Life's Essence

8- Final Straw

I lay in the infirmary bed, thinking about how it wasn't fair that this bed was more comfortable than the one in my room.

We had made it back and Caleb was able to stitch me up properly, but now the pain medicine is starting to wear off and I was growing increasingly uncomfortable. I knew I wouldn't get more unless it got so bad I started screaming in agony, but a lot of people around here knew what it felt like to get stabbed or shot in the stomach, so I wouldn't even be able to fake extreme pain to get more pain killers.

In a way though, I didn't want more. It was like a punishment for what I had done to Dallon, because he probably felt a million times worse than how I would be feeling when the medicine completely wears off.

Around six in the evening, I was surprised by Andy walking into the infirmary holding a tray of food that was much nicer than the food I normally got.

"Um, what's this?" I asked hesitantly.

"You know that good deeds get rewarded around here, you've seen it before, so since you probably saved my ass and helped us capture Chris you get this and one other thing."

He set the food down on the rolling bedside table before shouting for Ronnie. The infirmary door opened again and I saw Ronnie leading in Dallon, who still had a bad limp. At least his eye wasn't swollen shut anymore and the stitches in his lip had been taken out.

I instantly tried to sit up, but groaned and fell back against the bed when I felt a tug at my stitches and a sharp pain deep in my abdomen.

"Take it easy, I don't want to have to go find a replacement for you. Anything else?" Andy asked.

I shook my head, I didn't want to push my luck. Andy nodded his head and gestured for Ronnie to unlock Dallon's handcuffs. After they left them room, Dallon immediately came over to my side, sat down, took my hand in-between his, and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Hey babe, how you feeling?" He gave me a small gentle smile that made my heart skip.

"I'm alright, but a little upset. The one time I'm not very hungry they give me the good food." Dallon let out a laugh and shook his head at me.

"God I miss your laugh," I sighed.

"Anyways here," I paused and pulled the try of food closer to us. I grabbed the bread roll and the cup of soup off the tray and then pushed the rest over to Dallon.

"You can have the rest of that, you look like you haven't had a lot to eat lately." His eyes got wide as he looked over the food remaining on the tray.

"Are you sure sweetie? You had a rough day you should-" I cut him off.

"I probably shouldn't be eating much anyways, getting stabbed in the gut and all. Go ahead Dal." He gave me a grateful smile and pulled me in for a quick kiss before digging into the food.

I sat there and quietly ate small pieces of the bread and just watched him. That may sound a bit creepy, but it was good to see that even though I was struggling to, sometimes I could still take care of him even in this situation.

By the time Dallon had finished all the food on the tray, I had just finished eating the roll. I pushed the remaining soup over to him to finished off. I had been dunking pieces of bread in the soup, and was no longer hungry.

And he needed it more than I did, I had no idea when he'd be getting another decent meal. He looked at me sheepishly before grabbed the cup of soup and a spoon and working on that as well.

"I promise I didn't come here just to steal your food," he said after he had finished off everything. I let out a small laugh as he leaned over and rested his head on my shoulder and let out a content sigh.

"You're fine honey, I'm glad you could have a decent meal for once. How are you feeling?"

"A little sore in some places still, but not nearly as bad. You don't need to worry about me, you need to focus more on taking care of yourself so you can come back to me."

I shifted over to the side of my bed and patted the empty space next to me, wanting him to lay with me. Slight apprehension appeared on his face.

"Are you sure? I don't want to hurt you anymore than you already are..."

"Get up here you giraffe." Instantly a small smile appeared on his face.

As he climbed onto the bed with me he said, "I thought I told you to stop calling me that."

"And I remember telling you there was no way in hell I was going to stop." He rolled his eyes and curled up into my side with his head resting in the crook of my neck.

"Right now, it almost feels like we're back home, you know? Just sitting on the couch and not paying attention to whatever was playing on the TV. It's sad that feels so nostalgic now, like it was such a privilege that we could do that every night..." Dallon trailed off, my heart aching at his words. I know exactly what he means.

"We'll get out of here one day, Dal, I promise. I don't know when or how, but I know I will definitely at least get you out of here."

"Well I'm not leaving here without you, so you better figure out a way for us both to leave, because otherwise I'm staying here with you. I'd rather see you some than not all."

We both just lay there talking for awhile, and I could start to hear Dallon's speech start to slowly slur with exhaustion. Due to finally having a full stomach for once, this comfortable mattress, and being able to be here with me he would be out in no time.

I would be right behind him, I'm completely worn out after today. It wasn't long before Dallon's breaths and heartbeat became steady and even. I curled up to him a little bit more and finally allowed my eyes to slip shut. I was asleep in minutes.

I was surprised the next morning to wake up with Dallon, but then the events of the previous day came rushing back to my mind.

I kissed him on the side of his head and began running my hand softly up and down his back, guilt filling my chest at the feeling of scars starting to form underneath the thin t-shirt. He let out some incoherent mumbles before yawning and looking up at me, a lazy smile gracing his features.

"I missed waking up next to you," he said.

"Me too."

We were awake for maybe twenty minutes or so when the infirmary door opened up, revealing Ronnie and Caleb. Caleb was the first to speak.

"I need to check on the rest of Dallon's stitches, then Ronnie has to take him back to his room." I nodded my head and hated the cold feeling I got when Dallon stood from the bed, taking his warmth with him.

He sat on the bed next to mine, his back facing me. He slid off his shirt, and tears filled my eyes. There were so many stitches, bruises, and cuts on his once flawless porcelain skin. And it was my fault. My breath caught in my throat and I looked away, tears silently sliding down my face.

This is the final straw. As soon as I'm healed up, I'm to find a way to get us, Tyler, and Josh out of here. Even if that means trying to kill Andy.

And honestly, that's probably what it will come down to.