Bloodlines (ON HOLD)

Chapter Fourteen

THANKS FOR ALL THE CONDOLENCES.

ITS A LONG CHAPTER THIS WEEK, ENJOY.

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Taryn

My face burned where the woman had just smacked me, leaving a sharp tingle in my cold cheeks. The fall breeze blew harshly on my face, chilling the ground with it as I tried to focus on my surroundings again. Roughly, I pried myself from the dirty ground.

There were more serious injuries to deal with. Ladon was unconscious on the parking lot’s rough asphalt beside me. Then there is Atira, sobbing over Nate’s body.

“Atira?” I whispered, putting a light hand on her shoulder.

With tears rolling down her puffy red cheeks, she turned to me, still gripping Nate into her arms. Between sobs she yanked me down to her level, letting me see Nate fully.

I took in his ghostly white skin, his pained expression. Scanning his middle, I knew why Atira was freaking out now. In a curved dip, a dagger sat right above his belly-button, surrounded in a stained red pool of blood that completely covered his shirt. He was still awake but he wouldn’t be for long.

“H-He’s going to die!” Atira cried, falling atop of him. With little movements, he attempted to hold her. But her weight must’ve been too much on the wound because in the little pressure she had on his stomach, he was grunting in pain.

I pulled her weight from his body and dragged her near Ladon. Atira adjusted her t-shirt, which I knew felt awkward for her, trying to compose herself.

“Find the keys to Ladon’s car. I’ll drive us to the hospital.” I tried to sound hopeful.

“House-pit-all?” Her face went blank, making her seem almost calm. But she was far from that, even though she remained cool and obediently found the keys, tossing them to me with a quiet thrash that comes when keys are thrown.

“Hospital.” I repeated, rushing to Nate’s side, “They’ll help him. Now help me get Nate up, we’ll put him in the backseat. Then Ladon.” I commanded, unsure of myself. I didn’t have a plan to explain this situation to the doctors, nor did I have the strength to carry either one of the boys. I was exhausted and in pain, much like everyone else.

Slowly, Atira pulled herself up and followed my actions, putting one of Nate’s arms around her shoulder as I did. With all of our might, we carefully placed him into the tiny car.

Nate groaned when we set him down on the seat, his hand holding the knife jutting out of his stomach. I debated pulling the knife from his wound, but decided not to, hoping it would hold in more blood than if I took it out.

I watched Atira let out another sob as Nate tried to take her hand.

“I’ll be fine, Atty. It’s just a little scrape, it’ll heal up and I will be fine.” Nate strained to make his voice loud enough to hear. Although his intentions were sweet, I don’t think it helped sooth Atira. She squeezed her eyes shut and replied, her voice hoarse.

“We are going to take you to ‘house-pit-all’ alright? Taryn says they will heal you.” Her voice wavered, and then broke and she turned to go help carry Ladon to the car. I caught Nate’s eye before he passed out cold, clearly receiving his sad message. ‘Protect her.’

I sniffed and wiped my nose before pulling myself together.

Ladon. Right now, he needs me to help him.

Taking in a deep breath I ran over to help Atira, to see her dragging Ladon across the pavement by one arm. That is going to hurt in the morning.

I quickly took Ladon’s other arm and tucked an arm underneath his knees, trying to cradle him. Atira caught on and did the same and we carried Ladon to the car, stuffing him in the backseat next to Nate.