The Glass Weaver | A Novel #Wattys2018 #Wattys2019

Chapter 7

I woke up with pain in my neck, but that wasn't the worst of it. The room looked oddly clean for someone sleeping in my bed last night. After some stretching, I searched the room. Looking at the clock, I realized that the cleaners must have come in while I was asleep. Jacob was watching some TV and saw me walking over to him.

"How are you feeling, buddy?" I sat down next to him, ruffling his hair.

"A lot better. Did my imperio appear last night?" He spoke, lowering the TV volume.

"Yeah. Glad you can at least keep it under control. If there is one thing I must say, don't exploit your powers. Don't turn things to gold just to make a profit."

"Then what are you doing to your powers?"

"I am doing something I love, creating art with little judgment, and making a living without actually having to use my imperio as much. Yours can be exploited far more than mine. Instantly making something gold, which is worth a lot might I add."

"So keep a balance?"

"Exactly. Everything has a consequence, either good or bad. I have a feeling yours will be bad."

"Oh."

We sat in silence for a few minutes before a knock echoed the room, which I knew belonged to Corrig. Standing up, I opened the door and let him in. Corrig didn't spare a glance at Jacob, which I thought would cause Jacob to get upset. Instead, he dismissed it and continued to watch Ninjago.

"Corrig. Is breakfast still going on, do you know?" I asked, looking at him for an answer.

"We can call some up here if you want. They have the usual, cereal, pancakes. What do you want?" He responded, picking up a small piece of paper that had the menu on it.

"Waffles with strawberry syrup, if they even have it. Jacob, want some lucky charms?"

He beamed a smile, "Yeah!"

"Lucky Charms it is. Thanks, Corrig."

Corrig nodded and picked up the phone for the hotel room. I sat down next to Jacob, knowing full well that Mom will be upset that I took him. She expects too much from me, just because my sister is not an abomination. The one thing my home planet and my people hated were those who did not marry the opposite sex. And I loved the same. This planet had a history of hating those like that, but they are growing.

When the food arrived, Corrig took the food gratefully from the lady and said his thank yous. And for once, the food here was amazing. I guess I would be getting hotel waffles rather than ones from food chains. Now those would cause my stomach to toss and turn. Shutting off the TV, I looked to Jacob, who looked as if he wanted to fall into a food coma.

"Hey Jacob, its time to go home. Sometime soon I will show you my project, but for now, it is nowhere near complete." I spoke softly, rubbing his head.

"Okay."

"Corrig, can you wait here in case the lady comes back for these plates?"

"Sure. Here are the keys."

I grab the keys mid-air and took Jacob's hand. Even now I could feel his heart beating quick. I sent a comforting smile, but his palms continued to sweat. Exiting the lobby, I scanned the parking lot for the car until I eventually found it. Opening the door for him, I watched him carefully touch everything. Entering the car, I started it and backed out.

"I know you wanted to see the project but with due time you will see it," I spoke after we entered the roadway, beginning the drive back to home.

"I get it. But at least I discovered my Imperio with you, and not with Mom or Dad." Jacob responded, staring out the window.

"I am coming close though, I am incredibly close to reproducing the fuel we used on Aquarius. And when I go, I'll take pictures so you can see what home looked like. It is unfortunate that you never got to see it. Despite its beauty, corruption plagued the cities beneath the waves."

"How so."

"Want to wonder why I can never ascend to the title?"

"Because I am here?"

"Not entirely." I replied, focusing on the road ahead, "It is because of... Watch out!"

I slammed onto the brakes and braced for impact. There wasn't time to think about using my Imperio, but I feared for Jacob, who hasn't mastered his. But thankfully nothing changed to precious metals. The airbag deployed on impact, and everything now hurt. Groaning, I looked to Jacob and saw his body go limp.

"Jacob..." I whispered, coughing blood up through my throat.

The vehicle that hit mine reversed and sped off. I groaned and tried to unbuckle, but I was stuck. There were sirens upon sirens flooding my hearing. It hurt to move anything, but my instincts kicked in and I needed to assess everything. Someone or something tore the door open and looked at me.

"She's breathing! Someone get me the stretcher!" A lady's voice yelled, stinging my ears.

"Oh gods, help me." I groaned, trying to move for her.

"Don't move, I need to get this seat belt off and get you to the hospital as soon as possible. Is there anyone else in the car?"

"Jacob."

"Is he a kid or an adult?"

"Kid."

"Get me another stretcher! We have a kid in the vehicle as well." Then the lady rambled numbers and words into her device which repeated the same thing back to her.

Eventually, after about 10 minutes, I was pulled out and put onto the stretcher. My fingers stung at the contact with the plastic board. I tried to see Jacob, but they were still working, so I couldn't be sure. Then I was raised and I caught a glimpse of Jacob, who was limp, eyes closed, and bloodied.

"No!" I screamed, tears streaming down my sides. I shook, causing the paramedics to grab on tight and one blocked my view.

"Shh. It's okay, darling." A paramedic spoke.

"Jacob! No!" I cried, sobbing to my heart's content.

"He will be fine. They are saying he is unconscious, he's not dead."

I cried, sniffing every few moments until the ambulance departed for the hospital.

"Can I know your name?" The paramedic asked, holding a clipboard and a computer.

"Nevada Greka."

"Alright Nevada, everything is going to be alright. We are going to the hospital. How old are you?"

"24."

"Any living relatives?"

"My brother, who was in the crash. My mom and dad, but I kinda pissed them off. Doubt they care enough for me."

The paramedic smiled, "Alright. We will be getting to the hospital."

"Everything hurts." I groaned, laying there on the bed.

"Your adrenaline is wearing off. You will start to feel the pain from the crash. Do not worry, we will be at the hospital in a short bit."

The paramedic continued to make short talk with me, which kept my mind off of my pain. She asked about my profession, in which I replied that I was a relatively well-known sculptor. Eventually, we made it to the hospital, but from the pain I was in, I passed out before we made it there.