Changing

Chapter 9

I woke feeling disoriented. 

Ah everything hurts. I whimpered my discomfort. 

I heard someone sigh hugely in relief. I turned my head and was able to see Bonnie’s head twist away from me. 

I watched her for a moment trying to understand…but then I saw that I was naked. 

“Dang!” my clothes must have ripped off when I changed. 

Heat rushed to my face, bringing color to my ashen appearance. I moved, trying to obscure my body with my limbs, but a staggering pain engulfed me and I flopped back on the floor gasping for breath. 

The spiteful agony raced up and down my body like an electric torrent. I clenched my teeth against the threatening scream, tears streaming from my eyes. 

When the pain seceded I stretched my muscles carefully. The burning sensation came again, causing me to hiss through my teeth, but it wasn’t as bad this time. 

I continued to stretch until the there was only a dull throb and then sat up. 

The pain had reminded me of something…

It was like that one time when I was so sick that I didn’t move the whole day from bed. The pain the next day had been very similar to this. But if this is true, then how long have I been sleeping?

I wrapped my arms around my legs resting my head on top. I shivered involuntarily from the cold air. 

Bonnie was at the far end of the cage. She looked off into the distance her expression indecipherable.  

Something pricked at my side and I looked down just then taking in the white elastic bandage enveloped around my chest. 

So that’s why my ribs don’t hurt…well at least I’m not totally naked. But why couldn’t they give me a blanket or something…

Mr. Buchcowski’s agonized face suddenly jumped into my thoughts and I smiled egregiously from the memory. 

So that’s why…most likely he said not to…

I looked to Bonnie again but she continued to avoid my gaze. 

What’s wrong with her now? She knows what I am and yet she treats me the same…okay not exactly the same, but why does she ignore me like I’m not here? This is even worse than before! At least she acknowledged my presence, now its like I’m a ghost.

She looked out of the bars of the cage, the back of her head turned to me. Her hands grasped the bars, and her ragged hair hung down swathing her back and shoulders. Her legs where so skinny…I could see the bones projecting through her translucent skin. And the bones in her hand jutted out. She looked so fragile like a mere gust of wind would shatter her into a thousand pieces. 

The wheezing in her throat had gotten poorer. I was unable to comprehended where she got the strength to stand there straight with her head held high.   

She’s worse much worse. How much longer will she be able to stand this without breaking?

“Bonnie” I called tentatively. She shivered, but other than that there was no response. I was just the wind whispering her name, nothing of importance.

“Bonnie” I called louder, irritation coloring my tone. She stayed statue still. “Oh come on Bonnie, you can’t just ignore me this way!”

Her hands tightened on the bars but she wouldn’t move. 

The door opened and Tom and May came in. Bonnie looked their way lethargically. 

She sighed and sank to the floor.