Broken World

Chapter 27

       I awaken to running footsteps, and I have no idea how long I slept. I recognize the footsteps and leap up from where I'm lying. I run into the hall and almost collide with him.

       "What happened?" I say exactly as he says, "Come quick."

       "What happened?" I repeat.

       "The infirmary needs you now. Like they said if possible you need to run," Dylan pants.

       "Well, I'm not running. I'm sprinting," I say, and I don't even give him a chance to reply. I take off running at full speed toward the infirmary. I take the stairs two at a time, and as soon as I arrive everyone looks at my panting, doubled over figure in the doorway. The medic that informed me Kellin might die or change comes over to me.

       "Well, I'm glad to see you got up here so quickly. You know how you gave him some of your blood?" she asks me.

       "Yeah, I do," I say looking at her curiously.

       "Well, it worked. He should be back up and moving next week. He just needs a bit to recover. If you want you can go see him," she says smiling brightly.

       "I will. Thank you..." I trail off there not sure what to call her.

       "My name's Addison," she says. I look at her in full, and make a mental note of what she looks like, so I can find her if I need her. Her long, red hair falls to the middle of her back, her grey eyes shimmer brightly, and she is about five foot four. She seems to be fourteen like most people here.

       "Thank you Miss Addison," I say nodding my head gratefully.

       "Don't start with the 'Miss' business, or else I'll start calling you Miss Delilah," she says with a smile.

       "Okay, fair enough. Can you take me to Kellin now, please?" I ask.

       "Yep, follow me," Addison says while turning. I follow her to a semi-secluded corner, and when I see Kellin I almost break down in tears. Where he was bit is a nasty black color, he's really pale, he has acid rashes on the sides of his mouth, and he's really skinny. I feel so bad for him, and that's when I notice his eyes are shut. At least he's sleeping it off and can't feel much pain.

       "Is it okay if I just sit here by his bed?" I ask Addison in a whisper.

       "Yeah, that's okay. Just don't wake him. Sleep helps heal a person," she says. She turns and walks out. I sit in a chair and suck in quiet gasps of air. I need to be strong for him.

       "Dear God, it's been a while since I last talked to you, and this prayer is long overdue. God, I beg you save Kellin and everyone else who got hurt. Help me be a good leader, Lord. Help me make the right decisions and keep everyone safe. Amen," I mumble really quietly out loud. I hear a rustling sound and look up. I see Kellin's awake and realize his blue eyes are paler than they were before the bite.

       "Hey, babe," he mumbles.

       "Shh, go back to sleep," I say quietly.

       "But I wanna talk with you," he says quietly. His mouth barely even moves.

       "No, baby. You need sleep," I say.

       "I wanna..." he trails off as he falls back to sleep. I brush his hair off his face, and he smiles in his sleep. I will sit here until I am needed elsewhere, they kick me out, or he is able to leave. I feel someone tap my shoulder and turn to see Addison standing there.