Chapter Text
Zooble was behind Caine in a matter of seconds shit, how long had Caine been here without air?!
Pulling his chair back and lifting him up by his pits. Their stomach almost dropped with how light he felt, having to force themselves to remember Caine's not that heavy in the first place as to not panic on the spot.
Caine struggled slightly, startled if anything at being suddenly lifted. His legs shifted frantically, and his head kept turning back to look at Zooble. His eyes looked so scared and confused.
And Zooble wanted so desperately to ignore how sick it made them feel at how utterly silent their usually boisterous, and technically ex, ringmaster had gotten. Like he was being effectively silenced, and with how his hands had repositioned….now both grabbing and clawing desperately where his throat would be…
They realized hauntingly that he essentially was.
Zooble turned Caine towards the group, thinking for a moment before “Ragatha quick!! I need your help over here!” They firmly yelled, lifting their head to look at everyone. All of which had now started to crowd over.
“Huh?! Wha- Why me??” Ragatha asked panicked, stepping back a bit and putting her hands up. She wasn't ready for this. She wasn't ready for this at all!!
“You have the best body type for this out've all of us” Zooble stated as they quickly yet carefully made their way to Ragatha, Caine in hand.
“I....ok, yes of course” Ragatha admittedly replied sighing, fuck Zooble was right. It didn't terrify her any less though. God what if she failed??? What if he died, again?!? That'd be her fault! No, no she shouldn't think like that…fuck wait stop there's no time for this, pull yourself together Ragatha!!
Ragatha quickly shook herself out of her thoughts, hurriedly grabbing Caine from Zooble's arms. She then put her arms around his waist, forming her fists into the tightest ball she could possibly muster. And proceeded to start the Heimlich Maneuver.
Caine than suddenly jolted, hands that were previously held around his ‘neck’ in a desperate attempt for air were now clutching Ragatha's fists tightly.
STOP!! STOP IT HURTS IM SORRY!!! IT HURTS IT HURTS WHAT DID I DO??? IM SORRY PLEASE, PLEASE STOP!!! IT HURTS STOP I'LL BE BETTER!! I PROMISE JUST- IT HURTS PLEASE I CANT- I CAN'T BREATHE AND IM SORRY JUST STOP IT!!!
He didn't understand what he did wrong, he didn't even know what was wrong!! His vision was blurry but he could see someone's fists beating into his abdomen. Were….were they beating him??? No…no they wouldn't, right???? He needed it to stop.
He tried prying the fists off with his all too shaky hands, but nothing he did just seemed too work! His hands were like useless stretchy rubber mashing against stone. He tried shifting his feet and twisting his body just slightly to get out!! God please stop, he just wanted the pain too GO AWAY!! PLEASE!!!
But it didn't.
Caine couldn't tell how long it went for, but it was for FAR too long. His chest ached and god he was in so much pain. Why were they hurting him?? What did he do wrong??? Wait nevermind, scratch that stupid question.
His mind felt so fuzzy and light, it was an odd feeling. He kept tried to pry the fists off please get off it hurts I can't breathe and your hurting me but his hands were trembling and it was useless to even try.
His whole body was trembling, violently actually he noticed. Was he shaking this badly the entire time?? He realized vividly how his vision was blurring even worse now, going slightly dark around the sides. god he really was broken wasn't he? Caine thought groggily just as he felt his knees buckle.
He felt his mind grow hazy and his eye lids drooping slightly as he fell limp to the floor.
Ragatha tried, god she tried so hard but it wasn't working. It wasn't working and Caine couldn't breathe. She could feel his trembling hands fighting against hers, they felt so weak against her fabric fists. The thought alone made her feel sick, Caine of all people shouldn't feel that weak.
“It's..” She stuttered, her form was also starting to shake. Her heart thumping in her ears as she swallowed, trying desperately to steady herself. “It's not working!” Ragatha had called out, but no one even had time to respond or even think before Caine's body fell limp to the ground.
The sudden weight had caused Ragatha to stumble forward, knees bent too steady herself so as to not fall, let alone drop Caine. Her body felt stiff, nerves paralyzed her cause nononononono did Caine FAINT?????? Her breathing grew fast and shaky as she held Caine, shock nearly over taking her as she started spiraling.
Ragatha didn't notice when Zooble had darted over, her vision was slightly blurred but she could see Zooble on their knees. Probably checking on Caine Ragatha guessed.
“He's still awake!! ..Ragatha!” Ragatha remained frozen, form still trembling as she stared at Caine's limp, lifeless looking body in her arms…
“RAGATHA!!” She jumped, making a startled noise as she stood straight up. “Snap out of it!! It's ok, he's still here! ..But not for long if we don't keep trying!” Zooble reaffirmed her, reassuringly yet firmly as they put a claw on one of Ragatha's shaking shoulders.
“Right!! You're right, I'm so sorry” Ragatha hurriedly apologized, as she took a deep breath. Trying to calm herself before jumping back into action. She faintly heard Zooble saying it's ok but it's NOT!! Caine's dying and she's standing here useless because she can't handle her own dumb emotions!!! She should be better at this!!
Calm. She needs to stay calm.
Ragatha hauled Caine's body up, which felt akin to lifting a limp sack of potatoes. Adjusting and repositioning him until she finally found a good position to continue. The pit in her stomach stayed, and only grew as it continued to not work. But she had to stay calm. She can't fail anyone else.
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Some doodles I made that r featured in this fic! :33
