Shadows

Chapter Nine

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Chapter Nine

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"Tell me she's okay," I heard a raspy voice as I started to wake up.

"She'll be fine, she just can't fight." I heard another voice that I recognised as Ally's

I felt a hand in mine. It was too big to be Lauren's. it must have been Leslie or Angie's.

Swallowing thickly, I force my eyes open. "Laur?"

"Camz, Shh, don't try to talk." Lauren said gently. "Just rest."

"Is she okay?" I heard Quinn's voice.

"Camila, you're sharing a room with Quinn." Leslie said softly.

Taking a deep breath, I look toward who's holding my hand.

"Hey, kid." Angie said with a soft smile. "Lauren called me. I'd like to thank you for my birthday present."

Squeezing her hand weakly, I close my eyes. "Did we win?"

"We're still fighting." Angie said softly.

"Laur, you should be there." I force out.

"I'm not leaving you." Lauren said stubbornly.

Shifting, I release a soft groan. "Go Lauren."

"No." Lauren said. "I'm not leaving you."

"They need you!" I snapped out.

Lauren flinched, she swallowed and left the room without a word.

"Leslie, get her. I didn't mean that." I breathed out, tears filling my eyes.

Leslie nodded, she ran after Lauren.

Opening my eyes, I look at my aunt. "Where's Karla?"

"I'm right here." Karla said from behind Angie.

Looking toward her, I take a deep breath. "I guess it's good that you know I'm not dead."

"I never believed the lie Angie told anyway." Karla said. She folded her arms over her chest and leaned back against the wall.

Nodding my head, I look away from her and close my eyes.

The room was silent and tense.

"Hi," I heard Lauren's soft voice from beside me.

I forced my eyes open. " I didn't mean to snap. I'm sorry."

"I know, Leslie told me." She says softly, stepping closer and running her hand through my hair. "Zayn radioed in."

"And?" I asked hopefully.

"We've won." She told me with a wide smile, leaning down to kiss me.

I weakly kissed her back. We are free. As William Wallace once said: Freedom!

Lauren pulls away and smiles softly. "We're free."

I managed a weak smile. "Freedom!"

She runs her hand through my hair once more. "I love you."

"I love you too." I said struggling to keep my eyes open.

"Sleep." Lauren whispers, kissing my forehead.

****

The next time I woke up, Lauren was still beside me. "Something happened."

"What?" I asked, reaching up and rubbing my eyes.

"Austin was shot, it's bad." She says softly, squeezing my hand.

"What?!" I tried to sit up. "I have to see him." I begged.

Lauren gently holds me down. "He's in surgery."