Chapter three
She falls asleep to Dr. D running his hands through her hair. It feels like someone poured sand in her lungs. She thinks it's pneumonia, worst case scenario a polio relapse. She didn't remember much about when was sick, but the one thing she did remember was the pain.
She wakes up hours later, already feeling better. She sits up and looks around to find a cloaked figure standing next to her. Everyone else in the room looks upset. She makes a realization. She's about to panic when the cloaked figure puts a gentle hand on her shoulder.
Checker flinches, "Wh-who are you?" she's about to cry.
"That's not important," she says softly, "Come with me."
Checker shakes her head, tears running down her face, "I-I don't wanna go. Please!"
The figure helps her up, "You have to," she explains softly, It'll be okay, I promise."
Checker's shaking, "Please no..."
"Close your eyes," the figure instructs. She closes her eyes and braces herself, falling back asleep.
~
Checker woke up to a blinding white light that surrounded her. She sits up and looks around to find a familiar blue-haired woman standing a few feet away from her.
"Manon…?" The two look at each other for a moment, taking in each other's presence. Pretty soon Manon runs over and wraps her sister in a hug
"Manon!" Checker hugs her tightly like she'll disappear if she lets go. The older woman doesn't say anything. Instead, she just holds her, gently rocking back and forth. Manon is surprisingly warm for a dead person. Checker basks in this warmth like she hadn't felt anyone in ages, which isn't technically wrong.
Checker indulges in the moment for a while, savoring the touch, but eventually she has a question. "...How can I see you?" Manon looks down at her with a bittersweet look on her face, "You're dead, honey." She explains softly.
Oh. She forgot about the figure. Although, if she took Manon, it surely wouldn't be that bad. Manon is crying softly, making Checker worried. "Don't cry..." her voice breaks like she's about to cry as well. Manon shakes her head and offers a watery smile, "I'm fine, kiddo. It's just been a while." Checker nods and buries her face into Lana's chest. "Where are we?" Checker asks, looking up at Manon and cocking her head. "I'm not sure..." She looks around, "We'll get to the parade soon, I promise," Manon reassures.
Checker doesn't know what the parade is, and to be honest, she doesn't really care either. All she cares about to the person holding her right now. She falls asleep against her, feeling happier than she ever has.