Daughter of Blood and Nightmares

20: I Am Slightly Delusional

It doesn't take long for the two of them to catch up to me. I hear them behind me talking to someone. Each other? Zayne? I can't quiet seem to get my brain to work, my feet to walk in a straight line.

"Here." Carden approaches my side and throws something at me that I barely manage to catch. "You're leaving a trail of blood."

I bite my tongue, but it's useless. The words flow freely from my mouth. "Thanks for noticing Captain Obvious. Yet no one seems to be running to my rescue." My words are a bit spiteful, but I can't help it.

He stumbles over words that never exit his mouth. Ignoring his narrowed gaze, I knot the fabric he tossed in my face around my thigh. It quickly soaks up the blood. This may be a stitches kinda moment.

We're all a mess and no doubt hurting by the time we reach the car...or at least I am. That's more action I've had in years and I would prefer not to have such an eventful day ever again.

"Did I tell you I told you so?" I mutter as I slide into the backseat.

At the same time they both answer, but differently. I guess only Oliver heard me say that it wasn't a good idea. Carden must've been completely entranced by the girl pretending to be dying. But I could literally be dying and he seems to care less.

"Well, let me say it again. I. Told. You. So." My words can't be clearer. And my anger in them can't be more clear either. "Fools," I mutter under my breath.

Neither of them argue with me and I'm slightly annoyed.

If I for a second thought the silent car ride back to the complex was bad, the walk inside is ten times worse. There's no doubt in my mind that I'm being led straight to Zayne. My effort to help will most likely be glazed over by me wandering off. Do they honestly think that they can take the rebelliousness out of the girl? Even if the girl is a monster.

Carden and Oliver dab at their wounds as we walk the halls. I however am the only one that limps down the hall. The car ride has made my limbs stiff. Our appearance gets a few stares, but no one bats an extra eyelash though. It must be given to come back battered and bloodied. Hard days work out on the damned streets.

My shoulder slams into something hard and my eyes open wide. Were they closed? Did I just walk into the wall?

I barely see Carden's frantic stare through my blurred vision. "We need to get you to the doc. You're bleeding...a lot...too much." He reaches out to grab me, but I stumble backwards from him. His hand drops through the air.

"I'm fine." I say, but I'm not really sure. I've felt this lightheadedness before. It didn't kill me.

An unfamiliar Order soldier stops us in the hall, "Zayne wants to see you, all of you, in his office, now."

"Oliver can go. I'll be there after I bring Ashton to the doctor." Carden says with a strictness in his tone.

The Order soldier replies, "He's inisting." And with those words, Carden groans with displeasure and leads the way to Zayne's office. My wounds instantly become secondary at our great leader's request.

I might be proven right. These people will be the death of me.

Oliver enters first, followed by myself and then Carden. The three of us come to a stop in front of Zayne's desk. My head is the only one toward the ground, whereas Carden and Oliver stand tall and proud.

Zayne immediately speaks with his firm authoritative voice meant to strike fear in us. "A team is at the house, looking for clues, cleaning things up."

There's a but coming. I can feel it.