"Don't tell the guys please." I asked. "Just tell them it was due to 'girl stuff'. I don't think either of them will question it further." She smiled sadly and nodded. "We'll give you instructions on the exercises and the medicine. You should be able to leave by noon." She said, walking out of the room. It was 10 o'clock. Only 2 more hours in this unspeakable place and I could go home. And face the future alone? I know I didn't want the boys to know. But, who was I going to tell? Nobody. That was the only answer that made sense. I didn't want to put my burden on others. I called a nurse and asked her to put the 'Do not disturb' sign on my door and tell the boys I was sleeping if they came back. Then, I settled under the covers and cried for an hour straight.
When I was done, I cleaned up my face and hands, put on some real clothes, and had a nurse remove my IV. When I walked out of the room, I took a deep breath and steeled myself to smile and be happy for everyone. "How are you feeling?" the nurse asked. "Fine, a lot better actually." She smiled and nodded slightly. I knew she knew what was going on. Suddenly, people started yelling and screaming. "What's going on?" I asked. No one answered. I ran towards the source of the commotion and saw the television showing live footage of Kevin and Ben losing the fight. I watched as Kevin was thrown into a pole. He didn't get up… he didn't move at all. "No." I muttered. Without a second thought—I ran.
I reached the park within a few minutes. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't come, Gwenny." Charmcaster was looking down at me from atop the water tower. "You wish!" I yelled back. "Gwen?" I heard Kevin's weak voice from behind me. I whipped around to see him on the ground with a large cut in his arm. "Kevin." I murmured, rushing toward him and kneeling down. "Isn't that precious? It makes me sick. Let's get this over with." She said as she floated down to the ground. "You know what makes me sick?" I growled, looking up at her. "What?" she asked sarcastically. "You." I snarled, shooting a large beam of mana at her. It took her off guard and she flew backwards into the tower, and knocking her out. "Kevin." I breathed. "Gwen." He responded lightly. "Hold on." I soothed him. I put my hand gently over his arm and spoke quickly, "Halium hermium" The cut healed immediately under my hand. His eyes opened wide and before I knew it he was hugging me tight to his chest. "Are you okay?" he asked. I nodded quickly and looked around. "Where's Ben?" I asked, worried. He released me and I closed my eyes to sense my cousin. When I found his presence I almost rolled my eyes. "He's at the Groovy Smoothie." I informed Kevin lightly. He laughed and stood slowly. "So what happened? Did the doctors find out what was wrong with you?" He asked. I smiled and made myself blush. "It's…you know…girl stuff." I stuttered purposefully making myself look embarrassed. I felt his step falter, and his hand clench around mine a little. "Oh." And I knew that that was all I was going to have to say about it. It made me sad and happy at the same time. "I have to swing by the pharmacy and pick up my prescription. Then, I have to go to the hospital and get some instructions on therapy." I told him. "I'll take you." He smiled. "No!" I shouted. His face fell a little and I amended it quickly, "It's kind of…embarrassing." I muttered, looking at the ground. "Oh." He repeated. He put a finger under my chin and forced me to look at him, "I'll see you at the garage later then?" he asked. I grinned and pressed my lips gently to his. "Definitely." He smiled, got into the car, and drove off. I closed my eyes and teleported.
I had no idea what I was going to do. How was I supposed to train every day on top of everything else that I had to do? "Come on Gwen." We have to train every day if we want to stay at the top of our game. I sighed and looked at Kevin and Ben. "Okay." I conceded. I was already exhausted from the medication, therapy, and the earlier battle. The therapy was the worst though. I had to focus my mana up to my head, and then I had to try to heal myself while still shooting mana out of my hands. I followed them to the training center below Kevin's house. We spent three hours working on communication. I passed off my exhaustion as a result of the fight. What a day, I thought as I lay down in my bed that night.
The next three months were awful. I was tired all of the time, the pills were just barely taking the edge off the pain, and Kevin and Ben were getting angry at me for it. "Gwen!" Kevin yelled at me one day during training. "That one was all yours and you just let it go!" He growled, gesturing towards one of the models we were practicing with. We had only been practicing for 30 minutes, and already I was exhausted. "I'm sorry Kevin. If I could just get a break…" I began. "NO! You're taking WAY too many breaks! You have to take this more seriously! When you're fighting someone who wants to KILL you, there won't be any breaks!" He shouted. "He's right Gwen. You need to start trying a little harder. It's like you're not even trying anymore." Ben yelled from across the room. "I said I was sorry okay? I'm doing the best I can right now!" I shouted back. "That's not good enough anymore Gwen! You're not good enough anymore!" Kevin exploded. That stopped me in my tracks. "What?" I murmured. I felt tears filling my eyes, and took a step back. His face went from furious to remorseful in a second, "Gwen. No, I didn't mean it that way." He pleaded, moving towards me. "Leave me alone." I whispered, tears running down my face. I turned and ran from the room. I ran out into the street and I kept running until I didn't know where I was anymore. And, like in any horrible time, it began to rain.
I sat on the side of the empty road and cried for what seemed like an eternity. My cell phone started ringing, the screen said 'Incoming call from Kevin'. I hit end and placed the phone beside me; then, it started to thunder and lighting. "Great…just great." I muttered. "Is this some sort of punishment? What did I do to deserve this? Why are you doing this to me?" I screamed at the sky. My phone buzzed again and I was past the point of caring. I picked it up and continued to cry. "Please come and get me." I choked out.