246 36 Fever Dream

As the day progressed, Maru remained huddled in her blanket. "Maru," Rick gently called out. She didn't look up. "How about we eat something?" He began walking over. Maru quickly hid her face in the blanket. Rick sighed as he sat down. "Maru, you really do need to eat something," He paused. The blanket began shaking. "Maru," He whispered. "Please tell me you're not..." He quickly pried the blanket off of her face. Maru squeaked. Rick touched his lips to her forehead. His eyes widened. "You're burning up!" He cried. He quickly rose up. He rushed to the refrigerator. He went into the freezer, grabbing an ice pack. d.a.m.nit! How the h.e.l.l was I so clueless!? He thought to himself. As Rick got back to the couch, he gently placed the ice pack on the girls forehead. She flinched. "Maru..." He whispered, caressing her cheek. Maru whimpered. He sighed. "I-" He looked down at her. Was this really the time to tell her everything? Why he killed her best friend? She had the right to know, but was this the best opportunity? "When you feel better..." He closed his eyes. "We'll have a talk."

Sena walked into the apartment. "I have the medicine." She said, handing a bag to Rick. "Sena...thank you." He said, taking the medication out. "I don't know how I didn't notice..." She looked down. "Relax, don't beat yourself up over it, we caught it." Sena nodded. "Ok Maru," Rick said, grabbing a spoon from a drawer. "Sena brought you medicine, you have to take it to feel better, 'kay?" He smiled. He sat down, and proceeded to pour some medication on the spoon. "Say Aah," Maru looked at him. As she slowly opened her mouth, Rick put the spoonful of medication in her mouth. She swallowed, making a face. Sena, and Rick clapped. "Good girl!" Rick beamed, patting her head. Maru looked at him, as if she wanted to say something.

As night came, Rick shut the lights in the living room. "I'd have you come lay with me," He chuckled. "But, I don't wanna get sick too..." He rubbed his head sheepishly. "Here," he walked over to the couch. "Why don't you lay down." He grabbed one of her stuffed animals. "Mr. bunny wants you to feel better soon!" He joked, making pretend that Mr. Bunny gave her a kiss. Rick chuckled amused for a second. "Okay," He said. "I'll be in my room," He paused. "I..." He knelt down. Maru weakly turned to him. He blushed, and exhaled. "I love you, Maru..." Maru's eyes widened. He touched his lips to her forehead again. "Seems like your fevers gone down..." He rose up. "goodnight." He waved, shutting his door over a bit. Maru stared at the door for a few moments, then turned to lay on her back. She stared at the ceiling for a bit, until she drifted off to sleep.

"Hey!" A voice cried out. Maru looked around frantically. She knew that voice. "Maru, over here!" Her eyes widened. Cole stepped out from some kind of fog, beaming. Maru wanted to run over. But her legs wouldn't budge. She couldn't believe it. She hadn't seen her best friend in months. That's when she realized. She hadn't seen him because he was dead. Cole frowned. "Oh!" He closed his eyes, nodding. "I guess you just realized huh...?" He opened his eyes. "That's ok!" He gave a smile. "I..." He paused. "I just wanted to explain everything." He looked at her. "My best friend deserves an answer!" He giggled. "Before I explain..." he blushed. "I really like your new hair!" He looked down sheepishly. "and..." tears welled in his eyes. "You got taller...!" He looked and smiled. "Oh yeah...I forgot." He giggled. "You can't talk..." He then looked around. "I called you here because..." Maru looked at him. "Well, Rick and I..." He smiled sadly. "We made a promise!" Maru's eyes widened. "I'm sorry...I know you have so many questions." He chuckled. "Well," He began. "Rick was sent to be my doctor." He looked at Maru, to make sure she was following along. "I know it's hard to hear, but Rick was a killer before he met us." Cole looked down for a second. "But, he's always had a soft spot for kids..." he said. "Anyway, the moment he became Rick..." he shut his eyes. "Was when he took off that mask...for the final time." He looked at her. "That was when he was about to...kill me." He chuckled nervously. "Maru," He began. "The Reaper has killed...many people." He said. "But," He looked Maru dead in the eyes. "Rick has killed The Reaper." Maru swallowed. Cole then smiled. "It's about time he finally told you huh..." He chuckled. "I'm glad he finally told you he loves you!" He beamed. "I have to go..." He quickly said. "Please Maru," He began. "One! Never forget those three words, it's not easy for him!" He looked at the giant clock on the wall. "Two! Tell him everything!" The clock was about to strike the next minute. "Three! Please...forgive him." The room went white. Maru caught a glimpse of Cole mouth three words.

Maru quickly gasped for air. She sat up on the couch. She touched her face, breathing heavily. "Rick!" She cried, running to his room. Rick sprang up quickly. "W-What!?" He cried out, half asleep. Maru jumped on the bed. She crawled on top of him. "I know everything!" She cried. Rick looked at her. "W-What do you mean...?" He said, stroking her hair. "Cole told me...!" Rick's eyes widened. "You have to believe me!" She looked at him. Rick slowly raised his hand to Maru's forehead. Her fever was gone. "I believe you..." He said, stunned. Maru began tearing up. "I'm glad..." she cried. "I'm glad you're Rick!" Rick's eyes welled up. "C-come here..." He said, holding out his arms. The two embraced. Maru cried into him. Rick teary eyed, stroked her hair.

A few minutes later, Maru was asleep in Rick's arms. Rick stared at the ceiling. "Cole..." he whispered. "Thank you..." he shut his eyes, and drifted off to sleep.