The Unexpected Visit

Chapter 27

When I wake up, I am met with tension in the room. Anna is next to me, reading a huge book, Owen is pacing at the end of the bed, and Jackson is yelling at something outside my room. I reach toward Anna, trying to say something, but no words come out.

"Hey, you're awake." Anna says softly, looking immensely relieved.

"Jackson, she's awake!" Owen shouts. I cringe; why did he have to shout?

"Owen, what did I tell you about staying quiet when she woke up?" Anna asks, looking scary. I almost whimper along with Owen.

"I'm sorry...." Owen says softly, looking like a small child who was scolded.

"Hey, Rebecca how are you feeling?" Jackson says when he walks in, looking like he hasn't slept in days; in fact, everyone looks like that.

"She probably can't talk right now. Do you want some water, Rebecca?" Anna asks, reaching for a cup with a straw behind her.

I nod my head gratefully and drink almost all of it. According to the way all of them are acting, I must have scared them. What happened?

I give the empty cup back to Anna and look from one face to the next. "How long was I out this time?" I manage to croak.

"A week...." Owen replies slowly.

I close my eyes. How could this happen again? Why does this keep happening? Please tell me I was wrong thinking there was medication in my food at the compound.

"Jackson, what happened?" I ask slowly, as if saying the words for the first time.

"Um, I don't really know. 6 days ago, Anna texted me saying that you were passed out and that she couldn't wake you up. We came over and anything Anna told us to do we did, whenever she was close to something she would tell us to go back to the apartment. You scared us, Rebecca. Anna hasn't told us why this has happened, though," Jackson says, looking at Anna pointedly.

"Anna....." I mumble, looking at her.

"Alright, alright. I called dad..." Anna starts.

"You did what!?!?!" Jackson shouts.

"What did I tell you about yelling?" Anna asks, strangely calm. "Dad said that he has been talking to mom, and he found out that they were both drugging Rebecca...with the exact same thing, which was why the signs didn't appear sooner. Mom had it in the food we all ate on the hiking trip, but we weren't affected because we weren't addicted. Rebecca suffered because we trusted our parents...now I don't know if I will trust them again; especially now," Anna says sadly, looking at me with a look that describes utter and total sadness.

"I-It w-wasn't y-your f-f-fault," I stutter and collapse into a coughing fit, closing my eyes.

"Beca...!" Someone shouts

I fight whatever it is trying to claim me; I will not go passing out again! I launch out of the bed only to find myself on my hands and knees struggling to breathe. What is going on with me right now? I open my eyes. Why is there blood on the carpet? Is that my blood? I feel someone rubbing my back and Anna shouting orders at the boys. My head aches.

"Beca...Rebecca, it's going to be okay, alright?" Anna whispers in my ear.

My coughing stops. I slowly get off my hands and sit. I look at Anna--and almost wish I hadn't. The fear in her eyes...it stops me. Jackson and Owen walk in at the same time, and stop in the doorway watching Anna and me.

"How are they so close when they've only known each other a few months?" Jackson asks Owen quietly.

"It's only something that comes from sharing something with someone that you wouldn't tell anyone else. It's something that happens between people who were apart for so long that they can share one look and know what the other person is thinking," Owen replies simply.

He's completely correct. All it takes is one look, and Anna knows instantly what's wrong, and vice versa. I couldn't ask for a better friend and sister.