Just then, her father was standing by the door, seeming upset about something. “Papa…?” Cassie’s tiny voice spoke. “Ah, mija— What are you doing up so early, sweetpea?” He asked the girl, sounding surprised. +

"Where are you goin'...?" She asked him. "Oh, I'm just-- Going on a grocery run, my love. I'll... Be home soon, okay?" +

Immediately, Cassie burst into tears, running over and hugging her father’s leg. “No! No no no! Pleeease don’t go papa! Please please please!” She pleaded. “Cassie— I… I have to go. I won’t be long, alright? I’ll be back before you know it.” +

"Can't I come with you...?" She sniffled. "Oh, Cassie..." He sighed, lifting her into her arms. "I'm sorry, you have to stay here, mija." +

"But why?" She asked. Seeing her tiny face made his heart hurt. "I just... I need to go alone, alright? You should be here with your mother when she awakes." He put her down. Cassie pouted. "Okaaay..." +

"Aw... Don't look so sad, sweetpea. Can you give me a smile before I go?" He asked her. Cassie wiped her tears, before doing the biggest grin she could muster. Her father laughed. "Alright, don't hurt yourself, silly." +

With that, her father opened the door, walking outside, before turning to his daughter one last time. "Te amo, mi girasol." He spoke. Cassie smiled, waving him goodbye, "Adios, papa!" With that, her father disappeared, and everything around her faded away. +

"... And you never saw him again, after that." The deer spoke. "..." Cassie looked down that the floor. "... Oh, Cassie. You miss him a lot, don't you?" The deer spoke softly. Cassie sniffled. "... More than anythin'." +

"I know," The deer replied, "I know." There was a beat of silence, as Cassie's body grew back to it's current state. "But... This is the end." "W... Wha?" Cassie spoke, "Whaddya mean...?" +

"The end of our time, together." It's head ducked down. "But... What does that mean?" Cassie asked, "A-- Am I gonna die?" The tears returned, "I-- I don't-- I don't wanna die. I don’t wanna die.” She repeated over and over. +

The deer rested it's head upon Cassie's. "... I do not know. I'm sorry." It replied. "Oh...." Cassie slumped to the floor. "Oh."

“…” Cassie didn’t reply, as one would figure. However… +

With all the strength she could muster, Cassie slowly forced her eyes open, “H……. Hello…..” She spoke weakly, her voice barely audible, “Where……. What’s goin’ on…..?”

"Cassie– Oh– Oh my God—" The boy fumbled over his words, almost forgetting how to piece together a proper English sentence. "You— Are you okay?! No, nevermind that– Do you want water? Does it hurt? How are you feeling, Cass? I–I can call the nurse!"

Cassie didn’t seem to answer any of his questions, only staring down at her hand. “I……. I’m………. Alive………?”

"..I'll come back." Without thinking, Conan's legs made pace. He sprinted out the door in search of a nearby station, holding a cheek-aching grin to his face.