Across the Deadzone

Chapter 4: Wystan

I slid to my knees and grasped at her arms. Her body was seizing violently, frothy white foam coming from her mouth. Her eyes were rolled back into her head so I could see nothing but white.
"Turn her onto her side," Colma- one of Hemmington's healers- ordered, her voice somehow emotionless. 
I did as I was told, rolling Ophelia onto her side. Colma opened her bag, her hands steady. I don't know how she did it; mine were already shaking.
She pulled out a long needle, packaged neatly, and tore it open.
"Hold her as still as you can." I bit back a retort, something about 'how do you hold a seizing person still,' and tried to do what she said. I could feel her heart pounding in her chest.
Colma held the needle in her hand, took a deep breath, and plunged it into Ophelia's exposed neck.
Slowly, her movements came to a stop. After, her breathing slowed. Her body was soaked in sweat. Cautiously, I sat back, my own heart racing.
"What was that?" I asked, gesturing to the now empty syringe in Colma's hand. She glanced down at it.
"An antivenin. The government dropped off a few cases at every town near the Deadzone last year before they fell off the grid. We haven't had to use it too much, thank God."
I nodded. "Will she be okay?"
"As of yet, the antivenin has a one hundred percent success rate, unless their insides were already turned completely to liquid when I injected them."
I scratched my neck. "That's a yes, right?" I asked sheepishly. She sighed and tore her eyes away from Ophelia.
"Yes, Stan. As long as she gets a lot of water." I exhaled. "Who is she anyway? Your new girlfriend?" I could be wrong but she almost sounded... jealous. I guess when your ex sees a new girl in your flat that tends to happen.
"No. She's- well, she was an old friend. It's been nine years. I don't know if I could call her that anymore."
"What's she doing all the way out here?"
I shrugged. "She said she needed an Uber to help her cross the Deadzone."
Colma let out a laugh, flicking some of her long red hair out of her eyes. "She's as crazy as you are."
It was my turn to laugh. I was nowhere near crazy. Goofy, yes, but not crazy. Every one of my actions are premeditated and meticulously crafted. Well, until Ophelia showed up. Inviting her to stay at my flat was a strangely impulsive move for me.
"And she's wearing my pants." She looked up at me as if expecting an explanation.
"Well, uh-"
"I'm messing with you." We lapsed into awkward silence before Colma spoke again. "Are you okay on meds? Need me to get you some more?"
I shook my head quickly as my eyes subconsciously darted to the bottle of meds on the table. "No, I'm good for now. Thanks, though."
Colma nodded and got to her feet. I felt it appropriate that I did the same. We stood close together, so close I could've traced the splattering of freckles on her face. She was a whole head shorter than me, and stared up at me through her eyelashes.
Without warning, she hopped up and pressed a kiss to my cheek. I froze, my face heating up. Ironic.
She put a hand against my cheek, forcing me to look into her tired eyes. "Don't do anything stupid. I don't know why but, I have a feeling that you would for her, even after all these years."
"Thanks, Colma." She just nodded, opened her mouth like she wanted to say something else, decided against it, turned, and left.
I shook my head at her retreating form. I totally still had feelings for her. I shuffled over to my table, grabbed the bottle of gray pills, and dumped two into my palm. Swallowing without water was easy for me now.
My eyes closed as a reflex. I know they didn't kick in that quick, but I swear I could feel my muscles relaxing.
Pushing my hair from my forehead, I turned and went to pick Ophelia up. I carried her limp body to the other end of my flat and laid her down on the mattress, cringing at the loud squeak it let out.
I stared at her face, which had been tight and pale a few minutes ago. Her face was starting to return to its full color. She looked peaceful, calm.
That's when I realized Colma was right; I would do something stupid for her, even though it seemed like she barely wants anything to do with me. But she was something from my past life, and I had to hold onto her. I wasn't going to lose her again. I couldn't lose her again.
"Oh my God," I muttered, running my hands through my hair.
I'm gonna go with her. And I realized that that had been my plan all along. I was going to follow her into the Deadzone.
Yep, it's official: I'm going crazy. And the best part is, I don't even care! I let out a laugh that probably sounded kinda insane.
"I have to pack."