Survive - Zalfie (BOOK 1)

14. Protect her

Chapter 14 - Protect her

"Concussion," Thomas said tonelessly. "On a positive note: your wrist should be getting alright."

"Thanks," I smiled. "We should get Jim back." I looked at the horizon where Jim had disappeared. Who knows how far he had gone by now?

"Wait," Thomas said. He then took my good hand in his. He ran his fingers over my hand softly. What's going on? Before I could further question him he looked me straight in the eyes. A weird feeling got to my stomach and I started to feel really hot.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered. I turned scarlet and released my hand from his. Why was he saying those things if he knew I was looking for my boyfriend?

"Sorry," he said looking away. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"You don't scare me," I defended myself. "But I'm with Alfie."

"I know," he nodded understanding. "I'm sorry."

I gave him a weak smile to make him feel better and got to my feet. "Let's go find Jim!"

"As your doctor I'm afraid I can't let you," he said calmly. He got up as well and pushed me gently back on the ground. "Patients with concussion have to rest a lot."

I sighed annoyed and looked around again. I liked to look at things when I was bored. I could see something moving far away and I narrowed my eyes. Was it Jim? As he came closer I saw that it indeed was Jim but something was wrong. He seemed to be in... pain?

"Jim..." I mouthed concerned. Thomas turned his head to see Jim walk over to us. Was his nose bleeding? Thomas signed to me that I had to stay down while he ran to Jim to see if he was alright.

I watched them talk for a while. I thought they actually started to get along but didn't want to show me because of their man pride. The grass around me was distracting me from them. I started pulling little plucks of grass. What's Alfie doing right now? I wondered. Is Joe with him? Are they hurt like me? Are they looking for me? Hold on, I thought, what if they are heading to Brighton to find me? That sounded like something they would do if they were alive.

"Oh my god," I whispered. What if I arrived at London and they arrived at Brighton? We would still be apart. But, my mind continued worrying me, what if they stayed in London because they knew I would be thinking this? I shook my head confused of my own thoughts.

"You alright Zoe?" I jumped as Jim spoke. I looked up at him and saw his nose was still bleeding. Thomas had giving him a tissue to hold against it.

"I could ask you the same question," I looked at him suspiciously.

He hesitated before answering me. "I fell."

"You fell?" I repeated not believing a single word of it. I saw Thomas shifting uncomfortably from his left to his right foot. He knew what really happened.

"Yeah, I wasn't paying attention," he lied. I knew something else had happened but why would he lie about it? To not scare me? Did they honestly think I was that fragile? I decided to go with it for now but to question Thomas later on.

"You're so clumsy," I smiled at him. I thought he released a relieved sigh. Thomas was also a tad more relaxed but he was still acting nervous.

"You should try to get some sleep," Thomas recommended.

"Fine, doctor," I answered. I lied down on the grass and closed my eyes. A few minutes later I was fast asleep.

I woke up a few hours later. I opened my eyes to see the sky had turned dusk. I shivered. It was getting a lot colder lately. I hoped we were in London before it got even colder.

"I think we have to tell her," a voice hissed angrily.

"No," another voice answered. "She'll run off alone if she finds out. Is that what you want?"

"Of course not," said the first voice.

I was really curious what they were talking about. I had figured that the first person that talked was Thomas and the other was Jim. Why were they acting so sneaky? What did they hide from me? I closed my eyes again and pretended to sleep but in fact I was full ears as they continued talking.

"I just think it's only fair to tell her the truth," Thomas tried to convince Jim.

At the tone of Jim's voice I could hear that he wasn't planning on telling me at all. "We both lose her if she knows."

"Would you want her to tell you if she banned your friend for no reason at all?"

Hold on, what were they talking about? Banning a friend for no reason? Megan? But she tried to steal someone else's food... or did she?

"Honestly?" questioned Jim. "No, I wouldn't want to know because..."

"Because you would get hurt?" Thomas finished his sentence.

"I want to protect her."

"I understand but... Let's discuss this some other time."

"Why? Zoe's asleep."

I didn't hear an answer coming from Thomas anymore. I heard footsteps coming closer to me. I tried to take deep breaths and act asleep. Someone sat down next to me and stroked my hair gently.

"Dear Zoe." It was Thomas. "As a doctor I can tell who fakes sleep. Good night." I still pretended to sleep and heard him stand up again and walk away. I hate doctors.

A/N: Anyone who ships Zomas or does everyone stay with Zalfie ;) Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Next one will be intense, I warn you. Btw, isn't Zoe gorgeous in that picture? Thank you for reading! xx