Sacrifices of Fire: Escaping Murder Manor

Chapter 4

When Ellie wakes up, she's in her room at White Petal Hospital. "Thomas?" she whispers, "Where are you?"

Julia appears in the doorway, "Oh, you're awake," she says, "How are you feeling?"

"I feel like I was caught on fire...oh wait...I was..."

"Um, okay?"

"Where's Thomas?"

"He's here somewhere. I'm not entirely sure where though."

"Oh, okay. Could you go look for him?"

(sigh) "I suppose so. I'll be back soon." Julia disappears into the hallway.

While she waits, Ellie carefully pushes herself up to a point where she's sitting up. "Ouch," she mumbles.

"What's wrong?" Thomas asks worriedly.

Ellie looks up and sees Thomas in the doorway. "I'm okay. I'm just a little sore."

"That's it? Are you sure?"

"Do I have any burns? Are they bad?"

"Yes and yes. Don't worry though, they aren't anywhere you can see."

"Oh..." She shifts around, trying to find a comfortable position. She skims her side against the bed frame. "Ow!" She grabs a hold of her side.

"Ellie, don't!" Thomas exclaims, "That's where..."

She disgards his warning and lifts her gown up. She gasps softly when she sees the bandages wrapped around her torso. "Thomas? How bad...is it?"

"It's not good...but it's not the worst you had."

She sighs. "Well, at least they aren't like..."
"Yeah, I guess so."

"Are the kids here?"

"Yeah, Matt took them down to the cafeteria to get something to eat." '

"Oh? How long have I been out?"

"Since yesterday. You woke up on the way here, but you probably don't remember that."

"No...I don't. Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. I was there. You were kind of there."

"Yes...I'm aware."

"Mama?" a little voice whispers.

Ellie looks toward the door, where the kids and Matt are. "Hello," she whispers, "I'm okay. You can come in."

Matt steps inside first and the kids follow. He bends down and whispers in her ear, "Hey, you scared me there for a second."

"Sorry, I can't help it," she answers, "I'm accident prone."

"I know. You shouldn't have gone. You're pregnant."

"I'm fine. I couldn't let Thomas go alone."

"I could have gone with him!"

"Matt, please, I'm okay. I'm sorry, okay? I won't do anything dangerous until the baby is born, alright?"

"Good."
"I can't promise nothing will happen though. You know I'm a magnet for trouble."
"Yes, it comes along with being accident prone."

"Sorry?"

"It's okay, not your fault. You can't help it."

"Mama?" Lily butts in, "Is you okay?"

"Yes, love, I'm okay. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"You promise you okay?"

"I promise."