Girl of Steel and Stone

Chapter 14

Chapter fourteen

This was too familiar. Waking up all dazed and shit in a room that wasn't mine. But here the mattress was soft and the air smelled of sickness and medicines.

Infirmary.

Why was I at the infirmary of the Academy?

Oh yeah, I had been stabbed in the leg. And it had been way more painful than when Dritt had stabbed me. Man, I was sedated and still I felt the pain.

This was not good.

'She's awake!' someone yelled.

'Keep her still! Sedate her again! We're not done!'

Nope, they weren't done yet. I could feel something prick at my leg, followed by intense pain. I cried out and tried to pull my leg away.

'Sedate her! Hurry up!'

Something pricked my neck and I was gone again.

When I woke this time I wasn't in the infirmary anymore. And I wasn't alone. Someone was sitting next to me. But I was in my room.

I recognized the bed and the smell. I recognized the way the light fell on my eyelids.

My lids felt like they were stuck to each other and it took considerable effort to pull them open.

Light shone down on me, hurting my head.

'Hey? You feeling okay?' an unfamiliar voice said.

I turned my head to look at the owner of the voice. The man was most likely a Second Year or something. He wasn't a First Year at least. Muscles bulged everywhere. His eyes were that mix of empty and alive that you could see in most Second and Third Years.

'Sure,' I croaked, my voice breaking at the end. I was thirsty as hell.

'Here,' he said, handing me a glass of water.

Man, did that ever feel good!

'Who are you and what are you doing here?' I asked once I was done gulping down the water.

His grin was amused. 'Well, the infirmary sent me here to look out for you 'til you woke up. And I'm Nolan Saylor, number 11. Second Year.'

'And why are you here?'

'I already told you that.'

'What I mean is why did you do what the infirmary asked you to do?'

'I was bored. Happens often in the holiday. But anyway, I'll leave you be. There are pain stillers on the nightstand, and a letter too. You can walk a bit, but not too much.'

'Sure, thanks.'

With that, he left.

I leaned back, thinking about what had happened. Had I been saved by someone before the rebels got the chance to kill me? I knew the bomb would have taken out a few, but there must have been some left.

Then I remembered 11 had talked about a letter. Turning my head I stared at the white envelope.

With effort I managed to lift an arm and grab the thing.

But before I read it I tried to loosen all my muscles and use them. Once done with that I eyed the envelope again.

I tore it open and took the paper out of it. The words were typed and formal.

C-9, you have survived the Passing. Hereby the compliments of the board of the Military Academy for your accomplishments. We were impressed with your acts.