Infernal Realms

Chapter 8

My eyes fluttered open the following morning. I moved to arch myself to stretch when I felt like I was covered in a sticky fluid. The substance stuck me to my blanket, unlike the usual summer morning sweats. I jumped in suprise, unsure of what happened. I sat up, sleep heavy in my eyes. I paused when my single blanket seemed like it was covered in blood. I stood up so fast I lost my footing and slammed into the floorboards. I groaned softly, "Why am I bleeding?" I muttered. I rose to my knees, inspecting my body. My legs and lower half were fine. I touched my left shoulder and winced. So I did get hit the night before. That was good to know.

My was open and rapid footfalls could be heard closing in as I ripped the hem of my nightshirt to make a strip of fabric for my shoulder. I looked up, surprised to see Sam with a knife drawn. I chuckled as he sheathed it and began to untense as he saw me kneeled on the floor. He kneeled beside me, smirking. "Can't be too careful." he chuckled. I nodded as I handed him the strip of material. He wore a T-shirt and jeans. His tattoos and symbols covering every inch of flesh. Me watching him fold the fabric reminded me of my own skin... And how I needed to cover it. I wore a nightshirt, just above my knees were covered and my sleeves were barely above my elbow. I quickly stood, covering my collarbone. I scanned my room for a small blanket or towel. I felt Sam's hand clamp on my not bleeding shoulder as if to hold me still. I shivered. I didn't want him to see my scars. I may have told him all about my past, but I didn't like how it made me feel. I wouldn't ever have normal skin and it was hard for me after I did end up running away. I kept my mouth closed as he quickly tied the thick strip around my upper arm and tied it on the top of my shoulder blade.

"bThanks, but I need to get dressed." I said the second his fingers left my shoulder. I didn't need to talk about my past anymore for another century or two, scars included. I immediately raised my hands to cover the back of my neck.

"It's gonna bleed through, I think I should get some wrap from the infirmary." he offered. I nodded quickly without answering, not wanting to talk about the deep scars that covered my collar bone and the back of my shoulders and neck. "I'll be right back." he said and turned from my room. I quickly looked around for a T-shirt of some sort. I knew if I threw on a long sleeve he'd immediately think I'd lost my mind from the heat of the summer. It wasn't even noon and I was already sweating from the sun's rays outside. I decided to sit cross cross with my back to the door. I thought I should suck it up and get it over with. If anything he wouldn't even ask about the scars. I heard him walking back and I exhaled as I pulled my knees up under my chin.

" I brought ointment and wrap." I heard him walk through the doorway, then suddenly pause. After an inhale he sat behind me. I didn't ask about his pause and he didn't tell. As he got to work he talked to me, " Lenny and his sister want to be one of us. The parents want to salvage what they can from their old property and maybe try to stick it out there, or so that's what the kid told me." he began.

I nodded, " That doesn't sound too bad." I admitted. Lenny was very smart and obviously proved his value the night before. I'm sure his sister would've been a great addition to Margie's, also.

"What info did we gather from the tracker last night?" I asked him.

He paused, both him speaking and his hands. Suddenly I felt his hand move from my shoulder. I felt him touch the middle of my neck and I tried hard to not flinch from instinct. I felt him move his hand away and go back to my shoulder. "The tracker has been to Smith and a couple other cities not far from here."

"Smith is 100 miles South from here. Do you think there's any survivors?" I asked quickly.

"Maybe. But the only way to find out is by questioning the cop." he told me.

"Is the tracker deactivated?" I asked.

"Yeah, it is. Also, Walter is tied up in the infirmary. Frank has been grilling him since he opened his eyes when the sun rose." he added lowly, "And it's not really a good sight to behold at the moment."