears. Then the white vulpine seemed to remember the others sleeping nearby.

“He’s awake,” he said somewhat loudly, instantly waking the others.

“Fox!” Krystal was at his side in a split second, giving him a hug which was returned gently. “How ya feein’ buddy?” Falco asked, seeming a bit subdued for him.

“Not so good.” Before any could comment, he continued. “I hate hospitals.” Peppy chuckled, though his eyes were over bright.

“You’re feeling better if you’ve got your humor intact.”

“I’ll go find General Pepper.” Slippy said as he darted out the door.

“General Pepper is here?” asked Fox.

“He returned from his sick leave vacation the instant he heard you were hurt, and only just went to the cafeteria for a snack,” Krystal explained, adding, “You’ve been out cold for over a day.”

“Whoa.” Fox looked up at the IV. “Good thing for transfusion, huh.”

“And that Skye was here,” agreed Peppy. “Just about the best match you could ask you “ Fox smiled, then tipped his head.

“Skye?” The older McCloud was staring a bit into nothing, but blinked when he heard his name.

“He’s been doing that all day,” muttered Falco.

“I’m - trying to remember.”

“Remember what?” asked Krystal.

“Anything. Anything before Andross, before the pain. But it’s been as long… and he beat every memory out of me it seems… except one.” He looked at Fox intently. “I was eating ice cream with sprinkles. I remember someone - father I think - saying “This doesn’t’ mean we love you any less, Skye. We could never do that. I’ll need you to look out for him, especially when he’s little.’” He paused. “I think he was talking about you, Fox. I remembered it at the Miser, after what you said. It made me realize that a huge mistake I’d been making, that I should be trying to connect with my family, not kill them.” He sighed. “It’s the only memory I have, I think.”

“Maybe you’ll remember more,” offered Krystal comfortingly.

“I keep trying, but all I hear is his voice saying ‘forget, forget, forget.’” Just then they hears jogging footsteps, and Slippy returned with General Pepper.

“Glad to see you’re up and awake, lad,” he greeted the patient.

“Me too, General.” General Pepper looked a bit curiously at Skye, as if not recognizing him.

“Not I’m a bit confused. First I hear that you are put in the hospital after a fight with a black fox, but Peppy insisted he be allowed to remain in the room with you. But he’s most certainly not white.”

“Before you say anything else, General,” Peppy said, “I want you to take a good, close look at that fox.” Skye, meanwhile, was looking at the General a bit oddly, his eyes partially squinted, the lids trembling, as if he was concentrating heavily.

“What are you talking about, Peppy? And why is he looking at me like - “

“You… think….” Skye suddenly said slowly. He closed his eyes completely. “You… think… you’re… going to… take my place some day, eh little kit?” His eyes opened as he finished speaking. “You said that to me,” he continued, pointing at General Pepper. “I remember! But… I don’t think I could see anything, because I… I can’t remember seeing you say it.” Now the general’s eyes were wide.

“It - it can’t be… Skye!” Fox laughed.

“Surprised, General?”

“Quite. And I know why you couldn’t see. It was the day your father told me Vixy was pregnant again, and I‘d offered you a lollipop. You leaned forward to grab it, but instead grabbed my hat and put it on. Of course, it was too big for you.” He smiled. “Seems like you have quite a story to tell, McCloud. And I do mean both of you.” That got a laugh.

“Guess I’ll go first,” offered Skye, once more closing his eyes and thinking back.