Unauthorized Communication

Chapter 5: Selvia

"Don't move, Princess. Make a sound, and you're dead."

I didn't know what to do. I couldn't run or I'd be dead. There was the off-chance that the guy behind me was faking but I wasn't going to risk it. If I did, my mother would kill me. Either way I was as good as dead so I just stood, frozen in place. In the next instant someone screamed my name and I was tackled to the ground, hearing a sickening snap near my left wrist. I looked up to see Jack standing between me and my somewhat-attacker.

"Run Sel," he hissed, his eyes never moving from the attacker.

"But-"

"No time for arguments. Now RUN!" he screamed and pulled a sword from somewhere that didn't register.

Jack was hardly ever serious. So when he told me to "run," I ran. However, I did not run far and hid behind something far enough away so Jack couldn't see me. Unfortunately, Jack was no match for the man who likely had at least twenty years and inches on him. I should have run to get help. I should have screamed. I should have done anything but freeze up and do nothing. The next moments went by in such a blur, I wasn't even sure they were happening and I wished they weren't. I watched in horror as the man avoided Jack's thrust and, in the same move, stabbed him.

"Jack!" I screamed.

I ran and fell to my knees beside him. I quickly scooped his head and placed it on my lap. He was slowly going unconscious and there was already too much blood for me to tell where it was coming from. I glared after the man who had run away with the life of my best friend. I opened my mouth to yell after him. What, I did not know, perhaps curse him in as many languages as I could. But that would accomplish nothing so I shut my mouth. That's when everything slowed. The man ran and called over his shoulder:

"The Affinity will fall!"

Using a small explosive, he made a hole in the garden stone wall. I did not understand what was happening. Jack groaned in my arms, I glanced down and tried to keep him awake. Soon we were surrounded by palace guards who escorted us back inside; me, in shock, and Jack, totally unconscious.

~~ S ~~

I was in too much shock to be messed with so the maids Mum sent left me alone. I walked down the hall, blood still on my hands and staining the center of my dress, heading to the infirmary where Jack was. Some maids and male-servants stared but I didn't care. Right before the infirmary hall, Jane ran up quite frazzled.

"Oh my god!" she exclaimed. "Are you okay? What happened? Are you hurt?"

I said nothing and continued walking. Jane inspected me anyways. When she messed with my left wrist, I winced. She glanced up at me.

"You should get that checked out. Is that why you're headed to the infirmary?"

"No."

"Then why-"

She stopped short as we entered the infirmary. My eyes fell upon Jack across the room. There was a big bandage around his middle, covering the wound, and he was hooked up to some IV's.

"Oh," Jane breathed.

I couldn't look at Jane. My eyes were fixed on Jack as I slowly made my way to him. The whole scene made me want to cry. And it was partially my fault.

"It's my fault," I whispered. "It's all my fault."

A tear found it's way down my cheek but I turned from Jane before she could see the little rebel. She placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. I glanced down at my own hand which had subconsciously made its way to Jack's. Jane sighed.

"We should probably get you checked out," she said.

"I'm not leaving Jack again," I argued.

"Once we get you checked out, you can come right back," she replied, softly.

I nodded and, reluctantly, allowed myself to be led away from the still-unconscious Jack.

~~S~~

The nurse's inspection did not take long. Just a fractured wrist and possibly a minor concussion. But I wouldn't allow for any more tests. I was going to head straight for the infirmary patients' room, but Mum had caught me and marched me straight to my room instead. Once my maids had sworn secrecy and Mum was gone, I had raced out of my room. Now I sat in what Jane and I like to call the V.I.P's, very injured people, room. I glanced down at Jack whose eyes were still closed after three hours of me watching. My mother had not yet found out about my little escapade. That or she just didn't care. Most likely the latter because nothing went on without my mother knowing about it.

I turned my thoughts from my mother to Jack. I was worried about him. The doctors said he might slip into a coma due to blood loss. Then they told me he flat-lined. For about two minutes. After that I wasn't allowed any more "updates," seeing as just the first two had made me freak out. Jack couldn't die, then I'd feel responsible. It was my idea, after all, to slip into the garden.

Just then a stirring beside me interrupted my contemplation session. I turned and watched as Jack's eyes fluttered open. I let out a tiny squeal, not carrying how girly it sounded, and wrapped my arms around him. He hissed in pain which reminded me of his injuries. I quickly let go.

"I'm so sorry. I forgot, for a moment, you're injured," I whispered.

"It's just a scratch," Jack winced trying to sit up. I helped him, straightening his pillows, and he glanced at my cast. "What happened to your wrist?"

"Fracture from you tackling me," I replied nonchalantly.

"Correction: from me saving your life," he laughed then glanced out the window portraying the night sky. "What time is it?"

"About one in the morning," I said, looking at the wall clock.

"And you've been sitting here the whole time haven't you?"

I nodded. Once again, Jack chuckled but winced because of the pain in his side.

"I'm okay with the early hour."

"Oh? And why is that?" I asked, curious.

"Because you look so beautiful in moonlight. And I never get to see you in it."

He pushed a hair behind my ear and I felt heat rise to my cheeks. I glanced down at my hand still resting on top of his and watched as his hand turned and our fingers intertwined. I looked back up to see Jack smiling at me. He leaned in close and, subconsciously, I did too. His lips were but a fraction of an inch from mine. . .and I turned away. Jack looked at me concerned as I let out a deep sigh.

"We can't keep doing this, Jack," I whispered.

He was silent and, for a moment, I thought he had somehow disappeared which caused tears to make their way down my cheeks. Jack squeezed my hand for comfort and it worked. The tears slowed and I was able to face him again.

"What are you so upset about? I know our little secret relationship is not the only reason why," he said as he wiped a straggling tear from my cheek.

It took me a minute to find the right words. And then another minute to find the courage to say them.

"They said you flat-lined, Jack."

I took a shaky breath and looked at Jack who sat in shock.

"And if we were caught. . .if our parents found out. . .I - I just can't risk losing you."

I glanced down and tears threatened to spill again. After a moment, Jack pulled me in close to him and I laid my head on his shoulder. He began to run his fingers through my hair.

"You will never lose me, Sel. I promise."