Where No One Dares

Chapter 4: The Familiar and the Unknown

Star awoke with a sudden gasp. She tried to sit up, but she felt too heavy.

"Oh, Star, you're awake!" Marco jumped and came to the side of the bed. "Just relax. You fainted, and the doctor said you'll be okay. I think he said it was...a delayed reaction?"

Star decided to agree with him and so she nodded a little. "...Water?" she rasped.

"Sure." He got up and went out of the ward. Star took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Got to get this under control, she scolded herself. Can't start acting up now.

"Here." She opened her eyes to the sound of Marco's voice. He adjusted the bed so she sat up slightly before he handed over the water. She drank it down in one gulp and then sighed.

"My mom's coming just now," Marco said, taking away the glass.

Star shrugged. Then she realized she needed to go to the bathroom. "Bathroom," she announced, and then tried to get out of bed.

"Wait!" Marco grabbed hold of her arm. She swung her feet over to the side and breathed heavily. He helped her get down, with an arm around her waist, which made her stiffen. But then he lifted her up into a bridal style and her eyes widened, along with the appearance of a deep blush in her cheeks.

"I'm fine," Star insisted, frowning. But she was too weak to fight him.

"Sure you are. Marco smirked, holding her against him. She tried not to move too much, but she rested her head on his chest. She could hear the rapid heartbeat under his shirt, which made her own heartbeat pick up its pace as well.

"We're here." Marco interrupted her thoughts. "How do you want to do this?"

Star frowned. "Down," she ordered. He gently lowered her, making sure the hospital gown didn't ride up. She stood shakily on the cold floor with her bare feet and tried to steady herself. "I'll be...fine," she dismissed him.

Marco didn't look so sure, and to confirm his suspicion, she barely walked two steps. He was just wondering what to do when suddenly Star grabbed onto him sharply and looked like she was going to throw up. Marco panicked and pulled her straight into the ladies bathroom and into the nearest cubicle. He held her hair back as she upped the contents of her stomach.

Only, instead of puke, it was red. It was blood.

Star sighed and collapsed to the floor, breathing hard and irregular. She closed her eyes, as Marco scooped her up and carried her back to the emergency ward. The last thing Star remembered, was Marco calling for the nurse.

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"...Oh! She's waking up!"

Star heard a gasp as she snapped opened her eyes. The Diaz family was gathered around her bed, as well as the nurse.

"How do you feel, dear?" the nurse asked.

Star just groaned, wincing at the sharp pain in her throat.

"Understandable." She nodded. "Doctor? Do you want to say anything?"

The doctor came over looking very grave. "Star...have you had any previous incidents of this...coughing up blood?"

Star lied and shook her head slowly.

The doctor nodded and addressed Marco's parents. "...I can't say she'll be okay," he said truthfully. "We can do some tests, but until then she can go home."

The tension eased a little, but Marco looked at Star in disappointment. Was this why she didn't like hospitals? No Marco, he shook his head. Don't be ridiculous, she's not allergic to hospitals.