At the general touch, Abby leaned back against his hand, her lack of sleep slowly catching up to her. She glanced up at Ryker as Sophia fell asleep again, her pulse steadying and slowing. "What shoukd we do?" She whispered. "I want to stay but I feel like waiting is going to kill me. I am not leaving her though." She considered this for a second. "I wonder if there is a vending machine somewhere. Maybe we can get something and come back?" She asked quietly.

Ryker glanced down at Abby, then back at Sophia, his brain going a million miles per hour. "You're not going to die." He smiled faintly. "Let's go check if there's some food- I think there was a vending machine just down the hall. Then we can come back. She's going to be okay, so we are all good to leave for a couple minutes." He said gently, although inside he was screaming that he didn't want to go. He wanted to hug Sophia forever and never let go. He moved his hand to hers, then slowly pulled her up, glancing back before heading towards the door.,

Yayyyy!)

Abby listened, but she didn't answer. She didn't know how to. So she just gave into his tug and followed him to the door. "Do we know how Rue is?" She asked. She was scared that he was going to have to be put down. She leaned against Ryker. She could barely stand by herself.

(Pff, I've been busy)

-

Ryker stayed silent for a while, not wanting to answer her question. "We don't really know yet. Until I can get back to see exactly how bad it is..." His voice faltered. Who was he kidding- Martin had been an equine vet for 14 years after he retired from the army. Of course he would know. Ry sighed. "Martin says it's bad." He finally answered, putting an arm around Abby to keep her steady.

No excuses hahah)

Abby held in a tear. "So we have to out him down..?" She kept her composure for a few more minutes, but her mind raced. Eventually a tear slid down her cheek. "It keeps getting worse and worse..." Abby shook her head then pulled her red hair back into a messy bun. "Sorry. It was getting it in my way" there were two small licks of hair that framed her face

(NOT AN EXCUSE- A FACT)

-

Ryker squeezed her shoulders. "We don't know yet. Martin may be able to save him." He said, then looked at her. "No, it doesn't. it could still be much worse. We're both okay, Sophia is alive, the doctor said she CAN recover, and there's a vending machine. It does not keep getting worse." He commented quietly, brushing another stray hair away from her face. "Everything's going to be okay."

LOL STILL DOESNT COUNT!)

Abby grinned "and there's a vending machine. Wow" she rolled her eyes, her gaze darting away from him. She looked back at him when his hand lightly moved her hair away. "I know it will, but I just always have this sinking feeling... like I'm just waiting for all of the good to ripped from me..." she rested her cheek on his shoulder then sighed.

Ryker cast a look at her, chuckling slightly at her face. "It's an upside." He pointed out, then sighed quietly. "You'll never be able to get rid of the anxiety, but at least try to focus on the good. There is a silver lining on EVERY cloud, no matter how dark and ominous." He pointed out, glancing back towards the hallways that held Sophia's room. She would be okay. That was likely. By percentages, she had a high chance of being able to walk again. That's what he was going to rely on. Then he could be strong for Abby.

Abby couldn't help but sigh. "I don't know where I'd be or what I would be doing if you weren't here." She pulled away then stared into the glass on the machine. "Ooh! Cheetos! I want those" she pointed at the orange bag. "Please?" She waited a moment then watched him out the money in (because he obviously bought her the Cheetos lol) then smiled as it fell tot he bottom. She grabbed the Cheetos and pulled opened the bag, grabbing one and chomping down on it. "Mmm thank you"