CARL
Running,
That's all I'm good at right now.
My arms are lined with holes from the painkillers, my hands covered in bandages and gasoline, holding Junipers soft fingers on the left with whatever I could grab from our room in the right.
June's dangly legs wobble through the halls as she attempts to sprint.
She had just gotten out of bed.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
THREE DAYS BEFORE;
"Carl?" Nurse Janice calls me from the waiting area in the infirmary.
I get up and walk towards her, staring her in her yellow, beady eyes.
"I'm glad you volunteered to take Juniper's place for this, you must really love her." She says as I hop up on the exam table.
"Alright so what we're going to do is just run a few test on you, and then we'll tell you what this is really for."
"I'd rather know what I'm getting tested for before I actually get tested."
Janice just stares at me and blinks her hawk-like eyes. "Well, I won't be able to tell you what you're going to be tested for until we take blood. Is that okay?"
I internally shake my head at her and agree to a blood draw.
"Excellent, I'll get Nathan to come help. You're not afraid of needles, I hope?"
"I've seen worse than needles."
(PUN INTENDED)
Janice just smiles back at me as she exits behind the curtain.
I end up sitting on the table kicking my feet against the side of it and staring up at the ceiling.
I can't help but feel nervous, I knew this place was sketchy as soon I didn't see anyone younger than 18 around.
They wanted Juniper because she was still 17, they thought I was too old for whatever scary shit they have planned.
In walks Janice and Nathan with everything they need to take my blood. In Nathan's hand lies a scary syringe, with clear liquid inside.
"It's just saline, kiddo. It's to clear out the vein when we're done."
I'm not entirely relieved, why would you want to clear out a vein?
I'm brought back to reality by Janice viciously tightening a tourniquet around my upper arm. She taps my inner elbow for a vein, and when one pops up, she jabs it with the needle.
"How much are you gonna take?" I ask, attempting to hide the worry in my tone.
"Just a few vials, then we're done."
"Okay..." I sigh as I lean back into the wall.
Janice changes out the vials four times before pulling the needle out,
