Phineas ran a hand over his face as he sat on the vacant infirmary bed. He eyed the hand that he used for revenge against Rodrigo. While it stung slightly, there was only a small cut on his middle knuckle. He grimaced as he recalled Rodrigo's statement.
'Lucky girl. He seemed surprised that she survived. How powerful was that trap?' He looked from his hand to Isabella.
'It must have been set to kill large game. If that's the case, then maybe he was right.'
Phineas contemplated this for a moment. If this had happened to anyone else, they probably wouldn't have stayed conscious long enough to make it to the cabin. They would have been gone before then. But Isabella made it. Wasn't that luck? Phineas chuckled lightly.
'No, no it wasn't' He leaned an elbow on his knee and rested his chin in his hand. He stared admirably at the unconscious ranger.
"You know, if I didn't know you any better, I'd say you survived because you just refused to be beaten that easily. Especially by a jerk like him."
"That certainly sounds like our chief."
Phineas turned to see Gretchen in the doorway. She walked to the dresser and grabbed the tablet. She analyzed Isabella's readings with a smile.
"Everything looks good. She's recovering fairly well."
"That's great," Phineas said wearily. Gretchen took notice, put the tablet away, and joined Phineas on the bed.
"Wanna talk about it?" Phineas sighed and turned to her.
"I don't know where to start. She's been my best friend for years, but, after today, I feel like that needs to change. While you and Milly were patching her up, I was terrified. I began thinking, 'what if she doesn't make it?' It was tearing me apart. When I heard she was going to be okay, it made me so happy. It meant that I could see her smile again. I realized I need her in my life, and I don't plan on keeping that to myself anymore. When she recovers, I'm going to tell her."
Gretchen was surprised at this confession. Sure, she knew that his feelings had moved past friendship over the years, but she never thought that he would admit it. She smiled and rose from the bed. She gave him an encouraging pat on the shoulder.
"Good for you. You have no idea how happy that will make her." She glanced down at her watch.
"It's getting late. You should try to get some rest, especially after this long day."
Phineas stood and stretched his back, every bone popping as he did. Gretchen ushered him towards the door.
"You expect me to sleep?" Phineas yawned as soon as he finished. Gretchen giggled.
"It will be easier than you think."
Phineas dragged himself up the stairs and down the hall to the room, his body feeling heavier with every step. He closed the door behind him and flopped onto the bed. For the first time today, comfort welcomed him. He stared at the ceiling for a while and, despite fighting his drooping eyelids, fell into a deep slumber.
Phineas shielded his eyes as they adjusted to the bright room. The room was solid white and bare. Phineas glanced around for any clues on his location. Finding nothing, he called out to no one particular.
"Hello?"
His voiced echoed around the room. From behind him, he heard someone giggling. He turned and found a lone figure facing away from him. He crossed the room and, when he came close, the figure took notice of him. She turned her head to look over her shoulder, her raven hair falling over her shoulder and down her back. Her dark blue eyes met his in complete bliss. She smiled and twirled around to face him, hands folded behind her back. Phineas was in awe of the sight before him. Her white dress hugged her from her shoulders to her waist, then hung loosely down to her calves. Her raven hair shined under the light of the room. She blushed slightly and giggled at his reaction. She took a step forward and tilted her head slightly.
"What'cha doin'?" Phineas felt his heart warming as she spoke. Tears began to fall down his face and he pulled her into a hug.
"You're okay. Thank goodness, you're okay." He felt her wrap her arms around him and pat his back.
"Of course I am, silly." He pulled back and placed a hand on her cheek.
"There's something I have to tell you." She looked up at him eagerly.
"Isabella, I –"
Suddenly the room's white walls turned black. Phineas' eyes roamed the room before turning back to her. Her eyes were wide with panic, the same fear he remembered from earlier returning. She sank in his arms, her body turning cold. Phineas wrapped an arm around her waist and gently lowered the both of them to their knees.
"Isabella, what's wrong?" His eyes traveled down to her dress. Red was slowing creeping from her side and covering the dress. He placed a hand on her side, red soon coating it too. His eyes went wide in panic.
"Come on, Izzy, stay with me," he begged. Her body began to fade into particles of light, each one slowly lifting away from him.
"No, no, no. Come on, you can make it." He desperately eyed the room for any sign of help.
"Please, anyone, help!" It was of no use. He watched in horror as the last particle lifted away, leaving only a pool of blood before him. His arms fell limply at his side as he stared at the blood in shock. Tears fell endlessly down his face. He clenched his teeth and punched the ground in front of him.
"ISABELLA!"
Phineas jolted upright in his bed, panting. He was drenched in sweat and his sheets had been kicked to the floor. He placed a hand on his chest, trying to calm himself.
'It was just a dream. More like a nightmare' He glanced across the room towards the other bed. The moon's light shining through the window revealed the outline of his still sleeping brother. He glanced at the alarm clock.
'It's only 4 am. I should try to get more rest, but first I need to wash up.' He got up and walked to the bathroom. He threw cold water on his face and stared into the mirror.
'Just calm down, you're getting worked up for nothing. She is gonna be fine.' He dried his face and made his way back to his bed.
As he passed the door, he heard a light but constant knocking coming from down the hall. He cracked open the door and peeked out into the hall. Milly was standing in the hall in her lab coat, knocking desperately on someone's door. Phineas guessed it was her turn to watch over Isabella.
'What is she doing?'
Phineas saw the door open, revealing a hardly awake Gretchen. Phineas couldn't make out what Milly was telling Gretchen, but whatever it was, it woke her up quickly. Gretchen retreated back into the room for a moment, then rushed out with her lab coat and the two quickly made their way towards the stairs. Phineas pulled the door closed to avoid being seen. When he heard them go downstairs, he snuck into the hall. He silently closed the door to his room and tiptoed down the stairs. He heard the infirmary door close quietly and his heart began to race. He snuck over to the door and placed an ear to it. He could hear Gretchen's muffled voice and a curtain being drawn.
'Please let everything be okay.' Phineas cracked the door slightly and peered inside. The curtain was pulled in front of Isabella's bed and silhouettes were cast on it from the lamp behind the girls. Phineas saw Gretchen's and Milly's shadows beside the bed. Since the bed's side faced the door, their shadows blended together, making it difficult to see the silhouette of the bed and its content. They appeared to be unwrapping Isabella's bindings. Phineas began to worry.
'Has something gone wrong?' He continued to watch them from the door, afraid to disturb them. Finally, they stopped unwrapping and one of the figures moved to the side. The other was patting something on the bed that was level with her chest.
'What are they doing?'
"Milly, could you help me ready the bandages?" Phineas saw the figure still in front of the bed move. When she did, a new silhouette appeared. Phineas leaned forward to get a better view. The new silhouette was sitting in the middle of the bed, a sheet pulled up to its chest. Phineas' eyes widened in disbelief. He turned to the other figures. He counted two of them.
'If that's Gretchen and Milly, then that means…' He turned his attention back to the third.
"Could you guys hurry up? It's cold." His heart jumped at that familiar voice.
'She's awake!'
