“Hey…” Arkay peered into the cockpit, where Galyn had settled down, switching between keeping an eye on autopilot, watching amusing videos, and dozing off. There was nothing to do, so Galyn was taking advantage of the peace and quiet to make some for himself.
“You are up late…” Galyn grunted, spotting Arkay’s shadow. “Can you not sleep?”
Arkay shook his head, shuffling forward awkwardly. “Shoulder hurts. Stomach hurts. Feel uncomfortable.”
Galyn shrugged, pausing his video and turning to face Arkay. “Have you taken anything?”
“No…” Arkay muttered.
“There is some painkilling syrup in the medicine cabinet in the first aid room. Take some, have some water and see how you feel.”
Arkay hesitated, then shuffled off, taking a fleece blanket with him. Galyn listened to Arkay’s footsteps as they faded off down the main corridor. There was a creak of a door, some fumbling around, a few more footsteps, then silence.
Satisfied, Galyn turned his video back on, but not before plugging his little headphones in. Or rather, just one of them. He wanted to keep an ear out for more movement.
For a good hour however, Galyn heard nothing. No movement aside from the normal creaks and bangs the Thantir Two always made. It was all rather peaceful. Especially in the darkness, with only the panels and floor lights illuminating the way.
After that hour, Galyn seemed satisfied, and put on his second headphone. As he did so though, he heard more shuffling. Arkay had reappeared in the doorway, wrapped up in a fleece blanket and clutching his side.
“Did the painkiller syrup not help?”
“No…” Arkay shook his head. “Didn’t help at all.”
“How about the water?” Galyn asked. He noticed that Arkay looked a little pale and clamy, but otherwise looked fine.
“Can’t really drink. I feel really sick. Really ill.”
Galyn grunted, pausing his video again so he could properly focus on Arkay. “What is actually bothering you? Tell me the truth.”
“My… My chest hurts…” Arkay muttered.
“How so?”
“A sharp, stabbing pain. Here…” The little Decayling rubbed his side, just under where one would assume his heart was.
“And it has not gone away?”
“It has gotten worse. Can’t sleep because of it. I’m… Scared. Really, really scared.”
“Do you think it will go away with some rest?”
“I… I don’t know… It’s hard to think… My chest is pounding and I think I am panicking.”
Galyn grunted, turning to the cockpit panels. “Do you want me to take you to a hospital?”
Arkay hesitated, then nodded. “I’m scared that this is something bad. Like, really, really, genuinely bad.”
“Alright…” Galyn replied promptly, patting the seat next to him. “Sit down and wrap yourself up. We shall go to the nearest hospital as fast as we can. Do not fret, you will be fine…”
“Thank you…” Arkay stuttered, climbing into the seat.
“Do not be silly, little one. Your health and safety are more important than anything else. Besides, it is probably just something small and easily fixed…”