A Revolution In Shadow And Blood

You Can't Breathe Underwater

"Freya..." Ben's voice is higher pitched than usual, and his hands dance around the wound. Jessica, who was previously sparring, kneels down next to me.

"It doesn't look like it hit any arteries," Jessica says, examining the knife. "The biggest problem is going to be bleeding out."

"I can handle that." Ben sounds more determined. My vision is swimming, and the pain is unbearable.

"This is going to hurt," Ben says, gently placing a hand around the handle of the blade. I nod, but a few tears leak from the corners of my eyes.

"Just do it." I lay back on the mat. Guanyin offers me her hand with a sympathetic smile, and I take it, warning her that I'm going to squeeze. I close my eyes and in the second before Ben takes it out, I wonder how I got myself into this mess. I just wanted to explore this new world. I may act tough, like this whole situation is just another day in the life of being me, but this is terrifying. I just fought four guys who were trying to kill me. There is a knife IN MY LEG. I'm eighteen. How did this happen?

Ben pulls the knife out, and the physical feeling is the worst I've ever experienced. A strangled scream escapes me, though I tried my best to hold it in. Vaguely I hear Guanyin grunt as I crush her hand in my grip. Ben throws the knife to the side, and it skitters across the concrete. I bite my lip to keep from crying out again, and a metallic taste tells me I've split it. I look down for a moment, and see Ben wrapping a piece of cloth from the bottom of his shirt around my leg.

"That's not going to hold for long." Jessica says, looking a little pale. Luke is by the door with no pigment at all. Surprisingly, Guanyin isn't even shaking as she holds my hand.

"I've got more supplies in my bag. I'll grab them in a moment." Ben looks up from my leg to check on me. "How do you feel?"

"Like I'm about to pass out. Is that normal?" I ask, sounding breathy.

Ben scowls. "Yeah. That's going to get worse if we don't get this bandaged properly."

"I can get your bag, if you want to stay with her?" Luke calls out. Ben hides it well, but I can tell he's relieved. By the look on Luke's face, I'd guess he understands what Ben is going through.

"Yeah, that'd be great," Ben quickly gives him directions to the place he's been staying, and says to meet us in my room, "Deep breath. This is going to hurt."

I nod, and do what he says. Ben puts his arms under my legs, and around my shoulders, then lifts me into his arms. In pain, and extremely dizzy, I lay my head on his shoulder, and put both hands over the bandage, applying pressure, though my hands are shaking.

The next thing I know, Ben is setting me on my bed, and looking more worried by the minute. Both of our hands are bloody, so I don't hesitate to grab one of his, and squeeze it, "I'm going to be fine. Thanks to you."

I might've been able to convince him of that if I didn't wince right after. He looks into my eyes, his face grim, "This shouldn't have happened at all. I should've been there to protect you."

I frown, but the pain is stopping my brain from coming up with a logical response. A couple minutes later, Luke shows up, carrying a navy backpack, "This is the only bag I saw."

"That's it." Ben takes it from him and starts pulling out medical supplies. "Thank you."

Luke nods, glances at my bloody leg, pales, then excuses himself.

Finished with getting the supplies out, Ben looks at the wound, then me, "I'm going to have to cut the jeans off."

I look at my blood covered pants, decidedly ignoring what he's really asking, "They're ruined already."