Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.
"Make it stop," I cried out when I realized the stupid breathing exercise was not helping.
"You need to calm down," Mason told him firmly but I didn't listen.
"Please, please, please, it hurts," I cried, tears streamed down my face as I watched blood gush incessantly from the four puncture wounds on my arm.
"What's going on?" I registered Artemis's voice somewhere in the room but the pain was the only thing I could focus on.
"He bit her," AJ's infallible growl came. Mason lifted me up suddenly and deposited me on the bed. Blood was getting everywhere, soaking my clothes as well as the bed sheets. My head was beginning to hurt and I was quickly losing feeling in my arm.
"Lucy, what are you feeling right now?" I heard Mason ask trying to get my attention.
"Pain. Regret. Pain..." I mumbled, closing my eyes tightly. I should've never asked for this. It was my fault. I went looking for trouble and I got it. I only wished AJ would've stopped me sooner or Mason had refused because at the moment I felt only two minutes away from death.
"She's losing too much blood," I recognized Scar's voice as unfamiliar hands began to poke and prod me. I felt pressure on my arm, forcing me to cry out even more.
"Stop," I yelled, attempting to move my arm away from whatever was causing so much pain, but whatever it was wouldn't release me.
"You have to hold her still," Artemis told someone, Mason most likely.
"I can't, she won't stop moving," Mason retorted.
"AJ get over here. Hold her down," Artemis called loudly. Two arms, which I assumed belonged to AJ, grabbed hold of my shoulders and pushed me against the mattress forcefully. My legs were held down as well until I was immobile.
"Damn it, do something," Austin demanded. Suddenly, a prickling sensation took up in my body. It resembled the feeling of when my foot fell asleep after sitting on it for too long. A shock of pain rolled through me, sucking the breath from my throat. I think I might have passed out after that.
***
"Mommy look," I called loudly, trying to get her attention.
"Lucy sweet, you need to be careful," She warned from behind me. I turned around, swinging my blonde mass of curls away from my face. Mommy followed me slowly, making sure to step around the puddles that I purposefully went through. I bent my knees low before jumping forward and splashing my shiny red rain boots in a muddy puddle.
"Sweetheart, you're getting yourself all wet and dirty," Mommy bent in front of me, wiping off the splatter of water that had jumped on my face.
"Is daddy here yet?" I asked again, wiggling my knees in impatience.
"He went to get you an umbrella. He's coming soon," She answered, smiling softly as she ran her hands down my sweater clad arms.
"So I won't get wet?" I asked.
"Yes, so you won't get wet," Mom confirmed.
"And also so I won't get dirty," I added.
"Yes, that too," Mommy agreed, standing back up.
"And so, so, so I won't get sick," I chirped.
"Yes Lucy sweet girl," Mom laughed at my eagerness and leaned down to plant a soft kiss on my head. I felt all warm and fuzzy just like everytime she did that. I leaned over and puckered my lips until mom moved closer to me so I could kiss the very tip of her nose.
