I own nothing but my OC.

Changing to M just to be sure, may get some bad language in later chapters.

Chapter Five: Time

It felt like I had not breathed for years.
I gasped in the air as I jolted up right, only to cough at the uncomfortable tube down my throat. Gagging, I tried to take it out, panic filling me enough that my head pounded and my mind ceased thinking logically.
Nurses dashed into the room, one stabbing a needle into my arm.

Instantly I calmed, falling back into the pillows as they removed the tape holding the tube and other cords attached to my arms. It was new to me, but I had remembered reading a book once that showed this as equipment used by doctors, which could only mean I was in a hospital.

My panic returned as the nurses spoke to me, but I didn't hear them as I examined my arms and hands.
Fresh, youthful skin covered them and I trembled with relief. But I couldn't relax fully, no matter how badly my body screamed for it.
Was Chase here? Was this one of his tricks?

Looking around the plain white room, I saw a calendar saying it was now Thursday and I groaned.
A bright bunch of colour caught my eye and with a groan I turned my head to see the fresh flowers. A card was next to it, but my eyes could not concentrate enough to read the fine writing. Instead, I stared at the mix of flowers, not actually knowing what any of them were besides that they were a bright mix of yellow, reds and blues.

A soft tap at the door brought me back to the boring room and the doctor moved in slowly. He checked my eyes and my pulse, explaining that he was unsure what had happened to me but it could have been some sort of reaction to a spider bite.

I cursed as the doctor left, falling back into the bed and closing my eyes.
All I needed to do was get back to my dorm and mix up my elixir, then I would be as right as rain again. Except the fear of Chase being there, waiting for me made my skin crawl. I could no longer feel any physical pain, but the memory of it was enough to spark the anguish. Like teaching an animal to behave he had tortured me, expecting me to break and I did.

Another tap at the door broke off my train of thought, that I was grateful for until I saw Tyler standing in the door way. My shame and fear brought a tear to my eye and I looked away from him, but he still walked in, placing a smaller bunch of white flowers on the table.

'Sarah and Kate brought you these. They are really worried about you.'
When I didn't answer or look at him, he sighed and continued.
'The doctor said that you fine to go home, so I came by to give you a lift.' He moved around to stand in front of me before dropping to eye level.
'Leah?'

I sat up, nodding as I looked down at the white hospital gown I was wearing now, and my clothes folded neatly on the corner. Trying to get out of bed myself, I tossed the blanket aside and slid to the edge until my feet him the cold floor but I couldn't go any further. Tyler noticed and held out a hand. Wearily I looked up at him. He was still wearing his usual green jacket and his dark hair was still messy but something was different, I just didn't know what. My eyes fell to his hand and I hesitated.
Why was he doing this? He had no idea what was going on, why not? I wanted to tell him, wanted to protect him but so far had done nothing to deserve this young mans help. He held his hand closer, waiting patiently.
I took it.

It hadn't taken long to change, sign the discharge papers and make it into his black Hummer. We were in silence most of the way, Tyler asking if I was comfortable enough every now and then.
The night was dark and cold, most of the other students already in bed as I stumbled into my own room.
Tyler made sure that I was lying on the bed comfortably before he sat himself down, staring at me.

My room still looked normal, like there had never been any magic cast at all in its walls.
'Leah I'm sorry.'
My dark green eyes drank him in and I frowned.
'Whatever for? I'm the one that should be sorry.'
Tyler shook his head, rubbing a hand through it as he stood. I didn't want him to go, and was going to ask him to stay when I felt a sharp jolt of magic, and Tyler felt it to.
Chase.

He turned to leave, reminding me that if I needed anything he was not far away but stopped. Spinning around, he marched back over to me, leaning down and kissing me.
Then like that he was gone again.
It took me a little while to get a grip on myself. It meant nothing. Nothing could ever come of it.
After drilling that into my mind, I sat up; some strength already returning to my limbs. Sage was nowhere to be seen, probably too frightened from the other night to return so soon.

Reaching under my bed, I pulled out the bag and retrieved my vile and bowl, gulping down the mixture and feeling it bubble in me.
Give it a night and I would be better.
Tomorrow... well who knew what was going to happen.

Tomorrow came quicker than I had expected, only it was late afternoon by the time I was up, showered and dressed.
I had spent the day refilling my vile and preparing myself, reminding myself over and over that all I had to do was this one thing and I would be free.
Only it meant helping the man I hate hurt the people I was beginning to get close to. No, I was not close to these people, I had no feeling what so ever.

I had packed away my stuff and resting with a good book when someone knocked on my door.
'Leah? It's Kate and Sarah, can we come in?'
I sighed heavily, book marking my page and shutting my book.
'Yeah. It's open.'
I had to admit that I was kind of happy to see the two of them.

'How are you feeling?'
'Did you like the flowers we sent you?'
'I heard it was a spider bite, I hate spiders...'
My head spun at all their questions before they both chuckled and I sat up.
'I'm feeling a lot better, thanks.'

'Great!' Kate said happily and spun on her feet, dark hair trailing around her. 'We're going into town, like now to get a dress for the fall feast, you want to come?'
I frowned slightly, but nodded. I had nothing better to do, and it would help give me the opportunity I needed to do what Chase asked me.
'Cool. I'm driving.'

The whole car trip was about how Pouge was being stupid and how Caleb and Sarah were the perfect couple. I just sat quietly in the back, pretending to be nodding and agreeing with them until they both asked who I was going to the dance with.
I had to stop and think; did Tyler still want to take me? I was assuming yes with the kiss he had given me last night.

'Tyler. He asked me the day I got bitten.'
There were shrieks and claps, both of them happy that I had gone for Tyler rather than Reid; who was not himself lately and then onto how much Chase cared for me; sitting by my bed all day and night while I was out of it.

Finally we arrived in town, and we were looking through the two dress shops for the right sort of dress. Kate chose a stunning red one, subtle fake diamonds along the waist and Sarah showed off in her first pick; a cream dress that looked like something from a century ago. After convincing both of them that they looked fine in them, they gave me three dresses to try on.

I stood in the change room, staring at the pretty fabrics and fine detail.
Once upon a time there was a time that I would only be able to wear something like this if I married a rich business man. Yellow caught my eye and I tried it on, the fabric soft against my skin as I tried it on.

I hated looking at myself. The dress hugged my skinny figure and I felt over exposed with the sleeveless gown but it reminded me of a special dress my mother had made for me. It was specially for Sunday church and I smiled at the memory of my mother, sewing all day and night to finish the dress. Now days all you had to do was go into a store and buy it from a rack against the wall.

'Come on Leah!'
Opening the door, I was too lost in my thoughts to process the surprise and awe from Sarah and Kate, just closing the door again when they were done. All I wanted to do was cry, but I forced it aside, changing back into my jeans and jumper before purchasing the dress and a a pair of shoes.
The store closed behind us and the dark night fell around us, but a darker feeling descended over me.

Something was wrong.

Sarah was parking her car away as Kate and I ran inside from the rain.
'God I hope it doesn't rain like this tomorrow at the dance!'
I agreed and stood outside her door.
'Wanna come in? It's a Friday, so might watch a movie or something.'
'No thanks, I'm pretty busy tonight.'
Kate raised an eyebrow and winked. 'Got to organise things with Tyler?'
I shook my head and moved in closer as I saw Chase walk down the hall. Dropping my bags, I felt my power swirl in my palm as I forced Kate into silence.
'No. Things with the covenant.'

Chase was beside me in no time and had already cast the spell of creation. Kate collapsed and I scooped up my bags again as Chase closed the door quietly.
'What's wrong?' I asked, nervous for a moment that I had done something wrong.
'They know. Or at least, they will very soon.'

In a blink of an eye he was gone and I was left to rush back to my room, hoping that no one would see me. Sarah would have been back by now, but Kate would already be sick and in hospital. That meant that Pouge would be angry, but I had no idea what Chase was going to do to him.

Time was going so quickly now as I sat on my bed, trying to wrap my head around everything. I should be dead, not killing these people. But time is never on anyone's side, and it was sure not on mine.

Any minute now I just knew that I would be left with Reid and Tyler.
Any minute now I just knew that I would be exposed.

And we are getting closer to the end.
Sorry if it too quick :)

Silver-Kirin
xXx