Oh My Gosh! It's a Dinosaur!

Chapter 9

Beeping. That's what I woke up to. I slowly opened my eyes to stare at the pristine white ceiling. I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"Glad to see that you're awake. Try not to move or talk, okay? You had quite a bit of fluids in your lungs."

I blinked and turned my head to look at the person. It wasn't Rowan, but a female nurse.

"Ro... Ro..."

"Take it easy. I sent Rowan home to get some rest. You've been out for quite some time."

I think I whimpered after that because she looked sorry for me.

"She told me that you enjoyed stories. Would you like me to read one for you?"

I thought about this before nodding slightly. Creating stories and hearing them usually put my mind at ease.

"What would you like me to read?"

I shrugged a little and moved my head to look the other way. I wanted Rowan by my side. She made me feel safe. Like nothing bad would ever happen to me.

The nurse picked up a book and began to read. Alice in Wonderland. I had heard it many times as a kid, so I didn't bother listening much. Not long after that, I fell asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Nafri... You can't hide in your room forever," A feminine voice called out to me. "You look very nice in your suit."

I walked to the door and opened it. Just barely though. I was shorter somehow.

"You really think so Amelia?" I asked. I sounded odd. It was my voice, yet different.

A redheaded woman, Amelia, as I had previously called her, smiled and nodded. "I think you should go downstairs and join the party. I believe I saw some presents for you too."

My eyes lit up. "Really?"

Amelia nodded once again. "Now, come on."

I held onto her hand as we walked down the long hall to the stairs.

"Do you think you can go down by yourself?"

I stared down the stairs, watching shadows go by, along with laughter from the dozens of adults downstairs. I took a deep breath and nodded with determination.

"I can do it."

I then proceed to make my way downstairs. As I walked around looking for my parents, none of the adults seemed to notice me.

Soon I spotted my father and walked over to him. I tried getting his attention, but he didn't give me any.

I looked down sadly and walked over to the food table.

I then tried to get the attention of any adult around to help me, but I was ignored again.

Taking a deep breath, I determined that I didn't need an adult. I could do this myself.

Reaching up, I stood on my tiptoes and tried to grab a cup of punch.

My footing suddenly slipped and I fell to the ground, grabbing onto the table cloth as I went down. Since I pulled on it rather forcefully as I fell, it came with me, letting the punch bowl tip over the edge and splash on top of me.

I heard the talking suddenly cease as everyone turned to see what the commotion was about. I looked up to see all eyes on me. Everyone's but my father's, who turned away to leave the room.

Tears began falling from my eyes as I ran back upstairs to my room.

My suit was spoiled by the sticky red liquid. I doubted that even Amelia could get it out.

I ran straight past the said redheaded woman and into my room, slamming the door shut before hiding under my bed to cry my eyes out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

My eyes shot open to see a set of very worried ones looking back.

"Nafri? Are you okay? Do you need a nurse?" Rowan seemed to ask ceaseless questions, but I stopped listening and turned my head from her.

"Nafri? What's wrong? Nafri, why aren't you speaking? Hold on I'll get a nurse." Rowan left the room to do as she said, yet I didn't stop her.

Rowan returned with the nurse only a short moment later, who then walked to my other side.

"Hi honey, Rowan told me you woke up suddenly. Want to tell me what's wrong?"

I didn't answer.

"Did you have a nightmare?"

I looked at the ground. In a way, it had been one.

"I thought so. Would you like to talk about it?"

I shook my head.

"Alright. Well, if you decide that you want to talk, just ring for me. Or you could talk to your friend, she's worried about you."

She ran her finger tips over my hand in a comforting manner, but I flinched, making her withdraw. Not long after, she left the room to help other patients.

Rowan took a seat in the chair next to my bedside. "Did you really have a nightmare?"

I nodded, keeping my head turned away. "Am..." I croaked out, trying not to cry.

"Am? Am what?"

"Amelia..." I whispered softly before breaking down and crying like I had in my dream.

I missed her.