Sorry, this one's really short. But I wanted to give you guys something to read, and if I kept going, the chapter would be way too long. I already know what I'm going to write for the next chapter, so I'll update sooner, I swear on the river of Styx! Sorry to you people who don't understand that, but if you don't, then read Percy Jackson and the Olympians as soon as you finish this. That's an order.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Host, I only own Lexi. (Bla bla bla... Let's get to the good stuff!!!)

Chapter seven

I drifted in and out of consciousness for a long time. For a while, I thought I was dead, but I realized that if I was, then I would be…somewhere else. I didn't know where I would be, but I wouldn't be here. And I wouldn't be in so much pain either, would I? I didn't believe in God, or any higher powers, but this couldn't be it, could it? So, what, for the rest of eternity I was supposed to lie here, writhing in pain? That couldn't be right.

The frustrating part was that I had no idea what was hurting. The pain was everywhere. In my back, in my feet, in my head, everywhere. So I had no idea what was causing the pain, either. Sometimes it was just a dull pain, but most of the time, it was a powerful, burning sensation. I think I screamed a few times, but I wasn't sure. It felt as though I was stuck in my head. I could only hear my own thoughts, nothing else.

Every now and then I would hear voices. I didn't always recognize them, but they were still voices, and I was grateful for them when they came. Once, I heard Kyle, saying, "It didn't fall!" I had no idea what he was talking about, but it comforted me at first to know he was still alive. But then it disgusted me, when I remembered how I had gotten hurt.

When I wasn't conscious, I dreamed. Most of my dreams were about Ian and Wanda and Walter. And Jamie. I had lots of dreams about him. At this point, I had given up trying to be mad at him; since I wasn't even sure I was alive anymore. I wished I could see him, just for a moment, to tell him I was sorry. Now that I thought about it, Ian was probably right. I had started the fight. I would give anything to be able to end it now, although I was afraid it was too late.

After what Ian later told me was only a few hours, although it felt much longer, I was able to open my eyes. I had to struggle for a few minutes, but I did it. I opened my eyes to find myself in the south wing, the hospital.

"She's coming around!" I heard Doc say. "Lexi? Lex? Can you hear me?" he said.

"Yes…" I said slowly. "What happened?" I felt dazed, and my memories were foggy. I remembered singing to Walter, and Wanda…Wanda screaming, and Kyle…What was Kyle doing? Then my memories came back in flashes and I watched in horror as I felt the pain, heard Wanda's cry, and Kyle's too. And then, the darkness, the uncertainty, that had lasted for so long.

"Lex, I'll explain everything later, I promise" Doc said. "But right now, we have to go."

"Go? Where?" My voice sounded strange and unfamiliar.

"To…to Walter's funeral." It took me a moment to process this. Walter's funeral? But…he wasn't…he couldn't be…Doc had promised… I was so bewildered I couldn't even finish my thoughts.

"But…You said…" I trailed off, trying to make sense of this.

"I know, Lex, and I tried, but you were out so long, and he was in pain…I had to. Please, Lex, try to understand."

"You promised though!" I whispered. "You said you would wait! You said I could say goodbye!" I felt tears running down my cheeks.

"Lex, I…"

I took a deep breath. I will not lose control, I will not lose control…I repeated the sentence over and over.

"Doc, we can discuss this later," I said finally. "Right now, I need to get to Walter's funeral." I tried to sound calm, but my voice was strained.

"Lex, be careful, you're not…" He began, but I didn't listen. I was already trying to get up. I swung my legs over the cot and placed them on the floor. That was easy enough, but when I tried to stand, I was consumed with pain, and I fell to my knees. I stayed there for a moment, gasping in pain.

"I told you," Doc said. He picked me up gently and carried me through the halls. I noticed that I was no longer wearing my rolled up jeans and plain t-shirt, although they were probably both stained with blood now. Instead, I wore a black sundress that went down to my knees, with a ribbon around the waist and thin silk straps. My feet were still barefoot, but my hair had been taken out of my usual ponytail and brushed. I was furious.

"Who put me in a dress?" I demanded.

"Don't blame me," Doc said, looking amused. "It was Lily, Trudy, and Paige. They wanted you to look decent for Walter."

"He wouldn't have cared," I grumbled. But we were already outside. I saw the stars twinkling brightly, and the dark hole where Walter lay.

"There was no hatred in your heart," Wanda was whispering. "That you existed is proof we were wrong. We had no right to take your world from you, Walter. I hope your fairy tales are true. I hope you find your Gladdie."

She sprinkled the sand on his grave, and Doc stepped up with me, still in his arms.

"Put me down please, Doc," I whispered. He set me down gently, and I leaned on him as he scooped up some sand for me and placed it in my hand. I felt everyone's eyes on me.

"Walter…" I began, unsure of what to say. "Walter was one of the bravest people I've ever known. He wasn't afraid to die, as long as he had lived a good life. He was family to me, and he always knew how to make me smile. He was an important part of our family, and I hope… I hope that one day I'll be able to meet Gladdie and Emma. I hope you never forget us, Walter, because we'll never forget you." My voice broke at the end, and as I poured the sand over Walter's grave, I felt the tears running down my cheeks.

I wasn't really paying attention to Doc, so I didn't hear what he said, but I could tell just by the look on his face how sorry he was. Doc was one of the most compassionate people I knew, and I realized that Walter's death had almost killed him. He felt like he should be able to save everyone, but he was wrong. There was nothing he could have done. We stepped back, Doc half carrying me, and Andy started to shovel the sand onto Walter's grave.

Suddenly Doc whispered to me, "You should sing for him."

"What should I sing?" I asked.

Doc shrugged. Then I remembered that Walter had said once that his wife, Gladdie, had been a singer too.

"Her favourite song was 'Amazing Grace'. She used to sing it all the time."

I felt nervous, singing before everyone, but I reminded myself that, really, it was only for Walter. So I took a deep breath and started to sing. After the first verse, I didn't even realize I was singing. I was just thinking about Walter, and Gladdie and Emma. I saw Lily crying, with Wes comforting her, and Trudy and Geoffrey standing together, and Jamie and Jared and Wanda. We really are one big family, I thought as I watched everyone. Sure, we hate each other sometimes, but we need each other more than anyone realizes.

As I finished, Andy put the last shovel of sand on the grave. We were silent for a moment, and then everyone headed inside. Trudy, Geoffrey, Lily, Wes, and Paige, with Andy standing slightly behind her, came to talk to me afterwards. I decided I would be mad at Lily, Trudy and Paige later, but for now we just talked quietly, heading into the caves. Doc handed me off to Lily and Wes, and I saw him go over to Wanda.

Once we got inside, I started to go towards my room, but Wes stopped me.

"Oh, no you don't," he said.

"What do you mean?" I said wearily.

"Do you have any idea how hurt you are? It's amazing you don't have to be carried!" Trudy said.

"Your back's not quite broken, but it's pretty close, you lost a lot of blood from your head, you broke your left foot, and to top it off, you have at least seven cuts on your face, and a bunch of bruises on the rest of your body." Lily listed them all off, and I flinched.

"I didn't realize how bad it was," I whispered.

"Obviously not," Paige said. "Now come on, we're taking you to the south wing."

We walked in silence the rest of the way. Andy left us after a while, Paige promising him she'd be with him as soon as I was settled.

It took Wes, Lily, and Trudy to get me onto the cot again. I couldn't move my foot easily, and I was starting to feel dizzy, probably from all the blood loss. So they had to lift me up and put me gently down on the cot.

Paige, Trudy, and Geoffrey left after making sure I was all right, but Wes and Lily stayed with me. They took the two cots on my right, and talked to me until I was tired.

"We'll have to wake you up early, so you should sleep now," Wes said finally.

"Why will you have to wake me up early?" I asked.

"Tribunal at first light," Lily said.

"About?" I asked, confused.

"About what happened with Kyle," Lily answered.

"Oh." I hadn't thought about what would happen to Kyle.

"What will Jeb do with Kyle?" I asked.

"I don't know, Lex. Might not be able to do anything, if Wanda keeps this up," Wes said. I was about to ask him what 'this' was, when he spoke again. "She's saying the floor just collapsed, and Kyle didn't do anything."

"Why would she do that?" It didn't make any sense to me. Kyle had tried to kill her, and now she was trying to protect him?

"I don't know," Lily said. "But you'd better get some sleep. It's gonna be a long day tomorrow."

I nodded, and closed my eyes. After a few moments, I was asleep.

Well, I hope you liked it, even if it was really short. Please review! Also, I tried to find a dress like the one Lexi's wearing, but I couldn't find one. So if you happen to see one online, please send me the link! I'll keep looking, and if I find "Lexi's dress" I'll post the link on my profile. Thanks again, Serafina Silvertongue.