Salvation of a Salvatore Sister

The Truth

        Hayley sleeps for the next hour. I can't blame her, she's probably exhausted after driving nonstop for so long. Though with her asleep, this leaves me in silence. The silence allows me to dwell on how terrible I feel. It makes me question things like what if Ma really doesn't have any answers? Or what if she does? And then she's just been lying to me this all time?

The thought saddens me. Could she really do that? Could Ma really lie to me for that long? When she knows I'm dying?

These questions just lead me to feeling more dreadful, so I'm quick to drop the subject and try to focus my mind somewhere else. Yet, it seems my body has other ideas as I begin coughing. My coughs are deep, reaching all the way to the bellows of my gut, as I hack and hack. Pulling over on the side of the road, my eyes squeeze shut as the coughs thunder through me. I double over, and wheeze for air in between them.

Hayley awakes during this as her hand falls onto my back. "Lily?" My name echos in concern. I ignore her however, unbuckling, and opening the car door. I step out on the road's shoulder and continue to cough. Damn! I feel like I'm gonna lose a lung. Eventually, I have to squat closer to the ground as my body grows weak. I hear a door open, and Hayley rushes around the car. "Lily!" My hand rises to my chest, pressing itself against my skin as tears burn against my eyelids. With the next round of coughs, I lose my balance and fall onto my hands and knees though. Closing my eyes once more, a gasp behind me has me flicking them open.

And what a sight I behold.

Because splattered on the ground below me is a small puddle of blood--red, thick blood.

Hayley steps closer to me, pulling my hair back as I continue to cough some more. After another minute, the pain in my chest and the coughing eases. I sit up on my feet and try to catch my breath. Hayley presses her free hand against my shoulder as a show of support.

I sigh, gathering my strength to stand. When I do, I find the worried furrow of Hayley's brows. Nodding toward the car, I slip back into the driver's seat, bowing my head against the wheel for a second. My skin is sweaty, yet I feel cold. I need to get to Ma's fast. "The glove department," I mumble to Hayley. "Grab the purple mesh bag in the glove department."

She does, and hands it to me. I open the bag, taking a pinch of the herbs, and swallow them. Hopefully, these will allow me to make it to Ma's without another coughing attack. Stashing the bag in a cupholder, I sit up straight, and re-buckle myself in. When Hayley doesn't do the same, I turn to look at her. "What?"

"Seriously?" Hayley raises a perfect brow. "You just coughed up blood, took some herbs, and are going to say nothing about it?"

I groan, pulling the car back onto the road. "What would you like me to say, Hayley? You know I'm sick." I shrug, hiding my fear.

"And the blood thing..."

With a huff, I bite my lip--mainly to keep her from noticing how the ringing in my ear pains me. "Not the first time it's happened."

Hayley shifts in her seat, buckling herself in while she talks. "And you're not concerned at all about that?" Her voice is shrill with distress evident.

"Of course, I'm concerned." I roll my eyes, ignoring the intense throbbing in my head. "Where did you think we were going?" I take the moment to glance at her. "I'm getting answers today."

The air grows quiet as Hayley seems to consider this for a moment. "Answers? For what exactly?" When I shoot her a incredulous look, she defends herself. "I get it, Lily. You're sick. I know that. I've seen it--multiple times now. But that's not all it is, is it?" Her question surprises me. Maybe the little wolf is more observant than I thought. My eyes on the road, I choose not to answer. However, this only seems to encourage her further. "There's more going on here, isn't there? You're not telling the full story."