Infernal Academia

Chapter 50 - Pharmine's Folly: Part 5 (Flatline)

The leap through dimensions was not one taken lightly.  Normally, people were instructed to close their eyes, control their breathing and briefly empty their minds of all thoughts before they're catapulted through the tear between worlds in order to stave off the worst of Jump sickness.  When all the precautions were taken, the worst one could expect to suffer is some minor nausea or headaches.

Unfortunately, Stefan didn't have time to take the requisite precautions.

After the brief-yet-eternal sensation of hurtling between worlds subsided, the Fallen toppled to his knees and began to violently throw up on the floor.  All around him, the other travellers cried out and recoiled, desperate to get as far away from the puking man as possible.  Though his vision was still spinning from the Jump, Stefan wiped his mouth and took in his surroundings.  He was standing in a Jump chamber, but this one had a sleek metal floor and more modern surroundings.

He recognised it as the Brimstone Jump Terminal.

"Sir!  Are you okay?!" called one of the technicians from the control room, stepping out into the main chamber.

Staggering to his feet, the Fallen gestured for him to stay back.

"I'm fine!" he hissed, shaking his head and staggering towards the exit.

He felt absolutely vile; his head was throbbing, his stomach was roiling and he could still feel blood leaking from his ears.  As Stefan forced himself on through customs and out into the lobby, everyone else in the terminal stared at him with wide eyes, fascinated by the bedraggled man in their midst yet unwilling to approach him.

Ignoring the concerned questioning of the security guard by the door, the Fallen shoved the door open and staggered outside.

Hell.  How long had it been since he had been here...?  It was almost disconcerting to see the red sky above and the multicoloured denizens all around.  Even the light shone differently here; unnoticeable to most demons, but having lived most of his life on Earth, it made Stefan slightly uncomfortable.  The sunlight refracted into the puddles of rainwater on the road, dying them a strange hue of crimson.

Stefan shook his head.  No, he didn't have time for this.  He needed to get to the hospital.

Marching down the front steps of the Jump Terminal, he leaned against the window of a nearby taxi and frantically rapped his knuckles against it.  Inside, the taxi driver gave him a concerned look and slowly rolled it down.

"Can I help you?" asked the Glutton behind the wheel, looking Stefan up and down.

"Hospital.  Now," gasped the Fallen, scarcely able to catch his breath.

The driver nodded and opened the door.

"Aye, you look like you need it.  Hop in."

Getting into the backseat, he took a moment to breathe as the car began to make its way down the street.  Try as he might, though, Stefan just couldn't calm his rampant heartbeat.  He swallowed hard and instead pulled out his phone.  Dialling the caller's number, he leaned against the door and held the phone to his ear.

"Judging by the call quality, I take it you've made the Jump?" spoke the voice.

True to his words, it was much clearer now.  He sounded like a young man, with a slight British accent, much to Stefan's confusion.

"Where's Jelli?" he asked in a low tone, glancing at the driver through the mirror.

"She's been put in a room on the third floor.  Fifth on the right down the west corridor once you step out of the main elevator."