Collision Course

Chapter Twenty two

I woke up many times, but the images around me made no sense to my delusional mind, so I just passed out again.

At first it was the person with millions of eyes, then it was the ghost like figures of Jason, Piper, and Percy. Next I was plagued by walking goat-people, and wine glasses becoming diet cokes. Thirdly, there was buttery popcorn flavored pudding, and warm chocolate chip cookie flavored ice smoothies.

I had no idea what was real, or hallucinations. All I knew was that my fever definitely was NOT gone yet. (The strange view of electric blue and neeon orange walls probably imagininary... I hope.)

The final time, and the time I awoke for good, I awoke in an infirmary. But definitely not the school infirmary in Hogwarts- I would recognize that room.

This place was unrecognizable to me.

I glanced around the empty room. There were beds laid out, but I was alone here. I sat up slowly. My head still hurt.

Gently swinging my feet over the edge of the bed, I placed them on the floor. The hardwood was cool under my bare feet. I wiggled my toes.

Unsteadily, I rose and put my weight onto my legs.

I still had my fever. It was making the world go through global warming in milliseconds and straight back to ice ages, and never just averaged it out to.... New England weather. Or at least New York weather. At least that was constantly coldish.

I climbed out of the room that I had been sleeping in. How long was I out?!

I walked out of the room, and saw I was on a porch. I gently climbed down two stairs and sat down. It was almost sunset, and I just sat there staring at the sky.

I felt the wind blow around the skirts to a dress I was wearing, but I didn't care how I had gotten a dress, or who had brushed my hair until it was soft and smooth. Why should I care, unless I wanted to say thanks?

At least the dress was soft, and comfortable. It was a soft pink with a quiet floral design, with a lace top and a thin brown belt above my hips. I knew my hair was down, and hanging past my shoulders, and that it had used to be a huge annoyance, but now it felt comforting and warm, like a veil between me and the world, or a hug to heal my frayed nerves.

Whatever it was, it was nice. Although no one was here to say thank you to.

Yet, I would say thanks if anyone appeared. But, if I was all alone, I wouldn't care. My head ache wasn't bad, my fever wasn't burning, and the heat changes could be ignored.

'When, Tira, did the simple things in life become so pleasant?' I asked myself, already knowing the answer.

Just after I stopped being just Tira, a juvenal delinquent at the Wilderness School, and best friends to Cole.

I patted my side, pleased to find a pocket, and my phone still there. Maybe I'd text Cole later.

Right now I was enjoying the waning sun, and the birds lovely songs. A pleased sigh escaped me.

A fleeting thought of where I was left me curious.

Where truly was I?

*******

I never found out where I was that day. By the time the sun had fully set, I was back in my makeshift bed, fast asleep, with a cool compress on my forehead.

That night if had another dream, with a new friend visiting me.

Her name was Annabeth.

Her blonde hair was curled in Princess ringlets, and she had gray eyes, just like Astoria and Minerva McGonagal. She was tan, and looked athletic, her gray eyes just adding to the beautiful California girl look.