Robecca stared at the note she received, her copper fingers nearly ripping through it. Steam was coming out of her ears out of the pure fear that was coursing through her gears.
The rest of the ghouls; Jinafire, Skelita, Operetta, and Rochelle recieved a note from Venus as well. Jinafire rolled her eyes and was about to rip hers apart but Skelita stopped her. She doesn't have the same amount of fear Robecca has, but she and the other 2 could tell something was up. This isn't like Venus.
The notes consisted of Venus speaking about how thankful she was for their friendship, apologizing for anything annoying or overwhelming she could have done. Jinafire's note was only an apology, the two aren't exactly good friends. But still, for Venus to get so mushy and sentimental and not in person is.. odd. Venus loves her friends, but they all know that unless she was super sick, she would have came up to them in person. In fact, they haven't seen Venus for 2 hours..
The school bell rang, a reminder for students to head to class. Jinafire reached into her locker to grab one of her textbooks, ignoring what she thought was just some stupid little stunt from Venus, but she stopped when she saw Robecca.. hyperventilating ? She certainly doesn't look ok, and the other ghouls could tell.
She may have a large dislike for Venus, but she certainly cares a lot for Robecca and would feel wrong to just leave when she needs support.
" Robbie, are ya gonna tell us- " Operetta coughed as she accidentally inhaled some steam, backing up from her.
" .. a- are you- ough- gonna tell us what's wrong ? You know that Venus better than us "
" ... Th- whh,, hmn.. "
Rochelle winced as she heard Robecca's gears working much faster than normal. Jinafire's face tensed, worried for Robecca and feeling slightly more alarmed.
" Robecca, if Venus is in danger- " " WE HAVE TO GO- "
The ghouls all held their ears, Robecca's voice having come out with several clanks and scrapes. She immediately felt bad about it.
" V- venus- where- did any of you see her last ?! "
" Most likely in his green house at the school.. he basically lives there " Rochelle suggested
" We cannot be standing around giving guesses where Venus could be. Let's go, now ! " Jinafire urged, already running for the green house. Rochelle and Operetta followed quickly.
Skelita was just about to follow them when she noticed Robecca struggling to move, steam and ink pouring out of her eyes. She went up to Robecca and offered her a hand.
" Let's go save Venus together.. "
" I- I- Haa- AAA- "
Robecca's entire system was failing her, so overwhelmed with fear and sadness that she's trying to do and say several things at once. Skelita whimpered, unsure how to help.
" I'm sorry ! "
Skelita took her hand and started to drag her to where the other ghouls went. She felt bad, she never knew what to do when someone was experiencing a panic attack, especially in a dire situation. She feels terrible.
Being forced to move at least helped Robecca in terms of motor function, being able to start moving much faster. Skelita yelped as she was basically flying, trying to hold onto Robecca as they zoomed past the ghouls and towards the greenhouse.
Operetta was on her phone, calling Venus repeatedly and pacing back and forth. Jinafire and Rochelle were flying around and looking for an entrance or maybe a window where they could spot Venus from, but nothing. Large, thick vines hugged the greenhouse, leaving almost no room for entry. Normally when an unwanted presence is at the greenhouse, the plants would attack, but instead they remained still, acting as a sheild.
Robecca ran into one of the vines and fell over. Jinafire quickly caught Skelita and held her as the two ghouls watched Robecca shakily getting back up as fast as she could.
She grabbed onto one of the vines and tried pulling it off desperately. " LET ME IN. LET ME IN. YOU KNOW ME, WHY CAN'T I SEE HER ?! " She desperately screamed at the vines, her voice changing frequency and pitch with almost every syllable. Jinafire blew fire at one of the vines, but that only caused them to slap her hard, sending her and Skelita flying. Rochelle was at the top, pulling at the vines as well and beating at the glass that was just barely visible.
" She ain't answering her phone ! " Operetta cried out. She looked around at the chaos, then an idea came to her head.
She tried singing to get the vines to at least soften up. As soon as she started singing, all the ghouls but Robecca covered their ears. They quickly went over to cover them for her as they kept singing, trying not to break.
The ghouls sighed in relief as the vines softened, and Robecca immediately started pulling them off. Without hesitation, she punched open the door, shattering the glass and setting off the alarms. The ghouls were just thankfully they could get in now, even Jinafire seems to be extremely worried.
Robecca was the first to zoom in, her heart pounding, her fans slowly overheating, steam coming from almost every hole in her body. She felt light, she felt like she was just a host in her own body as she charged through the dimly lit greenhouse.
She doesn't want this to be happening, to potentially lose Venus. She's known him ever since she was brought back to life, they've done so much together. She got to know wonderful Venus is, she relearned how to live again because of Venus, she understood Venus and Venus understood her. She is well aware of Venus' struggles, she's well aware of the things Venus feels and has gone through, and Robecca can't help but feel like a terrible friend thinking that she hadn't done enough to keep Venus in everyone's lives.
She hadn't got to tell Venus how she felt, she feels that maybe, if he knew just how special he was, that maybe he wouldn't do this..
Thoughts one would think of in about 2 minutes came to Robecca in 20 seconds, overriding her system and bringing all sorts of pain. Thankfully, 20 seconds was all the time that it took for Robecca to find Venus. And she screamed.
The ghouls flinched and covered their ears again, but recovered quickly and ran to the source of her scream. Rochelle was the first there by Robecca's shaking side, and she too nearly screamed, covering her mouth in horror.
Operetta was second, and he gasped, shakily reaching down for Venus' body.
He turned him over. Beside Venus was a now empty bottle of plant killer, and Venus' skin looked ashier than normal, his mouth was dry and his hair was starting to turn brown.
Robecca collapsed on top of Venus, letting out loud scratching and clanking noises as she sobbed, holding him close. Rochelle quickly took out her phone and dialed up a hospital quickly.
Everything was a blur for Robecca from there, every sounding blending in together, barely being able to tell what the other ghouls were saying, the sounds of the alarm, Rochelle scratching one of the glass walls of the greenhouse.
At one point, Jinafire tried pulling Robecca off of Venus, scared that the steam would only kill Venus faster, assuming she isn't already dead, but Robecca stayed, stubbornly and desperately clinging to Venus like a lifeline.
She didn't want to let go, she refuses to. She doesn't want to accept that Venus might be dead, and she'd want to hold Venus as she's dying, even if Venus isn't conscious to see it. She loves him more than anything, she loves being there for Venus, being with Venus, talking to Venus, cuddling, joking, studying, planting, building, everything !! And she refuses to abandon him at any point.
" VENUUUUUUSSS !! "
" ROBECCA ! "
Operetta instantly felt guilty. She's a headstrong, blunt ghoul, but there's some situations where she might just feel a teensy bit guilty for snapping, this is one of them, but she felt she had to say it.
" Quit it !! Get up !! The ambulance is almost here and they need to take Venus ! Please ! " Operetta pleased. She, Rochelle, and Jinafire needed to pull her up to get her untangled from Venus' body. Skelita ran over with an empty bucket as Robecca vomited some oil, ink, and water into it.
" Robecca, please listen to me ! It will all be ok !! Venus will be ok !! " Rochelle said worriedly, trying to soothe her robot friend, but her breakdown and panic was too intense, incapable of being consoled and relaxed, which made Rochelle more upset. She let out a shaky sigh as she felt she was failing her friends.
Obviously, the alarms alerted Headless Headmistress Bloodgood, who had come down and was trying to console the students, but Robecca doesn't care, she doesn't care about whatever the ghouls are talking about, whatever Bloodgood is doing, she only cares about Venus.
Bloodgood helped the ambulance take Venus and drive off, which only got Robecca screaming more and trying to chase after the ambulance. Restraining her took the effort of all of the ghouls and headmistress combined, Skelita let out a little yelp as Robecca accidentally hit her.
" VENUUUUS- " Robecca coughed as her voice box gave up on her, now only make gargling and cleaning noises as she kept trying to speak.
" Robecca Steam, relax ! You are going to hurt yourself and your friends ! " Bloodgood warned her as she kept thrashing, the sounds of the ambulance having faded away now.
Robecca can feel her vision going darker, her body giving up on her as she had wasted too much energy in too little time. Jinafire and Rochelle gently set her down as she passed out.
---------------------------------------------------------------
" ... Mother... Ffffucker.. "
Venus sighed as she processed her surroundings. The room was dark and cold, with a light shining to her left, immitating sunlight. There's a needle poking into her neck, giving her water. She groaned, feeling weak and confused, trying to remember what exactly had happened, how she ended up in the hospital.
In her groggy state, she tried to rise up only to immediately fall back down and hiss in pain, gritting her teeth and clutching the bed sheets hard. She identified the pain as coming from her stomach.
She lifted up the blanket and her hospital gown, making a face of surprise and pain as she saw stitches on her stomach. The scar looks awful.. what the hell ??
" What.. oh.. fuck. "
She remembers now; her suicide attempt. She tried drinking plant killer to die faster, and it was a lot more painful than she thought it would be, so painful that the pain knocked her out cold in seconds. She remembers how her lungs, stomach, and throat started burning in mere seconds, falling over and trying to clutch her most pained areas. And now she's in the hospital, meaning someone must have rescued her.
She sighed and teared up, immediately thinking about her ghoulfriends. She's scared, she's scared that they're mad at her for this, or that she had upset them greatly. She's most worried for Robecca, knowing how emotional and panicked she can get. The thought of Robecca being angry or frightened fills Venus with dread, feeling incredibly guilty for breaking and trying to take her own life. She feels like a massive burden.
He just laid there, staring up at the ceiling as she waited for something to happen, a tear slipping down her face as she imagined and hoped for someone to be here, especially Robecca. She feels all sorts of terrible.
A few minutes of just staring upwards in silence later, Venus heard one pair of footsteps, then two, three,, four,,
One of them was in heels, the other was more metalic, the other made softer taps, and another sounded heavy.
Before she managed to process who it was, she saw them through the window. Her heart shattered, the first thing she noticed being Robecca's ink-oil tear stained face, the sight of it making Venus tear up even more. A doctor looked at Venus, as if to confirm if they can come in, and she quickly gave a little nod.
The door was opened and the ghouls had to try their hardest not to basically burst into the room, to run towards Venus and hug her tightly, it was especially obvious with Robecca.
" .. V- Venus.. "
" .... "
She couldn't hold it in any longer, Venus started bawling her eyes out. That immediately made the ghouls rush to the bedside, and Robecca held her hands, starting to tear up herself.
" I'm so sorry ! I'm sorry ! I had a weak moment !! "
" Honeycomb, we're not mad at you ! It's all good !! We're just happy you're still here ! " Operetta tried assuring her. Jinafire and Skelita looked at each other, exchanging worried and saddened glances.
Rochelle came running in, having had to park the car somewhere. She joined in with the ghouls in trying to console Venus, immediately jumping into action.
" Venus, our dear, can you tell us what's wrong ? " Rochelle tried asking gently, then it noticed Robecca being on the verge of tears as well. She whimpered softly, waiting patiently for someone to talk.
" God- fuck- I couldn't- I couldn't be strong this time ! I wanted to be dead ! "
" ¿ Pero por que ? Do you want to talk about it ? "
" The visions ! The visions ! They don't stop ! Whether I'm asleep or awake ! No matter what I do for the environment, I'm reminded of horrible alternative outcomes of things going to shit ! I hate peacefully talking to people only to suddenly see their horribly mutilated corpses, their deformities, plants growing inside of them ! I'm tired of going outside only to suddenly see what the world would be like during the apocalypse ! Hell ! Hell ! HELL !! Everyday I see something terrible ! I've had so many nightmares of these disaster situations ! It's like a constant reminder that I have to help, that I have to do this and that or else we all die ! And knowing whenever I tell people I have these premonitions, I'm called crazy, DOES drive me crazy ! "
The ghouls stood there in silence, listening to Venus' little cries, having tired her voice out. The only other noises were a heart monitor and Robecca trying to hold back tears.
" No matter what I do for the environment, I'll always be remimded how badly things can go ! And no matter what I do, my efforts mean nothing ! I feel worthless ! I AM worthless !- " " STOP THAT "
Robecca couldn't take it anymore and started bursting into tears. She hugged Venus and sobbed, causing Venus to start sobbing again as well.
The other 4 ghouls stepped back a little, letting the two cry it out to each other. Jinafire sighed, her tail sagging down as she held hands with Skelita. She feels bad for wanting to rip apart Venus' note. Hell, none of the 4 ghouls have ever seen Venus this vulnerable and emotional, and it was making all of feel sympathetic.
" Venus ! I love you so much ! You are not worthless ! And it greatly concerns us that you dedicate so much of your worth to the world ! You are so much more than a knight of nature ! You're our friend, someone who's made us laugh and feel happy ! "
" She was real devasted when she thought you were dead.. " " she.. nevermind.. " Skelita shook her head, not wanting to possibly make Venus feel guiltier than she already does.
Venus looked at Robecca, watching steam and ink pour down her eyes as she gripped onto Venus tightly, almost shaking.
" These visions are so unfair to you ! You don't deserve to be tortured like that every day ! But we promise, we can help you with that ! We can help you with any of your problems ! "
" You do so much for others and the planet, but so little for yourself.. we've always noticed.. perhaps we should've made it more obvious how worrying it was.. Je suis désolé,, " Rochelle hung its head, feeling ashamed that she hadn't spoken more to Venus regarding his concerning patterns.
Robecca brought her shaky hands up to Venus' face, the two maintaining tearful eye contact, staying in silence for a few seconds.
" Y- you're- so amazing.. and I promise, as your ghoulfriends, we'll be there every step of the way for your recovery, we always will be ! "
" We can help find ways to cope with the visions and nightmares, and any other grievances you have.. " Jinafire spoke up, however having trouble looking at Venus.
" .. I don't want to lose you.. I love you.. "
Venus blushed, feeling her heart beating a little faster.
" .. i love you too.. "
" She really does love you, Venus.. we all do, but Robecca especially.. "
Steam came out of the vents in Robecca's cheeks, her form of being flustered. Venus took notice of this..
" ... I'm happy to hear that.. "
Venus wanted to comment on it, on the realization that Robecca was in love with her, but she decided to save that for another, better time. For now, Venus just wants to be here with the ghouls, resting and relaxing.
" Remember, we're here for you, ok ? If you have any other problems, please tell us.. "
" Oh I'm a big bag of problems.. " Venus said, chuckling weakly, " but don't forget to care for yourselves too "
" We won't.. '
Venus weakly opened her arms, the ghouls happily went in for a group hug. Robecca nuzzled her face against Venus', and he leaned back against her in response. Rochelle couldn't help but watch as the two ghouls hugged so intimately, with Robecca playing with Venus' hair, and Venus getting her lips so close to Robecca's. It gave a soft smile, wagging its little stony tail in delight, happy to watch her closest friends acting so cuddly.
" Do you need anything, dear ? "
" I just want to keep cuddling.. "
" I'll stay here forever.. I'll climb into bed with you if I can " Robecca joked. Well, she was actually partially serious, she probably will if she's allowed. It made Venus chuckle a little.
" Thank you all.. so much.. "