Running out of time

Chapter 24. Lucy - The Infirmary

I twisted my head to the side until it clicked. I was the first of the four to access my state which meant I had a head start. Roy began to use his powers almost as soon as the group crash landed in the Far-Side. I looked at Roy who was opposite me. We were training together as we were both the strongest so far.

I braced myself exactly the way Juliette had taught me, in a defensive position. I closed my eyes tightly and summoned the air to my fingertips. The wind thrashed against my face and brushed my hair away but I was in control. Roy stood a few metres in front of me, his arms moved into an offensive position.

Juliette stood off to my side and Terrence to Roy's. We were supposed to spar until one of us had enough. I grinned slightly, all Roy could do was summon some flames to his fingers, I could easily wipe them away with my wind.

"Go!" Juliette yelled from my corner of the gym. Roy charged into the centre extending his arms and blowing fire in my direction. I dragged my arms into the space in front of me, deflecting the flames. I stood my ground as Roy kept shooting flames from his hands. It was so fast, too fast. My shield of wind and air wavered and it took all my strength to keep it from breaking. Sweat rolled down my forehead as I kept breathing heavily. I shot my shield in Roy's direction right before I collapsed. I breathed heavily, it felt like I was stranded underwater, my power stopping me from swimming up. I gasped for air and felt the wind rush to find me. Slowly I stood up. I saw Roy in front of me. He hadn't moved, my shield had done nothing to him. I could barely stand. How could he use so much of his power without even accessing his state?

I wobbled as I braced myself for impact. Roy was walking towards me. I kept my head down and my knees bent. I couldn't use my power, I used the last of it while trying to breathe.

"I think that's enough".

I looked up surprised to see that Roy said that.

"A-are you ok?" He stammered out offering a hand to me.

"I'm fine" I rasped my throat sore.

"I swear I didn't know you'd get hurt" Roy glared at Terrence. "Why didn't you stop me?!" He asked helping me stand upright.

"Roy you won't be able to master your power if you don't make mistakes like these, I couldn't stop you because then you wouldn't understand your limit" Terrence said grabbing a towel from the rack behind himself and tossing it to Roy.

Juliette took me from Roy's arms. "You did amazing" she smiled. Juliette wrapped her jacket around me. "You need some rest".

I nodded, but before we moved I looked behind me. Roy was really strong and he wasn't even in his state. I shuddered, I wouldn't want to spar with him when he finally accesses his state.

-

I was lying on one of the beds in the infirmary, the nurse had already examined me so for now I was just resting until I had enough energy to make the trip to my dorm room upstairs. I stared at the white washed ceiling. The entire room was whitewashed. Even the nurses clothes were all white. It's not too different from a normal, earth hospital but the cures and remedies certainly were. I sat up slightly.

There were vials and bottles of colours that just couldn't be medicine lining the shelves. I reached out a hand to examine the shelf more clearly but before I could move the nurse opened the door. She was dragging Ben behind her. I looked at him in confusion but he just returned my look with a sheepish smile.

"Sit" commanded the nurse. Ben silently obeyed, taking the bed next to mine. The nurse grabbed Ben's arm as he shrieked in agony. Suddenly, he stopped.

"H-how?" Ben asked the nurse marvelling at his arm. The nurse smiled smugly to herself. "While you may play in the dirt boy, my power is healing, you're free to go if you want". Ben glanced sideways to me.

"Your training not going so well?" He asked. I shook my head, how to even begin?

"Just an accident that's all" I muttered. Ben sat on the edge of his bed.

"Do you need some company? I'm not really up for any more... training" Ben said avoiding my gaze.

"I wouldn't mind some" I admitted. I nodded to the grass stains covering Ben's legs.

"How did that happen?" I asked. Ben opened his mouth but closed it again.

"I fell over a couple times that's all- what's up with you, you don't look like you've broken anything" Ben said leaning back on his hands.

"Im all fixed, I just need some energy so I can go up to my room... what?" Ben was smiling from ear to ear. He stood up and I grabbed onto the edges of the bed.

"No..." I trailed off as Ben came closer. Suddenly. Ben hauled me over his shoulder as I screamed banging my fists on his back just knowing what was going to happen next. To my surprise, Ben didn't drop me as he pushed open the infirmary doors and ran to the staircase.

"Ok you can't take me all the way up the stairs" I said throwing my hands in the air for emphasis.

"Oh, you wanna bet?" Ben said readjusting his grip on my legs before making his way up the stairs. He was gasping for breath his sweaty hands braced on the bannister.

"Seriously?" I asked. I let Ben put me down before gently punching him on the shoulder.

"You made it four steps." I deadpanned. Ben was still gasping for air but nevertheless held up his hand for a high five. I gently filled his lungs with air at an even pace. "Thanks Luce".

We both sat on the marble staircase in silence. Everyone seemed to be either in the gym or outside of the academy. I thought back to my old school. There was never a moment when the corridors weren't brimming with students pushing past each other and blocking the corridors.

"Do you ever think about school before the Far-Side?" I asked Ben. He seemed to think carefully about his answer before turning to me. "I don't have many good memories of the place so no, the Far-Side is definitely an upgrade" he smiled. It was infectious, I just had to smile back at him.

"I wonder how Anna and Roy are doing now" I mused.

A/N thanks for reading, see you in the next chapter don't forget to vote and add to your library :)