Broken World

Chapter 26

       I awaken the next day, I know by my watch, to a set of running footsteps that I've come to know as Dylan's. I walk out, and instead of waiting for him I head up to the infirmary feeling perfectly fine.

       "Hey, Delilah," one of the medics say as they see me. Then a look of realization comes onto their face.

       "What?" I ask confused.

       "You aren't sick from the scratch," they say.

       "I know I'm not....Wait a sec if I'm not sick then why is he?" I ask.

       "It must be something with your blood or possibly a power. I have no idea," the medic says.

       "If it's my blood take as much as possible and give it to him," the medic looks at me like I'm crazy as I say those words. "Please, I need him," I beg my eyes welling with tears.

       "We can try it. If it doesn't work I'm sorry," they say. They turn, grab a needle and something to hold my blood like at blood drives, and sticks me with the needle. They take as much as they can and walk over to Kellin to put it in him.

       "I'll be back later to see how it goes, but please take good care of everyone here," I say walking out of the room. I do a bit of a happy dance going down the stairs and practically fall down the stairs. I laugh at my stupidity, and I hear someone laughing as well. I turn around, but no one is there. That's when Alex appears from nowhere, and I yelp out of surprise. He laughs even harder, but I don't care.

       "Why're you so happy?" he asks.

       "I might be able to save Kellin," I say.

       "Wow, congrats. I'm happy for you!" he exclaims.

       "Thanks, but I'm not sure how or if it'll work," I say.

       "Wait, what about your scratch? That thing should have you sicker than the worst sickness in the world," he asks.

       "It doesn't affect me that's why I think I can save him. I gave him some of my blood, and that may save him. No promises though," I say.

       "Wow, that's insane!" he gasps looking awe struck.

       "Are you looking at me like that to make me feel better or are you looking at me like that because you are amazed?" I ask.

       "The second one," he says.

       "I'm going to go off and talk to other people," I say.

       "Okay, bye," he says walking off. I first find and stop Dylan who's been frantically searching for me.

       "Delilah, infirmary needs you," he pants.

       "I already went there this morning, Dylan. I heard you running and went there," I say.

       "Oh, okay," he says. He starts to turn, but I stop him.

       "Guess what," I say.

"What?" he asks turning back around.

       "Scratches don't affect me, so I might be able to save Kellin," his face lights up as I say this. I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes Kellin here.

       "Wow, seriously?" he asks in disbelief. I nod. "Hey, I got to go. I've been playing messenger boy this whole time, so people count on me," with the he takes off running. I smile and spread the word a bit more. I see Calvin and bounce over to him.

       "Why're you so happy this afternoon?" he asks.

       "Because I might have just saved Kellin," I say, and he gives me a questioning look. "I wasn't affected by the scratched and my blood might have something special to save him," I explain quickly.

       "Wow, congrats. I'm happy for you," he says smiling.

       "Why is that all people say?" I ask annoyed.

       "I don't know. Maybe it's because they have nothing better to say," he suggests.

       "Maybe, but that was a rhetorical question," I say with a little laugh. He smiles and looks around. "What're you looking for?" I ask with a bit of concern.

       "Nothing. I just thought I heard something moving over there," he says gesturing to where he thought he heard something. I listen intently, and when I don't hear anything I shrug.

       "I don't know what you heard, but I'm not hearing anything," I say.

       "I might have just been hearing things. Don't worry about it," he says.

       "I'm not going to worry about it. Hey, I'm going to go sleep. Let me know if you hear anything," I say turning to leave.

       "Okay. Bye, Delilah," he says leaning his head back against the wall. He shuts his eyes, and I turn and walk away. I walk into my room, lay on the floor, wrap myself in a blanket, and I lay there thinking about how alone I am. I drift off into a dreamless sleep.