Chel returned to her yard only after seeing that the car had driven off. She didn't want them following her. Fly and Drift were quiet the entire walk back, but Kip was full of questions about what he was seeing. Chel ignored the questions, trying to walk gently. She had not felt the rocks and stones bruising and cutting her feet on the run out, but now as she was walking back, her feet stung with each step.
The door to the backyard was still open and a few feet into the yard, Stealth had collapsed onto the grass. She was breathing in slow ragged breaths, whining softly with each one. The cat couldn't stand because it hurt, but laying down hurt too. So did sitting.
"… Stealth?" Chel closed the gate behind her, careful not to get Fly's tail caught in it.
"Stealth! Stealth!! Wake up!" Both Drift and Fly shouted, squirming around in Chel's arms. Drift crawled up under her hair, not wanting to be anywhere that Stealth might be willing to attack. Chel walked slowly up to Stealth. She approached warily, not wanting to get attacked by the cat.
Seeing that Stealth was not going to get up, Fly dropped off Chel's shoulders, his ears twitching back and forth in curiosity. He could not help but feel a little guilt. Chel set Drift down, while Kip sprung to take Fly's place upon her shoulders.
"Stealth,… talk to me." Chel dropped to her knees by Stealth and touched her on the shoulder. "What should I do?? Can you heal on your own?" The cat didn't respond. "Stealth?" She still wasn't answering.
Chel was really worried now. What was she going to tell Lexx? Why had he left them all here anyway? Wait… that meant that Lexx had BEEN in her house and hadn't even let her know!
Stealth sighed, reminding Chel about the problem at hand. She had to get Stealth inside the house before anyone saw her and for that, she was going to need help from her brother and sister.
