Two (Countdown Book 5)

Chapter 17

I awoke feeling groggy. My whole body burned, and my head felt like lead. I didn't know where I was, but a soft bed was under me and the window was open, allowing a nice breeze to hit my burning body. I heard muttering above me, but couldn't quite make it out.

I recognised the voices though; Wyatt, Jess and Mackenzie.

I opened my eyes to peer around at a stainless white room. It was plain and cold, so I figured I must be in a hospital. I spotted Jess and Wyatt on one side of my bed, and Mackenzie was sat on the other. Her hand felt freezing in mine and she looked worriedly over at the two adults.

To let them know I was awake, I let out a little groan.

Wyatt and Jess didn't seem to notice, but Mackenzie turned to me, and a smile slowly spread across her face. "Hey," she whispered quietly, lifting her other hand and running it across my cheek. I reached up to hold it in place because it felt so nice and cold against my throbbing skin.

"Hey," I mumbled back clumsily, my lips numb. "What happened?"

Wyatt and Jess seemed to realise I was awake now, and their conversation quickly cut off. "Eli!" Jess said, smiling down at me. "Goodness, we were so worried!"

"Mm hmm..." I glanced at Wyatt, who looked a little unhappy. I wondered what they'd been talking about. "What happened?" I repeated.

"Well, after you passed out, a little back-up arrived." Mackenzie smiled.

"I had a part in that," Wyatt cleared his throat and smiled down at me. "When we saw the news, with Makinshien and his army, Boston immediately ordered everyone to get there as soon as possible. We managed to spook most of them away, but we couldn't get rid of them. I just drove the getaway car."

"And then... ?" I asked. Mackenzie's eyes teared up a little, and she ran a cold hand through my hair. She was still wearing my jogging bottoms and top, but had a big hoodie on over the top, with a blanket draped over her shoulders.

"We thought you were dead," she said, fighting back tears. "Your heart all but stopped beating. Jess drove us straight to the hospital, but still... I was so worried that I- we had lost you."

"I'm sorry." I muttered. "How long was I out for?"

"Only thirty six hours or so." Jess said casually. "It should've been longer, but you Elementals have remarkable healing capacitites."

"Is everyone else okay?" I croaked. "Kenzie, are you-"

"I'm fine." she smiled. "Worry about you for once, huh? Everyone else has scratches and bruises, but are otherwise okay. I've just got a little hypothermia. I'll be okay in a few hours."

"What did Makinshien mean about your powers being a disadvantage?" I asked her. She looked a little uneasy.

"Eli, all of us have weaknesses. For Fires it's Water. For Ices it's Fire. For Waters it's Ice. That's just how it is. The only ones that don't have weaknesses are Aethers." she smiled. "Well, except for being extremely stupid and having a knact for injuring themselves."

"Ouch." I said mockingly. "That hurt. My feelings are wounded."

Mackenzie rolled her eyes.

"So, where abouts are we?" I asked.

"We're in a private hospital in London." Wyatt answered. "We practically have our own floor reserved."

"Oh, okay." I said. I sat up slowly, ignoring the pain in my chest. "When can we go home?" I asked.

Jess and Wyatt exchanged glances. "Eli, we're not sure, with everything that's happened, if Boston will still let you visit your family." Jess said softly.