Unnecessary Words

Oops

I tip toed into the kitchen. Thanks to my short stature I had to climb up on the island and balance between that and the counter to grab a cup. I was expert at it because I had been doing it since I was seven.

I grabbed my cub and set it below me on the counter and started to get down. I felt my sock slip and my feet flew out from under me. My back hit the counter on the way down. I crumpled to the floor, sucking in a sharp breath.

Dang that hurt.

I heard Mikah's bed squeak as he got out of bed to investigate the noise. I struggled to my feet and tried to look natural. He shuffled into the room rubbing his eyes and yawning.

"I evey fing ohay?" he asked through his yawn.

I smiled sheepishly. "Yeah I kinda ran into the fridge, it's dark."

He nodded like this was totally reasonable. "Be careful."

He shuffled back to his room. I filled my cup with water.

Something wet hit the edge of the counter. Much darker than water. I felt my nose.

Blood.

A sharp pain laced it's way through my back and torso. I let out a tight moan as I slipped, sending the cup, and myself, crashing to the floor. The cup shattered. I clenched my fists and dug them into my stomach.

"Kat!?" Mikah's startled yelp cut through the ringing. I squeezed my eyes shut and moaned again at the pain.

Then I started coughing. Wet coughs. Heaving scraping out my chest.

"Kat, no no no no no no no!" I peeled my eyes open to see a light room and red. Dark red. I was coughing up blood.

I stopped coughing long enough to choke out, "I'm sorry." before passing out.