Secrets

Chapter Sixteen

Mom fades, and so does Sophie. Black. I see nothing, but black. My hearing is coming back though... I hear Jayson, yelling. Yelling my name, repeatedly. I can't see, but I can feel him tapping my shoulder. He really needs me... I try to blink my eyes open, but they won't budge. It seems like I can't control them. I feel Jayson's tapping fade away, and I fall asleep.

* * *

"Anna!" Someone yells.

I wake up, and my eyes open, leaving me flustered. "Huh..?"

"Thank God! I thought you died!" When my vision cleared, Jane was crying. Bawling. In all the years he's been my friend, the last time I saw him cry was in 4th grade.

"Jane? Is that you?" I plead.

"Yes! Yes! I'm here! You'll be okay!" He cried out.

"Why are you crying? You never cry." I moan, pain rushing back.

"Oh. You are pale. You lost too much blood. The bullet was caught, so when the doctors tried taking it out, you stopped breathing. The meter stopped, and you flat lined. I thought you were dead, Anna." He cried again.

"I'm sorry. Am I okay now? Are you okay now?"

"I'm fine. I guess. But you're not. You aren't losing blood anymore, but you lost a lot already. The surgery is done, but you're still injured."

"How am I injured?"

"Somehow, you twisted your ankle. It's fractured."

"Really? Just from jumping out of a tree?"

"You jumped? That was high! Okay, let me stop yelling..."

"Okay. I'm sorry I jumped... I just wanted to help you."

"Now look where that lead to. I'd rather be shot, then you being here!"

"Okay, okay. Please, Jayson. I'm truly sorry. All this yelling and stress isn't helping. Let me rest."

"I'm sorry... Let me get you something. What do you want?"

"Mom. Food? Mostly Mom."

"I know. I miss my dad. They're probably ballistic. We've been gone for a week and a half."

"And a half? How long have I been out?"

"Uh, about 2 to 3 days."

"WHAT!"

"It's okay! You're awake now, you'll be fine."

"Wait, where am I?"

"Well, the abandoned factory was nowhere close to, well. Anywhere!"

"So... Where am I?"

"Let's just say we are about 10 to 12 miles from home."

"WHAT! WHY!"

"Anna, calm down! You are still trying to heal!"

"I don't care how far we are from home, Jayson. Where am I!"

"I don't know! There was a man in a truck that worked for a hospital! I asked him to take me there! He owns a helicopter, and now we're here! I'll ask him later! Okay! Just calm down, Anna!" He yelled. Ever since that stupid secret, our friendship's been falling apart. Now we're both injured, far from home, very scared, super sad, and now? Once again, we have NO idea where we are. I just want Mom. I miss her. The last time I saw her, I didn't tell her I love her. I miss her. So much.

Jayson left to get me some food. Obviously not Mom. She's too far away. I didn't want him to see me cry more than I did, so once I couldn't see him, I lifted the covers that were on me, and bawled. Bawled like I never had before. I used to say, Life's miserable. No one knows what it's like. It'll never get better. It can't possibly be any worse than this. I used to say that because of Sophie. Now? I say, How can life be so terrible? I miss life before... Bullied by a weak girl instead of a rich evil man... I miss Mom... I miss the old Jayson... I don't know what I want anymore. Jayson walks back in with... Chicken?