The atmosphere in the Chen household had shifted from anxious hope to grim desperation. Alex's condition had taken a sudden turn for the worse, his already weak heart struggling to keep up with even the most basic functions.
Mik found their parents huddled at the kitchen table late one night, voices low but tense.
"We have no choice, Michael," Jenn was saying, her voice thick with unshed tears. "If we don't do something drastic, we're going to lose him."
Michael's head was in his hands. "I know, I know. But divorce? It feels so... wrong."
Mik's heart clenched. Divorce? But their parents loved each other. How could this be happening?
"It's just on paper," Jenn insisted. "We'd still be together in every way that matters. But as a single parent, I'd qualify for additional benefits. We could get Alex the treatment he needs."
Mik must have made a sound, because suddenly both parents looked up, their faces etched with guilt and sorrow.
"Mik," Michael said softly. "Come here, kiddo."
Mik approached slowly, fear and confusion warring in their chest. "You're getting divorced?" they asked, voice barely above a whisper.
Jenn reached out, pulling Mik into a tight hug. "Oh, sweetheart. We don't want to. But we're running out of options to help Alex."
As Mik listened to their parents explain the situation, the unfairness of it all hit them like a physical blow. Their family was being torn apart by a system that valued money over human lives.
The next day brought another twist. Shae arrived, her usual bright smile replaced by a look of determination.
"I have a proposition," she said, sitting down with Jenn and Michael. Mik lingered in the doorway, listening.
"I could marry one of you," Shae continued. "My job at OSU comes with excellent health benefits. Alex could be treated at the university hospital, and everything would be covered."
The silence that followed was deafening. Mik watched their parents' faces cycle through shock, confusion, and then a flicker of desperate hope.
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"Shae," Jenn finally managed, "we couldn't ask you to do that."
"You're not asking. I'm offering," Shae said firmly. "I love you all. Let me help."
As the adults continued to discuss this possibility, Mik retreated to Alex's room. Their little brother was asleep, his breathing labored even in rest. Mik took his hand, feeling the weakness in his grip even unconsciously.
"Hold on, Alex," Mik whispered. "We're going to figure this out. Somehow."
That night, as Mik lay awake, their mind swirling with worry and confusion, they noticed a strange light outside their window. Heart pounding, they rushed to look out.
There, in the night sky, was another shimmering circle. Larger than before, it pulsed with an otherworldly light. As Mik watched, transfixed, they felt a strange sense of calm wash over them. Somehow, they knew that everything was about to change.
After witnessing the shimmering circle in the sky, Mik rushed to their computer, eager to share the experience with Cayde.
StarGazer101: Cayde! You won't believe what I just saw! Another one of those sky circles, right outside my window!
There was a pause before Cayde's response came through, longer than usual.
CelestialObserver: Really? That's fascinating, Mik. Can you describe it in detail?
StarGazer101: It was bigger than the one Alex and I saw before. And it seemed to pulse with this strange light. I know it sounds crazy, but I felt like it was trying to communicate somehow.
CelestialObserver: That doesn't sound crazy at all. The universe is full of wonders we don't yet understand. What do you think it means?
Mik hesitated, fingers hovering over the keyboard. They thought about Alex, about their parents' desperate plans.
StarGazer101: Honestly? Part of me hopes it's a sign that help is coming. Things are really tough right now, Cayde. Alex is getting worse, and my parents are talking about desperate measures to get him treatment.
CelestialObserver: I'm so sorry to hear that, Mik. It's unfair that your family is facing such difficult choices. As for the phenomena... while I can't say for certain what they are, I have a feeling they're going to change things. Perhaps for the better.
StarGazer101: You sound like you know something. Do you?
Another pause, this one even longer.
CelestialObserver: Let's just say I have a strong intuition about these things. Mik, I want you to remember something: even in the darkest times, there's always hope. Sometimes help comes from the most unexpected places.
StarGazer101: You're being mysterious again. But thanks, Cayde. Talking to you always makes me feel better.
CelestialObserver: I'm glad. And Mik? Keep watching the skies. I have a feeling the next few days are going to be very interesting.
As Mik signed off, they couldn't shake the feeling that Cayde knew more than they were letting on. But wrapped up in worry for Alex and their family, they didn't have the energy to puzzle it out further. Instead, they turned back to the window, gazing at the now-empty sky, and wondered what changes tomorrow might bring.