Chain of Steel

Part 4

The next few weeks were quiet, thank goodness, except for today. John wanted to speak with me in private. He told me to meet him at the Oak tree but when I got there he was no where to be found. I was about to leave when I heard a noise up in the branches. I crane my head skyward and smirk.

" Hey, I didn't see you there." 

He half smiled and waved his hand, beckoning me to join him in twisting branches. I swiftly scaled the tree. 

" So, uh, what did you want to talk about?" He gazed at me longingly and I could tell something was up.  

" John? What's wrong?" He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck before looking at me again.

" I...I have, um, a confession." 

" A confession?"

" Of sorts."

" Okay, well, get on with it then." He took a few ragged breaths and opened his mouth to continue but decided against it. Then he grabbed my hand and held it to his chest. I was rather surprised at this turn of events. John and I have always been close, but we weren't affectionate towards each other. This action made me very aware of the situation, slowly soaking up every bit of information that I could. 

" Rachel, you know that I have always cared for you. I have always been here for you, always been your shoulder to cry on and your confidant even in the hardest of circumstances." I nodded, confused but greatly intrigued. " Well," He continued," There is something I need to tell you, something I should have told you a while ago." 

" I'm listening."

" Rachel, I really think that we could be more, more than just close friends, I think we could be...................." 

John gave a pained grunt, an arrow was lodged in his muscular shoulder. He grasped at it and lost his balance. I reached out and steadied him. More arrows were being fired, we need to get out of there, NOW!! 

"John, lean on me. I'll get us down.........Somehow."

We slowly descend the tree. Once on the ground I almost drag John into the mess hall, up the stairwell and into my room. I plop him down on my bed and race down the stairs, two at a time, to the bandage closet. Grabbing an armload of gauze and cloth I race back up the steps. John looked in pure agony when I body chucked the door open. He groaned.

" Rachel........... Rachel........." He said with increasing urgency, I kneeled beside him.

" It's okay, I'm here. I'm gonna bandage you up, your bleeding pretty badly." It was as if my words fell on deaf ears, he just kept moaning my name over and over again. I fought to keep the tears from falling but they blurred my vision, making it almost impossible to see what I was doing. I can't take it!! 

" JOHN STOP MOANING!! YOU'RE NOT MAKING THIS ANY EASIER FOR ME! IT'S HARD ENOUGH JUST TO SEE YOU LIKE THIS!!!" I yell at him. Instantly he quieted, at first I was relieved, then another thought entered my head. I hurriedly checked his pulse. I gave a satisfied sigh and continued wrapping the bandage. I left the arrow in to slow the bleeding, at least this will suffice until a Physician can see him. I pull up a three-legged stool and sit beside him. 

I carefully brush some wavy hair that had gotten in his face during the ordeal. I have a pretty good idea of what he wanted to tell me, but it scares me. I've never been in a relationship before and John is such an amazing guy and I would hate to mess it up. Slowly sleep started to tempt me and I lay my head on his chest and close my eyes. Maybe tomorrow things will get better, maybe tomorrow....................