Ranger's Apprentice - Race For Halt

Ch.19

It hurt. His head hurt. His legs hurt. His arm hurt. His back hurt. His chest hurt. His everything hurt.
Life hurt.
Will knew he was in pain. He could even remember why. And for some reason, Gilan kept clouding his thoughts, though he couldn't understand why.
And he couldn't move. His fingers and eyes refused to obey his brain. And if he tried too hard, his head split in pain and he was taken under consciousness again.
But he could always hear. Ever since yesterday, any conversation within earshot, Will was able to soak up. Most of them seemed to be with Gilan. Somebody always came in to talk to him. Several times, it was Halt or Jenny. Both checked on Will, but Jenny seemed more worried about Gilan. It made Will want to laugh, though he couldn't.
But why had Gilan been in every conversation? The only reason he could figure was that Gilan was always by his bed. But still, why? Will would have figured that not even Halt would be here this much.
And the memory of Gilan...
It was cloudy, like Will could almost remember, but it always slipped away. He remembered pain. And Gilan's voice. And more pain. And Gilan again. And then nothing.
Gilan spoke now, and it was so sudden, Will would've flinched if he could.
"I'm so sorry, Will." Gilan said. Will wanted scream, to tell Gilan he had nothing to be sorry for. It was Will's fault for not listening to Tug's warning.
A cool cloth was laid on Will's forehead, and even though he couldn't see he knew it was Gilan.
"Halt had been talking for an hour about you missing. I should have went to check on you the first time." Gilan continued. "I almost didn't go the last time."
Will was forced to relax as his headache came back. The cloth helped.
"Will, you have to wake up." Gilan's voice shook. "I can't lose my brother."
Will could have sobbed.
Brother? He'd never known Gilan would think of him in this way. Now that Will thought, he also thought of Gilan as his older brother. If their roles were switched, wouldn't he be this worried about Gilan?
Will felt Gilan squeeze his hand.
"You can't leave me here with Halt." Gilan said, laughing through obvious tears. Will felt like crying.
Overcome with emotions, Will forgot his pain. He surged into action, forcing any small movement. He would break through his coma. He had to.
He was able to move a finger in the hand Gilan was holding.
Please notice me, Will prayed.
"Will?" Gilan asked hopefully. Will sighed.
Wait, he actually sighed!
"Will? Can you hear me?" Gilan asked frantically, squeezing Will's hand even harder.
Will twitched his hand. Thankfully, it was his left hand and not his right.
"Will!"
"Gilan?" A new voice asked.
Halt.
"Halt! Come here! I think Will can hear us!" Gilan cried. Will heard footsteps.
"Gilan," Will heard his mentor say. "I don't think-"
Will moved his hand once again.
"See!" Gilan cried.
Will felt another hand, this one on his shoulder.
"Will?" Halt's voice croaked.
Will squeezed his eyes in strain. He wanted to talk. He had to.
He moaned.
"Will, we're here." Halt said. "It's okay."
No, it's not! Will thought. I am going to talk!
"Halt." Will choked out.
Both men squeezed.
"Yes, son?" Halt asked.
Will couldn't answer. It was too hard.
"Will?"
He was so tired, he couldn't even tell who said it.
But he was going to find out. One more surge of energy, and his eyes fluttered open.
There was a chair beside his bed where Gilan had been sitting. He was now standing and staring worriedly at Will.
Halt was much closer, standing directly to his left. His intense eyes were concerned. For Will.
"Will?" Halt repeated.
"Halt." Will croaked.
"Will!" Gilan cried. "You can move! You can talk, you-"
"Gilan." Will sighed. A smile spread across his face. But Gilan just stared.
"You remember us," he said.
Will blinked.
"Yes?" He said. It was work, saying more than one word at a time.
"You remember...everything?" Gilan asked.
Will looked from Gilan to Halt. But Halt was simply watching him.
Waiting for an answer.
"Mostly." He said.
Gilan sighed and sank to his chair. Will looked back at Halt.
"Try two words." Halt suggested.
Will consentrated.
"Where's..." he tried. Gilan and Halt looked at him expectantly. "Where's... Maddie?"
Halt smiled gently. "She's getting rest. She needs it."
Will lowered his gaze to the back wall.
"I...don't..." Will tried.
"Calm down. Just take a breath." Halt said. Will did.
"I don't like... people worrying." He said. "About me."
The sentence was full, although slow. But it was exhausting. His head began to hurt.
But Halt chuckled at his words.
"Now you understand," he said.
Will smiled feebly. His eyelids drooped.
"Get more rest." Halt said.
Will knew he had no choice, but he had something else to say.
"Gilan..." he said quietly. The Ranger Commandant snapped to attention.
"Will?" He said.
Will moved sluggishly, reaching for Gilan. With sadness and concern in his eyes, Gilan took Will's hand in both of his.
"Brother." Will mummbled before sleep took him back.
He didn't get to see the look of pride and relief on Gilan's face.
Or the tears in Halt's eyes.

Aweeeeee😂