Chapter ten:
OK,not going into lots of detail, cuz I have to update quick! Basically, sorry it took so long, review, and LW77 should shut up so I can post faster. So blame her partially. It's okay, LW77 you're still awesome. You just need to stop talking sometimes. Enjoy!
It took me only fifteen minutes to recover with Jamie's help and then we both raced to the south wing to see Wanda. But when we got there, the hospital was empty. Even Doc was gone, disappeared. We stood there for a few minutes, puzzled before Aaron found us.
"Are you two looking for it?" He ignored it when I snarled quietly at the word 'it'.
"Yeah," Jamie said.
Aaron just shook his head. "Doc told me you two would be looking for it. We're not sure. Ian saw it go down the east tunnel, but he couldn't tell which way it went after that."
I looked at Jamie and we had another of our silent conversations. We had this type of conversation a lot, and Kyle would always get mad at us when we did. Jamie said it was probably because he had no idea what we were saying, and I was pretty sure he was right. Kyle hated not knowing things. I shook my head and came back to reality.
So, do we go to Wanda? I asked.
He frowned before answering. I think so…He said. Or do we give her time?
I think…Go, and then we can decided whether or not to leave her alone.
Jamie nodded. Let's do it, his eyes told me.
I nodded, and we turned and left, leaving Aaron without a word. I walked close to Jamie, and his hand brushed against mine by accident once. The result was what felt like an electric shock; although much less painful I'm sure, up my arm. We had been talking before, but now there was an awkward silence.
"Sorry," Jamie muttered.
"S'okay," I said quietly. We were quiet for a while, and then I started up the conversation again, and things were normal.
We found Wanda in the game room. I heard Ian talking to her, although I couldn't make out the words. I heard Ian stand up when we came in.
"It's just me and Jamie," I called to him. I saw the outline of his shoulders relax.
He walked towards us and whispered quietly, "You should leave. She's not…herself right now." I began to protest, but Jamie silenced me with a firm look. I looked at him quizzically but he just shook his head.
"Fine," I grumbled quietly. Then Jamie took my hand and dragged me outside until we got back to my room. He sat on my mattress and pulled me down beside him. I looked at him questioningly.
"What was that about?" I asked.
"You should listen to Ian sometimes, Lex," he said. "Especially now. He knows how much Wanda likes us both, so if he's telling us to leave, it means even we can't help her."
"When did you start using your head?"
He shrugged and smiled slightly. Then he put his head on my shoulder. "Man, Lex. Things have been so busy here ever since Wanda got here."
"Yeah," I agreed. "There's been no lack of excitement, that's for sure."
We talked for a while longer, and then the next thing I knew, I was asleep. I woke up a few hours later to find Jamie lying down on my mattress, with my head on his chest. Jamie's arms were around my waist and his chin was resting on my head. I was too sleepy at first to notice the figure sitting on the other mattress, but after a few moments my eyes adjusted and I saw Kyle sitting there, smirking.
"So, the lovebirds are awake," he said. I felt Jamie move his chin, and I realized he was awake too, and his cheeks were bright red. It took me a moment to figure out why but when I did, I stood up as quickly as I could.
"Oh, hi Kyle," Jamie said awkwardly.
"When'd you get here?" I asked.
"Couple minutes ago. So, is it official yet? Have you two finally given up denying your true love?" he said dramatically.
I punched him in the stomach and he groaned. "You're getting stronger, sis. Must be the power of love." His laughter was cut short when I punched him again.
"Will you stop that?" he groaned again.
"I will if you shut up," I said brusquely.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop bugging you two about being in love. Even though you are. Kidding, kidding!" he said when I raised my fist. "Jeez, sis. Way to take a joke." He left muttering about how I had no sense of humour, but I didn't really care.
"Um...I should go," Jamie said after another awkward silence.
"Uh, yeah," I said. He left and I lay down on my mattress with a sigh. Why were things so weird between us these days? I thought. Then I thought back to when his hand had touched mine, back in the caves, and I had felt a jolt up my arm. Afterwards, it had been so awkward until we started talking again. And when we did, things were suddenly normal again. I sighed. Boys were so confusing.
The next two days passed uneventfully. I did my work, went to class, and hung out with Jamie. I kept myself busy so I didn't have to think about me and Jamie, or about Wanda. She was still sitting in the game room, with Ian beside her. I felt compassion towards him, even if he had forced me to leave, for staying with her.
It was the one trait all three of us O'Shea kids had. Loyalty was very important to us, and even with our hot tempers, Kyle and I would never betray each other. And of course Ian, as kind and patient as he was, would keep a secret even if he was tortured.
So on the whole; it was a very good thing that I was busy. I was anxious enough as it was, the last thing I needed was more time to worry.
Ian came out of the game room on the third day. As soon as I heard, I rushed to meet him.
" How's Wanda? Will she come out soon? Is she –" I began. I stopped short when I saw the look on Ian's face. He looked tired and sad, with dark circles under his eyes.
"Ian, what's the matter?" I asked.
"Lex, can you try talking to her? Please? She won't listen to me," he said pleadingly.
"Of course, Ian. But what –"
"She won't eat, she won't speak…I don't know what to do Lex."
"Go rest," I said firmly. "I'll talk to her." He nodded wearily and left.
I stood outside for a moment, thinking. What could be wrong with Wanda? I thought. I knew she was upset, but… Then I remembered the bodies, the blood all over the walls. I shuddered as I realized why she was so upset. She was so gentle… I shook my head and took a deep breath. I had to help her. I stepped inside and was immediately cloaked in darkness. I couldn't see a thing.
"Wanda?" I called. "It's me, Lex."
She said nothing. I left for a moment to get a flashlight, and when I came back I swept it over the room until I found her. She looked horrible. Her hair was tangled and filthy, there were dark circles under her eyes, and her face was streaked with dirt.
I sat next to her silently. There was an untouched tray of food in front of her. We sat there for a long time, saying nothing. It could have been only minutes, but it felt like hours.
"Please Wanda. Say something," I said. "Yell at me for being stupid and letting you in there. For not stopping them, for being annoying and mean. Just say something!" I was scared. I had never seen Wanda like this. She was quiet in the beginning and scared too, but now… Now she looked so weak and frail.
"Wanda, please…" I begged. She was silent. I waited, and waited, and waited. But still she was silent. The whole time I thought about her, and Jamie, and finally I got fed up. Why was I wasting my time? She was just going to starve herself anyways. She was being stupid. Did she even realize what this would do to Jamie? He had tried hard to hold it together the last two days, but I could see the pain and worry in his eyes. And what about me and Ian? Didn't she see how much Ian cared for her? If she died, it might kill Ian. And me…She was like a second mother to me. I loved her. She always listened to me, or she used to anyways, she comforted me, she helped me. But if she wasn't willing to fight, if she was just going to give up, then why should I sit there with her and cause myself more pain?
"You know what Wanda?" I said quietly. "You're not doing anyone any good by dying. No one. If you really cared about those souls, you would make sure it didn't happen again. That no soul died without reason or cause." I paused, but she didn't answer. "Wanda, please, just talk to me," I said. It was my last attempt to be kind. When she said nothing, the wave of anger that had been building up inside me crashed down on me. "You're so stupid Wanda!" I exclaimed.
"You think you're so selfless by giving yourself up so you can die and be with those souls. But didn't you think about Jamie? Or Ian? Don't you see how much they love you? At least Jamie has Jared. Ian just has me and Kyle. Our parents died remember? If you die too, I think it might kill Ian. That's right Wanda, I said kill. So that would make you a murderer."
She said nothing, and I felt another wave of anger come over me. "So you really don't care then? Okay whatever Wanda. If you're just going to sit here and do nothing, then whatever. But I'm not going to sit here with you. I've tried to be nice, I've tried to be a good friend Wanda, but if you're going to be an absolute idiot then I'm not going to sit here and watch. Bye Wanda."
I got up and left. Unfortunately, my dramatic exit was marred by the fact that I tripped. Wanda didn't even turn her head. I got up and ran out the door, with tears of anger stinging my eyes. I ran into Wes as I was running, and fell flat on my back. I groaned in pain.
"Are you okay Lex?" He asked, looking worried.
I just shook my head as he helped me up.
"What's going on? Where have you been?" Then he took in my appearance and grimaced. "With Wanda?"
I nodded.
"What happened?" he asked gently as he guided me to our room. He sat me on his lap and I told him. He nodded grimly when I was done.
"Poor Ian. And you and Jamie too. You're right about Ian, though. He sure loves her. Just like you love Jamie." I sighed, too tired even to hit Wes for the Jamie remark.
"I'm not kidding though Lex. About Jamie, I mean," he said, looking seriously at me. "You guys need each other. I don't care if you punch me every time I say you two are in love. Maybe you aren't…like that. But I know, and you know too, that you and Jamie are like brother and sister, at the very least. Just…promise me you'll never take him for granted okay?" I nodded. Wes was one of my favourite people, but I had never thought he would be giving me insightful advice, but he was right. I loved Jamie…But was it like a brother, or like…Like Ian loved Wanda? I had no idea, and I sighed.
Wes smiled at me sadly. "You don't have to figure it out now," he said as if reading my thoughts. "Just don't take him for granted. I never told anyone, but before the invasion, I was engaged. We were going to be married in a few months when they came. We escaped, and we were living an old warehouse. But then the Seekers came. I tried to save her, but she told me to go, to save myself. She made me leave, and she got captured." He looked so sad, I had to blink back tears.
"What...what was her name?" I asked.
"Emma," he said mournfully.
"You can leave now Wes," I said after a moment of silence. "I'll be okay. And I'm sorry about Emma," I told him.
He nodded. "It worked out okay though. Lily, she's amazing." I smiled, and he hugged me, then left. I sighed. Why couldn't they have just left us alone? We had lost so many... My thoughts were interrupted when, a few moments after he left, Lily came in.
"Lex, there's something you need to know."
"What is it?" I asked wearily. Just what I needed. Another thing to worry about.
"It's Jamie." Those two words changed everything. I sprang up from the mattress. I realized that I hadn't seen Jamie since yesterday at lunch. I had been on watering duty, and he had been making soap. I hadn't thought about it, but now I realized I didn't see him at dinner either. What could have happened? I wondered.
"Bring me to him," I said. She led me through the corridors until we got to the place I was praying not to have to visit again for a long time…the south wing.
I stopped outside and took a deep breath. For Jamie, I thought. Then I walked in. I kept my gaze on the floor, just in case.
"Lex!" Jamie exclaimed. My gaze went to his right leg. There was a two-inch cut. This wouldn't have been so bad, except that the skin around it was swollen, shiny, and a bright, frightening shade of red.
"Jamie," I murmured.
"Aw, Lex, it's not that bad. Just a cut."
"Just a cut," I repeated.
"Lex?" Jamie said, looking worried now.
"You. Are. Such. An. Idiot!" I said. Then I marched forward and hugged him fiercely. He was grinning when I stepped back. I was trying to hold back a grin. Then I turned serious again.
"I'm telling you Jamie. You had better get better soon, or I swear I'll-"
"Thanks Lex. You always know just what to say," he said. I held back a laugh for a few seconds before it broke through.
"I'll be fine," Jamie said. "So what happened with Wanda?"
"Jamie, I'm sorry, I –" at that moment Jamie interrupted me.
"Wanda," Jamie said. "Oh, you're okay. Oh."
I turned to see Wanda standing next to Ian. I felt happy at first, but then I felt angry. So now after she had caused us so much pain she came back and was so great again? I shook my head angrily.
"I'll see you later Jamie," I said.
"Lex, wait – " Wanda said, but I just stalked past her without another word. I was halfway down the hall when I heard Wanda calling me again. I spun around angrily.
"What do you want Wanda?" I barked.
"Look, I'm sorry Lex, I just…I don't know what came over me," she said.
"Do you have any idea how much pain you just caused me, Jamie, and Ian? I thought Ian was going to die of grief."
"I know, I know," she said, sounding anguished. "I was stupid, I was an idiot, I know. Just please forgive me Lex. I'm so sorry." I stared at her for a few moments, at her pleading eyes, her trembling hands. I tried very hard to be angry, but I couldn't. I just couldn't be mad at Wanda.
I smiled a little, and said, "We've missed you Wanda." She sighed in relief.
"Thanks, Lex. I promise I'll make it up to you, all of you."
"You can start by going back to Jamie," I said. "He needs you."
"He needs you too," she said. I nodded, not bothering to argue, and we walked back together.
Wanda talked to Jamie while I sat on the cot next to him and held his hand, trying to memorize his figure, his happy, glowing face. I was in a dreamlike trance until Wanda got up and walked out with Ian. I raised my eyebrows at Jamie and he shrugged.
Should I follow them? I asked silently.
He paused, then nodded. I could feel the other people in the room's gazes on us, but I tried to ignore it.
I got up and said, "I'll be right back. I'm hungry, even if you aren't." Jamie laughed weakly. I looked at him anxiously and then said," Rest, okay Jamie?" He nodded obediently and I started to leave. I stopped suddenly, and on an impulse, turned back to him and kissed him on the cheek gently. Then I left quietly, feeling everyone's gazes on me again.
I found them in one of the corridors leading to the game room. It was so dark I almost didn't see them. But then I noticed movement, and I stopped silently. My jaw dropped at the sight before me. Ian's arms were around Wanda's waist and he was kissing her passionately. I was shocked. I knew Ian loved Wanda, but I never knew Wanda felt the same way.
Suddenly I saw Wanda pull away and I stepped back quietly. Unfortunately, this was the wrong thing to do. Ian saw me and squinted to see who it was.
I decided I might as well make my presence known on my own time, so I whistled loudly. "Well, well, well," I said, aware that I was sounding like Kyle. "Ian finally got some."
"Lex!" Ian exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"I think the better question is what are you two doing here? Together? And performing an activity that I think should be rated at least PG13."
"Lex…" Ian said.
"Really, Ian. And you call me and Jamie lovebirds?"
Even though it was dark, I could tell Wanda was blushing.
"Lex…It's not – " she started.
"Whatever you say, Wanda," I said grinning. Then I raced to the kitchen and then back to Jamie, since I couldn't come back empty handed. I whispered my report quietly in his ear so the others wouldn't hear. He grinned when I finished, although he was as surprised as I was. No one mentioned my kiss.
"Really? I mean I knew Ian, but…"
"That's what I was thinking too!" I said. "And it's great and all, but what about – " Doc interrupted our conversation by telling me I should leave Jamie so he could get some rest. I obediently left after saying goodbye to Jamie. I couldn't wait to tell Kyle.
Unfortunately, I never got the chance to tell Kyle. I went back to my empty room and slept. The next morning Kyle shook me awake, and before I could tell him about Ian, he grabbed me by the wrist and dragged me outside.
"Where are we going?" I complained sleepily. "Do you know what time it is?"
"No, and neither do you so shut up." I smiled. He was right, we never knew what time it was here. It probably just felt early.
"It's not funny, Lex."
I scowled. "What's the matter with you? Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed or something?"
"Lex, listen to me. There's nothing wrong with me. It's Jamie you should be worried about." I stiffened at Jamie's name.
"Jamie? What's wrong with Jamie?" I asked, struggling to keep my voice level.
"He's…not doing so well, Lex." Kyle looked at me sympathetically, but it didn't help. I walked faster, not even noticing Kyle anymore. Jamie, Jamie, Jamie…I thought over and over again.
I cringed when I finally saw him. There was ice on his forehead, the back of his neck, and his chest, but his skin was still bright red and he was sweating. His eyes were closed, and I quickly blinked away the tears in my eyes. I was done crying.
"Jamie, what… what happened?" I murmured.
"Aw, Lex, it's not that bad. Just a cut."His words echoed through my head.
"You'll be fine?" I scoffed quietly. "Look at yourself! Darn it, Jamie, you're such an idiot. Falling on a knife," I muttered. Doc was saying something, but I didn't pay attention.
The only thing I saw was Jamie's red face, and the only thing I heard was his ragged breathing. But then I understood what they were talking about. Jamie needed antibiotics. And they didn't have them.
"They're gone, Doc." I Kyle was saying.
At that moment I heard someone walk in. I didn't bother looking up until I heard Wanda say "There has to be a way." Her face was worse than mine. Her voice sounded dead, and her eyes were full of anguish.
"Maybe someplace small," Jared said. "The gun would make too much noise, but if there were enough of us to overwhelm them, we could use knives."
"No," Wanda said, crossing her arms. "No. That's not what I meant. Not killing – "
Jeb interrupted her. "There's no way kid. Somebody'd get a call off to the Seekers." I cringed at the name. "Even if we were in and out, something like that would bring 'em down on us in force. We'd be hard-pressed to make it out at all. And they'd follow."
"Wait," Wanda said. "Can't you –" But she was interrupted again.
"I don't want the boy to die, either, but we can't risk everyone's lives for one person," Kyle said. "People die here; it happens. We can't get crazy to save one boy."
My blood was boiling now. "How can you say that Kyle?" I hissed. "What would you do if it was Jodi? Would you give up? Just let her die?"
Kyle shook his head angrily. "That's not the same. Besides, we're not talking about Jodi, we're – "
"We have to save him," Wanda said.
"Hon, we can't just walk in there and ask," Jeb said, turning to her.
"You can't. But I can, Wanda said suddenly, her face lighting up with revelation. Then I understood. She was a soul. They wouldn't care if she took something, it would be normal for her. She could save Jamie!
"Yes!" I murmured. "Wanda, you're brilliant!"
"They aren't suspicious. Not at all. Even if I'm a horrible liar, they would never suspect me of anything. They wouldn't even…" I stopped listening there. I was too busy fantasizing about Wanda. She could just walk in, get the medicine, and walk out. It was perfect! I thought of Jamie's face, usually so full of energy, compared to what it looked like now. I winced slightly, and then straightened. Jamie was not going to die.
My thoughts were interrupted by Kyle's voice. "Patient, isn't it?" he was saying. "Bided its time well, don't you think?" I was confused.
"What are you taking about?" I asked him. "Wanda can save Jamie!" Suddenly I realized what they were saying. They thought this was Wanda's escape route. "No!" I exclaimed. "She would never –"
"Even if there was any way we could let you outside, Wanda…I just couldn't trust drugs I don't understand. Jamie's a tough kid. His system will fight this off, Doc said.
"We'll go out again, Wanda," Ian murmured. "We'll find something. We won't come back until we do."
"That's not good enough," I said quietly.
"Jared," Wanda pleaded. "You know. You know I would never let anything hurt Jamie. You know I can do this. Please."
I was hopeful for a moment, as he held Wanda's gaze. But then he replied, "No Wanda. No."
Wanda's knees buckled and she crawled over to Jamie, sobbing and chanting his name.
"Please, Ian," I begged. "For Jamie, please." But Ian just shook his head sadly. I looked back at Jamie and the tears started to flow.
"You're all idiots!" I cried. "You'll be the reason he dies! Damn it! Why are you all so stupid?" My tears were rushing down my cheeks as I yelled, and when I was finished, I ran out of the room, everyone moving to the side to let me through.
I collapsed in the hallway. Jared was the one who came after me, strangely enough.
"Listen to me, Lex. Get a hold of yourself and listen to me," he whispered harshly. "We're not going to let Jamie die. I'll sneak out tonight with Wanda and she'll get the medicine. Just don't tell anybody okay?"
"I'm coming with you Jared."
"Are you crazy? Do you have any idea what could happen if something goes wrong?"
"I'm coming with you. For Jamie. I have to help him. It's the least I can do. Let me go with you Jared, please."
Jared sighed, and then nodded. "You always were stubborn. Just like Kyle. Except better looking," he added with a small smile when I scowled. "I guess that's why Jamie likes you so much. You know you're everything to him right? He couldn't live without you."
I nodded. "And I couldn't live without him." Jared nodded again, and then helped me up.
"Now get going, before somebody finds us. I'll wake you up when it's time to go." He gave me a final hug and then left. I wandered through the caves for a while longer, my head stuck in the clouds as I hoped and prayed that Jamie would be all right.
When Jared came to wake me up I was already wide awake. I hadn't been able to sleep much, and when I had slept I had tossed and turned. Kyle's snoring didn't help. Jared didn't seem surprised to see me up, and he helped me up silently. Then he went to wake up Wanda while I stood guard outside. Before we left, I crept silently to Jamie's side.
"I'll be back I promise Jamie. I'm not going to let you die." I kissed him gently on the cheek, as I had before and took one last look at him before meeting Jared and Wanda outside.
We blindfolded Wanda, so that the others would be at least a little less mad. Then Jared lifted Wanda onto his shoulder and we started to run. When we finally reached the exit, it was a relief to smell the fresh air. I hadn't been outside in months, and part of me desperately wanted to run across the open desert. But the other part of me knew better than to take this situation lightly. Jamie's life was at stake and it was not the time to be playing.
Jared set Wanda down and she ran blindfolded, although we each grabbed an arm so she wouldn't fall. I didn't pay attention the conversation between Wanda and Jared, all I was focused on was running and Jamie. We reached the jeep, but it took at least an hour. We got in quickly and Jared blindfolded Wanda again. Then Jared started the car and we were off. The wind felt great, but just like before, the only thing I was thinking about was Jamie. And how I would not, under any circumstances, let him die.
Okay, now go review okay? I'll try to update faster next time. Bye!