Chapter Text
It wasn't even 5 seconds after Mabel picked up the rubble with Jerry that the shrieking came.
As she turned around, her heart plummeted to her stomach as she gasped, putting her hands on her mouth. Several beavers were gathered in a certain spot, chattering and screaming anxiously. In the center of the huddle, Mabel could barely make out the collapsed brown mass of fur on the ground. He was bigger than the other beavers, but Mabel knew this beaver all too well.
And where he once was standing, he now lay on his side, unmoving.
"GEORGE!"
As Mabel ran to the fallen animal, she could barely hear Jerry's shout of surprise and murmurs of the construction workers. All she was focused on was the sight of her friend. Mabel dropped to her knees as her hands reached King George's side.
"George?" Mabel choked. "George, please! You can't do this!"
Her hands trembled as she stared at the fallen king, like birds debating whether to land or not. Her throat tightened. Her eyes stung with wetness at the sight of her friend in such a state.
No. He couldn't be... He couldn't...
"George?"
Images flashed in her mind, causing her throat to tighten. George welcoming her to the pond. George giving her the pond rules as Ellie Bear carried her. Her and George swimming to the dam on a cool, starry night. George asking her to be his paw.
George's horrified stare after she squished the Insect Queen. George hugging her, vowing to help her save Jerry, even after she cost him his place of authority.
Red and yellow flames dancing on trees. George pushing her to the side.
The falling tree.
George struggling under branches before collapsing.
George curled in her arms as she held him desperately.
The color of red staining her hands.
His eyelids fluttering like a butterfly's wings, his muscles beginning to relax-
It was then that a weak whimper escaped George's mouth.
It was unintelligible, but it was enough. Mabel gasped, relief filling her chest. Instantly, the surrounding beavers chattered louder, eyes widening. But Mabel paid them no mind. Quickly, she snatched the mammal king, being careful with his back, trying to ignore the dripping warmth flowing down her arms.
"JERRY!" Mabel screamed. "Jerry, help!"
The mayor rushed to her, his face tight with concern. His eyebrows flew up when he noticed the limp beaver in her arms. "Mabel," he whispered. "Is that..."
"He needs help!" Mabel screamed. "Help him! Please!"
Any questions Jerry might have had died the minute he saw the raw terror in the normally bold girl's eyes. He spun around, putting hands around his mouth. "Hey! Somebody call animal rescue! Somebody's hurt here!"
What happened next was all a blur to Mabel. All sound around her became garbled, as if she was underwater. All she was aware of was the limp form of her best friend, and the warm liquid leaking from his soft fur. Even as the sound of sirens eventually came. Even as creatures of all kinds surrounded her, chattering and growling anxiously. Even as what felt like a giant paw laid on her shoulder. Even as a yellow beaver rushed up to her, standing on his back paws, looking at George, whimpering.
The warmth stayed even after George was snatched from Mabel's arms toward the direction of sirens. Even when she felt hands lift her up and drag her in a similar direction, just slightly left, away from George himself.
Please be okay...
The air-conditioning of the hospital raised goosebumps on her arms before Mabel was even realized it.
All she was aware of was sirens, doctors yelling instructions as they rolled her from the ambulance to the building. Red and blue lights blinded her eyes as the stroller carrying her was pushed down the hallway. Blue walls surrounded her on all sides.
But that wasn't what had Mabel's attention.
George.
The memory of George's limp form stuck in her mind. It still chilled her to the bone. And not knowing what was happening to him did nothing to help Mabel's increasing anxiety.
How bad was it? Was George going to be okay? Was he treated well? What about the animals, Loaf, Ellie Bear, Tom Lizard, the Animal Counsel? What would they do now that one of their kings was taken to an unknown place by order of the "human king?"
Was George going to-
No!
Mabel refused to let that thought cross her mind. He wouldn't let that happen. This was George. He was tougher than he looked. He was resilient. He would be okay. He would be. He had to be.
No, not had to be. He would be okay. He would.
Would he?
Doors burst open as doctors surrounded her, placing what looked like a mask on her. Or was it a mask? Mabel couldn't tell.
Visions of George swirled through her brain. Remorse, guilt and fear struck her heart like knives. They struck her heart again and again like stupid little buggers who didn't know when to quit. Her heart pounded as her chest felt like it was being squeezed to death.
"George..."
Her hearing started to become garbled again. Black patches filled her vision. Mabel could start to feel her eyelids beginning to droop. Her muscles began to relax as an unknown force overcame them from the inside.
"George..."
Her vision went black. Darkness.
Please be okay.
And then, nothing.