Chapter 21

Arthur found it difficult to walk on campus towards the infirmary. He figured it had something to do with him all tied up and the fact his left hand-wing's membrane was torn, leaving him a bit vulnerable and bloodied.

He hoped no other carnivores smelled his blood.

Bill knew Arthur was about to collapse ever since they were on the train back to school. So, he decided to carry the Honduran white bat until they reached the medical wing of the infirmary. The Bengal tiger was surprised at how light Arthur was considering he has fluffy white fur. He allowed the bat to cling onto the tiger's back while his wings draped over Bill's shoulder. It made Bill feel like he's wearing a cape or a very furry backpack with hand-wings as the straps.

Of course, the nurse was horrified at what she saw when a tiger came in with a bloodied bat. She glared at Bill before prying Arthur off of him to get him treated. Now the tiger was left alone, feeling guilty that he had put Arthur at risk and injured.

'Great, now everyone is going to think that I have hurt him,' Bill thought to himself as he watched Arthur being placed on the medical bed. The nurse had to patched up his wounds and fed him a few sips of water which the bat gulped down as if he had crossed the desert.

Bill decided to leave, heading straight towards the cafeteria, finding a way to make peace with the bat.

As he was making his way to the cafeteria to order something for Arthur to eat, his muttering was a bit loud, making some animals eavesdrop.

One of them was a surprised harlequin rabbit.

...

Arthur was wincing in pain as the nurse injected anaesthetic into him so that it numbed the pain on his left wing. He was debating whether the stinging pain of alcohol applied to his bloody wounds or the fact that he felt a needle with thread being sewed into the membrane of his left wing was the worst thing to endure.

His stomach growled, realising he hasn't eaten anything since his little 'adventure' with Bill. Speaking of which, he moved his mouth a bit to click, trying to find another presence in the room besides the nurse.

He wanted to speak but the medication made his mouth feel numb as well. Arthur bet that he sounded like a drunken sailor at this point.

The Honduran white bat's ears swivelled around to hear at least a different sound that might comfort him. Something about the medical wing and hospitals gave him an unsettling feeling. It's like the slow caresses of the Reaper was finally going to take him after he struggled to fight for his life.

But he knew that's just an exaggeration!

"Are you okay?" the nurse asked with concern. Arthur can't make out what kind of animal was she but the tone of the voice suggested that she might be a herbivore. He smiled and nodded.

"I'm okay. Is my injury that horrifying for you?"

"Nonsense! Yours is minor but I might have to talk to your dorm mother about this incident that you're in and there's a chance you need a day's rest so I need to see your timetable to let the teachers know."

Arthur's ears drooped a bit. "Ah, but the problem is that my timetable is in braille."

Before the nurse could say anything, the door of the infirmary was opened and Arthur recognised those voices.

"Arthur!" the voice of Aoba gave him a sense of relief. "I almost molt my entire feathers when I saw Bill muttering to himself and got some bruises on his face. I'm glad you're okay. Bill told me what happened and I just can't believe it."

The bat gave a small laugh. "Neither could I. I was surprised when the both of us are still alive and not some animal's main course."

The bald eagle couldn't help but smile at how Arthur is still lightening up the mood despite the pain he's in. He placed his wing gently over his friends shoulder. "I'm sure this pain will pass. You're a fighter."

Arthur grasped Aoba's wing with his two fingers. "I'm just doing what I can to keep me and Bill safe. Speaking of which, where is he?"

He heard his eagle friend sighed. "He felt guilty for putting you through that ordeal. He asked me to give this to you."

Arthur felt a round, warm object placed into his wings. He sniffed, inhaling the scent of wok-fried noodles, he could tell by the texture when he felt it and the wobble of the fried egg yolk that was going to be runny when he sliced it opened.

"Please, give him my thanks," the bat lifted his head at the direction where his friend was. "Aoba, please come sit with me if you like. I feel bad that you are just standing there."

The eagle complied to the bat's wish and sat at the chair close to the bed. So the both of them just chatted while Arthur ate his late supper. He never realised that he's been gone since six o'clock! It was almost an hour to midnight.

"Don't worry about tomorrow," Aoba assured him. "I'll record the lessons and let you know what homework we're getting."

"Aoba, I can't thank you enough," Arthur thanked him, grateful to have a friend like him. He clicked to check his surroundings again and was disappointed that he could hear faded footsteps. This meant that visiting hours will be over soon.

The Honduran white bat had never had this sort of excitement and thrills ever since he left Gryphon Cross. He remembered when he was in primary, he and Sameer would have some adventures but that was tame compared to his encounter with the Shishigumi.

He hoped that Bill was okay after that ordeal.

When it was close to midnight, Aoba bid him goodnight while the bat was left with his own thoughts in the infirmary. He flexed his left wing but winced when he felt the pain where the wound was sewn.

It's going to be disappointing, playing his instruments with one hand-wing. But he knew that he will have to be patient and accept what's been given to him.

Feeling tired, he wrapped his wings around his body before letting himself be bounded by the blankets. He felt like a larva going through the stage of metamorphosis.

All he could do now was try to fall asleep.