"Blah! What the fuck, Gardner!?"
Tea stood up and brushed the sand off of her clothes. She watched Kaiba, on his hands and knees, spit out clumps of sand and wipe his mouth with the backs of his wrists. He was covered in sand, his face and hair were different shades of tan.
"Sorry, Kaiba," she wasn't really sorry, "I guess my mind just chose to take us here."
Kaiba stood, "Yes, here," he turned to scowl at her; he was still completely covered in sand. He looked ridiculous and Tea stifled a chuckle. He stretched his arms out and waved them around as if he was showcasing something, "in the middle of a fucking DESERT!"
She shrugged, still suppressing a laugh at his appearance.
He gave her one last frown and then began walking away from her, still ranting, "You could've picked anywhere and you chose here! Why not Paris? Or London?" He began brushing the sand off of his thighs and arms. He stomped through the uneven ground, kicking sand up as he did so. His right foot found a hidden hole and he fell through up to his knee, cursing as he almost lost his balance.
"Dammit, Gardner!"
She followed behind, chuckling lightly, "What? It's not my fault you don't know where you're walking."
He spun around violently and glared at her. He was fuming, "yes, yes it is! If it weren't for you and your fucked up mind I wouldn't be in this stupid virtual world in the first place!"
Tea refused to take his low blows. "You created this virtual world, not me! My mind is just responding to it!"
"Yes, because your mind is afraid of water, so it brought us here, where there is no fucking water!"
Tea practically growled at him. She didn't consciously choose this place. Her mind chose it for her. It wasn't her fault.
Kaiba brushed off her silence and began walking the other way, "We better be close to Las Vegas..." He grumbled to himself but Tea heard him. How could she not? He was the only other living thing out here. There was nothing else out here. No trees. No cactuses. Not even stupid tumbleweed. Just the rolling hills and sand. Maybe if Tea thought about it hard enough she could bring forth a mirage in the desert? Kaiba did mention Las Vegas...
"How do we know which direction we're going?"
Kaiba refused to answer. What a fucking stupid question. Of course he didn't know what direction they were headed. They we just... going...
They went a while without speaking, Tea trailing behind, wishing her mind had brought them to a less hot place. The sun was beating down on her bare skin and it felt like someone was placing a hot plate on her arms, shoulders, and face. She was tempted to mention to Kaiba that they needed to find somewhere cooler, but she knew he'd respond with some nasty remark. It just wasn't worth it.
A high-pitched rattling sound pulled Tea out of her thoughts. Why was she hearing a rattle in the middle of the des-
"Shit!"
She fixed her gaze on Kaiba right as he fell to the ground, clutching his left leg. Tea couldn't tell what happened right away. All she heard was the rattling sound growing more intense. She didn't put two and two together until she heard Kaiba yell.
"Kaiba!" She ran to him, quickly closing the space between them.
He held up his hand to stop her, "Stop! Don't move!"
The rattling intensified and Tea looked to the source of the sound. A rattlesnake was coiled up, ready to strike. Its rattle moving so fast that it looked blurry. The snake was only a few feet away from her, but just inches from Kaiba. Tea examined Kaiba, who was sitting in the sand, inching backwards, with a terrified expression on his face. The rattlesnake had ripped through Kaiba's jeans and there was a sizable bite mark on his lower calf muscle. Blood had already begun dripping from the wound, staining his jeans and leaving a trail on the ground as Kaiba backed away from the snake. The snake inched even closer.
Kaiba eyed the venomous creature for a moment, and then it flew through the air, hurtling itself at Kaiba, aiming for his face. Kaiba held up his left arm to block the attack. The rattlesnake sunk its fangs into Kaiba's arm and he whipped the serpent away, letting it skid across the desert sand. Before leaving Kaiba's forearm, the rattlesnake had taken a souvenir along with it. A half-dollar sized chunk of skin was missing out of his arm.
He cried out in agony, clutching his torn flesh, blood spilling out of the lesion. Tea had never seen tears fall from Seto Kaiba's eyes before, but here, she saw the mighty Seto Kaiba crumble. Tears flowing like a creek, down his cheeks and neck. His cries were startling and Tea knew she needed to help him. Before moving toward an injured Kaiba, she saw the rattlesnake slither back around, bee lining toward Kaiba once again, revving up for another attack.
Thinking fast, Tea kicked off her shoe and lobbed it across the desert, targeting the reptile's head. Missing by millimeters, she kicked off her other shoe and ran at the snake with it. Just as it was about to get the chance to bite, Tea smacked the snake in the head with the sole of her shoe, whacking the creature into next week. Defeated, the serpent slithered away and disappeared within the sandy hills of the desert.
"Kaiba?" Tea turned back to see him. He was rocking back and forth, cradling his injured arm. Deep, disturbing sobs escaped from the back of his throat. Tea sprinted to him and bent down to his level, "Let me see your wounds." She pulled his other hand away. The second she did it she instantly wished she hadn't. The sight of the gash was horrifying. Not only was there blood pouring out of the open flesh, soaking Kaiba's clothes and the sandy ground, but also the skin around the wound had begun to swell and turn blue. Tea turned away, deciding she couldn't take in the sight anymore or she would vomit. She focused her attention on Kaiba's leg, noticing the fang marks that had pierced the surface. The wound wasn't nearly as bad, but Kaiba wasn't going to be able to walk by himself.
"What're you doing!?" He screamed at her in a panicked tone as she began removing his left shoe.
"The swelling has already started and trust me, you don't want your shoe on when your foot swells up to double its normal size."
Kaiba didn't question it. He didn't care. At this point all he knew was that he was going to die.
But how?
Kaiba had completely forgotten that they were in the virtual world. Everything here felt so real, every jab from the snake, the aftershock and pain, it all felt so physical….
"You need to think of a way out right now," Kaiba moaned, his voice still holding onto its demanding demeanor, "or otherwise I am going to die here in your mind."
"What do you mean?"
Anger mixed with agony flared up inside of Kaiba, and he desperately snapped at her, "This is your mind! You did this to me! Now get me out of this!" He hunched over as another wave of pain seared through him like fire coursing through his veins.
Tea couldn't argue with him on that. Her mind had done this. All Kaiba was trying to do was save her…
"I'll think of something," She said, but was panicking internally. There was no way she'd be able to suck the poison out of his arm since the flesh had been ripped right off. Maybe she could try for his leg? Tea glanced at his wounded leg and found it beginning to swell. There was no way she'd get the poison out, it was already deep into his blood stream, especially from the bite on his arm. The act would be futile.
Tea lifted Kaiba to his feet. He groaned but didn't fight her. She wrapped his right arm around her shoulders and her left arm around his waist. Making sure her grasp was firm enough, she began the slow and tedious journey across the desert, carrying Kaiba as best as she could. He wasn't as heavy as she predicted he'd be, he was super thin after all, but he was still heavy enough to make Tea exhausted. They'd only gone a short distance with Kaiba limping the entire time, when she really felt his weight crash down on her. Tea almost stumbled.
"Kaiba?" She turned to look at him. Sweat was dripping down his face. Blood was falling from his inflamed wounds. He felt just as hot as the desert sun on Tea's skin. She looked into his eyes, they were unfocused and his eyelids continually drooped. Tea could tell he was fading fast. Shaking him a bit to garner a reaction, Tea heard a deep moan escape his lips and Kaiba gazed at Tea with heavy eyes.
"Kaiba, talk to me."
Another deep moan exited the back of his throat.
She shook him once again, "Kaiba, please," her tone developed into something much more desperate and frantic than before, "you need to stay awake."
He didn't listen to her, shutting his eyes once again.
"No! Wake up!" No matter what she did, no matter how hard she tried to shake him awake, he wouldn't wake up. She laid him down on the ground, and kneeled in the sand. Placing his head on her lap, she started to brush away stray drops of sweat that had formed on his forehead.
He had passed out, and now Tea was all out of options. What could she do? He would die here in her mind, right? If what Kaiba said was really true, and she could control this place and the environment, then all she needed to do was think of a comforting place. But would it be enough to save Kaiba? Could she control this virtual world enough to turn back the clock and erase what had happened to him? Maybe this place was like lucid dreaming?
Gripping Kaiba's right hand, she squeezed as hard as she could, closing her eyes tight. She needed to imagine a place, a comforting place where her and Kaiba would be safe.
Greenery slowly overtook Tea's mind until it was all she could imagine. Beautiful hues of pink, orange, and fiery red filled the gaps in her vision as she gradually reached a point of meditation she had never thought possible. It was as if she were floating, the sensation felt so relaxing.
A crisp, wisp of cool air swiftly snatched away the desert heat. The cool air brought relief to Tea's scorched skin along with a scent of crinkled maple leaves. The atmosphere grew heavy, as if a fresh rainstorm had just passed through. Tea licked her lips, tasting sweet hints of cinnamon. She knew where she was without even opening her eyes. It was a place she had wanted to be all along.
Before she could embrace her new surroundings, she thought of Kaiba. There was no way she could just leave him in this condition. If she had the power to change where they were, then she must have the power to heal him. It was only a matter of time before his mind would be lost in the crevasses of her subconscious.
Squeezing his hand even tighter, Tea pictured Kaiba's wounds. Each drop of blood that fell she visualized disintegrating into thin air. She imagined the swelling slowly flattening to his skin, and the bite marks dissolving like mist. The skin on his arm connecting together like a basket weave, and the temperature he carried dying down, evaporating the beads sweat that had formed on his face.
Moments passed, and there was nothing but the cool stillness. Tea relaxed her grip on Kaiba's hand, gently placing it next to him. She calmed the muscles in her face as well, knowing that her worry was now over. She inhaled deeply then exhaled relief as she steadily opened her eyes.
Something scratched the side of his face. It wasn't rough, just a soft scratch, but enough to startle him awake. His eyes scanned his surroundings.
I don't remember this…
Beautiful red, yellow, pink, and orange leaves hung over him like a natural canopy while a cool breeze rushed by, chilling him slightly. Fallen leaves whooshed past his face, scratching him once again. He sat up slowly from the park bench he had just been laying on. Looking in all directions he realized where he was.
Central Park? How did she-?
"Kaiba?" Her voice pulled him away from his thoughts.
Tea was walking toward him carrying two travel coffee cups. Her short hair bounced as she picked up the pace, hurrying down the Central Park pathway. The trail was surrounded by trees and was typically a well-travelled portion of the park, but no one was around. How could that be?
"Gardner how did you-"
She handed Kaiba the cup and he took it.
"I just did what you told me to," She took a seat on the park bench next to Kaiba. "It's a dirty chai."
He gave her a quizzical look.
She smirked, "Chai tea mixed with steamed milk and a shot of espresso."
Kaiba glanced down at his beverage but didn't take a drink.
"I thought you liked caffeine Kaiba?"
"I do."
"Then drink up."
He couldn't bring himself to do it just yet. It wasn't the drink that was bothering him; it was the gap in his memory. The last thing he remembered was being in so much pain….
Tea gave him a friendly nudge with her elbow. "I made it just for you. The shot of espresso to wake you up and the tea to help you heal."
Kaiba looked at her for a moment. Her blue eyes were soft and sweet. Why hadn't he noticed them before? Turning away, he focused on his drink and took a huge gulp, practically burning his esophagus.
A quiet moment past after Kaiba had swallowed. He licked the subtle cinnamon taste off of his lips and said, "This is really good. You made this?"
Did Kaiba just compliment her? She nodded, "Yes. There's no one here but us, so I broke into a coffee shop and just went at it."
"Well it's delicious," he took another sip.
"Thank you."
He swallowed, "Wait, did you just say no one else is here?"
She nodded.
"No one else in all of New York City?"
She nodded once again.
"How did you manage that?"
She shrugged, "I just pictured my favorite place in the whole wide world and decided to go for it."
"I see…." He took another drink, not asking any questions. He didn't care why New York was her favorite place. All he cared about was being out of that God-forsaken desert.
Tea set her beverage down next to her on the bench. "Kaiba, do you mind if I take a look at your wounds?"
He sent her a surprised glance; as if he was shocked she cared. Kaiba suddenly realized that if it weren't for Tea and her diligence, he might still be in severe pain, even if it was her mind that had brought him to the virtual world in the first place. Could he really blame her for his decision to upload his mind? He couldn't watch her die any longer, and the decision to try and save her was all his.
"Sure," his voice was low and monotonous. He didn't want Tea to know what he was thinking.
She gave him a pleasant, sympathetic smile and reached for his arm first, rubbing her smooth fingertips over the flesh that had recently been torn. There wasn't any sign that Kaiba had even been bitten at all. His arm was perfectly healed.
Kaiba would've thought it to be a miracle if it weren't for the whole virtual world thing. He did react to Tea's touch, as it sent goose bumps over his exposed skin. Part of him wished he could feel something like that in the real world.
Tea moved to his leg, seeking the spot where the snake had bitten him there. Kaiba's dark jeans were stained and torn, and his shoe was gone, but his skin was fine. No signs of swelling, redness, or a bite mark. Tea's meditating had worked and she was impressed by Kaiba's virtual reality technology.
Kaiba pulled his limbs from her grasp. "Now that I'm all healed," he paused to take a long swig of his dirty chai, slamming the cup down next to him on the park bench and standing abruptly, "let's get the hell out of here."
Tea stood, grabbing his arm, "Wait, we can't leave just yet."
He yanked his arm away, "And why the hell not?"
"Because," her eyes shifted away from him, "I've never been to New York City. It's been my dream, for as long as I can remember, to come here. I can't just leave!"
"Yes you can." It wasn't a suggestion. It was a demand.
Tea shook her head, "No, Kaiba, you don't understand. This is my chance to see the city! I've wanted to live here for so long, start my professional dancing career…."
Kaiba narrowed his gaze. "I hate to break this to you, again…." His sarcasm rose to a whole new level, "but this isn't real. Need I remind you that you're in a coma and could possibly die if you don't get out soon?"
She brushed him off, "You don't understand! This is my chance to see the city and explore it without anyone else here! It'll be like my own private tour!"
Kaiba frowned, "I hate to burst your bubble, but your family could be in the real world deciding to pull the plug on you any minute now. My suggestion would be to get your ass out of here while you still can."
Tea didn't say anything. Instead, her gaze shifted downcast, as if she were contemplating the differences between Kaiba's truths and her false reality. She finally spoke. Her voice carried a bit more determination and vigor, "No, I need to see this city. This is my mind and I will do as I wish."
Kaiba grabbed her hand and began pulling her. He would not take this bullshit. They were getting out, and they were getting out right now.
She fought him, jerking back on his arm and struggling to pry herself from Kaiba's grip. "No! You're going the wrong way!"
"Shut up, Gardner, and quit fighting me!" After a bit of a struggle, Tea managed to break free of Kaiba's hold.
"I'm not leaving!" She ran the opposite way as fast as she could.
Kaiba stood there for a moment, dumbfounded by her response. There was no way she could be serious….
"Come back!"
A/N: Confession time. I did way more Google research on rattlesnake bites than I should've for this chapter, and I guarantee you most of the stuff you just read is factually inaccurate. All I can say from my research is that if you get bit by a snake just go to the hospital right away. You do not want your picture to end up on 'rattlesnake bites' on Google images. Trust me.
Anyway, I hope all of you enjoyed this chapter. There was definitely a lot going on (I like to keep the action rolling.) Please feel free to tell me what you liked or disliked. Your comments are always tremendously helpful and it's nice to see my story from someone else's eyes. Thanks for reading thus far! Until next time!
