The Battles The Followed

Chapter Three

The air was thick with humidity, I was in the Warren, I felt safe, I couldn't remember why I didn't feel safe, I just could feel a state of relief, I looked around and saw Bunny, he was sitting in a rock painting an egg, his back was turned but I knew that he was because he always painted eggs on that specific rock.

I began to walk towards him, but each step that I took, he seemed to go farther away from me. I began to pick up pace, jogging, still he was moving farther away, I started to run, but by the time I got tired, he was only a speck in the distance.

I felt myself under extreme pressure, I started to shake, cry and fall to my knees.

"He doesn't love you." I said aloud, but my voice was altered, not matching my own, it was the Opposites.

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I woke up with the the worst headache, I felt bandages on my forehead, I sat up slowly to see Bunny sleeping in a chair next to me. I looked around, I was obviously at the Pole, I saw Christmas decorations scattered through the room, I was lying in a make-shift hospital bed, I didn't feel any pain in my jaw, just my head throbbed, my throat felt dry, I felt like I hadn't drunken any water in days. I layed back down and groaned, not trying to wake up Bunny, but out of pain, but he jolted awake, already at my bedside.

"Hey Frost, you gave us all quite a fright," there were stitches above his left eye, "How are you feeling?"

I nodded, then mouthed "water".

"Oh! Yeah, one second!" Bunny ran to go get me a glass of water, I smiled as he came back giving it to me. I drank the water which soothed my dry throat and mouth. Then set the glass down on the night stand. Bunny relaxed sort of and sat down again.

"How long was I out?" I managed to whisper.

"You lost quite a lot of blood, but we managed to keep you alive. You were out for 3 days." Bunny rubbed his forehead, just above his stitches.

"What happened?" I whispered.

Bunny sighed, "My Opposite knocked you out, and I ran to take him out, which I did by the way." He was proud of himself, I smiled. " We fought for a while, then I finally took care of him, not perminately, but long enough to get away with you."

"What's my over all condition?" I noticed my jaw wasn't hurting as bad as it did.

"You have a slightly fractured skull, I-" He stopped then corrected himself, "we, were afraid you wouldn't wake up. You also have a brushed jaw. Which should be a lot better since you can open it." I nodded.

"Well, I should tell the others that you have woken up." Bunny went to go leave, but I stopped him.

"Wait," He stopped at the door and turned around, "thank you." I said, above the volume of a raspy whisper.

He smiled and nodded, then left to go get the others. Within 5 minutes they all piled into the room, talking all at once to tell me how happy they were that I was awake and alive.

"What's the plan?" I asked, trying to stand up, but Tooth flew over to put me back on the bed,

"The plan is that you get better, then we will discuss game plan."  North said.

"I haven't stood up in three days, I just want to stand up." I said lightly, trying to make them reason with me. Tooth backed up a bit, letting me have room. I stood up, weakly, I held myself up by holding onto the bed, finally I managed to stand without support, but not for long as I felt my knees buckle under my weight. I saw them all scramble for me, Tooth brought me back to my bed.

"I guess I'm not as fine as I thought." I sighed and pulled the blankets up. I felt my stomach growl, I realised I hadn't eaten in 3 days either. North must have heard my stomach, it did sound like I was starving.

"The yetis are making dinner which will be ready in," he checked the time, "10 minutes." I nodded, then rested my head against the pillow, frustrated at my physical state, I knew it would be a while before i was back on my feet again.

"Get some rest, Jack." Tooth said smiling, and then left, I knew she had to go back to Tooth Palace. I nodded back at her.

Sandman was standing next to my bed flashing "zzz's" above his head, then left.

"I have to check up on the yetis, keep an eye on him and be sure he doesn't start getting up." North said, smiling at me. Bunny was the only one left, he sat down on his chair and stared at the floor, mind lost in thought.

"Why was the Warren empty when I got there?" I asked, Bunny looked up.

"Everyone evacuated, they sensed an evil presence." Bunny said, took a breath and spoke again.

"What did my Opposite say to you?"

I remembered what he said, I closed my eyes as I felt my heart sink a little, I didn't know why i felt like that, Bunny saw my obvious sadness and questioned further.

"He said," I stalled, "That.." then I stopped, "Its not important. It doesn't have anything to do with the mission." I sat up and grabbed the last bit of water that was sitting next to me.

"Jack..." Bunny started, but then stopped.

"I'm fine." I set the glass down.

We heard North come up the steps.

He poked his head in and smiled.

"Dinner is ready."