The Uprisen

Chapter 5

The drive to the hospital is quiet, aside from the man trying to calm the little girl in the back.

Willow feels like she's about to throw up.

Waverly thinks she's been hallucinating.

Cameron nearly needs a change of pants.

"Hey, you're going to be okay.  I promise.  What's your name?" the man asks the girl.

"J-Jenny."

"Jenny?  That's an awesome name."  The man tries to comfort the girl, but she's badly hurt.

"Jake, I can't move my hand..."

Jake? Willow thinks.

"Cameron—"

"Sh," Willow says.

"Jenny, what's your favorite animal?"

"Puppies."

From the rearview mirror, Willow can see the girl smile.

Cameron glances nervously at the man who calls himself Jake.  He's at most a few years older than Cameron, but he knows that can't be right.

In front of Cameron, Waverly tries to contain her panic. Jake couldn't have been at the shelter earlier.  There's no way she would've missed him.

They arrive at the emergency room entrance.

The man takes off the girl's seat belt and carries her into the hospital.  As soon as he leaves the car, Waverly, Willow, and Cameron begin freaking out.

"I didn't see him!" Waverly says.

Willow loses control over her emotions, and a few tears fall from her face.  She's already felt overwhelmed from the mini-hurricane in the morning, the chicken before dinner, and her constant unwanted flashbacks.  This is just too much for her to handle.

Cameron can't believe what just happened.  "He just came in...  He was sitting right there..."

"He thinks his name is Jake?"  Waverly laughs nervously.

"Do we think that man could've been James?" Willow asks.

"Forget James, here's a better question: why is 'Jake' alive?" Cameron exclaims.

Waverly shoots him a glare.

Then a depressing thought sinks in.  They all feel guilty for not thinking about it first, but they have their reasons.

"Guys..." Willow whimpers.

"Do you think he remembers?" Waverly asks.  Now both of the sisters are crying.

"Poor Alexa..." Cameron says.

Jake comes out of the hospital and looks surprised to find the car still there...or maybe it's because of the fact that all three of the people inside are crying.

Jake approaches the driver's side window.  "Thank you...she's going to be okay," he says gently.

Willow and Waverly wipe their tears.  The sisters and Cameron all mutter comments like "Oh good" and "I'm glad."

Jake clears his throat.  "I don't know of anymore shelters, but if you do, would you mind driving me there?  I don't have money for a the T..."

Willow stays silent, only because she can't bring herself to talk.

Cameron answers for her.  "Jake, do you need a place to stay?  Maybe get a bite to eat?  And clothes that aren't, um, burned."

"Oh, I couldn't ask—"