Road Runners

CHAPTER 9: April: Making new friends

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When I woke up, I was out of the infirmary and back in my own room, I couldn’t feel my left arm and I felt like I hadn’t eaten in weeks. I walked slowly towards the door, trying to fight the wavering pains of hunger; I was almost at the eating area when I almost collapsed.

He looked like Tyler, but looked much stronger as he caught me in his arms, heat radiated off his body like a furnace, I felt so delicate, by bones brittle and weak whilst he felt as strong as steel and held me protectively.

“You need food” he said, half carrying me to the canteen. He sat me in a table near the corner, I half dosed and was almost asleep when he returned carrying trays piled high with food.

“I’ve seen you around here” he said, “quite a strong fighter for someone so young”

“Thanks” I said “I’ve had a great teacher” I said, instantly regretting it, training made me remember Sebastian, tough and persistent, an ache went through me, it was too soon to be thinking about them, talking about them, missing them. I was alone now, no one to fend for me, I’ll have to be strong, I forced back the tears and chewed hungrily at a piece of toast, I bit my tongue hard and focused on the pain for a while.

He saw me tense and realised he had touched on a tough subject, he looked at me sympathetically, I smiled at him reassuringly. Just then I saw Tyler come to the table, his eyes were cold as he looked from me to the boy next to me, he turned to him. “Do you want to explain?” he asked him incredulously as he glared at me, with a look of pure hatred.

“Oh would you relax, I swear Ty you can be so hostile, now sit down and be nice” Tyler’s glare deepened.

“Taylor” he began, Taylor looked up at Tyler, he seemed to be completely unfazed by his dark eyes and cold stare.

“I said sit down”, Taylor’s voice was tense and commanding now, and sounded irritated, I sat silently as I watched Taylor, it was as if he were looking into a mirror, the perfect reflection, it was amazing how much they looked alike, but I had never seen them together, I had always thought they were the same person.

Tyler sat angrily, avoiding my eyes, Taylor smiled sweetly, this seemed to infuriate Tyler, he stood up so suddenly it startled me. “I’m going to get food and when I come back I want that gone” he looked at me with resentful eyes.

“I’m sorry about him, the torture turned him bitter, but he’s nice once you get to know him” he encouraged, his words brought little comfort, but now I understood, a part of him was broken.