I Know What You're Afraid Of

Chapter 11

Ricky was no longer tired as he rummaged through every cupboard in the kitchen. His mind was moving a million miles a minute. He couldn't focus or think straight after witnessing the bloody nightmare in the bathroom. He would find himself searching through cupboards he had already looked through. He didn't want to admit it, but he had no idea what it was that they were searching for. He was hoping it was a 'you'll know it when you see it' kind of thing. Unfortunately, as he closed cupboard after cupboard, he realized that was not the case. "Are you kidding me?! Come on!" Ricky winced at the echo of his voice bouncing off the walls, realizing his words probably made their way to Marianne who was currently holding onto all the hope she could muster.

   "Calm down, Ricky. We'll find something." Sydney's voice was light and reassuring, but Ricky was not at all reassured.

   Frustrated, he ran a shaky hand through his hair. "We don't even know what we're looking for!"

  Sydney's eyes widened. "You're saying we've waisted ten minutes trying to find something and you don't even know what the hell it is?! Miles could be dying! We can't let him die, Ricky." she whispered harshly.

   "This is so weird! We met him, like.... yesterday! And now all of the sudden he's dying? How is this happening?" Ricky began pacing. Sydney was not having it. She walked over to him and slammed her hands onto his shoulders, stopping him.

   "Ricky, look at me! We are no help to Miles if we continue to stand here and whine. His life is in our hands, Ricky. Keep looking." Sydney went back to searching the cabinet over the fridge. She had knocked some sense into him, and he was able to continue his search. The only thing on his mind was saving Miles and he was determined to do so. He continued open and close cupboards and drawers, but he still didn't find anything. It seemed all hope was lost until he heard Sydney's voice. "Hey, Ricky.... I think I found what we're looking for."

   Ricky spun around so fast; he became dizzy. "What!?" Sydney smiled wide and held a bottle of clear liquid. Wrapped around the bottle was a white label that read, 'cure: for emergencies ONLY'. Ricky looked to Sydney, the corners of his lips denting his cheeks. "This is definitely an emergency." Grabbing the bottle from her hands, Ricky ran out of the room and up the stairs.

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   Time was ticking, and Marianne could no longer see clearly. Tears pooled in her eyes, blurring all her surroundings. Each drop fell onto the boy's pale cheeks, mixing with the thick cherry pit liquid. She hadn't cried this much in years. She was usually tough, and difficult to break, but as she sat on the bathroom floor, Miles' head in her lap, bleeding out through his nose, she found it hard not to cry. And for what felt like the hundredth time, she was confused. This time she knew why. Marianne was confused because she had only met him yesterday, yet she knew nothing about him. She was confused because he had scared her, at first and later apologized for it, then danced with her and left her alone as if it meant nothing to him. She kept seeing him as if he were the devil in disguise, then, moments later, he was almost the opposite. But most of all, she was confused because she cried for him. She worried about him, the way she would worry about a friend or a loved one. He made her worry, and that confused her the most.

   Marianne snapped her head up at the sound of someone barreling up the stairs. Ricky ran into the room holding a bottle of clear liquid. "I got it! Sit him up. Quickly!" Marianne carefully lifted his shoulders and slid under him. She positioned Miles so that he was sitting up, his back resting against her bent knee. "Tilt his head back and open his mouth." She did as she was told and reached her hand up, tilting his head back, cupping his chin, and parting his lips. Marianne didn't know what the liquid was but knew better than to waste time asking because she trusted Ricky. She watched closely as Ricky poured the clear liquid down his throat. Miles closed his mouth and swallowed it. Marianne could feel his body relax against her knee. His eyes remained closed, but his breathing regulated, his chest rising and falling peacefully.

   Out of the corner of her eye, Marianne saw Sydney, Gina, and Brad standing at the door. Sydney stood, hugging herself, eyes overflowing with worry as they danced around the room. Brad had his hands in his pockets and Marianne was surprised to see him uneasy. Gina however, paid no attention to the scene in front of her. Arms crossed over her chest, she glared daggers at Marianne like this whole thing was her fault. Marianne held onto that thought, suddenly becoming aware of what had caused the near-death incident. She remembered the small, clear pellet in her pocket. 'What is this? Poison?' Miles' words ran through her mind like a broken record as she cleaned the remaining blood from his face. It wasn't an accident. Marianne's stomach flipped at the realization, and she suddenly felt nauseous.

   It was her glass he drank from. Whoever put the pellet in her drink was trying to poison her, not Miles. But why would anyone want to kill her? Was it all part of the game? Or were one of the strangers in this room holding a grudge against her? She thought long and hard about it, but she couldn't think of a reason for any one of them to hate her so much, they'd want her dead.  "Can someone help me carry him to his bed?" Ricky looked at Brad who stepped forward. He hooked one arm under Miles' knees, and the other under his back, effortlessly lifting him off the ground. Ricky lifted his arms up in surrender and backed away, mumbling something inaudible. Brad walked over to the bed and placed Miles down and walked right out of the room like nothing happened. Slowly, everyone followed, leaving Marianne with Miles.

   Something inside her told her she couldn't leave him alone. So, she walked to his side, and pulled the grey covers up to his chin. His arm dangled off the side of the bed, something Marianne found uncomfortable. Not because it made her muscles ache from being stretched out for so long, but because of her ridiculous fear of something grabbing her, and dragging her away in the middle of the night. She winced at the thought and took his limp hand, gently tucking it into his side. Her hand lingered on his for a second longer than necessary. She caught herself staring at him again. He was pretty, beautiful even. She noticed that the usual stars that dusted his face had disappeared under the dim, artificial lighting from the lamp on his side table. Even without them, he was gorgeous.

   She let go of his hand and turned to leave, but something wrapped around her wrist, making her jump. She looked at Miles. With his eyes still closed he mumbled out two words that nearly made her heart jump out of her chest. "Stay. Please." His voice was hoarse as he was still recovering. She wasn't sure if he was dreaming or out of it, but she didn't want to leave him. He shifted over, providing a space for her. She sat down and tucked her legs under the covers making sure to leave room between them. She was almost certain the sound of her heart pounding against her chest would wake him. Miles rolled onto his side, so he was facing her, his hand still clasped with hers. "Thank you."

   The sad tone of his voice made Marianne want to cry. She nodded her head, nonetheless. "Of course." Afraid to drift off, knowing she was a cuddly in her sleep, she tried her best to stay awake. Miles' breath evened out, indicating he had fallen asleep. Marianne's lips dented her cheeks as she smiled softly to herself.