Tempest (#1)

Chapter Twenty-Six: In and Out

I couldn't breathe as I felt pain exploding along the side of my back and stomach. It didn't help that I felt like I was spinning—making me feel uncomfortable and disoriented at the same time.

God, what the hell hap— Images of my fights with Miasma and Chaos ran through my mind within seconds. Right... Those sick bastards.

I hissed deeply as the thought of Chaos still being around struck me.

Before I could do anything about it though, I felt someone place me down on some sort of surface. I tried to open my eyes, but they were shut so tight I thought darkness might become my permanent line of sight.

"Let me see her." I heard a woman say. A familiar woman. "Oh, Petite..."

Des? Her voice sounded like she was sad or hurt. Maybe both after today's fiasco.

Des's fingers gingerly touched along my belly, and I couldn't help but wince.

Before I could think any more disturbing thoughts, I managed to open my eyes. The unexpected tears made everything I saw a little blurry.

"Des," I had trouble breathing as I spoke.

I tried to turn on the side that didn't hurt as much, but it was no good. Every part of my body was screaming at me.

Des looked... weary. The bags under her eyes were a dead giveaway. She tried to make her gaze stern and alert, but when her eyes met mine, it was like she couldn't help but ease up as she gave me that warm motherly smile I found myself instantly craving.

"Is everyone safe? Is everyone—"

"Oui." She nodded as she grabbed ahold of my hand.

Even my fingertips hurt at just her gentle touch, and it was as if she knew that because not a second later, Des placed her hand next to mine instead of on top of it.

"Penn, your injuries are serious. We can't take you to a hospital. You need to cha—"

"What do you mean we can't take her to a hospital?!" I heard a man shout behind Des. "Of course, she needs to see a doctor, Des. It's insane not to take her to a professional! Just look at her!"

Jack? I wanted to gasp but couldn't as I realized that Jack was here. Are you ok? I wondered, desperately wanting to sit up to look at him.

Des turned her head so that I couldn't see her face, but I could tell she was dejected by her tone. "We cannot take her, Jack."

"Why not!?" he spat at her.

I felt bad that they were fighting over me and felt even worse that there was little to nothing I could do to rally my troops.

"I kind of have a secret identity, Super-brain." I gave Jack as big of a smile as I could muster when he moved closer to me, but it wasn't much.

I examined Jack quickly—now that I could see him better. His shirt was bloody, but he seemed to be ok. Oh god, was all that blood from me? His eyes searched my face, and for some reason, I really wanted to hold his hand, but my damn body wasn't working!

"So what?" Jack's caramel eyes were wide and confused. "What's the point in all this if you turn up—"

"Jack!" Des's voice commanded the room to silence. "Enough. We can't move Penn again. She's already losing enough blood as it is." She took a breath before saying, "Just relax for a moment, and let me handle this."

I closed my eyes and grounded my teeth as pain filled me again. I thought you wanted me alive! I screamed at the nothingness to Chaos. Well, she did say to rest up. Not that that makes up for putting me in this mess to begin with.

If I could have growled, I would have.

"Penn, Penn, listen to me." Des called my attention away from my aching. It took a lot of effort, but I managed to look at her without—

Blackness.

Whoa... the hell was that? For a second, I couldn't see, and my mind felt heavy. It was like a half-faint, but it didn't last longer than a second or two, I think.

Des placed a hand on my shoulder while the other reached for my mask, and even though peeling it off is normally quite smooth, it felt like she had ripped a band aid off my face.

"You need to transform. Tempest can heal you. Can you do that for me, Petite?" She looked uncertain, but hopeful.

And I know Des was right. I mean, she's normally right about many things. If I can transform, I can fix myself up in a jiffy.

It was better than lying here like this and being a pitiful bag of bones.

As I tried to open my mouth, it felt like it was wired shut. "I'll... try." I groaned.

I looked at Jack for a moment before attempting my change. I mean, it's not like he couldn't tell by now who I am. I paused in my thoughts as I stared at his curious gaze. I wonder if he's mad about me being Felicia...

As the thought passed my mind, I tried to transform.

I screamed and scrambled aimlessly on the bed as pain twenty times worse than I've ever experienced seized me. I couldn't hear anything but the echoes of my own yelling. Before I knew it, even my screams were mute as everything faded away.

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A sharp breath escaped my mouth as I twitched on the bed.

My eyes were shut, but I could feel that someone had covered me with blankets. And while I'm sure they were trying to be kind, I felt like a hundred pounds were lying on top of my chest.

"Easy, Penn..." That soothing voice was back, whispering through my mind and putting it at ease. "You will survive, but you must rest."

I expelled a sigh that seemed to take off the tension that I didn't realize were in my shoulders.

"Who are you?" I asked, waiting for her to answer.

She saved me. That voice. But why? Not that I'm not thankful or anything, but I just couldn't process all this. Not right now anyway.

It's official. I'm going crazy.

"Rest..." She uttered.

At that one word, I found myself falling back asleep.

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Opening my eyes proved to be more work than I ever thought possible. But I needed to know whose hand laid against my cheek. Whose gentle touch made me feel comforted and secure.

Des?

"Penn..." A thumb softly grazed my cheek.

When I managed to get them half-open, all I could see was Jack's anxious face.

And then, nothing as I danced with consciousness.

In-and-out...

In-and-out...