Kryptid

Chapter 32 : aftermath

Alex

The fog was lifting. My thoughts began to crawl out from under the mud. Feeling came back to me and the murky fog that I had been trapped in for so long began to fade away. But the relief of thought brought back the pain with it. I could feel my body again and it was horribly broken. My leg felt as if it had been shattered and hastily reassembled in a shell. Cuts covered my arms and I could feel one across my face. My chest was the worst however. It felt like someone had crushed it and then ripped it open and poured liquid fire into my lungs. Every breath felt like I was breathing in more fire and making the pain worse. I tried to open my eyes but they wouldn't obey and remained shut. I tried once more and finally my eyes opened.

Bright white light flooded my vision causing me to squint them. Soon my vision adjusted and I could see my surroundings. I was laying in a hospital bed with heavy covers piled on top of me. Instead of wall in front of me and to my right there were windows revealing the New York skyline. To my right there were also two chairs. In one of them Isabelle was slumped asleep. She had thin cuts covering her arms and an odd boot on her ankle. I studied her face. During my time in the foggy twilight I had forgotten the details of her face. Although she looks peaceful and cute while she slept I wanted to talk to her. I tried to say her name but the second I opened my mouth the pain in my throats and chest intensified. I shut it and then tried again. "Izzy" I croaked out. It was barely more than a whisper but her eyes shot open. For a moment she looked around confused and then her eyes rested on me. "Alex?" She asked as if to confirm I was actually there. I smiled slightly at her and she broke into tears and rushed me and held me in a bear hug. I screamed out in pain as she jolted my chest. "Shit I'm sorry." She said and quickly released me. I closed my eyes and waited for the pain to subside.

When I opened them again Isabelle was staring at me worriedly. "Are you ok?" She whispered. I nodded and held my hand out. She pulled her chair closer to my bed and took my hand as she sat down. "I've been so worried. It's been almost a week." I could hear the fear in her voice. "I'm ok" I struggled to spit the words out. I really wasn't ok. I couldn't even talk right. "Its over Alex. Phoenix is done. We're finally safe." She whispered after a few minutes. I dimly remembered the roof of the skyscraper and what happened after I had saved the city. I could still feel graymarks dagger in my chest. But if what she said was true then it really was over. No more running from Phoenix. No more sleepless nights worrying about what they would do if they caught me and izzy. No more being hunted like a feral animal. I smiled at the thought. I could barely remember my life before I had been changed. I could barely remember being normal. "Where's gray mark." I groaned. It wasn't really over until he was dead. "He's dead. A cop shot him." She replied happily. I let out a sigh of relief which relit the fire in my chest. Finally it was over. I closed my eyes and smiled. My strength started leaving me and I could feel myself passing out again, but I had to say one last thing. "I love you" I whispered. "I love you too" she said back as I drifted into a peaceful sleep.

As the days wore on it was easier to stay awake for slightly longer and longer periods of time. However the days passing did nothing to ease the pain in my leg and chest. Every breath felt like I was breathing liquid fire. I did however learn to manage it without showing that I was actually in pain. I also denied being in pain more often. I didn't want them to give me any more pain killers. I didn't Want to go to sleep. Especially not in a hospital and especially when I could barely even move my arms, much less defend myself. Despite being captured and tortured over a year ago I was still scared of anything that had to do with doctors or hospitals.

Isabelle often stayed with me at the hospital, leaving only for an hour or two at a time. As I stayed awake for longer and longer I kept hearing news that the president wanted to talk to me. However every time I asked Izzy or anyone else they would tell me that they'd let me know more later, when I was better. It infuriated me to no end.