Run

Chapter Eight

I wake up, sweatier than before and so hungry I feel like I may puke again. Alex sits on the floor in front of the TV, flipping through channels.

"Alex?"

He stands up instantly, "Hey you're awake, how are you feeling?"

"Cold, wet, hungry," I pull the blanket up even more, "I feel like I'm going to be sick again."

"You need to try to eat, it'll help."

"What happened? I don't remember much after the bathroom," fear sinks into me, "Did he..."

"God no," Alex grabs the soup and sits next to me, "He tried to get to you but those girls locked the bathroom door. I got there and knocked him flat, he hurt you, gave you a gnarly bruise and a serious bite mark. Guy was absolutely insane, rambling on and on."

"Rambling?" He spooned the soup into my mouth, awkwardly, but endearingly, "Rambling about what?"

"Saying there's nowhere to hide, and I can't protect you forever. Guy was nuts."

"He said something similar to me," Alex froze, clearly concerned, "He said we couldn't escape, we can't run forever. He said that you can't protect me forever, we should just give up. He said that 'he' would get us eventually."

All the color drains from Alex, "As soon as you're feeling better we have to leave. I don't want to stay any longer than we have to in case that Robert dude finds us, and you are not leaving this room for any reason except to run."

"Alex, what's going on?"

"I told you, the devil has control over those he makes deals with. And with how that Robert guy acted, he must have made a deal."

"I thought you said he can't get us if we aren't in a familiar area."

"He can get us when we're secure, which you were in the art store and book store, and just because he can't get us out here doesn't mean the other deal makers can't. For all we know he's offered something in exchange for us."

My stomach flips again and I rush to the bathroom in the nick of time. Once I've stopped vomiting I curl up in a ball on the floor. It's cold and feels good on my throbbing head, but makes my sweating body shiver uncontrollably.

Alex squats next to me, "What can I do to help?"

"I just want this to be over with," I start bawling again, "God my head hurts."

Crying makes me feel sicker and I hurl yet again, Alex gently rubs my back, "I'm going to do some research, see if this is from being drugged and what I can do to help you feel better."

I nod gently as I feel fatigue set in again. I know there's nothing left in my stomach to bring back up, but I still feel the tensing begging me to fold over the toilet bowl again.

My vision fades as it becomes harder to stay awake. I hear Alex's footsteps against the bathroom floor, but I can't fight the sleep.

I feel warm hands pull me close and lift me against his soft shirt, he's so warm it soothes all my aches.

He holds me carefully and I feel as though I'm floating through space as my body sways, only for a few moments but it's the most peaceful I've felt in years. Slowly I descend, and I feel the mattress shape to my body.

"You should try to sleep, I have to go for a bit, but I'll be back as soon as I can," I hear Alex whisper to me as he pulls the blanket up to my shoulders, "The soup is next to you, try to eat and relax."

My brain and thoughts turn to white noise as I sink into the pillows and blankets.

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