Sakura Eyes

Chapter 18

When Mom's patients used to come in and tell her that they felt as if a hundred horses ran over them, I had always wondered what that would feel like. If I had to guess, I was pretty sure this was how it felt like.

"She's awake now." I recognized that calm and soothing voice to be Tristan's.

"Miss?" And there what that high-pitched voice that belonged to a cute little blond boy.

I squeezed my eyes and then opened them slowly, blinking fast. Yuri's and Tristan's heads came into focus as my eyes grew used to the light. They both smiled in relief and helped me up against the bed's frame. My eyes traveled down to my arm as they pushed me from the back.

Although the gauze bandage was barely bloody, it still made me feel nauseous to see the blood. Even though I had been in numerous fights already, I still couldn't get used to the sight of blood.

Speaking of blood...

The image of the boss's eyes flashed through my mind. I felt my breaths shorten, and a cold sweat slick down my back. Looking away from the blood to ease the tightness in my throat, I looked up at Tristan and shakily asked, "Where are we?"

"Catherine demanded that you rest in here. She wrapped you up." Tristan answered. "Are you alright? You just turned ten times paler."

"Hm? I'm just a little tired and lightheaded. That's it," I replied, looking around. "Where is Justin?"

"He's busy at the moment," Tristan said. I couldn't help but notice he wouldn't meet my eyes as he answered me. Narrowing my eyes, I tried to get out of bed to confirm my suspicions but Yuri immediately sat on my covers so that I couldn't move. I glared at him, and he responded with a smile.

Suddenly, the door banged open. The three of us swiveled our heads simultaneously to see a steaming Catherine.

"I told you guys not to disturb—" she started before her eyes met mines. "Sakura?"

"Hi," I smiled.

She stared at me for a few seconds before launching herself at me.

"No—"

I breathed in relief when Tristan caught her mid-air just in time. Catherine laughed bashfully; Tristan sighed before putting her back on the ground gently.

"Did you sustain any serious injuries? How about Julia?" I asked worriedly.

She shook her head. "I just have a scratch above my eye and little cuts up my body. Julia regained conscious by the time we got back to the village. But..."

Catherine paused to look at my arm. "You lost a lot of blood. Like a lot. I could've used it as water to wash my feet. You were so pale."

A knock on the door interrupted us, and I turned my head, surprised to see Justin and Ethan standing at the doorway. They walked in and while Justin leaned against the bed, Ethan went to stand by Catherine. I couldn't help but notice that the atmosphere between them seemed to be a little tense.

"Where's David?" I frowned, looking around.

"He's coming later," Ethan responded shortly.

There was an awkward silence; I busied myself with picking at my bandages.

"Don't do that," Tristan smacked my hand away.

Catherine jumped on the bed with a roll of new gauze bandage in her hands. She grabbed my hands and unwrapped the bandages. I peered curiously at my wounds. Unlike the little scratches that were already healing on my palm, the wound in my arm was deep and pale. There was still some dry blood flecking my skin around it but before I could reach out to pick it, Catherine covered it up with the new bandage.