The Apprenticeship

Next Steps

When I walk back to Owen's lab, there's a bunch of people sitting at one of the tables. They look vaguely familiar but, I can't figure out from where.

Owen looks at me, "Avery, please have a seat."

I follow his instruction and sit in the seat next to him. It's customary for the apprentice to sit next to the leader in important meetings. It's to remind the student about protocol. With how much trouble I've already caused, it's in my best interest to sit where I'm at.

"Avery," the guy who looks like the oldest says, "We're here to review the past year and a half with Owen. And to reassess whether or not you should remain with him in training."

I look at Owen then back to the other guy, he continues to talk, "Avery, through various assessments and conversations with many students, we determined that you will remain with Owen for the remainder of your studies."

I let out a sigh of relief, "We also decided to suspend Daniels as a leader pending immediate assessment from the Council."

We both stay silent as the Elders walk out the door. When the leave, Owen turns to me.

"What happened there?" He asks me.

"I don't know, I didn't say anything."

"Don't lie Avery, I'm not old enough to be a leader, this was a fluke."

"I didn't say anything," I retort. I actually didn't say anything, I don't know where he's getting the idea from.

During our conversation, Anne rushes through the door, "Avery, you have to come with me." She has a panicked tone and seems worried.

I look to Owen and receive his signal to go. I follow Anne down the happy and to the infirmary.

I stop her along the way, "What's wrong?"

"It's Bella, she's sick, really sick."

I run to the nurses station and ask to see my sister. The nurse gives me a run down on what happened. Bella has been having issues eating lately and they believe this to be an act of suicide. But, they're trying to rule that out.

I sit next to her room, there's a glass window. I'm not actually allowed inside, she's not even awake. I can't believe this happened. I just saw her, I was talking to her, she was perfectly okay then.

Anne comes up behind me and puts her hand on my shoulder, I start crying. Bella's my best friend, my partner in crime, my sister, and now she's laying in a hospital bed vegetating. Comatose. And there's nothing I can do about it.

•••

I hear a siren and wake up, I stand up and look into Bella's room, she's flat lining. There's a bunch of people, nurses I think, in her room trying to resuscitate her, they're attempts are futile. She flat lines for too long.

The doctor comes out of the room. I stand up to meet him. He gives the bad news and says that I'm allowed to go in now and see her.

I don't hesitate and before I know it I'm kneeling on the floor next to her bed holding her hand, crying.

I want to says something but, my crying and heavy breathing has taken a toll. I can't move, I'm having difficulty breathing, and I'm laying on the floor helpless.

I whisper to myself, I know Bell can hear me, "I will avenge your death. I will."