Haunteds

Chapter 33

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was the square tiles of the ceiling. I was lying in a hospital bed with soft, white sheets.

There was a needle inserted into my hand. A hollow tube connected it to a bag containing clear fluid hooked on a metal stand. The sight made me remember what had happened. Daniel's  eyeballs bursting, his tongues wriggling out to suck me dry. My hands immediately went to my neck, expecting tiny, teeth wounds. But what I felt was the smooth plastic covering the bandages that dressed my wounds. I sat up and looked around.

But I don't see anyone. I decided to wait. I just noticed that I was still in my uniform, our disguise for our museum trip. The collar had become thick with dry blood. But my neck and chest were cleaned up. No trace of anything remained.

After a while, no one still came. I was starting to get bored. There was a television. But I don't see the remote anywhere. I drew my covers away and swung my legs off the bed. I was still feeling weak. I probably shouldn't be doing this but I don't think I can go back to sleep now. I decided to test things first. Using my arms as support, I lifted myself up on the bed and slowly shifted my weight to my legs. Surprisingly, I found them to be steady. I grabbed the IV pole for support—just to be sure, and because I'm still stuck to the thing.

I walked towards the windows. They slid open smoothly. A gentle, morning breeze blew in. I breathe it in, filling my lungs with cold air. The sun was shining bright. Thick, fluffy clouds were rolling in the sky. The street below was buzzing with life. There was the indistinct chatter of a group of students passing by. The revving engine of cars driving through. It was like a regular, lazy morning. For a moment, I just stood by my window, absorbing all of these boring bits of everyday life. Things I wouldn't appreciate if it weren't for the past several days.

I heard the door creaked open and a deep voice called out from behind.

"Good to see you standing," Major Coleman greeted with a smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine," I replied. "Where are the others? And what happened when I—"

"One at a time," he said. "First, sit down. I'm going to get you something to eat."

I didn't even get the chance to argue. He was already gone. So I crawled back to my bed and waited. When he came back, he was carrying a white, plastic tray. He set it down the table on the side of my bed and saw how disappointing my breakfast was. My meal consisted of a plate of a couple of shriveled sausages and a sad-looking, scrambled eggs that was folded on itself. An apple. A carton of milk. And a glass of water.

"Am I being punished?"

Major laughed. "I had to get you something quick. I just told them to put in was what available. Just think of it as appetizers."

I forked my eggs up to inspect them. They unfurled as I lift them up. It was so dry and thin that it was almost transparent. "Aren't appetizers supposed to be, I don't know, appetizing?

"Tell you what. You suck it up. Finish that, then we get some real food."

"Deal."

I bite down on the sausage. Why are hospital foods so terrible and bland? Is it the medication? Or do the cooks don't have taste buds? I rolled the eggs and with two, quick bite, they were gone. I scarfed everything down and emptied my milk. I picked up the apple and took a bite. "How long was I out?"

"Since last night. A little over eighteen hours. We were lucky we got to you before it got worse."

Like with Eris. I thought. "So, where are they?"

Major Coleman took a seat at the side of my bed. "Back at the dorm."

"What for? It's over, right? We did it?"