INFERNO: The Fiery Inception

CHAPTER 16

My cheeks were wet from tears as I walked towards the room Eric was moved to, my breathing still loud as I tried to calm myself. I was scared, what if he had that dream too. I entered the room and saw a middle aged woman sitting next to his bed laying her head on the bed; the resemblance in their features told me she was his mom.

His face was ghostly pale, paler than how it was yesterday when he came in. He was whimpering in his sleep. Then I saw something stirring and turned to see an older and female version of Eric, except for the hair though her hair was lighter than his. She tilted her head a little as if urging me to tell her who I am. She seemed alert and her posture was stiff when she stood up from the sofa she was occupying, as I barged inside.

"I'm Charlie Fernando, I came to check if Eric was doing alright" I said and noticed her visibly relaxed at that. And I'm pretty sure she noticed me noticing that.

"Nice to meet you Charlie, I'm Ellie, Eric's sister thank you for helping my baby bro. and I'm sorry I appeared a bit tense, I don't know who to trust anymore, I mean I would have never thought Amanda of all people will be a traitor, she was a really good friend of mine, I guess that it was all just a facade. And she was just acting her part" she sighed. And I nodded in reply

"Who were the others-" I couldn't complete because Mason came in

"Oh thank god you're here, August sent me to get you if you were awake and then when I checked you weren't there at all, and if you really were missing I wouldn't have heard the other end of it" he said in just breath.

"Oh I'm sorry, I just wanted to check on Eric" I said pointing at Eric. He just nodded his head and looked back at me then his eyes moved to neck and he stilled.

"What happened to your neck?" he asked his eyes not leaving my neck. He came closer to examine the bruise. Instinctively my hand went my neck.

"I'll explain it, where are the others?" I asked.

"Charlie this bruise wasn't there before, did they come back or was it someone else" he asked now angry and that, confused and angered me. He didn't have to act like that.

"Calm down Mason and no they didn't come back and yes it was someone else just not in a way you'd think" I said.

"I'm sorry it's just-

"You didn't expect Amanda to be traitor and now you don't know who to trust and that's very much frustrating you and now you snap at everything and anything" Ellie said and Mason nodded.

"Come on their waiting for you at the gathering" he said.

"Ok then I'll see you around Ellie" I waved at her, she smiled and waved back and I followed Mason. I noticed him eyeing my neck every once in a while. I understand he is concerned but this is annoying me.

When I reached the gathering, I hid my neck as much as I can with my hair.

"Whoa wait, Charlie you are going to tell them right?" Mason asked.

"Yes Mason, but I need to know what happened earlier first. And that wouldn't happen if I show them this first" I said gesturing at my neck.

"Oh, I don't think August will take that lightly" he said, he nodded his head understanding the severity of August's over protection and how he would find a way to blame himself. Then we entered the room and all eyes were on us, or on me.

"How's your hand?" Alex asked.

"Almost completely healed, quickly huh?" I asked.

"Actually Charlie, you've been sleeping for a whole day" my jaw dropped to the floor.