Chapter Twenty One ~ The Injured Third
Robin passed out shortly after they carried him from the forest. He was rushed inside and his father called for healers to aid him.
I was in fits of sobs all the way up to the castle and hadn't stopped even now when I was sat in the room I stayed in on the last visit with Loveday. She thought it was best we kept out the healers way and we were confined to a room, where Loveday let me cry into her shoulder as she held me. Next door Robin lay in his bed, probably bleeding to death, with healers working frantically to keep him alive. His friend, Danny had been taken to one of the other rooms in this part of the castle so Mrs Harper could jump between the two.
I realised then that Mrs Harper must have been the castle's resident nurse.
Out of the two, Danny was defiantly more injured, though Robin's state stuck in my mind the longest.
When they carried him out, all I could see was blood staining both Mr Gomez's and Luke's clothes. As Robin's clothes were black, the blood wasn't as visible. Though up close the damage could be seen. He had three long scratches along his lower torso, like a claw mark. Luke confirmed this and told us that Robin was trying to save him from being attacked and the creature took a swipe at him. The gauge it had left was pretty deep and the blood was just gushing out.
I felt sick just thinking about it.
What sickened me more was seeing Robin's face. His eyes met mine for a short moment before he collapsed. I saw what could be described as nothingness in them. His eyes were emotionless. Almost as if he have given in.
I could never forgive myself in Robin died now.
I felt a hand brush across my cheek as Loveday wiped away the tears I had produced. When I looked at her I saw tears on her own cheeks. She attempted to smile at me.
"It's all going to be fine, Maria." She said, her voice shaky. "Robin's a stubborn fool. He won't let some creature defeat him. He'll be up in no time, you'll see." Her talking helped but we both knew that her words were empty. Neither of us could be sure of what fate was held for Robin.
"What if he dies?" I asked quietly, fresh tears falling as the words came out my mouth. "There's so much I need to tell him." Loveday hugged me hard and I heard her sobbing quietly. Suddenly there was a knock on the door, startling us both. Henry came inside.
"Get out." Loveday snarled. Henry shook his head slowly.
"Please listen to me." He begged. Loveday stood up.
"How dare you." She said, darkly. "How dare you show you face after what you've caused. Get out and leave us alone."
"Cousin, please. I didn't know what was going to happen. It isn't my fault." There was a deafening crack in the room as Loveday's hand collided with Henry's cheek. Henry stared in shock at his cousin. The slap had completely phased him.
"If my brother dies, I will make it my personal duty to kill you." It scared me slightly to hear Loveday talk like that. "Now, get out of my sight before I do something I regret."
"Loveday wait." I stood up. "He didn't know what was going to happen to Robin, if he would then he probably would have done things differently."
"I would." Henry nodded, his face pleading with Loveday. Loveday turned to me and stared at my face.
"I'm not going to even consider forgiving you until my brother is safe." Loveday said, speaking to Henry. She walked past me and sat down on the bed again, holding her head in her hands. Henry stared at me.
"Thank you."
"This doesn't mean I forgive you either." I said, glaring at him. He nodded. "I think it's best if you stay out our way until Robin gets better." He nodded again then left. I joined Loveday on the bed and put my head on her shoulder. We then sat in silence.
Waiting to hear the verdict.
It was a good hour later when a cry was heard from next door. We both jumped to our feet and headed to the source.
Inside Robin's room was quite a commotion. Robin lay on the bed whilst Mr Gomez and Mr De Noir pinned both his arms to the bed. Robin's shirt was removed and his scars were on show, his torso completely covered in blood. Mrs Harper stood by the bed with an unusual gooey liquid in a bowl, I could see she was trying to apply it. It was only then when I realised Robin was awake.
"Robin we need to put this on your wounds." Mr De Noir said, staring down at his son. Robin cried out again.
"It… hurts." He sobbed. I saw tears running down his face.
"I know, I know it does, son." Mr De Noir said softly. "But it's what you need." He nodded once at Mrs Harper, who then proceeded to apply the medicine. On touch, Robin cried again and thrashed about slightly. Though Mr De Noir and Mr Gomez held onto him tightly so he didn't lash out too much, injuring someone. I felt Loveday put an arm around me and pull me closer. Mrs Harper had applied the medicine to one of Robin's gashes when Mr De Noir told her to stop.
"Is it… over?" Robin stuttered.
"No, son. But you're doing so well." Mr De Noir, brushed some of Robin's sweat soaked hair away from his son's face and then nodded at Mrs Harper.
The screaming came again.
Loveday tried to pull me from the room, but I couldn't move. I stared as Robin screamed out in pain. Every scream, sent shivers down me and tears streamed down my face.
If I could, I would have happily taken Robin's pain from him.
Finally Mrs Harper stood back and Robin ceased screaming. She put the bowl on one of the tables and began to prepare some more medicine.
"It's over now, Robin." Mr De Noir reassured his son. Robin only nodded, his whole body shaking. Finally Mr De Noir noticed our presence and smiled sadly at us both.
"He's gone through the worse of the pain now, I should think." Mrs Harper began. "Though this next bit will hurt aswell."
"What do you need to do?" Loveday asked.
"I need to clean his wounds and sew them up. Though judging by the size of the scars, that will hurt him a lot and it will take some time." Mrs Harper brought over another bowl and cloth and set it down on the bed. She then prepared a needle and set it down on the side, ready for use later. In the bowl was what looked to be water, though it was probably some sort of medicine.
"How long?" Robin's voice asked quietly.
"How long what, my dear?" Mrs Harper asked softly. She smiled at him, but he didn't see as he was staring up at the ceiling.
"How long will the pain last?"
"It will be over before you know it." Mrs Harper promised, though I saw her face reluctant to tell him that. "Maybe it's best if you talk to him whilst I do this, keep him distracted if that's possible." She spoke more to Mr De Noir than anyone else. Mr De Noir stared speechless, his face slightly worried. I guessed he probably didn't know what to say to his son to calm him down. Loveday's arm dropped from around my shoulders and she walked over to her brother's side. She said something to Mr Gomez, who let go of Robin's arm he was pinning to the bed. She took Robin's hand in her own and held it close to her chest.
"Robin, look at me." She said softly. Her brother turned to her, slowly. Loveday nodded once at Mrs Harper, who then prepared the bowl.
"When did you get here?" Robin asked weakly. He winced as Mrs Harper began to clean his wounds.
"We've been waiting next door to see how you were." Loveday began. "Of course your constant screams were giving me such a headache I came over here to tell you to shut up." Robin winced a chuckle. "Always the attention seeker. Couldn't resist getting yourself into this state, eh?"
"Where's Henry?" It came out more of a grumble.
"Somewhere else, thankfully." Robin cried out suddenly so Loveday quickly carried on, trying to keep her brother distracted. "Too bad he wasn't the one hurt instead. Save us all the worry."
"That's an awful thing to say." Robin muttered.
"It's true though." Loveday smiled. I saw Robin smile back weakly, though his smile was obviously pained. Mr Gomez walk over to me and took my hand. Slowly he lead me to the end of Robin's bed.
"He doesn't know you're here." Mrs Gomez whispered. "Silly fool isn't paying much attention." I breathed a chuckle. Loveday continued talking to her brother until Mrs Harper had finished cleaning his wounds. Mr De Noir let go of his son's arm and stood back watching both his children.
"Is he going to be alright?" He asked Mrs Harper. She studied Robin before sighing.
"I can't be sure." She said. "We will have to see how he manages over the next day or so. I'll have to wait until I see signs of recovery before I can give you a certain answer. If he does start recovering then, it will be painful, but I expect him to be up and walking in a few days time. He's very lucky." I saw both Mr De Noir and Loveday nod, their faces whitening by the second.
"Thank you so much." Loveday said. There was a sudden cry from outside and Luke appeared at the door of Robin's room.
"We need help!" He said frantically. "Danny… I don't…" He stuttered off. Mrs Harper gathered some of her things.
"I will be back in a bit to sew him up. He should be fine for now." She said. Mr De Noir nodded and she rushed off, following Luke out the room.
"What's happening?" Robin asked, taking his eyes from his sister and looking down towards the door. He saw me standing at the end of his bed and didn't say anything. He finally knew I was there. He didn't say anything he just watched me, an odd look on his face.
"Nothing to worry about, son." Mr De Noir began. "It's just Danny needs Mrs Harper at the moment." He and Mr Gomez shared a look. "I think I need to go find that nuisance of a brother-in-law and shout violent things at him and his sorry excuse for a son."
"Can you kick him in the head from me?" Robin asked weakly, turning to his father, who chuckled.
"I'll give him a few from you." He promised. "Tell me if anything happens." He said to Loveday, who nodded. He then left the room, with a blazed look on his face. I felt sorry for the Cunningham's who were going to have to be on the other end of that.
"I think I may have to follow him." Mr Gomez sighed, staring at the door. "I don't want him doing anything he'll regret." He left also, leaving me with the De Noir siblings. There was a moment's silence in the room before Robin broke it.
"How bad is Danny?" He asked, trying to sit up. Loveday pushed him back down gently.
"Don't strain yourself, brother." She warned. "And I don't know. We haven't seen him since they carried him out the forest." Robin nodded then moaned slightly, his hand going to where the scars were. He flinched when he touched them. "You want me to get Mrs Harper?"
"Danny needs her more than I do." He shook his head, closing his eyes. Loveday stood up.
"I'll go get another healer." She told him. "Maria, look after him whilst I'm gone." With that she left, leaving me with Robin. I stood, wordlessly, at the end of Robin's bed. I was unsure what I could do. Just seeing Robin in the state he was in, completely demolished every logical thought in my head.
I walked slowly around the bed and pulled a chair to sit on. I placed it by the edge of the bed and sat down. Robin's eyes remained closed, though they flinched slightly when I sat down.
"Can I get you something?" I asked, timidly.
"Water." Robin grumbled, weakly. I looked around frantically and spotted a jug on the side. I rushed to it and poured the liquid, which I made sure was water, into a cup. When I went back to the bed, Robin's eyes were open and watching me. He struggled slightly as he tried to sit up. He settled for leaning on his elbows and I handed him the cup. He took it with shaky hands. Once he had finished the cup, I took it off him and he collapsed back onto the pillow, the whole exercise of sitting up must have tired him out. "Thank you." He breathed, closing his eyes.
I took the moment to stare at his wounds. They weren't as bad as they looked before, Mrs Harper having cleaning them up. I watched as his chest raised then fell, the whole movement caused Robin to wince again. My eyes shot up to his face when he did this. His eyes still remained closed, though his face was turned up in a strained expression.
"How are you feeling?" I asked. "Sorry, I know that's a stupid question." He chuckled weakly and I saw him swallow.
"I thought I was going to die." He said.
"What happened?" I wanted to keep him talking, so I could soak up everything I could of him incase the worst happened. I didn't want to think of that happening though. The idea of it made fresh tears fall down my cheeks.
"We were being chased by it. Luke fell and when I turned around the thing was going to kill Luke. I tried to shoot it but I ran out of bullets." He didn't carry on, but I didn't need him to elaborate. I already guessed the ending.
"I'm sorry." He chuckled again and did a movement I guessed was a shrug.
"I'm still alive, aren't I?" He frowned. "For the moment that is."
"You won't die." I said quietly, shaking my head quickly. He didn't say anything. There was a long moment's silence between us both.
"Do you hate me." He asked, so quietly I could of pretended I didn't hear him.
"I could never hate you, Robin." I answered honestly. I reached out and took his hand in mine. He flinched but didn't pull it away. His hand felt clammy in mine, but I just held it tighter.
"Even after how I acted?" His tone was almost angry. I wasn't sure if it was directed at me or himself.
"I forgive you for that." I said slowly. "I suppose it all depends if you forgive me." Robin opened his eyes and turned his head towards me. His eyes stared into me, filled with wonder.
"What have you done that needs forgiving?" He asked.
"You were angry with me, there's got to be a reason for it." He didn't say anything for a few moments and then he smiled slightly. Robin opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by a knock at the door. We both turned in the direction it came from and saw Henry standing there. Robin tried to sit up but I pushed him back down, careful not to hurt him.
"Let me up so I can punch that good for nothing face of his." He growled before moaning slightly, the pain obviously hitting him.
"I thought I told you to leave us alone?" I demanded, glaring at Henry.
"I came to see how my cousin was." He answered.
"He's fine, no thanks to you." I cried.
"Robin, I'm so sorry."
"You're sorry?" I laughed humourlessly. "After all this and all you can say is sorry?"
"What else can I say?"
"I don't know, but here's a thing you can do; go away." I heard a weak chuckle from Robin. Henry stared at me for a few moments, completely baffled. He nodded slowly.
"I'll come back when you're feeling better." He said, leaving before I had chance to say something again. I shook my head in disbelief and turned back to Robin. He was grinning at me.
"What?" I demanded.
"You sure told him." He said.
"He has the nerve to show his face." I muttered. Robin chuckled weakly again.
"Remind me to stay on the good side of you."
"I highly doubt you'd last very long though." I smiled back. "Let's forget him now, we need to concentrate on you getting better." Robin shifted position and laid his head back and closed his eyes.
"Wake me up when Mrs Harper comes back." He mumbled. "I don't want her touching me when I'm not conscious." I breathed a chuckle.
"I will, don't worry."
"Don't leave me either." I watched his face. So content and peaceful. I gave his hand a squeeze.
"I'm not going anywhere." He gave me a hum of satisfaction and not another word was said between us. I leant back in the chair and watched him sleep. His chest still raised and fell in a strained fashion, though he seemed to fall asleep blissfully.
The only thing I could do now was pray to God that he would wake up again.
(A/N) Ahh the drama!
Just so you know this is Maria's POV. Just incase I didn't make it obvious enough.
I hope you don't feel as though this chapter was rushed. I kind of felt it was when I re-read it. Please tell me if you think so.
Anyway, that's all I got to say I guess. See you next chapter! :)
Don't forget to review.
-jemlou-