Compassion (A Selection Story)

> 6 <

The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was nothing.

Now, I can see the outline of a person coming into view. Recognizing the short, dark hair, I smile. "What, You like watching girls sleep?" The scratchiness of my voice surprises me.

Toby's expression changes, and he laughs. As I attempt to sit up, he wraps his arms around me in an embrace, unknowingly steadying me as my head rests against the hollow of his throat, his laugh reverberating into my skull. "I was so worried about you," he whispers, running a hand through my hair.

I search my mind for memory, but find nothing, only the blaring alarm and thoughts of willing Toby to find a saferoom. "I was worried about you," I reply, pushing myself away from him and looking into his eyes.

He looks confused, and asks, "But, why? You were the one attacked by the rebels. I got locked in a saferoom with a bunch of annoying girls trying to seduce me."

Now it's my turn to laugh. Unlike his joyful, smooth tones bouncing off the walls, my laugh is raspy, and as my body aches, I wince. "Because, I didn't know if you got to a saferoom or not, silly."

"When Lindsey saw you," I faintly remember Lindsey, the girl with the short brown hair who has a calm demeanor, and wonder what he means by 'saw me'. "When I saw you, my soul broke in two. I thought you were dead, Fleur, I thought that my last words to you were the rules of a game of hide and seek."

I feel a warm sensation running through my body, rising toward my cheeks. He loves me. As a friend or family, your heart breaks when you are separated. He said soul. Souls don't break easily, if they did, mine would be long gone. My memory still blank in parts, I ask in a cautious tone, "What exactly happened, Toby?"

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." He apologizes so many times that I can't think straight, and reach out and assure him that whatever it is, it's okay. He shakes his head after a few times, as if to clear it.

"They shot you. Here," he touches my side, where the wince-worthy aching came from earlier, "And here," he then touches my shoulder. "We found you with blood soaking your clothes an hair. You were hanging from the ceiling. Your wrists were dripping blood from the ropes, and Lindsey was the one who saw you first. We almost walked away from the hall, but she screamed, drawing us back.

"I was terrified. I had no idea what I would do without you around. Lindsey was brave throughout the whole thing. She was in here, just before you woke up."

"Why would the rebels hang me by my wrists if they were trying to kill me?"

"They probably thought you were already dead. I did. I've never seen more blood in my life."

"Did they kill me because I was in the way, or because I am in the Selection?" I ask.

He looks at me, perplexed and surprised. "How did you know I was thinking about that?"

I sigh, annoyed and impatient. "Magic. Now, what's the answer?"

He rolls his eyes before replying. "The Selection. On the wall behind you, most likely written in your blood, was a message that said 'She is your warning'."

"Lovely," I mutter, then shudder as a tremor of chills wrack my body. My head begins to pound and I reach out blindly for support. My hand finds only air, and, again, Toby's arms are supporting me again by holding my around my waist. As he pulls me into him, I place my hands against his chest, stopping him. "Toby, you have to remember I'm only here as a friend. I don't want love."

He sighs, ruffling his hair as he releases me. "You know you can go home whenever you want, right?"

I look at him, and based on his reaction, my expression is one of pure horror. "No!" My voice sounds almost hysterical, "I have to stay. If I don't then they'll-" I cut myself off, realizing what I was about to give away.