AN: This took longer than I thought it would, but I hope you guys like it. Please enjoy...read and review!
Someone screamed. I shot up, lurching forward. Finally realizing the screaming was coming from me, I stopped and promptly threw up in the nearest trash can. At least, I would've if there had been anything to throw up. God, I was starving. And tired. And I wanted water. Mostly to get the taste out of my mouth, but still.
I grabbed the glass of water on the table next to me, downing the entire thing. That was roughly when about five people ran in. It was also when I noticed there was a sort of divider placed around me, because they all burst through and it practically fell over. I jumped back in surprise, almost falling off the cot.
Alby, Clint, Jeff, Gally, and another boy I didn't recognize all stared at me in shock. I bit my lip, upset I had attracted all of their attention. But to be fair, screaming usually warrants attention.
"Sorry." I signed.
"You're awake." Alby stated bluntly. The other boy was staring at me. I nodded slowly. My head was killing me.
"What's the last thing you remember?" Jeff questioned. He seemed to be treading carefully. Too carefully for my liking. It felt like he was hiding something.
"Pain. Yelling." I told him honestly. "Dreaming." Gally frowned.
"Can you stand?" He asked. I frowned.
"Look, can you do it or not?" Gally pushed. I started to stand up.
Then my legs gave out and I fell forward, almost slamming Jeff into the ground. Luckily he caught me and I straightened, using his arm for support. Jeff moved me back onto the cot. Gally raised an eyebrow.
"That'd be a no, then." He said.
"She's probably just weak." The other boy said. "But you can still hear, see, move everything-all your senses are fine?"
I nodded, then frowned.
"Who are you?" I asked him. He blinked.
"Your name." Alby told him. A look of understanding crossed his unfamiliar features.
"Oh, uh, I didn't mention it. My name's Henry. I'm a MedJack. I was the Greenie like...a month ago, I think? I was after Jared." He scratched the back of his head. I froze. A month..there was no way I'd been out for that long. That was impossible. And I didn't know who Jared was either. I shook my head. My head was spinning.
"Where's Nick?"
"What did she say?" Henry looked to Alby.
"Nick." Alby muttered.
"Nick?" Henry frowned. Oh god. Panicking. That's what's happening right now. In having a breakdown. Or I'm still dreaming. This is another nightmare. And I'll wake up. I stared at Alby. Seeming to read my expression, he looked at me solemnly.
"Sam, Nick...he's dead." Alby stated. "And there's other things I've got a feeling you won't find too nice either."
"What?" Instantly my hand flew to my throat. The voice was rough and raspy, but at a higher tone and obviously a girls. Obviously mine. Oh my god. The five of them stared at me, in just as much shock as I was.
"Did you just..." Alby started.
"Wait, why does she do the hand thing if she can talk?" Henry asked. Oh no. Don't do it, Sam. Breathe.
"We assumed she couldn't." Gally glared at me. Breathe.
"Say something else." Alby commanded. Damn it.
"Hey, you're not gonna hurl, are you?" Clint asked. Yes. They stepped back. Then I lunged for the trash can again. I had a feeling it would just be dry-heaving like the first time, but I wanted to be safe. I had a feeling vomiting on Henry would make a terrible first impression.
"She hasn't exactly been on a healthy diet." Clint frowned. "We should probably get her something."
"Do you know what dinner is?" Henry asked.
"What we should be asking is what will she be able to eat." Jeff pointed out. "If it's meat, that'll probably be too heavy for her." I coughed.
"H...H-how...l...long?" I asked, testing out my voice. It sounded terrible. I swallowed.
"How long what?" Gally asked. I bit my lip.
"Un-uncon-conscious." I managed, cringing at the sound of my voice. Rough and scratchy. Unused. I cleared my throat sharply.
No one answered. The five of us looked to Alby, who frowned.
"You know what, you'd take it better if I had someone else explain." Alby surmised. Great, now they're talking to me like I'm stupid.
"You know what? Fine. Where's Newt?" I signed angrily. Alby looked confused that I had switched back, then he frowned.
"He's...ummm." He started. I stared at him, trying not to panic. Seeing my expression, Clint instantly jumped in.
"No! No, he's, um he's on his walk." Clint explained. I relaxed.
"D-Don't...s-s-say-." I started.
"Maybe you should practice talking." Gally suggested. I scowled.
"Anyways, you should probably go on a walk too. Stretch your legs." Clint said.
"Come back though. You should be looked over. Just get some fresh air then come back, okay?" Jeff suggested. I bit my lip, then nodded. I stood. They watched me warily, determining whether I was about to fall over again. I rolled my eyes.
"I'm fine." I signed, irritated. Forget focusing on switching back and forth, I'm just gonna do whatever the hell I want. I took another step and fell forwards, leaving Alby to catch me as I practically slammed into him. Gally snickered. I cringed. Alby grunted and pushed me back up.
"You do that again and I'll make you stay here until these shanks get you some crutches, you hear me?" He huffed. I nodded quickly. He watched as I left the tent. Slowly, I'll admit, but I didn't fall over. No way I'm letting them make me walk around with crutches. The five of them followed me out.
"Dinner'll be starting soon." Alby told me. "Show up and eat something." I nodded. All of them walked off, towards dinner for the most part. I scanned the Glade for Newt. Noticing blonde hair near the Gardens, I headed over. But as I got closer, something seemed wrong. It was Newt but he was...different, somehow. Getting a better look, I realized what it was.
He was limping.