What happened?

Things were going just fine, at least I thought so. But then, in a flash, he turned cold and returned his mask to his face. I was just left laying on the couch, completely clueless. Helen was staring out the window, his hands formally behind his back as he stiffly stood. Should I... say something? I didn't know, what should I do? Before I could even think of something to say, he was gone, walking out the door without making a sound. Well... that wasn't good at all. I sighed, shutting my eyes as I relaxed back on the pillow. Thoughts continued to run through my head. Whether I should worry. Whether I should question him when he came home. Whether I should just forget the entire thing. After a while, I drifted to sleep, only to await the sight of a mask-less Helen Otis.

I awoke in the morning, hearing the peaceful sound of birds chirping just outside the window. When my eyes opened, I jumped slightly, startled. Then, I began to calm as I recognized my surroundings. The cabin, that's right. I also couldn't move my leg, and I was glad I remembered that before I tried to. I propped myself up, feeling the hot, sticky sweat that clung to my forehead and neck. My eyebrows furrowed as I wiped it away with the back of my hand. I threw off the blanket that covered me, which I presumed Helen had placed on me. That was sweet... But right as I threw it off, I was freezing to death. My eyes widened in shock, as I quickly tried to snatch the blanket back. But of course, that quick action disturbed my leg. I let out a quiet yell, squinting my eyes shut as I fell back on the pillows. Within seconds, Helen was at my side, his blue eyes worried.

"Are you alright?" Helen asked, quickly coming and picking up my blanket. He looked me over for a moment, quickly spotting the sweat that covered me completely. "You look awfully hot... do you want the blanket?" he asked, hesitantly.

I nodded, the freezing atmosphere getting worse. Were these cold sweats? Had to be. Either why, why the hell was this happening? And why in the hell did it fell like someone hit my thigh with a sledgehammer when I moved? Helen draped the blanket over me, as I swaddled it around me furiously. He bent down, removing one of his gloves from his hand before laying the back of it on my forehead. His blue eyes seemed to be contemplating for a moment, before he pulled away.

"You have a fever," he stated, little emotion in his voice. His eyes, however, contained more worry than I would have preferred.

"Why?" I demanded, fear spiking within me. I couldn't go to the doctor. Not like this.

"Let me see your wound," he replied, sounding almost like a robot. He dropped down, easily pulling the white bandages back. He placed his glove back on, before inspecting my wound. Then, his eyes widened. "Is this dirt?" he whispered, pointing to the slight stains on the side of my bandage. There was also slight bumps around the area.

The world seemed to spin as I remember arriving here yesterday... and falling out of the Jeep. Onto the ground... having to place my bandage back on... "Yes," I breathed in reply, shutting my eyes. "I fell out of the Jeep yesterday. It disturbed the bandage and I had to set it on right... But... but I didn't know that dirt was on my wound," I whimpered, opening my eyes back up.

"Damn it, Jovey," Helen growled, shaking his head. "It's infected. Hold on," he hissed, hurrying out of the room.

I sat and waited, as fear continued to consume me. It was infected. How so? What did I have now? Could he fix me here? I couldn't go to the doctor, that just wasn't possible. How was I going to get better? As all of these questions raged in my head, Helen returned, holding a bottle of alcohol, a towel, a bandage, a pill bottle and a bottle of water. But the sight of the alcohol was enough to make me flinch.

"If this is normal infection, this should knock it out. If not... I don't know what we're going to do," he breathed, his Adam's apple bobbing on his neck.

Without another word, he offered me a towel, and then took one of my hands in his. I shut my eyes tighter than I ever had, biting down on the towel. The alcohol was soon poured into my wound, my muffled screams filling the air as I squeezed Helen's hand. Even after he was done, the dull throb continued to ache through my leg. I felt Helen place a new bandage onto my leg with one hand, and I still gripped his other. My breaths were heavy, and I could hear my uneven heartbeat pound in my ear.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, letting out a deep sigh that muffled in his mask. He squeezed my hand once, before grabbing a pill bottle he had laid on the table. "These were the best antibiotics I could find here... but I'm not too sure they'll help," he added, taking a few out the bottle before handing them to me. I hurriedly took them, along with the bottle of water he had also brought. "Jovey... you do realize that if this is bad... I am going to have to take you to the hospital," he stated, his eyes serious as they held mine.

"No you're not," I replied, viciously shaking my head as I grimaced.

"Jovey," he growled, standing up. "Do not be foolish. Yes, this could be a simply infection, and be over with soon. But if not... I'm just letting you know what must be done."

"You're not leaving me," I replied, shutting my eyes once more. I supposed the entire mask incident from earlier was forgotten.

"If it was a life or death situation, you wouldn't be with me either way. I would rather you be alive, though," he responded, his voice soft.

"You don't have to jump to life or death, Helen," I snorted, as my body began to flare up into flames again. I kicked my good leg out from under the blanket.

"I know. I just like to be prepared for everything, you know that. I'm just... worried."

"So am I."

"I'm the one that got you into th-"

"Stop," I sighed, cutting him off. "We aren't playing the blame game. I'm just a little sick is all," I chuckled, smiling a bit. "I'll still be couch ridden like before, no different. Just keep me some company while I am. Things will work out."

"Well, look at you being all motivational," he chuckled. "But of course, I'm going to be here. I'm... sorry I walked out last night. I was just a bit confused."

"Why?"

"I don't truly know myself," he replied, ruffling his hair.

I merely shrugged, listening to my offbeat heart that pounded in my eyes. My leg's pain was finally beginning to die down. This was going to be a long wait for my leg to be better. I'm sure Helen was regretting bringing me along. I've been nothing but a nuisance so far... a weight that he had to carry along. Even still, he didn't seem to care. And I'd much rather be here with him than back at home.

I just hoped that things wouldn't get any worse.

Please review! Sorry for the long wait.