I Am Number Four

Chapter Twenty-Six: Recovering and Decision Making

Groaning as he started to wake up, John couldn't help but wonder where he was since he clearly wasn't laying on the floor of the school anymore; it was far too comfortable for that and it left him confused.

Slowly opening his eyes, John sat up confused before his eyes landed on Sam who was sat at the base of the bed stroking Bernie who was wrapped in bandages.

"How are you feeling?" Sam asked quietly making John look at him carefully, before shrugging as much as he could; he didn't remember much after the blast but he hoped that Avalon was okay.

The room was empty apart from the two of them and it left John were even more questions than answers; they were clearly in a cheap motel room, he had spent enough time in them with Henri to recognise one.

"I ache all over, where's Ava?" John asked softly making Sam frown as he looked down at his hands as if something bad had happened; he had been the one that had been left to watch over John while the others prepared for the next step.

It had been three days since the battle and it was a relief that they were all alive, there had been a moment when it had been a concern that they might need a hospital.

Not that any of them would have been able to go there now, they had all been labelled terrorists after what had happened at the school and they could never return to Paradise now.

John stared at him for a moment then he shook his head in disbelief as he attempted to sense the brunette through their bond; he was sure that she was here somewhere.

Sam sighed setting Bernie down on the bed next to Midnight who was asleep, he held back a small smile as he stroked the cat that had been resting beside him; he had never thought that this would happen to any of them.

"Some people just can't be replaced..." Sam said sadly making tears fill John's eyes as he realised what his friend was telling him; he couldn't believe that he had lost Avalon.

The sound of the door opening caught John's attention and he looked up to ask to be left alone; he couldn't deal with being crowded right now and he wanted a chance to grieve for his bond mate.

However, the words died on his lips when he realised who had entered the room making Sam grin at him; the other teenager almost feeling bad about his little trick.

"But luckily some don't have to be," Sam chuckled amused before he left the room in a hurry making Avalon roll her eyes at him while John stared at her.

Avalon slowly made her way over to John as what had happened over the last few days crashed down on him; he had never thought that he would lose Henri and then be thrown into a battle with the Mogadorians.

Avalon quickly pulled John into a hug letting him cry on her shoulder, she could only imagine just what he was thinking and they were all lucky to be alive right now.

"I'm sorry," Avalon whispered wishing that she could take away his pain, she closed her eyes knowing that there were so many people that would die for this mission.

Avalon hated that she hadn't been able to do anything about what was going to happen, she had warned Henri not to go but she had known that he was done for the moment he had ignored her.

"I know, don't worry about it Ava I don't blame you," John murmured making Avalon smile at him softly, she ran her fingers through his soft hair and she wished that she could believe him about that one.

Avalon sighed before pulling away from John, she felt responsible for what had happened and she knew that things were going to have to change now.

"How are you?" Avalon asked softly before John locked eyes with her, he didn't know what he would have done if he had lost her; they had been through so much and he doubted that the war was over yet.