Chapter 8
Author's note: Helloooooo. As promiced, the next chapter is here.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I'm owning my OC's! Nothing else.
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'GET DOWN, GET DOWN!'
'RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!'
Another smoke bomb flew in the air and exploded 2 feet away from me, creating even more thick white smoke. There was a lot of screaming, running and fear filling the enormous room. I tried to find my parents or anyone I knew, but I hardly could see my own feet, not to mention that the smoke was burning my lungs and my eyes stung terribly.
'HELP! SOMEONE HELP!'
With my hands for my mouth and nose I tried to make my way to the exit. At least, I was trying. Completely disorientated I couldn't tell if I was going in the right direction. I was shaking over my whole body, fearing even more every time the sound of metal was clinging against metal. What happened just moments ago was the cause of the current situation. As soon as the greasy man was taken away with the guards, smoke bombs were thrown to the ground and created thick, white smoke through the whole room. No one could progress what was going on.
Suddenly I saw a shadow appearing in the white smoke. He held something in his hand, because he looked like he was in a fighting position. He was also walking to my direction. With every step I took backwards, he took one step closer to me. I became to hyperventilate, looking wildly around me for anything to defend myself, because the man in front of me stepped out of the smoke and was clearly holding a large knife. He wore a round black hat and a black suit. His devilish smirk confirmed he was the enemy and was planning to not leave me alone. I walked to fast backwards without concerning wat could be laying on the ground and I stumbled. I continued to crawl backwards and realised what made me stumble.
I tripped over a dead body.
It lay on his stomach, his face towards me, as were his eyes. His expression showed fear and pain. On the ground around him lay small puddles of blood that came from the many cuts on his arms, back and probably from his chest and stomach too. A small knife was planted on his back. I became nauseous from the sight.
The burning in my lungs became worse and I coughed heavily which made the pain even worse. My head was spinning and killing me at the same time. With tearing eyes I saw the man heave his knife. He attacked and I could barely dodge it. He heaved his knife once more. This time the distance between us was shorter, the chance he'll cut me was without a doubt present. The only plan I had was to crawl to the limp body, but I could barely think straight. My head was filled with the white smoke and was troubling me, everything was beginning to feel sore. My vision became more blurry the more I was focusing on my last hope. I pulled with all the strength I had the knife out of his back. With closed eyes I stabbed forward towards my attacker at the same time the attacker did. My whole mind was filled with disgust as my knife bore into the attacker's skin, through flesh and hit his bone. The attacker, however, just cut my left shoulder, but not by far as deep as I did. I quickly let go of the knife and held my shoulder, while wincing and supressing my groans. I was losing consciousness. My attacker let go of his knife, screamed in pain and shouted all kinds of swearing's towards me. Suddenly he grabbed his knife from the floor, and charged! I squeezed my eyes shut, afraid for my fate, when it was abruptly quiet. Instead, more heavy footsteps slowly approached me. Carefully I opened my eyes, but my vision was fuzzy. The person wasn't the same one that would have killed me, his appearance was somewhat familiar.
Badump-badump-dump-badump.
'Are you alright miss?'
I could only nodded.
'Sir, I-I..' I couldn't say anything, because I was really going to pass out now. My head was caught by this kind man's hand. His other hand held onto my wrist.
'Thank…you…' was the last thing I said, before I felt a pair of strong arms held my body and was lifted from the cold ground. I couldn't hear what he said, but I do remember his rough and thick jacket that functioned as a thick pillow. He smelled like trains, fresh air and something woody.
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The fresh scent of flowers and soap entered my mind when I regained my consciousness. I turned myself from my back to my side and snuggled into the soft and thin pillow. I sighed painfully when my left shoulder stung and my head was pounding, not realising yet what the reason was. I slowly opened my eyes and the bright light of the morning sun made them shut quickly. My eyes felt dry, as if they were smoked.
Smoked.
Flashes of memories came back from the ball. The music, dancing, buffet, French bread, miss and mister Frye, a threated Her Majesty, the thick man, smoke, a lot of smoke, a frustrated mister Bennington. And that man who killed my attacker.
I was blinking my eyes.
Where am I actually?
It was obviously not my house, let alone my room or my bed. The bed was of metal, the sheets and pillow white. The room has got grey even walls. I could faintly hear some voices, but they were not loud enough to overhear them. On the right side of my bed stood a single wooden chair were my clothes were hanging, my shoes stood at the right side of the chair. I sat up and placed my hand on my left shoulder. It was carefully bandaged. Then I looked at my hands and the rest of me. My hands felt dry and somewhat rough, someone must have washed them. I was dressed in a white long simple nightdress.
Who did this?
My thoughts were interrupted when I heard soft knocks on my door.
'May I come in?' It was a voice of a middle-aged woman. She must have done this while I was still unconscious.
'Y-y-yes, you may,' I just answered. The door went open and a women stepped into the room. She wore a greyish blue dress and a white cotton cap that straighten her short brown hair flat neatly. she brought in a chariot with a carafe and a single small glass. She smiled at me when she saw me awake.
'Good morning, how are you feeling?'
'Good morning, 'feeling f-fine, but m-my throat's dry and my head troubles me a bit. Nothing else though.' The woman came closer.
'Would you like some water then? It's important right now that you drink well enough.'
I smiled gratefully. 'Y-y-yes please.' She poured the glass half full and handed me over. I drank it quickly, not mattering how unlady-like it was. I was disappointed that the glass was empty, but I didn't dare to ask for more.
'Would you like some more?'
I smiled; 'Yes please!'.
After drinking another glass of water, I couldn't hold my curiosity.
'Miss…euhmmm'.
'Oh dear, I apologise for not introducing myself. My name is Florence Nightingale. I believe mister Frye said that your name is Alice Churchhill, isn't it?'
I looked at her surprisingly. How did he know? We haven't even met. Right? Miss Nightingale must have noticed my confusion and reassured me that mister Frye has his ways to know people. She told me not to worry about it. 'Do you remember what happened last night?'
'Yes, I do. How did I got here actually?' This part was missing in what has happened. I must have been unconscious when I was brought over here. 'Did I miss something else?' Something in my mind was clicking. 'Where is my violin?' Miss Nightingale laid one hand on my unwound shoulder.
'Please miss Churchhill. I know everything seems confusing, but I promise I will tell you everything.'
I nodded. She told me that after mister Frye killed my attacker, he brought me here. My shoulder had a ugly, but not dangerous cut which explained why I was bleeding a lot. She treated my shoulder and told mister Frye that I only needed some rest. She explained that my lungs were somewhat irritated due the long exposure of smoke, but there was nothing to worry about. I only would have a headache and might feel some pain while coughing, but these symptoms will disappear within 2 till 7 days. Shortly after I was put in a bed, Miss Frye informed her and mister Frye that the situation in the Cathedral was under control, but a few people were missing, probably taken as hostage. Some people were on their way to miss Nightingale for treatment. Miss Frye warned her to be ready for that. When I asked if my parents were here or have visited me, she shook her head and told me that she didn't know if her parents were resting here, but she told me that no one besides her came here. I nodded.
'I was wondering, how long do I have to stay here at least?'
'I would say, judging your quick recovery, that one more day would be enough and then you could return home.' I was very glad with that. I hope my parents were home, waiting for me.
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Author's note: The next chapter will be probably within 2 weeks and some days, maybe earlier, but my exams will be next week. That's the reason it will take longer this time to post something. Hope you understand :)
Bye for now!
ES12
