𝐀𝐒𝐘𝐋𝐔𝐌

Chapter Nineteen

Things DO get better eventually. I say this because I can vividly imagine my friend (whom I frequently read my books to) hearing this chapter and never wanting to touch this story with a ten foot pole haha. Its pretty gross. Or heartwarming if you like River.

For the long while that you’ve been in advanced stages, your flesh has been very numb. You could feel warmth, as you yourself are quite lukewarm, but pain eluded you.

Until now.

You awoke with a jolt, arching and full body cringing away from the source of pain, in an instant.

Your greying eyes, clouded over and stubborn, took a moment before your vision repaired itself, leaving sound to be your only source of information.

As the source of pain was yanked away from you you could hear a yelp followed by a solid thud.

The thud was solid but light, like the source wasn't of much weight.

Click

“I recall ordering you to remain at a distance.” River’s voice whispered with a growl.

You blinked quickly, trying to clear the sludge typically in your freshly woken eyes, a result of your body's faulty system.

From your position on the table, you could only see River’s hunched back as held down your perceived attacker. His coat was falling off his body. Lately, it's looked bigger on him.

“Who’s that?” You asked, eery as usual.

River’s head bent back to look at you, his lids drooped as huffed out his nose and hoisted himself up, the previously pinned one in tow.

With his thin arms clasped together tightly, encompassed by River’s grip, was someone who’d made you mad. You can’t remember why though.

You narrowed your dead eyes at the boy. He looked similar to your state. Paled skin, those clouded green eyes.

The boy also seemed to suffer minor injuries and be exposed to basic precautions such as a metal gag similar to the one you wear during feedings. He shook and looked fearfully into your eyes.

He made you irrefutably enraged… how come?

River’s indifferent face changes ever so slightly, seeing your face, as he raised his eyebrows a tad, “That's a sight. You've remained inexpressive your whole stay.”

River pulls the pulling boy harshly close to him, his face falling to be agitated, “He make you mad? Can you name anything he’s done? Anything criminal?”

You were confused. Were you meant to know this boy?

You wracked your brain but you just couldn't remember a damn thing.

“Who… is this boy?” your crackly single tone voice pierced the air, causing River to look surprised and the boy to release a whimper.

River looked deeply into the boys visage with glaring eyes, silent for a moment.

“I suppose… no one important.” River shoved the boy to his knee beside your table, standing over him.

The boy’s eye seemed strained as he sobbed to himself, a few stray tears struggling down his cheek.

“So… why’s he here? Beside me, I mean.” You asked.

River looked off blankly into the distance, his tired expression emanating a sense of stubbornness somehow.

“He’s patient zero. Of the strain that has infected you and other Spore-Born SS classes. He was brought in along two uninfected of their own volition. Since Charles was barred from dealing with potentially dangerous undead, he was handed off to me for evaluation.” River groaned out, shaking the boy’s collar when the boy tried to pull from him as though he were dealing with a dog.