Blaze

Not Alive But Not Dead

"No." Kristen tried to stand up, but failed miserably, causing her to crumple to the floor in a heap. She wailed out in agony. "He is alive! I know it!" How did that happen so fast? How could they conclude something like that? How could they tell her so fast? How could Aaron die?!

"You need sleep. I shouldn't have told you. There is a chance that he will survive." Marylin assured her. "Let me just..." She reached for the tubes, and Kristen put her hands up.

"Don't you dare in hell knock me out again or I kill you. I need time alone. You need to find Aaron and Jennifer. Only. Them. You hear me? Hospitals aren't supposed to do this. You can't tell a kid all of this. I'm just a kid. Leave." Kristen's face was flushed and she was breathing heavily. Marylin slowly left. No conversations were shared.

Kristen sat still. How? How? Aaron was the only friend I had in this world, and Jennifer just had to lash out and kill him! It's unbelievable how much freedom she gets if that behavior is natural!

Wait a second...wait a freaking second...WAIT A SECOND!

Quin! Can you hear me? They have to be wrong! Do you know about the life of Wither's children? About me? Kristen pressed into her mind, hoping for a response. Nothing. QUIN! QUIN! Answer me! Silence. Nothing. Kristen sighed and adjusted her cords and tubes, angry at the hospital with a lack of hospitality.

Of course I do.

The words shook Kristen and scared her to death, causing her to plummet to the cold floor. Quin! I need to ask you something! Jennifer told us that children of Wither only die from some sort of serum, right?

That is correct.

And obviously Aaron hasn't gone near the serum, so he's not dead, right?

Correct again.

He's just hurt! Woohoo!!!! That means he's not dying!

Well, yes and no.

"Wait...what? Why not?" Kristen asked, her mind screaming.

Well, he won't die. But, that does not mean he will not suffer. You see, Cresswell is in a coma. If he doesn't wake up, he'll just be stuck in a coma forever. He'll still be alive, just stuck in an endless sleep.

Well, she couldn't just lay there like an injured animal and wait for Aaron to die. Kristen needed to help everyone. Where was Jennifer anyways? How would she find Aaron? She could ask Lupus, but would that be annoying? Would he tell on her? Get her in trouble on purpose? He wouldn't do that. Besides, Kristen didn't have time to worry about something like that. Now, how to get to the door and to Aaron...

Ena! Or, Kristen! Whatever! You can't go find him. Its safer here. My job is mostly to make sure I stay safe, and if you're in danger, I am, hence me living in your head.

Ignoring the splitting headache, Kristen swung her legs towards the bed. She had made up her mind. She was going. Shut up, Quin. This is my life, 'hence me living in my body TOO'.
"Neyushh." Kristen fumbled with the sheets in her hand, hoisting herself into the wheelchair with a thump.

Can't wait to die! Gee thanks for killing us. We're practically dying already, being this is a death wish.

Kristen's face turned hot with anger, and she used the anger to push herself forward. And forward. And forward. And finally to the door. She gripped the glass knob and turned. She pushed it forward.

Ena. Stop. Having a being in your mind and living as the child of the flame is a huge responsibility. You can't afford to get hurt. Besides, what will you do once you find Aaron?

Well, I didn't really think that part out too much. But, I want to see him!

I give up. I guess I am going to die anyways, when you die. But then you'll become like me, a guide to those in your place, the guide nobody listens to. The guide who knows what's actually going on. Please, Ena.

Quin, I'll be careful. I'll make good decisions. All I ask is that you trust me.

Quin didn't speak, and when the headaches cleared, she knew he didn't plan on speaking.

The door swung open. Lupus' room was just down the hallway, so it couldn't be too hard. Just push forward. Forward. Forward.

"Ena? What are you doing here? Stop. Go back to your room. Not safe unless Marylin is with you. Is Marylin with you?" Lupus stuttered, fumbling with the cords and medicine in him. He slowly left the bed.

"What do you want, 'Child Of Da Flame?'" He smirks, walking towards me.

"I need you to help me find Aaron." When she saw the confused look on his face, she corrected her sentence with "Sorry, Cresswell."

Lupus scratched his leg awkwardly. "Well, I don't think we should, but...I'm all for it, I guess. I wanna know if he's dead too!"

"Stop saying dead. Not dead, never dead, just lifeless."

Lupus grinned. "You know what they do when the children of the elements get hurt, right?"

When Kristen's face paled, he laughed. "It's not bad. They lock up the person who hurt them and use another child with elemental powers to fix them."

She didn't want Jennifer to get hurt, but it would keep others safe. Kristen didn't have time to stress. "Okay. Let's go."

Aaron grabbed the pole that held his medicine and Kristen's wheelchair. "Let's go find us some dying boy."

"Don't say that!"