When Matthew woke up, he felt numb, he couldn't move anything except his head which he swiveled from side to side as his eyesight returned. He still felt the sharp prick of pain when he took in air. His arms were dull with pain as well. Matthew was so used to the concept of pain now that he barely remembered what it felt like before he wasn't poisoned or shot. Matthew turned his head at the sound of Nurse Felton opening the door to a black haired girl.
"I'm sorry, he's resting, I don't think visitors will be good for him right now," Nurse Felton said.
Matthew pushed himself into a sitting position, ignoring the burning sensation that resonated through his arms and stomach as he did so, "It's fine Nurse Felton," Matthew said, "she can come in."
"Are you sure?" Nurse Felton asked.
Matthew suppressed a groan, "yes."
Nurse Felton opened the door fully and April stepped in. She grinned at the sight of his broken body as he lay upon his bed.
"You look awful," she said.
"Well looks can be deceiving," Matthew replied with a smile.
April glared at him unbelieving, "are you saying you could get up right now and stroll out of the med bay?"
Matthew laughed, it hurt to laugh but it felt good as well. "No, I may look awful, but I feel worse."
"Oh," April sat down in the chair beside his bed. "I wish I'd been there with you. Two on two would have been better than two on one."
"Correction, one on four. Tammy, Taylor, the President, and Caden," Matthew barely resisted putting anger into the last name.
"Right," April reached for Matthew's hand and she ran her fingers lightly over his rough, callused hands, "you've been through a lot."
Matthew nodded slightly, "yes, I have, and I'm surprised I'm still alive from it all."
"I'm not," April entwined her fingers with his, "you're strong Matthew."
Matthew felt the warmth of April's fingers provided. He felt safe. April's free hand gently smoothed a stray strand of hair that had fallen down from his unkempt bangs –which were getting too long- back into place. April's hand moved to the outline of his face, finally it rested on his cheek. Matthew was too weak to protest as she leaned in close and pressed her lips to his, they were soft and full of passion. Her fingers released their grip on his hand and moved to his face. Matthew felt his hand slide onto her waist. When they broke apart Matthew's heart was beating hard and he drew in air. He winced at the pain his stomach received as he did so. April's eyes filled with concern at his pain.
"I didn't hurt you did I?" she asked.
"No, no of course not," Matthew replied, April didn't look convinced.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"I'm fine," Matthew reassured her.
"The last thing I would ever do is hurt you," April said sincerely.
Before Matthew could say anymore Nurse Felton stepped into the room, "It's time for April to go," she said swiftly, she sounded concerned.
April stood up slowly and let Nurse Felton guide her to the door, "I'll be back." April promised.
Matthew forced a smile, "I hope so."
As Nurse Felton led her away, the doors to the med bay were thrust open as a gurney was wheeled through. Matthew strained to get a look. It was a girl Matthew recognized from Division 5. Blood was pouring from a wound at her stomach, the once white gurney sheets were now a sopping mess of red. Doctor Mancha raced behind the gurney. Evelyn, Ross, and a girl Matthew found out was named Ashlee, flanked the sides of the bed the girl lay on. Her head lolled back and forth to the movement as she was rushed to the back room. April stared, shocked, at the scene that had seemed to move forward in slow motion. Nurse Felton brought her to the doors, which were still wide open, and then started to make her way back to the operating room. Matthew stopped her.
"Who was that?" he asked.
Nurse Felton paused briefly, "Kaelyn of Division 5," she said before she rushed off. As she disappeared a young blond haired women raced through the doors. It was Mrs. Clayton Division 5's leader. Her eyes rested on Matthew.
"Where did they take her?" she asked.
"I'm afraid all you can do is wait Mrs. Clayton. I'm sure Doctor Mancha and Nurse Felton will figure it out," Matthew said. "What happened anyway?"
Mrs. Clayton's eyes gleamed briefly with pain, "she was stabbed."
