The Sun and the Moon

Chapter 20

Dennis' POV

What's worse than needles? Letters.

There are movies where the protagonist suddenly discovers new powers and is whisked away to a magical place. If something like that would occur for me, now would be the perfect time.

My eyes frantically glanced around to find any emergency exit doors but alas there wasn't one to be seen. My last encounter with needles was for some vaccine a year ago and I had genuinely hoped it would end there.

As we neared our cubicle, a ball of lead seemed to have dropped down in my stomach and dread filled my senses with every quick gasp of air.

All the way, Neil eyed me sideways in concern. "I wonder how you got shots as a kid." He said softly, chuckling.

His attempt at a light-hearted joke had its desired effect, for some laughter escaped me in the midst of that anxiety. "It used to be highly entertaining for the onlookers. I would create a big scene in the children's hospital in the line and when it was our turn." My cheeks flushed when those embarrassing moments of clutching to my mom's t-shirt and throwing a tantrum surfaced in my mind. "I even once ran away from the hospital."

Neil raised his eyebrows.

"Yep, I did. Ever since then, my mom wouldn't tell me when the next shot was, until we were at the hospital."

The next room on the left was ours. I held my breath when we entered, but exhaled in surprise when I saw the person before us. Why, it was my dear Cuzzie of course.

Jamie sat on the chair next to the nurse, calm and serene. His shoulders were visibly relaxed, even when the needle pierced his skin. He had a face as emotionless as if he were sleeping.

And, somehow, he had the guts to look right at the needle extracting his blood, deep dark liquid filling the vial. My head was pounding lightly and I felt my head might spin if I stared at it any longer.

I looked at the wall, trying to control my breathing and my rapidly beating heart. It wasn't a second too soon when the nurse said, "All done" and Jamie was branded with the circular bandage.

He thanked the nurse and gracefully walked past us but paused to lean into Neil's ear. "Hold him tight. He can punch, kick or run away."

I don't know if he was warning Neil about my antics or just getting even with me for all the times I had teased him for being afraid and screaming like a banshee whenever he sighted a lizard or a cockroach. Jamie walked away leaving me and Neil.

The nurse told Neil to wait in the chairs by the wall and then I felt her kind but waiting gaze upon me. But my mind was flooded with the dreaded images of the blood being collected and the sharp tip of the syringe. It wasn't until I felt a gentle shoulder nudge that I dragged myself and seated myself next to her.

"Your name please?"

"D-Dennis. Blackwater. 6D."

She tapped away at her computer before turning towards a shelf behind her. I clutched my hands tightly, my leg shaking faster with every second she took to rummaging on the desk.

She swirled on her chair, holding the most deadliest instrument in her hand. And boy, it was so sharp and long! And it'll soon penetrate my own skin!!

She dabbed some cool liquid on my arm with soft cotton and when she held the syringe, her gaze fell upon me staring at it.

"Not comfortable with needles, is it?" I shook my head, managing a weak grin.