The Freakish Chronicles (Hulu Original Series)

Chapter Five

"My tolerance is going up

And I'm getting numb to the feeling."

--Numb to the Feeling, Chase Atlantic

In the back of his mind, Grover was sure that the state of his condition made it difficult for Barrett to find a way to escape the school. The dark haired boy had to drag him along while trying not to put too much pressure on his leg. It was a chore to even help him down the hall.

Grover groaned when his head began to ache again. His vision swam and he fought the growing nausea rising up in the pit of his stomach. He refrained himself from asking if they could just sit for a moment; they didn't have the time.

Barrett turned down a hall and at the sound of running footsteps, he shoved one of the classroom doors open and pushed Grover inside. Slipping in, he shut the door behind him and Grover was so out of it, he didn't realize that they weren't alone in the room.

Grover's head spun and he swayed on his feet. Barrett was by his side in an instant, placing his arm around his waist and pulling Grover's other arm to drape across his shoulders. At the sound of shifting, he looked up and was shocked to see their friends.

As the footsteps got farther away, no one said anything until they were sure the men were gone.

Zane was the first to speak up. "What are you guys doing back?"

"There's no way out of the town. All the exits are blocked. Grover and I--"

Grover had really tried to hold back his nausea but it got the best of him and he turned away from Barrett to reach into a trash can by the teachers desk. Moaning in pain, Grover continued to dry heave into the can.

"What's wrong with him?" Zoe asked, concerned.

Clenching his eyes shut, Grover felt Barrett place a hand firmly on his shoulder and he immediately felt safe and grounded. Shuddering, Grover took a deep breath and slid to the floor, losing the strength to stand even with help.

"We were attacked by these men inside the school." Barrett explained. "He hit his head a few times, trying to fight back. We were knocked out and when we woke up, they interrogated us. They wanted to know who we were and where you guys were hiding but Grover wouldn't tell them."

Grover heard the crack in his voice as he continued to explain.

"One of them--Earl- he didn't like that and he-he stabbed Grover in the leg."

Grover zoned out after that and his eyes found Violet's. She was staring at him, her eyes wide but he could still see betrayal and anger in them. She was still mad at him and he didn't blame her at all. Everything around him was blurring in and out of focus and his eyes started to slip shut.

"Grover!" He felt hands touching him, grabbing him, shaking him but he didn't have the strength to open his eyes. He could feel Barrett's hands all over him and he thought about what it would really be like for him to do that in a romantic way.

"Grover open your eyes!" Barrett's panicked voice filtered through his ears and he really wanted to open his eyes but he couldn't. Even as the world fell away from him, Grover's only thought was of Barrett.