The Immortal Cure - Series Two

Chapter Twenty Four - Mountains

The last thing I remembered, was that the second Callum had began walking with me in his arms, I had blacked out.

When my brain returned to reality, I was aware that I was not yet deceased.
I'd been in this situation many times before, and most of those times, I had genuinely thought that I was going to die, but like all those times, I actually hadn't.

Wherever I was, it was dark, it smelt exactly like wood fire and wild forestry. My eyes were half open, but I could see the roof of the house. Cathedral, old, beautiful. I was lying on a couch, not a bed, one leg hanging half off the edge. It was comfortable, soft and tempting to nuzzle back into sweet sleep.

My mind began to wander when a warm hand found mine beside me. I instantly had assumed that it was Callum, secretly hopeful that it was instead Duke. My eyes began to adjust and slowly, my clear vision returned.

"Where am I?" I managed out, groggy, my lips cracking, my throat dry

"It's one of my holiday homes in the mountains" Callum's soft voice spoke from beside me

"Where?" I asked again, wanting specifics.
As far as I knew, there were no mountains in Paris

"It doesn't matter where, you're okay and that's the main thing" He stroked his thumb over the top of my hand. It was soothing, but it didn't stop the uneasy feeling that stirred inside my stomach

"Duke?" I mumbled out again, hoping he was close by, safe

Callum didn't reply, which only made me more worried

By now, my eyes were fully adjusted and I was able to turn my head towards Callum, taking in his wild appearance. He looked like he hadn't slept in days, his hair upturned and tossed about. He had circles under his eyes, bold and dark as he watched me with bloodshot eyes.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, lightly smiling at the sight of me, alive

"I can't feel my arm" I whispered, attempting to move my left arm, failing

"I had to give you some pain medication, the bullet was in there pretty good, but you're going to be okay, you should make a full recovery within the next few weeks" He told me proudly, relieved

"You got the bullet out?"

"I had no choice" His eyes soft and calming as he looked down at me from where he sat, perched on the small coffee table between us

"Who else is here?"

"Just me" He replied, quick and careful

I tried to sit up, but Callums gentle hand pushed me back down again

"Don't move"

"It's just my arm, surely I can sit up" I told him, regaining my confidence

He gave me a disaproving look but allowed me to drag my body upright, letting go of my hand in the process

"How long have we been here?" I asked, looking around the house, taking it all in.
He was right, we were in the mountains, high up in the middle of the mountains, the house moulded around the trees and hills that enveloped the wood themed structure.

"Two days" He shrugged, watching me with the same careful gaze I held

"2 days?!" I shot, shocked

"I've been impatiently waiting for you to wake up" His eyes scanned the room nervously

"Is your arm okay?" I remembered Callum's own bullet wound, scanning his right forearm where a bandage wrapped around his muscle

He quickly glanced at it "Yes it's fine, it was through and through"