First things first, I would like to thank Jabberjay and the ridiculous amount of soda that helped to bring you this chapter. I would also like to clear up some confusion regarding the last chapter. June has been hallucinating for the last few chapters. I realize that this could be very difficult for the reader and I apologize for that. I try very hard to make these hallucinations as obvious as possible but if something doesn't make sense simply assume that it isn't real…if that helps any…sorry -_-

If you as a reviewer do not understand something simply tell me and I will have Day explain it in the next chapter…much like I'm going to be doing in this one.

DAY: Chapter 8

Deep breaths, it was all I could do, breath and try to calm down. Cursing and flailing wouldn't help anyone. June was always someone I could count on but with her in this state I realized that this time, I was on my own. It was a sickening feeling but a true one all the same.

My bed was lumpy. No matter how much I tossed and turned I couldn't get to sleep. My body was heavy with it, the exhaustion that weighs through your bones and pulses with your blood. That and the image of June held at gun point wouldn't leave me.

That picture was carved into me with a dull blade. It was not the glint of light off the gun that stuck with me. It wasn't the reflection of hazy sickness in her blood darkened eyes, or even the way she moved as though a puppet jerked on strings. The thing that I couldn't shake was the way she had cried. It takes a lot for June to cry and if she ever did I thought she would try to hide it. I thought she would be ashamed of such tears and then try to make it better. That's what she's good at, fixing things. Instead she cried loose and open. There was no furious wipe of the face or a hardening of the eyes, trying to stop such emotions. It was almost as if she were a child, resigned and unable to understand. She couldn't communicate what was hurting her so and all she could do was sob. It was the picture of helplessness.

It killed me. She was supposed to be strong and powerful, that was where her beauty grew. Instead these people had torn her down to this fearful person. How is it that I couldn't keep that from happening? Was I so pathetic that I couldn't save one person? How is it that a few doctors holding me back kept me from someone as important as June?

More faces hit me and I cringe into a tighter ball. My mother, my brother, everyone was gone. I could have helped but I was too weak. What was I thinking? June could never be protected by someone like me. Just with a few words I almost destroyed her in the name of helping. How could someone so strong be so fragile all at the same time?

I smiled at the thought. If I ever asked her that she'd simply say that she was too complicated for me to understand. In a way such a thing was true.

I must have fallen asleep at last because when I woke up Thomas was in my room. I have to say that having Thomas randomly in next to your bed is not a welcomed surprise. If anything it was a horribly annoying creepy nightmare. With heavy eyes I rolled away from him. Maybe if I ignored him long enough he'd go away on his own. Of course I wasn't half as lucky.

"I brought you a blanket."

"Good for you."

"I thought that with all that hair gone you might be cold."

"Do you want an award or something? Go away." In all honesty it was cold in this room. The bed was less of a bed and more of a mattress. Anything to make it more comfortable was welcome. That is if was delivered by anyone but Thomas.

"I just got back from June's room." My entire body stiffened. I needed to know how she was but I refused to beg answers from him. "She was asleep but the guards outside her door said she'd been wailing for hours." I turn my face towards him. Across the room, hardly even away from the doorway Thomas is shifting foot to foot. He was worried, if for himself or for June I couldn't tell. "Have you seen her yet?"

This question shook me. One would think that Thomas, being the person who retrieved June and I, would have come kind of authority here. Instead he has no idea that I saw June start to unravel just before my operation. How much information do they keep from him? Is he even considered important, now that his job is done?

"No, is she ok. She must be cured by now." Of course I'd lie. Why would I tell someone like him the truth? Thomas' eyes glance to me and then to the door. Don't like being the one questioned do you? Is it bad that I took joy from that look?

"She's alright. Like I said before they couldn't give her anything that would cure her entirely, so she's still a bit out of it." I wanted to curse at him. She was much worse than a little bit out of it. I've seen that glazed look before. She could hardly understand what was going on. Of course I kept my mouth shut.

"That's good. She isn't in pain is she? You said she was crying."

"No, I think it was just because of where she is. Being captured is never a good thing for the mind. No one has briefed her either." He didn't have to say it. The fear that gripped me was enough. No one had told her if I was alright. No one had explained anything to her. Not that she'd really understand but it didn't matter now did it? The sudden need to see her washed over me. It gripped me like a vice and I suddenly wondered how I'd stuck it out this long.

"How long was I out?"

"A few days, it was a very complex surgery. I'm surprised that you woke up as fast as you did."

"Did they get all of it?"

"I think so. The higher ups were very happy with the results. You're scheduled to be briefed on it soon."

"So everything important is done. My job is done. I did as I was told. Let me see June." I winced at the desperate tone in my voice. I needed to at least pretend I was in control. The aggravated sigh from across the room was as good as an answer.

"Major Winston ordered me to let you and June converse under severe supervision as soon as you woke." The smile I felt spread was too good to be true. How stupid could these people be? Of course we couldn't make any solid escape plan being watched all the time, but being near was enough to stabilize at least one of us. Just one of us with a clear head was enough in my opinion.

June was brought in and I nearly tackled her I was so relived. She looked well enough, better than she had in the operating room. Her hair was greasy and strands were falling out of her usually perfect pony tail. Her eyes were clearer than before so I was sure she knew at least where she was. Though the darkened color in those orbs of hers were a little disconcerting, as of the floor was tilted just an inch to the left.

A guard is holding her up by her forearm as she wobbles towards me. I long to rush up and help her but I've been forced to rest and so am not allowed to move from this damn bed.

She numbly situates herself next to me and looks at the guard with a question in her face.

"He has to stay to make sure we aren't planning anything." My hand finds hers. My skin sparks with the touch but the heat coming off of her worries me.

"Right of course."

"How are you? Are you feeling any better?" The look she gives me is like one of a child after being asked how far the sun is from Mars.

"Yes they gave me something…"

"An Injection Miss Iparis." The guard interjected. He looked to her kindly as though helping an old woman who couldn't remember where she'd put her keys. It's good that someone like this is guarding her. At least I won't have to worry that they're hurting her.

"Right an injection, here." She pointed to her arm as though I wouldn't believe her, a proud kid showing a parent just how brave they were. "Metais isn't that great? Now that I have the new vaccination we can go out again." Her eyes were shining and a smile glowed on her face, free from the pain I knew she could not remember having. "Metais you're hurting me." I quickly let go of her hand and watched the red marks fade to white on her skin. "Metais, why are you crying? Stop you should be happy. We could go the movies or out to eat. Thomas would like that don't you think?" She's pulled herself closer, knees digging into my side. "Metais it's ok. The shot didn't hurt at all."

A warm hand holds my face, too warm. Her eyes are glazing over now, the color darkening. Unknowingly she's already in my arms, my face digging into her neck, breathing in the scent that lingered there despite the stench of sickness. Weak arms circled my middle. A head rested on my shoulder as sleep quickly took her next words away.

For once I was grateful to an armed guard. He let her stay like that, asleep and unaware until Thomas was sent to take her from me.

Yay! Wasn't that nice and sad for all of you :D but really, I am sorry for the sadness -_- Great things are to come, most have to do with the results of Day's operation. Thanks for reading and as usual please review, I love reviews!