Princess of AMBER

Chapter 21

Kyra's POV.

I felt the warmth overtaking me. It felt so good and made me want to stay like this forever.

     There was a presence near me.

      My eyes did not want to open.

  I did not hear anything – complete silence. Who was here and where was I? My mind was hazy and I tried to remember, what happened. Nothing came to my memory. It is better to not to try remember anything for a moment, as it makes me tired. My whole body feels limp and weak, even my brain has lost all the strength to produce a complicated thought .

    After a long break, I try to open my eyes again. The need to know my surroundings have been nagging me for last couple of minutes and I could not get myself back into the relaxing sleep. My eyelids were heavy, weak – the same like rest of me.

      Finally I pried them open, but the bright light denied the view of anything around me. I blinked, blinked again. My sight seemed to adjust slowly and I could see an orange haze on top of buildings. I could not make out the details, because of the heavy blur in my vision, but it seemed like older type of structures. Where was I? I turned my head sideways to escape the piercing light. It still hurt my eyes. They started to become teary.

    A sound of footsteps near startled me, but my body's reaction was invisible, like I had no control over it. A dark, tall shadow slowly exited the room. I opened my mouth, but it was already too late. He left, whoever it was. My throat was dry and no sound came out.

  Who was this person near me all these passing minutes? It was a man, a tall and strongly built one. Could it be ..... Bryce? Is he here?

     I struggled to voice the words, that wanted so desperately burst out of me, but all I could give was a dry whisper. As my muscles tensed from desperation to get Bryce's attention, a strong pain shot through my body. It made me fall back in to the sheets, though, I had barely lifted my body at all. A slight panic started to eat me at the thought of disappearing Bryce. I wanted to see him.

     A young girl came in quietly. She had dark blond hair, tied in a ponytail. White, fitting uniform accented her curvy body. Her face was a mixture of surprise and fear. She took a quick glance back at the door and than in fast tiny steps approached me.

     My eyes were still fixed at the door. Something cold touched my dry lips. Water. She gave me fresh, soothing water. I lifted my body slightly up and helped with my hand to get all the needed liquid down my throat. I was like a thirsty beast. Half of the contents dripped down my lips, and further down my neck, as my panic filled movements intervened with nurse's gentle approach.

Finally I felt little bit more alive and tried to talk again.

„Bryce! Bryce!" my voice was still a whisper, but louder, than before." Where is he? Where is Bryce! Call him back!" my attention was back on a young girl.

„There is no one to call. Nobody was here." she told me soothingly.

„I... saw... He was just here! I have to see him!" the urgency was back in my movements.

„Ms! Calm down! You have to calm down. You are putting a lot of strain on your body. It is not good for your recovery. You need to rest."

„But... I.... saw... him. You have to believe me." my vision was gone again by the tears that welled up in my eyes.

„Ms, you are just tired. Your mind is playing tricks on you. .... Now lie back down and try to calm yourself. I will go and find your father.

Dad? I moved my head in approval, without saying a word.

„My name is Jessica." she informed me and sorted out the sheets around me.

     I averted my gaze back on the sunset. Tears started to slowly drip down on my cheeks, thinking of Bryce. For a second, I thought he was really here. I felt his presence, but in reality, all of it was just my imagination. I want to see him so much, that it makes my mind to create a false image. He is not real. I have to shake these thoughts out of my mind, as it makes me feel very depressed.

     My whole body aches and I cannot move a muscle without a pain shooting through me. All it takes for me, is to just simply lie in this bed and not move. I don't want to think about that night, when I almost lost my life. It felt like it. The last thing I remember, was numbness, I felt nothing. I collapsed and lost the sight of my surroundings. It was cold and dark. Just barely audible shouts of people in a distance, though, I knew they were standing right next to me. I will never forget their hateful gazes and hurtful words they gave me. They hated me. People of Amber hated me so much, they wished me dead. I have turned from most well known and admired person in the city, to a most hated one in just few days. What my life have come to?

    I have to bear with it. Maybe after some time people will forget. And everything will be the same.

Happy ending.

Maybe that is too much to wish for.

    I cannot control myself. I am shaking from my erratic sobbing, at the same time, my body experiences agonizing pain from the injuries, as my form tenses on each sob. I am afraid to look at my wounds. It will make me sad, more than I am now.

     I have lost everything. My status, my carefree life, freedom, my android. I still have my friends and dad and I am so afraid of loosing them too. They are all that is left to me. I will not be able to exist without them, without their support.

Bryce's POV

    Last week I got a chance to infect Cole's mind. I know, there is not too much progress done by SEB, but hopefully it have changed him in some way, just a little is enough. Right now, he has a power over the city and people in it. Stupid humans trust him. Fools. You can trust no one. Especially humans.

    Between the visits to 'AmberSol' to see Kyra, I have been watching him. I know his daily routine, the places he visits and also people he is 'close' to.

   Kyra is still in deep sleep due to her injuries. It is been two weeks already and she have not shown the slightest sign, which would indicate, that she will wake up soon. The nurse is still with her, every minute. Always giving me a look of disapproval, mixed with her fear of me.

    Right now, I am at the quieter part of town, near a police office, but no law forces in sight. The tiny building is empty, except for one – Sergeant Cole. A perfect place to give him my message. I walk determined towards the building and step in to the relatively small lobby area. The lights are dimmed to save the energy, making a scene right out of horror movie. He is not in sight at the moment. I take my position in the middle of reception area and patiently wait for him. This will be the first time - me and him – face to face. I am kind of excited to see his reaction, if he will have any, though.

    I can hear footsteps coming from one of the darker lit corridors. My hooded jacket still covers my head casting a dark, menacing shadow on my face. My stance is firm, but at the same time casual looking, my hands in pockets of my pants.

Cole's form appears in the hallway and then he stops, noticing me. I can see, he has a clear understanding, who I am. But does he know, why I am here?

„I think you have been looking for me." my deep voice fills the empty room.