Red: Balto Yellow: Asha Kofi
Green: Christa Orange: Idrissa Kofi
Blue: Nikki Purple: Duke
Other Charakters: Italic
I gave her a tight hug, and said silently to her:
``He will be fine, Christa. I bet he will wake up tomorrow''
She looked worried through the window, to her son.
I could barely hear her answer:
``I really hope so, Nicole. But you should go home now, you have to go to college tomorrow.''
``Christa, I can't. I could never concentrate on school stuff now''
``You have too. I promise, I will call you, if something changes.''
Then she looked over to Duke.
``Your name was Duke, right?''
``Yes, Mrs. Star.''
``Can you give Nikki a ride back home?''
``Sure, with pleasure. And if you should need something, my Number is saved in Balto's phone, and Nikki also has it.''
``Thank you, Duke. Now that you mention it, where is Balto's phone? The doctor gave me everything they found in his pockets. But his phone wasn't there.''
I asked surprised: ``It wasn't? Then it must have fallen out of his pocket, as he hit the ground. But I haven't seen it there anywhere. Duke, do you know if your colleague maybe has found it?''
``No Nikki, he has not mentioned anything about it. Maybe the other kid took it.''
I had to smile a little. Christa was clearly irritated. ``Why are you smiling, Nicole?''
``If it is true, that the other kid took the phone, then we have him. Balto's mobile has a tracker, which cannot be disabled so easily. We activated it before we visited this rock concert, and it was active since then.''
Duke was smiling now aswell.
``Good, then I will try to track it down. That would make this so much easier. If it works, we will find the guy very fast''
Christa came a step closer to us now, and looked at Duke.
``Please, if you find out anything, tell it to me immediately. I want to know who did this. I don't know if this helps, but a couple of months ago, Balto had problems with a bully. That boy was suspended from school, after he attacked Balto in school. I don't know the name, but you could ask his teacher at the Seppala Middle School, Mr. Wertenson.''
``Ok, that sure will help. We will go now, Mrs. Star. If Balto wakes up, can you tell him I said hi?''
``Sure Duke, I will greet him from you. Stay save. Good night, you two. And, thanks a lot''
``Good night, Christa.'' I turned my look over to my mate. ``Good night, my prince. I will be back as soon as I can''
Duke made himself some notes, before we drove home. I said goodbye to Duke, as we arrived, and walked to the front door of our house. My parents opened the door.
My mother asked me, after she has seen my face: ``Nicole, why does a police officer bring you home? Did something happen? Have you cried? What is wrong?''
I had to fight with my tears.
"Balto had an accident, while we made a walk at the beach. Someone attacked him, he felt with his head on a rock. He is in a hospital now, but still unconscious. The doctor said his injuries are not that heavy, but still, it is all so horrible, mom''
I felt into her arms and started to cry. It was simply too much for me. Dad stepped closer, to give me a hug.
``Nicole, he will be fine, he is a strong boy. Does the police have any clues?''
``Yes, dad. They go after a bully, who was thrown out of Balto's school, after he bullied him''
``That is good. But the most important thing is, that Balto gets better. In which hospital is he?''
``In the St. Francesco D'Assisi Hospital''
``That clinic has a good cub's medical unit. We were there with you several times Nicole, if you remember that.''
``No, I don't, dad''
He looked at me, with a little smile.
``Not even the time you almost electrocuted yourself with the toaster?''
I remembered it now. ``Oh, yes. Please do never tell Balto about that. I was so stupid back then....''
``Or this one time, where you wanted to play baseball with a hornet's nest?''
I had to smile a little, but that didn't last long.
``Dad, it is enough, I know I did pretty stupid stuff as a cub...''
``Yes, you did. But you always managed to survive it. And Balto will be fine as well. You should concentrate now on your school tomorrow, since you have a play in the next days, as far as I remember that. What was it, Macbeth?''
``True. But that is in a few weeks, tomorrow is just a rehearsal.''
``It is still important. And after school, we all will drive to the hospital. Maybe your mate is awake by then.''
``I hope so, dad. Thank you''
``Any time, Nicole. Now, try to get some sleep. I will check if everything is ok next door, then I will call Christa.''
Mom smiled at me.
``I am sure your cutie will wake up tomorrow.'' She then quickly turned over to my father, who just wanted to leave: ``Oh Idrissa, if you go over, can you look for Balto's little plushie? You know, the one with the red bandana? I bet he would be happy to have it with him in the hospital''
``Yeah, I think I know which one you mean. I will look for it''
I was already on the way to my room, as I heard that.
``Dad, it is next to his bed, on the nightstand. It always sits there. And thank you mommy, that is a wonderful idea. He has that plushie always with him, since he was a little cub.''
Dad walked over, and I must have fallen asleep, before he came back. Next thing I remember is, that I woke up in my bed, Balto's little friend next to me. Like he has watched over my sleep. I took it with me to school that day, for good luck.
The day took forever to end. I always watched my phone, but it simply didn't want to rang.
I came home in the afternoon, and we went to the hospital. Still no call from Christa.
We arrived and walked straight to Balto's room. He was still laying there. Christa was sitting next to him, and holding his hand.
We stood in front of the big window, I took the little plushie out of my bag, holding it in my hands.
Christa softly touched Balto's cheek. He didn't show any reaction. Christa saw us, and stepped out of the room.
``Hey there, Idrissa, Asha. Thank you two for coming, that means a lot to me''
My mother answered: ``Of course, Christa. Balto is Nikki's mate, and that way, he is a part of our family. Sadly, he didn't wake up yet, as I see? Are there any news?''
``No, Asha, he is still unconscious. But the doctors said that he could wake up any moment.''
``That is at least something, Christa. It will all be fine. Did you hear anything from the police yet?
``No, but I was in there the whole day. And there is no signal in that room.''
Mom tried to smile a little: ``Well, his health is more important now, anyway. The poor boy.''
I looked into the room the whole time. And in one moment, I slowly moved to the door, walked in, and sat down next to Balto's bed. I took his hand into mine, as the tears started running down my cheeks.
``I am so sorry Balto. See, I brought you your Little Balto, so he can watch over you. Please, wake up. I need you here.... ``
I was still holding his hand. Suddenly, I felt him pressing it. First very soft, then stronger. I looked in his face, happily, as he finally opened his eyes, and whispered:
``Nikki? Where am I? Where is mommy?''
``Balto, you are in the hospital, you were unconscious for over a day. Your mom is right outside, I can get her, just a moment, cutie''
I ran out, where I saw Christa, crying in my parent's arms. She has seen everything.
``Christa, he is awake! He wants to see you!''
She ran inside and gently gave her son a long hug, before she called the nurses, which came together with a doctor.
They checked the data, looked at Balto, before they released him from the infusions. I think I have never seen happier faces in my life, as the ones of Balto and his mom in that moment.
Dad took me aside. ``Nicole, I always had my doubts about your relationship with him. But after I have seen that scene before, I know, that your feelings are really true. I just want to say, that I see Balto as part of our family, and I will support you in any way possible.''
``Thanks dad. That means so much to me. You are the best!''
We gave each other a long hug, as Christa came out again. She smiled happy.
``I want to thank you all. It means so much to me, that you came. Nikki, your mate wants to see you again. The doctor said that Balto can come home tomorrow. They only want to keep him here for one more night, to be sure everything is fine. And he has to take some pills, since it is possible that he has a bit of a headache in the next few days.''
``Wonderful news!'' my mother said, ``See Nikki, I told you, all will be fine. And maybe his little plushie helped him, too.''
My father smiled, as he pulled my mom closer to him. ``Asha, I think the reason he woke up is our beautiful daughter there. And the love they have for each other.''
I ran back into the room, to my mate, and cuddled a little with him. It felt so good to have him back.
You know, just to able to hold your partner, to feel him breathing, that is worth so much. Sadly, a doctor entered the room in the next moment.
``I am sorry to interrupt, but we have to make some more tests with him, and the time for visitors is also over. So, I fear you have to leave now. Young man, we will move you to a regular room for the night, your mom will stay there with you. And you can go home tomorrow, if your tests are ok. We are all happy to see you back under the living''
I kissed my mate on the cheek, before I said goodbye to him and Christa. And after a surprisingly good coffee in the cafeteria of the hospital, we drove back home.
We jump forward to the next day. I got a call from Duke.
``Hey Nikki, is everything ok? How is your little lover? Is he awake by now?''
``Yes Duke, he woke up yesterday, and my parents just drive there to bring them home. Do you have any news?''
``Indeed, I have good news. We were able to track down Balto's phone. It never was switched off, so our thief clearly isn't the brightest candle on the cake. I also spoke with the teacher, and the address of this kid fits with the one we got from the phone.''
``Fantastic! When do you go there to catch that ass? I want to come with you!''
``Nikki, that is not possible, you know that. We are in front of the house now. I can let you listen while I confront the thief, but please stay quiet.''
The next sound I heard, was a doorbell, and an opening door.
``Yeah, what do you want?''
``Sir, I fear I have to talk with your son for a minute''
``Why? What has that useless piece of shit done this time?''
``Sir, we think he was involved in beating up another kid and stealing his phone.''
``Hey, move your ass here, now!''
``What do you want? I haven't done anything, I swear!''
``Young man, you fit perfectly to the description of two eye witnesses. Do you want to confess something?''
``I confess nothing! I haven't done anything!''
``We tracked down a stolen phone to this address, do you really don't want to confess?''
``I don't know what you are talking about, go away!''
Here I decided to hang up and call Balto's phone. I don't know what happened after that, but Duke told me, that the boy finally admitted, that he has beaten up Balto and stole his phone, after it rang inside his pocked, as I called it.
The two joggers also said that he was the boy they saw running away.
And since he is over 14 and in a prosecutable age, he was convicted to 2 years in prison, plus his family had to pay the costs for the hospital and the court fees.
The judge said that he got that hard punishment, because this kid did not show any sign that he was sorry about what he did to Balto.
But I am also sorry for the bully. He doesn't have a good home, no loving parents. His father is clearly an alcoholic, from what Duke told me. This kid never had a chance.
Oh, and Balto is back home now, he just has headache from time to time, but he mostly complains about his hair, since they shaved a big part of his head.
Well, I thought I should tell you folks about that, and I hope you are all ok.
Stay save!
Nikki
