A New World

Chapter 12: Dying

Waking up came in stages. First came hearing, I could hear voices all around but I couldn't quite hear what they were saying. Something about someone dying?but I couldn't quite hear what they were saying. Something about someone dying? I wanted to open my eyes, see who was talking. talking. Something was wrong that was for sure but I just couldn't register what it was in my head. It was still foggy up there, the most important parts were taking the longest to clear up.
Slowly I opened my eyes, bit by bit. The first thing to focus were bars, long rusty gray bars that reminded me of the ones in books that held prisoners. In Knight Tunnels we kept our prisoners in a metal room that had cameras everywhere and guards surrounding it. Dark walls materialized behind the bars. Low light, I couldn't tell what from, casted shadows everywhere making it seem gloomy.
Pain shot through my chest and abdomen like no other. This was the last step of waking up I guess because the pain seemed to clear up all the left over fog in my head and suddenly I remember everything. Getting sick, making it to Lala and Rosie's village just to pass out and then finding my team fighting and me getting attacked by the bear-man-thing.
I must of made some sort of noise that let the others know awake because all chatter speed and my brother came into my line of vision.
"Oh my gosh, Aria your awake. How do you feel? Are you hanging in there?" His words came out fast and jumbled as if he was being timed. His face was very pale aside from the dark bags under his eyes and the red splotches that told me my little brother had been crying.
"Are you okay Row? Why have you been crying? What's wrong bubby?" Not a lot of things made Arrow cry so my big sister alarm was going off.
The corners of his mouth twitched up and he let out a small chuckle. "You don't understand what's going on do you?" He asked quietly. His eyes left mine, focusing on something behind me. "Aria, you were injured during the fight at the village, the soldier clawed open your midriff. You're bleeding out sis, with as much blood as you've already lost I'm surprised your even awake." His eyes finally met mine again and I could see the tears he refused to let escape, rimming his. "Your dying sissy." Once the words were out it was like the dams broke and tears were streaming down his face. His body shook as he tried to keep from breaking down entirely.
I stared at him for what seemed like hours trying to register what he had said. I was bleeding out? Dying. I was dying? But I hadn't saved Alia yet. How could I die before rescuing her? Tears filled my eyes as I realized I'd never be able to see her again.
"No. No no no no no...." I started to wail. "I can't die, not yet. What about Alia? I'm suppose to save her, to bring her home. I'll never be able to see my little sister again." The pain in my chest got worse as my body shook with sobes.
"Oh no. Aria, I'm right here." I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned my head to my right with all the might I could. The right side of my body was pressed up against more bars and on the other side sat my sister. Her short pixie cut brown hair was in knots and standing up all over the place. Dirt was smudged across her face making her green eyes a little duller then usual. Her green eyes and short hair were the only things that made us look different but her dirty face made her seem so much older and more like her own person.
"Am I dreaming?" Was the first thing to come out of my mouth.
She let out a short laugh but her expression didn't change. Sadness was evident throughout her whole face. "No sweety, it's really me. Your awake."
"Then how am I seeing you? Where am I?"
"After you got attacked we let our guard down and were taken down by The Kingdom soldiers. It was a really long ride and you were thrown all around the back of their van, we tried to help you but we were tied up. When we arrived they put bags over or heads and brought us down here, they were going to put you in another cell by yourself but I begged them to put you with me." Arrow looked away for a second and I could see his Adams apple bob up and down as he swallowed. " They only agreed after I told them you were dying so you wouldn't be a problem." He finished.
It was silent for along time after that as I tried to take everything in. I could feel that I was really dieing, I was struggling to even stay concious. I could feel the pain from my wounds and the blood soaking my clothes. This was really happening I realized with a start.
“Arrow, Alia. You both need to know that I love you very much and when you get out of here I need you to tell everyone else I love them to, tell mom and dad I tried to make them proud. Okay?" I was trying hard not to cry while I said this, I had to be brave. Even if I was the one dieing.
Tears were streaming down Alia's face and further in the room I could hear someone start to sob. Arrow looked heartbroken as he got up and walked to the other side of our cell. “Please don't talk like that Aria. I just can't take it! Please try to hold on. Please!" He begged as he walked back to my side.
"Row, I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to hold on much longer." I was just telling him the truth, there was no point in lieing to him about the inevitable. I could feel myself being pulled toward the darkness that was taking over the corners of my vision. It wouldn't be long before I slipped away.
"But you just got here, don't leave so soon." Alia joked with a forced laugh.
“I wish I could stay longer too, you know I do..." It was getting hard to talk or move but I used my remaining strength to reach for Alia's hand. "Promise you'll get out of here. Promise me you'll make it home and never get yourself into trouble ever again." My voice came out raspy and shaky.
“I promise." Alia's tearstained face was the last thing I saw before my eyelids became too heavy to hold up.
"I love you guys." Was the last thing I said before I completely slipped into the darkness.

* Just another reminder about the competition for the story's new book cover. If you win, there will be a chapter dedicated to you. We will name all of the participants in another author's note.

            Rules:

                    1. Has to be your creation. Not a friends or anything like that.

                     2. Has to go with the story.

                     3. Comment at least 1 thing on at least 1 chapter.

                      4.Nothing inappropriate.

                       5. If your's is not chosen, don't hate us. We'll have other competitions in the future.

                        6. Have fun with it.

Llamas and love sparkles for all <3 <3 <3

~Megs