Madeline

Madeline: Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

Madeline woke up first. She stretched her arms, while purring like a Persian cat. At first, she felt a sudden throb to her stomach. Then she realized that her stomach was injured. "Ouch." She stared at her stomach, a rich, crimson red.

She searched for her surroundings and find a worn-out shirt of hers near the desk. She grabbed it and rip it into pieces. Then, she covered her wound with it, trying to stop the bleeding. She groaned in pain. Her brain spun so quickly, she felt a little dizzy. Too dizzy, maybe. Or, very dizzy.

She took a close look at the room. An old wooden desk with a glass vase filled with purple tulips were placed beside a vintage-looking drawer. A white carpet was placed on the floor where Jack and Daniel were sleeping. The bed that Madeline was sitting at was made of oak, and the covers were---probably----made of wool, which makes them warm and comfy. It was not big and grand, yet it was also not small and rustic.

The room was filled with the light coming from the window near the desk. Birds were chirping outside. The wind was blowing hard. Madeline closed her eyes. "How does it feel like... to have your family back?" Then she smiled weakly, remembering a thing or two about her parents.

She tried to reach the window. To smell the fresh air outside. To feel the bird's free soul as they glide freely in midair. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." A voice behind Madeline made she came to a halt. She turned around and found Jack, still lying on the ground, yet both eyes are opened.

"Sitting is probably the best option for you, since your stomach is... uh... injured. Walking around the room isn't going to help your wound you know," he grins. "Even if you're curious."

Madeline smiled, "You know what, this inn feels like---" suddenly, she felt a sting in her stomach. Then she felt as if a dozen knives were stabbed at her stomach. The pain grew worse and worse. And she couldn't help it.

She fell down to the floor hard, wailing as the pain kept on torturing her. She grabbed her stomach tightly, wishing the pain was never there to feel. She moaned harder as she felt something thick, and warm began to touch her fingers. Blood.

The massive amount of blood she has lost made her a bit giddy. Her face was pale. Her lungs were trying so hard to catch some air. But her attempt came to no good as her visions became blurry every second.

Faint noises could be heard from hearing ears. So soft, so unrealistic, that they seem to her as hallucinations. Madeline... Can you hear me? Please... Wake up! Madeline... Wake up... Plea---And all was black. Jet black.

.- - -

A pair of eyes. Looking at her. As if trying to desperately wake Madeline up. Beautiful, clear, and worried. Just like a lost puppy's eyes.

Slowly, yet carefully, Madeline pushed herself up. Her limbs were weak, and her eyes were blurry. All she saw was a girl, with a beautiful red hair.

"Layla," she whispered. Madeline wiped her eyes. Once her visions became clearer, she could feel and see the bright and vibrant colors in her surroundings.

Madeline turned her head, left and right cautiously. Tall green trees were blocking the sunlight. Colorful flowers were decorating the bushes. There were vines hanging from some of the trees. The sounds of birds, chirping happily, could be heard nearby.

And that's when she realized, she was in the middle of the jungle. Again.

Feeling too weak to speak, Madeline could only say a few words, "What happened?"

Layla explained, "Well, when you collapsed, Jack woke us all up. We thought that the best thing to do was to get to the town as fast as possible, so, here we are."

"Um, thanks. Can I help you guys with anything?"

Layla shook her head, "Nope. We're just building our camp here. You can just rest here, okay?"

Madeline stood up, "No, no, it's okay---" she coughed. She knew she couldn't stand up, because she was too weak. So she followed Layla's order (that is, to just rest there.)

She closed her eyes, as she tried to rest. Until a long and painful shriek disturbed her.