Portal Jumpers

Chapter 5

     “What my brother is trying to say is thank you.” Takoda tried to interrupt.
     “But I didn't die.” I continued.
     “Why are you so reckless? You shouldn't have jumped in front of me.”
     “Oh, so next time I should just leave you to die?” I asked, angry.
     “Yes, next time let the person with the armor take the hit instead of almost getting ripped in half!” He exclaimed.
     “Oh get over it. It's in the past now. You didn't get hurt and I'm still alive.”
     “Why are you acting like you don't care?”
     “Because I got you into that mess in the first place.”
     “I don't want you to die, you can't. I... I need you.” He took a breath. “I want to be your friend, but it hurts you. And it kills me that I can't keep you safe because of the things I can do.”
     “I can take care of myself.”
     “No you can't, Takoda even had to let you out of the room.”
     “I was making a plan to get out if I had enough time.”
     “And what would you have done then, hmm?”
     “I would have ran after you until I found you.”
     “And you would have been lost in the woods.”
     “And you would have been burned alive like the rest of them, you’re welcome for saving your life.” I was gasping by this time, it hurt my wound to talk, and yell at him. Tears were welling in my eyes.
     “Chloe, are you ok?”
     “It hurts so badly.” I clutched my side. There was so much pain I saw spots and almost fell over.
     James grabbed me before I fell off the hospital bed.
     “Look what you did now, James.” Becca yelled at him.
     “Don’t blame him.” I gasped, still holding my side.
     “And stop touching her, you’re going to get her killed.”
     “Becca, he’s just trying to help.” Takoda told her.
     “He should have stayed away from her then.”
     “Becca, where is this coming from?” The pain was finally easing a little.
     “He keeps saying he shouldn’t be around you, but here he is holding you. We all know how dangerous this is and he’s still here, just leave her alone.”
     Jamess looked at the floor, defeated. “You’re right, I shouldn’t be here, I’m sorry, Chloe.” He squeezed my hand once before getting up and leaving.
     No one said anything until the door closed.
     “Why are you being so hard on him?” I asked her after a second of silence.
     “Do you know how scary it was waiting for all of you to return, just to see him carrying you, covered in your blood? I didn’t know if you were going to be alive tomorrow.” She started crying.
     “Hey, shhh, come here.”
     She hugged me tight to the point it hurt my wounds.
     “I’m ok.”
     “Um, I’ll go check on James.” Takoda said awkwardly.
     I nodded at him.
     “It’s not James' fault that he’s a Portal Jumper.” I told her.
     “I know, I just didn’t want to lose my best friend.”
     “Well, you didn't, I'm still here and alive.”
     “Will you do something for me?” She asked.
     “Sure.”
     “Do try to be careful around him, I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you.”
      “I will be careful, believe me I don’t want to get killed by a dragon.” I laughed.

     A day or two passed by.
     I got better quickly, not enough that it was healed or didn't hurt, but faster than normal. So said the doctor.
     The feelings from the dream faded too.
     My father was told I was staying the weekend at Becca's house, which took some convincing and a couple phone calls.
     I was starting to slowly be driven crazy by the machines and Becca finally let James come see me.
     “Take me home James, please?” I asked him one day.
     “I don't know... I think you should stay here and try to rest.” He replied.
     “I can do that better at home.” I shrugged. “Unless you'd rather me make Becca or Takoda teleport me home?” I asked.
     “Fine, but only if the doctors say I can.”
     “Thank you James, you're the best.” I called.
      “Well you didn't really give me much of a choice, did you?” He asked. “I'll be back in a minute.” He added.
     It was painful to change into my clothes,but eventually I was ready.
     James was waiting for me when I came out of the bathroom.
     “How are we getting to Becca's house? Teleportation?” I asked hopefully.
     “Nah, we'll go the old fashion way.” He laughed.
     He seemed to be happier these days.
     “Her mom's got the car ready.” He stood close to me.
     He's been doing that more recently, but still never comes close to touching me, at least he's not staying at the other side of the room.
     “You ready?” He asked.
     “Yeah, let's go.” I responded, I still winced every few steps when I walked.
     “Are you ok?” He asked when we were finally in the elevator.
     “Yeah I'm fine.” I lied, my stomach was killing me, it hurt so much I could feel tears in my eyes and I hadn't walked this much in a while, I'd only gone to the bathroom and back.
     “No you're not fine.” He said. “Lean on the railing.”
     I was in the middle of the elevator. I went to grab the railing, but I stumbled and he grabbed me. I closed my eyes from the pain and stayed clinging to him for a second.
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