The Oracle

Chapter 4

Justin woke up with a pounding headache. He sighed heavily. Why is it that hospitals have such distinct smell? His eyes fluttered open as he sat up. Although he was quite disorientated, he took in his surroundings. He was confined to his hospital bed with the beautiful view of the white walls. The hospital room was as bland as one would expect. His eyes darted to a vase holding a bouquet of vibrant flowers with a tag sticking out. Justin sunk back into his pillow. It was only then he noticed his mother.

"Justin..." His mother looked dazed. She said his name like she was reading a rhyme. No doubt she had just woken up. The realisation dawned on her once her eyes bulged out of her eye sockets and rushed over to him. "You're awake!" She hugged him, almost forgetting his medical condition.

"Uh, Mum. Oxygen is kind of becoming a problem." Justin only just realised how weak he had sounded.

"Sorry." She smiled sheepishly, letting go of her tight grip. "Riley! Wake up!" Mrs Helgenberg shook her wife. Riley woke up, swatting Catelyn away. Riley seemed shocked at first, but she smiled as she looked at her son.

"Decided to wake, Sleepyhead." As Riley walked over to Justin, he noticed how disheveled she looked. Her long blonde hair was all in a tangle and her clothes were all creased. I probably don't look any better.

"Decided? How long have I been out?" Justin asked as soon as the hugging fest ended. Catelyn and Riley exchanged looks.

"About three days."

Justin couldn't believe that he spent three days of his life asleep. His wrath wanted to make him storm out and leave. He just played with his hospital ID bracelet. "I'm sorry you both had to stay here. I can't imagine..." As soon as he looked up at his parents, he lost the words. Justin never really was one for words.

'Don't worry. That's our job." Catelyn tugged at her black hair. Justin noticed that that's what she did when she was nervous.

The Doctor came and he gave them an update on Justin. He would still have to spend some nights in the hospital, but with some rest and rehab, he'd be gone in no time. Once they were alone again, his parents brought up Cassandra.

"Ugh, I'm such an idiot." He mumbled in anger, but mostly disappointment. Cassie warned him not to climb up, but no I had to ignore her and fall. He should of have known that she was right. That was her thing, right? She knew things that others didn't. She even said so herself. She wasn't telling the whole story.

A night later, Cassie came to visit. She knocked on the door and slowly crept in. She found the silence unnerving. She relaxed once she approached Justin's bed. He looks so peaceful,she thought. He was sleeping, his left arm tucked underneath his pillow. His brown hair all dishevelled. She watched his body fall into the pattern of sleep. She awkwardly looked down at her long skirt. What am I doing? She took one last glimpse and fell onto the chair beside his bed.

"Cassie?" Justin murmured as he woke, his eyes deciphering the girl with the purple streaks in her hair.

"Hi." She smiled and slid her phone into her bag. "How are you? How are you feeling?"

"Better than yesterday. I just can't believe I spent three days sleeping!" He raised his arms to make his point even more exaggerated. "It's like what you said; we only have a limited amount of days on earth. And I spent it sleeping. Are you laughing?" Justin stopped abruptly as he noticed Cassandra Newton laughing.

"Don't be so hard on yourself. You took a pretty hard fall. Just be thankful it wasn't anything too serious."

"Yeah, I know. I can't believe I didn't listen to you."

"I know you're an idiot."

"Ouch Cassie. Your words cut me deep." Justin smiled playfully. "I don't know why I didn't listen to you, though. It's like your super power, right? Being able to see the future."

Although he struck a nerve, Cassie showed no sign. She just focused on his Darwin Tubercle {or elf ears. She never decided on what to call them.}"I've already told you too much." She said, only half joking.

"So there's more?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Prying eyes won't get you anywhere. I can foresee it." Cassie smirked.

"Hey, don't use this to your advantage."

"I better go." Cassie said after a while, standing up.

Justin caught her hand. "It's still early."

"It's only early because I came during the night."

"I know, very stalkerish of you."

Cassie laughed, still holding onto his hand. What am I doing? I can't get close to him. She let go of his hand. She searched through her bag and handed him "Slaughterhouse-Five" Justin read aloud. "Not much of a reader."

"Ever heard of the writing technique 'foreshadowing'? Justin nodded, not knowing where this was going.

"Then it's my gift to you." Cassie walked over to the door and felt the coldness of the door handle.

"Next time I see you I'll be out of this bed and have read Slaughterhouse-Five."