Treasured

7)

Wren's P. O. V.

The morning light streamed into my room hurting my eyes. I groaned, feeling absolutely ill. My head was pounding, my nose was sore and stuffy, my throat hurt, and I was chilled to the bone. On top of that, my leg was on fire. I had barely slept at all because of the nightmares, and when I finally did manage to drop off, I woke up feeling like this.

"Hey, it's time for breakfast," Cedar said from the doorway. "Do you want me to wait by the stairs?"

I simply nodded, too tired to try and communicate further. He left without another word, leaving me to get dressed. I slowly sat up, clutching the bed covers as my whole world spun dizzily for half a minute. My leg nearly gave out when I put weight on it, and I looked pale and sickly when I caught a glance in my mirror. I somehow got my brown trousers on along with a soft cream shirt, my tan suit jacket, and my nice leather belt. I tottered down the hall, but I was already panting by the time I reached the stairs, and sweat was beading along my forehead and upper lip with effort. 

"You don't look very good, should I go get Mr. Price?" Cedar looked alarmed. "Here, let me help you sit for a moment."

He carefully lowered me to the ground so I could sit safely. I leaned my head back, trying to calm my breathing. I would be fine if I could just control my breathing. Pain lanced through my knee, making me jerk and ball my hands up in fists. Tears threatened to fall, but I blinked them back, refusing to be a baby over something I should have already been accustomed to. Cedar would be back any moment -

"Wren? Why are you sitting on the ground?"

I looked up into June's worried face. He was crouched over me, hand hovering over my shoulder, but not quite touching. Mr. Price must have had that talk with them then. 

"Wren, are you alright?" June licked his lip, handing me a torn scrap of paper and a fountain pen.

I took them both, but my hands were shaking so hard I couldn't write. I whimpered pathetically as another shooting pain ghosted along my leg. I dropped the articles in my hands, instinctively cradling my leg. 

"Hold on," June soothed me. "Cedar was supposed to get you this morning - has he gone for someone yet?"

I nodded, ducking my head in embarrassment. 

"Then I'll stay. Is there anything I can do?" June looked like he wanted to crush me in a hug, but he was doing his best to respect my wish of not being touched at the same time.

I shook and trembled as a chill passed over my body. I sneezed three times in succession, causing June to give me a sharp look.

"Are you ill, Wren?" He demanded.

I winced, hating to admit it. Reluctantly I nodded, letting tears fill my eyes. I was so tired of crying, but I didn't feel good, my leg felt like someone was trying to saw it off with a sewing needle, and I didn't want to cause anyone trouble. I didn't want June to feel like he had to stay with me. I was sixteen, I should be able to at least get to the dining room by myself for goodness' sake.

"Wren!" Mr. Price gasped as he bounded up the stairs. 

I'd never seen him anything other than composed, but right now he was anything but that. He looked absolutely pained, and I could see the hint of panic in his eyes as he took in my trembling, pale, weak figure slumped against the wall next to the stairs. He knelt beside me, listening intently to June as he relayed what little information he had been able to get out of me.

"I need to see if you have a fever," Mr. Price apologetically said, reaching for my face slowly.

I shuddered as his cool hand touched my forehead. He frowned, turning to June quickly.