Survival

•Fourteen•

Arlo walked over to Carren. "I'm sorry." he managed to say before a lump in his throat caught him.

She opened her eyes and looked over at him, "What?"

Arlo remained silent, forcing the tears down. "For bringing you here," he finally managed to say.

"What's going on?" She wheezed.

Arlo took a deep breath. "They won't help you, and they are most likely going to," he stopped, unable to continue.

Realizing some serious was going on, Carren struggled to sit up as she spoke, "Going to what..." She whispered, worry lacing her voice.

"Let's just say I'm not sure where you were safer. Here or back at the other place." he said. "I'm so sorry. I should have just brought you to a hospital and left you there, he said, in a whisper, not trusting himself at a louder volume.

"They're not going to help?" She whispered, her worry turning into fear.

"In a sense they will relieve you of the pain, but not in a good way," Arlo said. "They're going to kill you."

"K-kill me?" She whispered, now completely afraid.

Arlo nodded. "I'm sorry. I don't know what to do. I can't leave this place, which probably means they'll kill me too. I'm really sorry I brought this upon you. It's my fault." Arlo felt a tear fall down his face, and quickly wiped it away. Carren, forgetting her mixed feelings about Arlo, hopped off the table and wrapped her small arms around Arlo, burying her face in his shirt. She began to sob as she clung to him tightly. Arlo was startled at first, but then overcame it and put his arms around her. He felt the tears fall down his face, several at a time.

"I don't wanna...die." She sobbed, "Please don't let them kill me."

"I'll try, I promise. Maybe I can try to talk to the top boss and try to convince him. Otherwise, I'm out of ideas."

Arlo felt her nod against his chest. Then, she looked up at him, "M-my head still hurts..."

"Point to where it hurts the most," Arlo said gently.

"It's...all around."

Arlo checked her head to make sure there was no major damage that might need an expert medical doctor. He sighed inwardly when there was nothing that he saw as a potential brain damage. Arlo was startled by his reaction. 'Why do I care about her health so much,' Arlo asked himself.

Suddenly, a familiar voice interjected, "Who's that, Arlo?"

Arlo and Carren turned their heads to see Evelynne standing in the doorway, watching them.

"She helped me with my mission, and got really banged up in the process," Arlo explained, making sure that he didn't tell her about Carren's true identity. "Can you help her? Her head really hurts she said."

Evelynne nodded slowly, not taking her eyes off Carren. Then, a smile spread across her face and she went to lean down in front of Carren, who was still hugging onto Arlo. "Hello, dear. What's your name?" Evelynne asked, trying to put the young girl at ease.

"C-Carren." She whispered, still holding on tightly to Arlo, her face half buried in his shirt.

"Can you come sit on this table for me so I can help you?" Evelynne pointed to the metal table nearby.

Carren took one glance at it and shook her head.

"There is no need to be afraid, sweetie. I won't hurt you."

"No. I want to stay here." Carren demanded, her arms instinctively gripping onto Arlo tighter.

"It will just be for a moment and then you can go right back to him." Evelynne smiled again, holding out her hand to Carren.