Sickening Thoughts

Chapter 5

As Aurora went back into her cell, she slumped down against the wall. James had come back a minute later and went in his cell. He looked over and found Aurora with her head and arms resting on her knees. She wouldn't dare let him know that she had nearly been crying, but it was hard not to. This was the disease that killed Aurora's mother, and now it's killing her.

Every disease has a cure, she thought. Maybe she could still survive this. She can still have hope. Aurora looked over to James and there was a long silence before either of them spoke...

"So..", he began, "Are you-"

"Yes, James."

"Sorry."

"...Are you?". As that question left her mouth, she hoped with all her heart that he would say no and be safe and go back home to his family. But at the same time she wanted him here with her. So either way I'd be happy and sad. A win-lose. 

"Yes". Aurora looked down at the floor.

"I... I'm sorry" It broke her heart that he had to be here instead of at home with his family. And the more she thought about it, the more she felt even worse.

They were each other's only friends. They only had each other. James and Aurora spent most of their time together which meant she was probably the one who got him sick in the first place. It's my fault he's here, she thought.

They sat there for hours, just the two of them, in silence. It had been so long that a guard walked by to tell them to get some rest. Aurora lied down on the mattress, but she couldn't close her eyes. She hopelessly stared at the ceiling. Thinking.

It had taken her an hour, but Aurora finally noticed a bobby pin in the corner. She told herself I wouldn't dare... 

Aurora grabbed the bobby pin and reluctantly tested her luck with the lock. After twisting it around a couple times, she heard a click and the door creaked open. It had been louder than she had hoped.

"What the heck are you doing Aurora?" James questioned. "W-why is your door open, how?". 

She paused in her steps. Aurora hadn't wanted him to notice. "Just taking a look around..." he looked at her, knowing she was lying.

"Fine. I'm coming with you". Aurora didn't mind him coming along. She actually enjoyed the company. It was comforting, especially if it was her best friend.

The hallways were dimly lit. The lights flickered often, making the walls appear a sickly green. Doors were lined up in this hallway, and she looked at each one until she found the doctor's office. Aurora knocked on the door lightly and spoke to make sure he wasn't in there. 

"Erm, sir? Yes I need your help with something...". After hearing no response, she slowly opened the door. Aurora looked around and saw a file cabinet. She opened it and looked through.

"Auri!? What heck are you doing?" he hissed, looking at her like she was absolutely mad. Though Aurora couldn't help but smile. He had given her the nickname Auri when they first met 5 years ago, and he still called her by it to this day.

"I'm searching through files" she murmured the different letters she got to her name, and then James's. Aurora took both files and copied them on two slips of paper to look at when she had time.

"What's with you?"

"The doctor looked through these files before testing us today, I was only curious about what they said".

"You're absurd" he said with a quiet laugh. "We need to go back, you can't go a day without trouble can you?"

"I sure can't" Aurora said, smirking. They lightly elbowed each other in the ribs, then sneaked back to their cells. 

When she got back, Aurora slipped the file information into her coat pocket and rolled over on her side, the sound of flickering lights and crickets trapped in the walls to lull her to sleep.