Don't Be Afraid

Chapter 32

Linda's POV

Hunter walks me back to camp. He keeps patting my back and I just want to yell at him and tell him to stop, but I know he's just trying to make me feel better. He keeps looking over his shoulder, probably making sure Issac isn't following us.

"Linda, I'm so sorry. He had no right to do that. His actions were inexcusable!"
I stop and face him. "You have no right to get mad. You've done worse."
He looks angered for a second, but his eyes fall. "I know, but that doesn't make it right." I look away. He seems sincere almost.

We start walking again, but something doesn't feel right. He keeps talking, but none of his words register in my mind. Everything seems like it's spinning, but I can't tell if that's really happening or just a hallucination on my part. I stop walking and cling to Hunter's shirt, but he doesn't seem to notice and keeps dragging me along.

"Hunter-"

"I know I've messed up, but I'm going to try to be a-"

I swallow hard and try again. "Hunter-"

"People deserve second chances don't they?"

My knees buckle and I start to fall. I can feel his hands scrambling to catch me. He's panicking and I hear him yelling.

-

A girl's voice drags me out of my haze and she crouches beside me. Right away I knew who it was.

"Maple! Something's wrong with Linda. I don't know what happened. We were walking and talking and then suddenly she just collapsed!"

"Sh sh. It'll be okay." She feels my head and clicks her tongue.

"What is it?"

"Her head's burnin' up and from what I can see, her breathing is way off."

Hunter's lips keep moving, but no sound escapes. Finally he's able to form a sentence. "But that's some of the symptoms of a bite. Linda's not bitten. She would've said something if she had been."

I try to open my eyes, but it's like lifting a ton of bricks. I hear Maple's voice again. "Let's get her back to camp and I'll take a closer look. Okay dear?" Her voice is calm and smooth. I can tell she's trying to keep her cool so Hunter doesn't completely lose it.

I feel someone hook an arm under my legs and place a hand on the small of my back, cradling me close to them. Of course it's Hunter. I could tell by his smell and the fact that Maple isn't strong enough to carry me all the way back to camp. I let myself  lean into him, taking comfort in his warmth.

The last thing I hear before I black out is Hunter whispering something in my ear. "Please be okay Linda. Issac can't lose you."

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A/N

Hey guys! Sorry for the some-what late update! So, question of the day: What's your favorite book? Mine is City of Glass by Cassandra Clare. Let me know in the comments! Bye :)