"Urgh...." A loud groan came from somewhere nearby, and I groggily opened my eyes. Realising that I had been the one to groan, I shut them again. An awful headache was pounding against my skull and it felt as if I no longer had enough energy to move.
I was curled up in a fetus position in what appeared to be a black bin bag. Somewhere nearby a car went past, and something rustled nearby. Weakly clawing at the plastic, I managed to rip a hole and escape.
Sitting up, I found myself on the verge of grass on a country road. It was dark and there were no street lights, but the moon was full and gave a large amount of light. Staggering to my feet, my legs swayed and buckled, and I tried not to fall. Looking at my limbs, I was sure they'd been almost twice as thick a few days ago. Being in that place hadn't served me well.
I found that my left eye was very swollen and painful, and figured it was bruised after being punched. Cursing as I remembered the injection he had given me to prevent my injuries from healing, I began to stagger like a drunk along the path.
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At some point a few hours later, my body gave up, sending me rolling into a ditch.
"Get up you idiot..." Urging myself on, I clawed my way to my feet, every fibre in my body protesting.
A car came into view, the headlights blinding me. Covering my eyes with one arm, I heard the car screech to a stop and three doors open.
"Ryuuhei!"
A familiar voice screamed my name.
"Are you alright?" Another demanded.
"Back off you two." A third, older voice warned. I recognized Matt, Ethan and Katia standing before me, eyes wide with both happiness and concern.
Falling forward at last into unconsciousness, I was vaguely aware of being caught and carried into the car, before blackness once again dominated my vision.
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Opening my good eye, I found myself hunched over beside Katia in the car. Seeing I was awake, she smiled sadly.
"Hey there," I closed my eye again at the sound of her soft voice.
"Hi,"
"You look awful." Ethan called from the front of the car, making me wince.
"Thanks."
"Seriously. You look like a corpse,"
"Thank you,"
A waterbottle was handed to me which I took gratefully and slowly sipped, salvaging the feeling of water down my throat.
"You were gone for four days, we were getting worried!" Ethan muttered as the car pulled up somewhere and Matt got out.
"You say that like it was nothing," I heard my voice rise to something close to hysteria, "You have no idea what has happened.... ! We have to go back! For Taiga!"
"What?!" Three voices exclaimed.
"My brother... Hes in there. So are loads others! Loads others that are just like me,"
"Where?"
"The Serpents' hideout!"
"Who are-?"
A loud grumble from my stomach interrupted him and Ethan laughed while Katia seemed concerned.
"When was the last time you ate?"
I had to think for a moment,
"four days ago. Maybe five. I'm not sure..."
Her eyed widened, "You need to eat something!"
"I know."
Matt reappeared, "here you go!"
He handed us all a brown paper bag, which I tore open to reveal a bacon and egg sandwhich. Saliva gathered in my mouth as the scent of it wafted through the car.
"Slowly, or you'll get cramp," Matt warned as I crammed it into my mouth like a wolf with its prey.
Gulping down the final bite, I checked the bag again to find an apple, which I also scoffed. Being full for the first time in over four days felt good.
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We pulled up outside Matt's house... My house, and got out. Beside me, I heard a gasp.
"Its huge!" Katia squealed, running up beside me, "you never told me you were minted!"
I laughed, scratching my head, "Hey! You must be pretty rich if you can afford to go to boarding school!"
"True," she put her hands up as a form of submission.
"Come on!" Matt called as the sound of keys clunking into place became audible and the door swung open.
We all walked in and followed Matt. It was good to be back.
