The Story of the Wild Ones

Chapter 18

After everyone split up, I began walking back towards the hut with CC when I felt a sharp pain in my head. I dropped to the ground, clutching at my hair. "Willow? Are you okay?" he asked, crouching down to my level. I shut my eyes tightly, feeling a wave of darkness take over as I left Hysteria and went back to Earth.

I felt myself being jostled around, and I opened my eyes to see the roof of a car. "Mom?" I mumbled, trying to sit up. "Willow, dear," she said softly, gently pushing me back down. "Where are we going?" I asked. "You haven't woken up for a couple of days, and you were mumbling strange things in your sleep. We're just going for a checkup, baby," she said soothingly, as if I was a child. I groaned and placed my head back on the pillow, unable to fall asleep. CC must be worried as hell by now, I just passed out for no reason. I can figure something out when I get back.

We entered the hospital not long after, and I was immediately ushered into a room. I sat there in silence, waiting for a doctor. When he finally came, he smiled as if we've known each other forever. "Hello Miss Quinne. How are you feeling today?" he asked. "I feel fine," I replied. "Really? Are you hungry or thirsty at all?" he pressed. I shook my head. "Well, we'll do a few exams and most likely keep you overnight. If you need anything, feel free to call me," he said, turning around and walking out. "Why do I have to be here?" I complained. "I want to make sure everything is okay, sweetie," she answered.

I sighed and looked around the room. My eyes caught onto something on the computer screen. "California Psyciatric Hospital" it read. I leaped out of bed, staring at the screen. "Lie down, Willow," my mom said. "PSYCIATRIC HOSPITAL??" I screamed, whipping around and staring at her. "Lower your voice!" she scolded quietly. "Why the hell did you bring me here?" I yelled, quietly this time. "You didn't hear what you were muttering in your sleep, Willow. I'm genuinely concerned for your mental health," my mother said in a low voice.

I opened my mouth to respond when I caught sight of another girl being dragged down the hall. She looked up, a look of pure hatred and anger in her eyes, and I was shocked at how young she was, maybe around ten or eleven. We made eye contact, and it took all my willpower not to scream. I could tell she recognized me too, but she left too quickly for us to say anything. "Willow?" my mom asked. I realized I had a hand clamped over my mouth and I had sunken to the floor. I burst into tears, curling into a fetal position and resting my forehead on my knees.

I stayed in that position even after I stopped crying. The nurses lifted me and put me onto the bed, where they turned off the light and left. I looked up and realized I was alone, even my mother had left. I stretched out and looked at the clock. It read 10:15 PM. I looked around the hallways for anyone, and quietly snuck out. I've spent so much time learning how to be silent and stick to the shadows it came as instinct and I looked in each of the rooms for the girl.

I moved deeper and deeper into the hospital, getting frustrated as I haven't found her yet. I was about ready to give up when I heard a soft whisper. I turned around and saw a small hand sticking out of a doorway. I raced towards it and entered the room. I loomed over the young girl, as I always had, and embraced her in a hug, tears beginning to fall down my face.

"Ellie," I whispered. "You're alive." "I know," she giggled. I smiled and broke away from the hug, looking down at her. "You have your brother's sense of humor," I joked. She smiled sadly at that. "My old brother," she said. "Andy isn't here?" I asked. She shook her head. "Do you know who else is?" I asked. Again, she shook her head. "I didn't even know you lived on Earth too. I've never seen you," she remarked. "I didn't know you were here either," I replied. "Why are only some of the people from Hysteria on Earth?" she asked. "Maybe for the same reason you're only here now. They got killed on Earth, so their soul wanders to its other half in Hysteria and they can't come back," I answered. "Maybe," Ellie said.

"Why Ellie?" I asked softly. She shrugged. "I thought I'd be able to handle it. I thought Andy was just being overprotective," she replied. I sighed. "You wouldn't know, but he was a wreck when you died. He completely broke down," I told her. Ellie looked at her shoes, and looked like she was trying to fight back tears. "I want to go back," she cried, a tear falling down her cheek. I hugged her again, holding her close like Andy would. "I know, kid. Let's get you to bed, your head will be clearer in the morning. Everything happens for a reason," I told her.

I helped Ellie get into bed and tucked her in. I was about to leave when she called my name. "Sing to me?" she asked. I smiled and turned around, sitting on the edge of her bed and holding her hand. Remembering the lyrics, I began to sing to her.

"I pray for mourning, I swear I'll never let you die.

These saints within us, can bring this moment back to life.

And my hearts held high with this battle cry I'll march on,

On the horizon, we will, resurrect the sun."

I felt her grip on my hand slacken and her breaths even out, indicating she was asleep. I kissed her forehead and left her room, sneaking my way back into my own room before falling asleep.