Chapter 9

I swallowed an undercooked potato and tried to make it stay in my stomach.

I was sitting with Nathan and Raelynn at dinner. Both of them were in deep conversation. They didn’t ask about my drowsiness, and I was relieved because I wasn’t in the mood to explain myself.

With difficulty I took another bite out of the raw potatoes and peas we were all eating, and then washed it down with water. I didn’t realize how thirsty I was.

I had decided to go straight to bed after dinner but I couldn’t move a muscle. Each time I tried to lift myself up I fell back in my seat.

The cafeteria was too congested and crowded, it made me suffocate. The food was so nasty it made the school cafeteria food look a whole lot better.

My head was throbbing so badly I thought it was going to detonate like a bomb. I didn’t dare pull down my sleeve to reveal my Signs but they were piercing my skin.

Slowly I got out of my seat and took five steps before I could feel my insides burn. No one noticed and it saved me the embarrassment.

I managed the walk to the door but my path was blocked by a tall muscular guy with chestnut hair.

“Annabelle!” he grinned. Then noticed my expression and frowned.

“Hi, Anthony.” I said groggily.

“You don’t look okay,” he worried.

“I’m fine,” I lied and tried to push past him but he blocked my way.

“Get out of my way,” I demanded.

“No,” he objected. “You’re coming to the infirmary with me.”

“I told you, I’m fine.” I said through gritted teeth and gave Anthony another push. He stood there like a statue, refusing to move.

“Annabelle, you aren’t okay. Come with me. I can help you.” he offered his hand to me but I only groaned in frustration.

I stepped back, nearly tumbling backwards. My vision was blurry and I could barely hear Anthony calling my name. That’s what got everyone’s attention. All heads turned and eyes were fixated on me.

I blinked through my stupor, enough to balance myself. I still wobbled around, not sure of what to do. I didn’t even care that I was completely humiliating myself.

Nathan and Raelynn grabbed me but I wrestled away from them.

“We need to get her to the infirmary,” Raelynn worried.

“I’ll go get Alfred,” Nathan hurried out of the cafeteria.

Their voices were muffled but I was aware of what was going on.

“Raelynn, help me with Annabelle.” he started to grab my hand but I kicked and screamed.

“Go away!” I yelled. “I’m fine! I don’t need anyone’s help!”

Everyone in the room was either laughing or watching me with worry. They shouted insults or gasped.

“Annabelle, just calm down.” Raelynn told but I couldn’t.

“She’s going to pass out.” Anthony predicted.

Bile rised in my throat, my left hand was burning and my legs were wobbling. I tried to lean on someone for support but I was so confused that I pushed away from them.

Alfred was standing in the door frame with a scared Nathan behind him. Their eyes filled with horror.

They all shouted my name and told me to calm down. I couldn’t help but be irritated by that.

Don’t you think I would if I could? I wanted to scream, but my voice wouldn’t work.

I convulsed, collapsing on the floor with the pain. The last thing I remember was Raelynn trying to catch me before I fell.

Slowly I forced my eyes to open. The ceiling was twinkling with lights and the bedsheets were soft. The scent was familiar. I sucked in a deep breath. Stargazer Lilies.

I sat up in bed. The door to the balcony was open and the curtains flowed in the cold wind. I was dressed in a fleece nightgown. My hair fell in red cascades all around my face.

I slipped out of bed and walked around my room. It was the same as I had left it. Unmade bed, dirty clothes on the floor, dresses flowing out of my closet, makeup untidily resting on my dresser. Books were stacked on my desk and the whole room smelled of Stargazer Lilies. Bottles of the same perfume were kept alongside my makeup on the dresser.

It made me think of the day I was getting ready to go to the palace. My last day here.

The scent of Granny’s homemade soap flooded my nostrils when I stepped into the bathroom. It smelled like home.

I examined my hand. It was still burned and scratched.

I made my way to the balcony and as soon as my bare feet touched the cold floor I smiled. It felt good to be back here.

It was early morning, the Stars weren’t so prominent during the day, under the orange sky with pink streaks.

I know I shouldn’t have but I accentuated Virgo and Ophiuchus at the same time. Making them more bright. I stopped immediately. Then slowly, I lit up only one Star from Virgo. Even that was strenuous.

Ophiuchus seemed larger and Virgo appeared to be a bit smaller than usual. It was probably my dizziness that made the Constellations seem that way.

I turned around, slipped and fell. My bedroom dissolved into a million pieces, and with it, the ground beneath me disappeared too. I didn’t fall, I was floating. Everything slowed down.

All the Stars started shining bright, they kept getting brighter. It was blinding, forcing me to close my eyes.

I gasped, then forced my eyes open. I couldn’t move a muscle. I contorted in pain. I could feel a needle in my right arm, with a bag of fluid hooked on a stand. I was in the infirmary.

A figure appeared over me. I couldn’t tell who it was, but his voice gave him away.

“She’s awake,” he said sleepily.

It was Alfred. His white hair was a mess and he was fighting hard to keep his eyes open. He sat in a wooden chair at the side of my bed.

I heard footsteps, someone walking towards me. I could only look at the ceiling since I didn’t want to sit up.

“When did she wake up?”

It’s Anthony Cancer. He’s playing doctor again.

“Just now,” Alfred replied.

“Did she talk in her sleep? Scream maybe?” he interrogated.

“No. But she was calm, she looked happy.” Alfred said.

“I’ll keep her here for the rest of the day, just to be safe.” Anthony told.

I wanted to protest but my voice didn’t work.

“Whatever you say, doc.” Alfred mumbled, barely audible.

“She’s allowed to have visitors but don’t coax and explanation out of her. Let her rest. No pressure.” he informed.

“Of coarse,”

With that, I heard Anthony leave. Alfred was still awake, though. I could tell, out of the corner of my eye I saw him forcing himself to not fall asleep.

I cleared my throat multiple times but I didn’t have the energy to actually talk.

“Do you want water?” Alfred asked. I nodded. He poured me glass. I sat up and it made me dizzy.

I drained the whole glass in one go. “Do you want more?” he asked.

My mouth became dry again, I nodded. He poured me another glass from the jug on my side table.

“Thank you,” I muttered as I handed the glass back to him.

“No problem,” he said. “Are you feeling any better?”

“I don’t know,” I replied.

“You should go back to sleep,” he told.

“No, I’m not tired.” I confirmed. “Just a headache. I’m not allowed to leave, am I?”

“No, you have to stay here until the doctor discharges you.” he reminded.

“Doctor?” I snorted. “You mean Anthony Cancer?”

“Yeah,” he nodded, but he didn’t find anything amusing about what I said. “What’s so funny?”

“Isn’t he too young to be a doctor?” I asked.

“He’s still learning. We give him patients with minor problems, but he’s still really good.”

Minor problems? I just fainted, and he thinks it’s a small issue.

“Not that what happened to you was unimportant!” he defended quickly. “I mean, I trust Anthony and that’s why I wanted him with you.”

“Oh,” I realized.

“And he’s not really as young as you think, he’s only a few years older.” Alfred told.

“Twenty?” I guessed.

“Twenty three,” he corrected.

I went back into sleeping position but I didn’t go to sleep. But Alfred did. His snores echoed through the room.

He woke up startled. “How long have you been sitting there?” I asked as he turned to me.

“As long as you’ve been here,” he answered.

I sat up slowly, “How long was I out?” I pleaded.

He thought for a moment, “You passed out last night so, one whole night.”

“What time is it now?” I looked around for a clock but Alfred checked his watch.

“It’s five in the morning,” he yawned.

“You’ve been up this whole time?” I raised my eyebrows.

“Yes,” he tried to smile but failed. “Someone had to make sure you’re alright.”

I was embarrassed by the fact that he’d been watching me all night long. I tried to hide my blush. “Thank you,” I said.

“No problem,”

“You can leave if you want,” I told. “I’ll be okay.”

“No, I’ll send someone else.” he got to his feet.

“No, really. I’ll be fine on my own.” I promised.

“Are you sure?” he looked at me for confirmation. He was worried, and I was glad that he was concerned about me.

“Yes,” I confirmed. “You don’t have to worry.”

“Yes, I have to.” he smiled at me and I involuntarily did the same. He dragged himself out of the infirmary.

I was the only one here today. After a few hours someone came for and ice pack, then a first aid it and then a girl came looking for some bandages.

She sat on the bed next to me while an older woman treated the wound on her arm. It took me a while to realize who the girl was.

“Phoenix?” I asked.

“Yeah?”

“What happened?” I worried. Her sleeve was thorn, there was a cut somewhere near her elbow and it was bleeding rapidly.

“Can you see any bone?” Phoenix said to the woman. She shook her head.

Phoenix turned to me. “I got into a fight,” she answered.

“With who?” I questioned.

“Does it matter?” she shot back.

She needed some space so I didn’t interrogate her anymore. She left with a bandaged wound on her arm.

After a few hours, the intravenous drip finally finished. I hoped Anthony would come and remove it already.

Instead Nathan and Raelynn came to visit at the end of the day. It was getting dark outside, I looked out the window at the other end of the room, the sky was light blue with purple streaks.

“Good, you’re awake.” Raelynn smiled.

“How are you feeling now?” Nathan asked.

“A little better,” I said.

They both stood at the edge of the bed, with their arms crossed, as if they were waiting for a answer.

“Well?” Nathan pleaded.

I raised an eyebrow. “What?” I puzzled.

“Well, what happened to you this time?” he asked. Raelynn nudged him in the chest.

“Anthony said to not push her,” Raelynn reminded.

“I’m not begging her!” Nathan protested. ’I just want to know.”

“It’s okay, Raelynn.” I said. I turned to Nathan, “I guess I just collapsed all of a sudden.”

“Yes, but why?” he wondered out loud, getting another nudge from Raelynn.

“Oww!” he yelped.

“Stop!” she demanded.

“It’s okay! I’m fine telling you guys.” I confirmed.

“Are you sure?” Raelynn asked. I nodded.

“I was feeling tired at dinner and I just couldn’t focus on anything.” I explained. I sounded dumb but I guess that’s what happened.

Raelynn pouted, “Tired?” she repeated with her arms crossed.

“That’s it?” Nathan almost screamed, getting a light punch from Raelynn.

I couldn’t help but laugh. The situation reminded me of that time at my house when Amara kept punching and slapping Lewis. I sighed, good memories.

“Will you stop hitting him?” I said to Raelynn, still recovering from laughter.

“What’s so funny?” Nathan smiled.

“Oh...” I hesitated. “Ummm.....nothing. Nothing. I’m fine.”

“Okay,” he said slowly.

“When will you get out of here?” Raelynn asked.

“Anthony said he’ll keep me here for a day, just to be safe.” I recalled.

“Any idea why you fainted?” she knitted her eyebrows.

I thought about it. I’m not really sure what happened, I didn’t ask Anthony. But, maybe the change of environment as something to do with it.

“I think I just need to get used to this place a little more,” I told.

“Yeah, well, it’s not easy going from having whatever you want to having nothing,” Raelynn said under her breath but I heard her.

She didn’t want me to know what she said. I feel like she was pointing that statement directly at all the people living outside Crimsyn State. As if she was implying that we have a nice, comfortable life and they’re the ones who know how to suffer.

That annoyed me. First of all, money isn’t everything. Second, she has no idea what everyone in Stellaregno goes through. We have to maintain a good public image, respect and reputation everyone is afriad of losing and we have constant pressure from the society.

I changed the subject, “How’s Phoenix?”

“She’s holding up,” Nathan answered. “I mean, it’s not like it’s the first time this has happened to her.”

“Who did she fight with anyway?” I wondered out loud.

“Some guys in the archery range,” he told.

“What was the fight about?”

“They were saying to Phoenix that she’s a weak bully and that girls aren’t as strong as guys and apparently that was enough to tick her off.” he explained. “She punched the guy in the face and couple of the others joined in, a few ran away. Then Phoenix broke the guy’s nose...”

“What?” I shouted.

Raelynn nodded. “And then he cut her,” he continued. “The knife was sharp, I think she won’t recover for a few days.”

“And Phoenix hates the guy even more because he injured her and now she can’t fight him,” Raelynn added.

“Well, I hope she gets well soon.” I prayed.

I hate people who start fights for absolutely no reason, and I depsise men who think they’re the stronger gender. Disgusting.

“I have to go,” Raelynn said. “But I’ll bring you lunch if you want,”

“Thanks,” I smiled.

“I’ll check on you in a while,” Nathan said and followed Raelynn out of the room.

“Okay,” I waved at them.

Raelynn said lunch. It must be noon then. I really wished I would have told them to call Anthony because the needle was starting to bother me. No one else was in the infirmary. It was just me, an intravenous drip in my arm, the Starlight rays falling on the floor through the window and the smell of ripe blood.

I tried to remove it myself but I didn’t know the first thing about needles. I just prayed that Anthony would get here. That’s when it occurred to me, did he notice my Signs.

The drip was in my right arm so he didn’t look at my Signs but still I was cautious. I didn’t want anyone to know about that, I’ll have to figure it out on my own.

I stared at the ceiling for a few hours before I Anthony walked inside.

“Well it’s about time,” I joked.

“Sorry, I forgot you were still here.” he apologized.

“This thing is killing me,” I held up my arm.

“I’ll remove it,” he said. The he did. Surprisingly, it didn’t hurt that much. He told me to take of the bandage after five minutes.

“Can I please leave now?” I begged.

“No,” he said. “You can leave tomorrow.”

“But I’m fine,” I promised. Which was a lie. I still had a mild headache and I was fatigued despite the sleep. But that’s not such a big deal that I have to stay in the hospital for it.

“Just to be safe, I will keep you here overnight.” he said confidently. “I need you to cooperate with me. This is how it should be.”

“I’m like this pretty much all the time and I never ended up in the hospital,” I told.

“Then you weren’t getting proper treatment,” he pointed out.

“Tell me about it,” I snorted. Then I remembered I wasn’t helping my case. “That’s not the point! I mean, I’m fine. I’m used to this and I can handle it on my own.”

“You can, but you don’t have to.” he gave me a small smile but I growled and narrowed my eyes at him.

“Get some rest,” he ordered and exited the room.

“I’m not tired,” I muttered.

Nathan brought me lunch. Tomato soup, a roll and a glass of water. I drank the tasteless soup with big chunks of tomato and I broke of pieces of the stale roll. I thanked him for the meal and he left to go train.

I only thought of how badly I wanted to have a decent meal. One thing I miss from home is Granny’s food. The thought of mashed potatoes with roast beef and a side vegetables made my mouth water. I tried not to think about it but I couldn’t help it.

I was tired and maybe my dreams would take me back to Hydrus, maybe I’ll get to see my home again.

I had the same dream again. Back on the balcony at home, I watched it dissolve again. This time I didn’t wake up though. I kept my eyes closed.

I slept for a few hours before I was roused by Alfred. A smile was spread across his face and he was well rested.

“What time is it?” I asked groggily. I rubbed my eyes and looked around.

“It’s morning,” Alfred replied. “You slept through yesterday and last night.”

“Huh?” I mumbled. “Why didn’t anyone wake me?”

“Anthony said to leave you alone,” he told.

I slept way longer than I should have. Then I had a thought.

“Does that mean I can leave now?” I asked a little too hopefully.

“Yes, you can.” he answered. I sighed out of relief and slid out of bed. I tied my shoes, it was weird standing up after I’d been in bed a whole day. My legs were numb but I didn’t let it show. Don’t want to give them another reason to keep me here any longer.

“Annabelle, wait.” he said.

“Yeah?” I looked at him.

“I have some news for you,” he started. For a minute I thought he was trying to tell me something bad had happened while I’d been out.

“Is everything okay?” I pleaded.

’Oh no, everything is fine.” he laughed. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Oh,” I sighed.

“I just got a call from the Capricorns,” he said. He paused.

“And?” I asked, a little annoyed.

“They’ve almost reached Crimsyn State,” he continued.

“When will they be here?” I asked. I was practically begging him to get to the point.

When’s Tristan coming here? I wanted to ask. But he answered my question before I could even ask.

“Tomorrow,” Alfred grinned. I couldn’t help but squeal.