The Trial

Chapter 17

I gasped awake and sat up too quickly. everything was swimming in a bright blur. "easy. lay back down." my brothers voice said in a rush, pushing me back and laying me down. 

"Jamie?" I mumbled in a weak voice, trying to get my vision to clear, so I could see him.

"I'm right here. you're okay. just relax." he said in a calmer tone. 

I couldn't open my eyes. it was too bright, so I asked "can you turn the light down?"

I heard more than just Jamie chuckle, before he said "I kind of can't. we're outside." my brows furrowed in confusion, so he added "you wake up where you fall. you did great. you lived."

"did it work?"

"we won't know for a little while yet. the elders are checking a few key points, but the real thing they need to check is the chip in your arm. that will show them what you did and if you changed things. it's sort of a back up of whatever things were like before you went back. that way, if they can't tell, the chip will let them know."

"how?"

"it holds all the past information on it, like a back up of our past, and it records what you did, like a camera." 

"she needs to get to the infirmary." I heard Ares murmur from near by. 

"give her a some time to adjust." Simon murmured.

"I'm fine. let's go." I mumbled and reached for my brother. as he gripped my upper arms, I gripped his. 

"go slow." Jamie murmured and slowly started to pull me up. as soon as I was sitting up, I had to put my forehead against his chest to stop the world from spinning. "take your time." he murmured and held me still. 

it took a few minutes, before i got my bearings and mumbled "okay. I'm good."

he pulled me to my feet, and I nearly colasped. everything was spinning again. he crushed me against him to keep me standing, and I clung to him, burying my face in chest again. "I got you."

when it didn't feel like the world was spinning, I breathed "okay. I'm good."

I was still lightheaded and weak, but I carefully turned, keeping a tight grip on my brother, and started moving. Jamie guided me along, and I stumbled and staggered along beside him. he was holding me up, carrying most of my weight. 

"we need to know what happened to her, so we can help her." Ares half hissed from behind us, and I ignored him as best as I could. I was a little surprised that he hadn't guessed what had happened, since he knew my plan. 

we were still a ways off from any building, and the only vehicle in sight was just as far away. my legs were threatening to give out, but I kept moving, mostly since my brother was holding me up and pulling me along. unfortunately, I only took about four more steps, before my legs finaly gave out. 

as I started to fall, I cringed and waited for the impact, but, before I could hit the ground, someone scooped me up. my body relaxed, and I rested the side of my head on their chest, trying to stay conscious. 

"I'll take her there." Ares' voice rumbled in my ear, and I stiffened a little. I was seriously uncomfortable with him carrying me. I would've rather hit the damn ground. as the wind rushed across my skin, he ground out "he drained you, didn't he?" 

"almost." I breathed, unable to keep my eyes open. 

"damn it." he hissed and asked "did he seal the wound?" I was too weak to speak anymore, so I attempted to nod. his arms tightened slightly and he murmured "just hold on. we're almost there. stay awake."

I barely heard his words as I slipped in and out of consciousness. I felt the wind stop and tried to open my eyes, but I couldn't. I felt him lay me down. I had expected a soft bed, but I was fairly certain I felt the grass under the skin on my shoulders, legs, feet, arms, and hands. I was confused for a moment, but he hissed quietly and pressed something against my lips. 

"drink this. it'll help." he said in a quiet rush, so I attempted to open my mouth and take a drink. I couldn't get my muscles to work right, so he pried my mouth open a little. a thick, salty, warm liquid slid over my tongue, and I half gaged on it. "I know it tastes aweful, but you have to drink it." he murmured, gently lifting my head a little. I forced down a few swallows, but my stomach threatened to heave it back up. my body lurched, and I turned my head. "that should be enough to help for now. just hold on." he said in a rush, but I could hear the worry in his tone. 

I felt him carefully slide his arms under my knees and shoulders, before he slowly lifted me up, cradling me against him. "stay with me, Becca. we're half way there. just stay awake."

"I'll ... try." I managed to breathe. I kept slipping in and out of consciousness, but I knew I wasn't going to win. I faintly registered the sound of a door slamming open.  

"Heather?!" Ares called, and my body jerked at the sudden loudness against my ear. my eyes cracked open, and I was sure we were in the hallway to the infermory. 

"get her on the table." a women said in a rush. I could hear things clanging around and felt Ares gently lay me down. 

"it's okay. I'm right here." Ares murmured, but I was loosing consciousness. my fight was over. I only hoped that I'd made a difference, even a small one.