The Great War

II

I stare into Theo's eyes, something was off, very off. He didn't have the eyes I adored to look into. No, his were dark, terrifying and menacing. "I need to... go to the bathroom. Stay here."

He smiled and stood up, "No you shouldn't go alone, what if you pass out?"

I give him the best smile I could pass over as normal and get up. "It's fine really,"

He steps to the side glaring at the back of my head as I carefully grab onto the IV pole and push it along with me. My body felt heavy, everything felt like it was pushing down on me. I let out a quiet whimper of pain as I push open the room door. I look behind me and he's no longer there.

"Theo?" I question in a hushed tone,

"Yes?"

I gasp and spin around my eyes widening as he's just standing right in front of me. "How'd you—"

He tilts his head to the side with furrowed brows, "How'd I what?"

I bring up a shaky hand and rub my face tiredly. "Nothing." I look up at him again and then give him a once over. He was taller, skinnier and much paler. He wasn't even acting like himself either. "Why's the hospital empty? Where's Lilium?"

'Theo' stands up straight and keeps that bone-chilling smile on his face. "Lilium went home."

I look at him in confusion, Lilium wouldn't just go home if I was hurt. "Are you sure? Is she coming back?"

He shrugs. "I don't think so."

I slowly nod and walk past him, "I'll just call her from the front desk. I'm sure she'd be relieved to know I'm okay." I felt him grab my arm tightly. "What?" I ask forcing away the edge in my voice. He stares me down, his face expressionless.

"Why don't you lay down. I'm sure she can wait till tomorrow." His voice was flat, void of any emotion. I gently pull my arm from him, but it didn't budge.

"It's okay, I'm fine." I say placatingly, trying to play it off. His grip tightened, leaving pressure marks on my arm. "Theo, let go please." I whisper terrified.

He pulls me closer and lifts his other hand to my jaw, caressing softly. "I'm just worried." He mumbles, his voice distorting the more he talks.

"Let me go." I pull my arm some and he just yanks it back twice as hard.

"No."

I glare at him through my panic and shove him back, away from me. "I'm leaving." I turn around and pull the IV pole with me as fast as I could. I wanted to get away from him before I took the time to take the IV out properly.

I make it to the lobby and look around, it was empty. No nurses, no people. Nothing. I walk over to the main desk and reach around grabbing the phone. I dial Lilium's number and hold it to my ear.

"The person you're trying to reach—" I groan quietly and hang up the phone. I put it back and lay my arm flat taking the tape off the IV line before slowly pulling it out of my arm. I inhale shakily from the discomfort of that feeling.

I toss it away from me and turn around going towards the front doors. I push and it stays in place. Is it locked? I try again but pull this time. It must be locked.

I quickly make pace and walk back to the desk fumbling around trying to find a key, I let out a sigh and stand back up. "I thought I told you to lay down, Daphne."

I snap my head to the left and see Theo standing there. His arms crossed as he glares at me. I turn my head away from him, giving him no attention as I walk away going down the opposite hall. I could feel him following me, never getting too close. Never going too far.

I take a random left and see an elevator. I look behind me and he's no longer there. I grunt as I bump into something. I plant my hands on the thing and look up seeing it was him.

"Tsk, come along. You're going the wrong way." He grabs my wrist and pulls me back the way I came.

"No." I grunt out as I yank my wrist free and run past him. Knowing it was no use trying the elevator. He released a deep guttural growl and chases after me.

I could hear my blood rushing in my ears as my heart raced. My eyes dart around looking for a place to hide or get away from this thing. This place.

I let out a whimper as I hear claws scraping against the walls. "You won't get away! Stop trying!" It screeches as I turn the corner and enter the first room, I see open. I slam the door shut and lock it. The thing rams into it, shaking it. "Come out! Now!"

Its voice deepened to a scratchy rough growl. I turn around my chest rising and falling in a rush as I look for a way out. I spot a window and smile in my haze. I rush over and try opening it. It doesn't budge so I look around to find something hard enough to break it.

I find nothing and decide whether it's life or death, it feels like death. I strip my shirt off haphazardly and wrapped it around my fist. I take a deep breath as the banging on the door behind me got louder, more aggressive.

I reel my fist back and slam it as hard as I could into the window. I repeat this twice more before it gives way and breaks enough for me to pull away glass pieces and get out, not even thinking twice about shards slicing into my skin.

I let out a victorious breath as I shimmy my way out of that room via the window. The door bursts open just as I get out and the creature shrieks grabbing at the sides of the window. I look around me and realize I'm outside. Or... an outside.

"Get back here!" It snarls out as I run off aimlessly looking for someone to help me.

I approach the town's fountain, yet it looked brand new. Water spewing from the top graciously. I look around me as I lean against the fountain's base catching my breath. I look down at my hand and see blood dripping from my palms. I lift them up and look at the slashes marring the skin. Small ones from me grabbing the glass littered my palm. I inhale sharply as I dip it in the water, cleaning it off.

I was now, alone, bleeding, and shirtless. Not to mention being hunted by some creature. I fist my hands up and hold them to my chest as I began walking my way to the old school. Hopefully there I'll be safer, at least safe enough to think of how to get back to the others. Wherever I was, I wasn't home.