Chapter 14

     I'm in pain, I realized dimly.  I was propped up on something lumpy and there was a faint beeping somewhere around me.  There was pain all throughout my body, but mostly in my torso and my wrist.  It was then I discovered that I couldn't be dead.  There was too much pain for me to be dead.  I opened my eyes, only to shut them quickly as light flooded my brown irises.  I grunted and allowed my eyes to adjust to the bright light.  I waited a couple of seconds for my mind to become clear and I deciphered that I was in a hospital.  My left hand was in a cast and an IV allowed fluid to be transferred from a bag into my blood.  There was something across my nose - a bandage probably - and I moved my hand to rip it off but the moment I moved, there was pain and I cringed.

     Someone gasped and there was a small crash, the sound of a chair being knocked over.  Disoriented, I looked to my right and saw my mother standing, her hands at her mouth.  She was dressed in a green sweater and jeans, her short hair was in a low pony tail.  There were tears running down her vividly fatigue face and she hugged me gently, aware of my pain.  Her tears spilled onto my cheek and I realized it was the first time I'd seen her cry.  Then again, if I was her, and my only daughter had just been through a near-death experience, I'd cry too.

     "My baby, my little girl," she crooned. "I'm so, so glad you're awake."
     "How... how long have I..." My chest stung when I took a breath.
     "You've been out for three weeks, sweetheart.  It's Thanksgiving,"
     "Huh."  It started coming back to me.  The warehouse.  Akumu.  Ian.  Those images Akumu showed me came back as well and I trembled.  Then, there was a huge blank until I saw Dimitri's face and twitched in my bed.
     "Dimitri!" I gasped, "Ow!"
     "Try and stay still, sweetie," my mom chided gently.
     "Where's Master Dimitri?  I need to see him!"
     "Calm down, Dialla.  He'll be here soon, I promise."

     I took in a shaky breath, ignoring the pain in my chest and let it out slowly, flinching.  Breathing out hurt more than breathing in.  She sighed deeply and smiled.
     "I don't understand.  I thought I died,"
     She shook her head. "No, sweetheart, no.  They got to you just in time."
     I nodded slightly and blinked.  She gave me a brief explanation of where I was and how long I would have to be here.  According to the doctor, I would have to be in here for a little over a month.

     "But, I'll miss the Level 2 exams!"  They were the next week and I didn't want to miss it.
     "Master Gilbert will let you retake the exams when you come out of the hospital.  Don't worry."
     "But I'll be behind everyone else!  Again!"
     "Would you rather be behind everyone or be dead?"
 
     It was a harsh question and fortunately I didn't need to answer it.  The door opened and a teacher I didn't recognize told my mom she had a meeting to go to.  Her eyebrow twitched and she cursed, another thing she never did.
     "Push back the meeting!"
     "No, mom, go ahead.  It's okay," I protested.
     She looked at me with concern. "Are you sure?"
     I nodded. "I won't be going anywhere for a while."
     She kissed my bandaged forehead and lingered in the doorway before leaving.  I heard her talk to someone outside but couldn't make out any words.  My curiosity was diminished when my brown haired crush strode in.  He was wearing a green shirt with a black jacket and matching pants.  There were white cuffs and white on the collar and even though I had a feeling he hadn't slept in a day, he still looked hot.  My face lit up with elation and Dimitri shut the door.

     "Dima," I whispered, unexpected tears sliding down my cheeks.
     He fixed the chair and sat down next to me, wiping away the tears.  I wasn't sure why I was crying but I was kind of glad.  It meant that I was still alive.
     "I never thought I would hear you say that again," he said softly, his fingers lingering on my cheeks.
     "Maybe I should call you that more often," I said, smiling.
      Dimitri gave me a short smile and removed his hand from my cheek and he laced in through my free one; the beeping increased slightly.
     "Mom said I would have to be here for a month.  How bad am I?"
     "You have a broken wrist, four broken ribs, a broken nose, bruises covering your entire body, a small head wound and a huge gash on your stomach.  You lost a lot of blood so they gave you some transfusions."
     "I thought... I mean, didn't I die?  With all the blood I lost, I thought for sure that I died.  Mom said you got to me just in time but..."
     "You were in a state of death, but it wasn't the real thing.  Your mark activated and spread across your entire body.  When it covered your whole body, you started breathing again."

     "It sounds like I did die."

     "No, you didn't.  It was so close, though, so, so close," his voice broke off and he looked away.

 

     "What would you have done if I died?" I blurted without considering.

     He looked at me and I looked away, mentally cursing myself.  As I did, I saw white daises in a porcelain vase.  Using it as a change of subject, I gestured to them with my chin.

     "Who are the flowers from?  You?" I asked.

     "No.  Rose brought them here now to long ago,"

     I gaped at him. "Roselia Everlasting?  Why would she bring me flowers?"

     "The same reason why all your other friends were here.  She is worried about you."

     "She hates me!  She accused me of flirting with you and started all those rumors!"

     "True, but that doesn't mean she wanted you to die.  A lot of people would miss you.  Asalie, Cleao, Lance and... me." I blushed and he hesitated for a moment before answering my question from before. "Tyler and I probably would have killed Ian."

     I looked back at him. "Tyler was there?"

     Dimitri nodded. "Yeah, he was the one who tackled him off you."

     "Oh.  I only saw you," I admitted. "I mean, I heard other people, but I couldn't see anyone else.  Who was there?"

     "Myself, obviously, since I was the first one aware of your absence.  Tyler, since he's your brother.  Mistress Mineva since she had a helpful ability and Dr. Perraudin since she is a healer."

     "I see," I groaned as I tried to get into a better position. "I'll have to thank them later.  Anyway, what is Mistress Mineva's ability?"

     "She can track someone's aura easily as long as she has been in contact with them, whether physically or even just by talking.  And, her being your teacher, she knew where your were and we found you just in time."

 

     "Just in time," I agreed softly. "What happened to Ian?  And Akumu?"

     "Akumu was gone before we arrived and Ian disappeared."

     "He disappeared?!" I yelped, then winced.

     "Easy," Dimitri soothed me. "He won't get near you.  Tyler managed to beat the crap out of him a little bit.  Besides, he won't get near you.  You're safe now."

     I wasn't convinced, but nodded.  Those few words were enough to cause my heart rate to increase and I blushed.

     "I don't suppose we could shut that thing off, could we?" I asked hopefully.

     Dimitri laughed. "No way.  How else would we know how fast your heart beats when you're around me?"

     I pouted and turned away from him. "Not funny."

     He fought back a smile and I shuddered then grimaced.  Dimitri got up from his chair and strode over to the other side of the bed.

  

     "Where are you--" I realized his plan to late as he hit a button that sent in the nurse.

     "Yes?" An old, cranky voice squawked.

     "I think we are ready for some pain meds," Dimitri said politely.

     "No we don't!" I protested but pain erupted in my chest and I gasped.

     "The nurse will be right in," I glared at Dimitri, who stared back innocently.

     "You suck,"

     "Love you too,"

     The beeping escalated and I looked away, my cheeks flaming, trying to calm my heart.  The nurse came in, a short blonde haired woman with blue eyes.  She questioned if I was alright, saying my heart rate got high.  I shot Dimitri a look and assured her I was fine.  She injected something into the bag next to my bed and almost immediatley my eyes started to droop.

 

     "There you go, sweetie.  This'll help," she smiled warmly.

     I nodded and she left; Dimitri was by my side again.

     "Will you...." Already my voice was slurring.  I tried again. "Will you sta..."

     He comprehended my request and he rubbed my hand reassuringly. "I'll be right here.  And, if not me, then Tyler or your mom will."

     I was able to smile and my eyes fluttered shut, leaving me in the darkness again.

 

 

     When I was finally allowed back at the Tower I had several bruises and a cast.  My nose was busted up which bugged me since it was visible to everybody.  My chest and stomach were both bandaged and I had to change the stomach bandage every two hours.  I had gotten out a week earlier, but I still missed the exams.  I was changing the bandages on my torso when I saw my injuries for the first time and gaped.  Shades of purple, red, blue and yellow decorated my torso, stretching all the way up to the base of my neck.

 

     Scowling, I poked at it, hissing as it throbbed.  I redid the bandages on my chest and looked at my stomach.  The wound had healed mostly but if I did anything imprudent it would open up again.  When the would fully healed, it would leave a huge scar.  Guess I can't wear bikinis every again.  Sighing, I started to replace the bandages when a voice startled me.

     "Need some help?"

     I smiled and tan hands took over for me.  I didn't mind Lance helping me or standing so close.  My chest was covered so it's not like he could see anything.  Plus, we were really close.  Once he finished, he handed me my shirt and I slipped it on slowly.  Lance was dressed in a black attire with a gray jacket over it.  The jacket had three pockets on each side; it was a recommended attire whenever someone goes on a mission.  There was a blue knife holster strapped to his right thigh and a small pouch strapped to his back left pocket, capable of holding small bombs or other weapons.

     "I thought you left,"

     "I wanted to make sure you were alright.  And to help you get to your exams on time.  You don't want to miss them again, do you?"

     I laughed then moaned in pain. "Don't make me laugh."

     "Oh, right.  Sorry," he apologized then walked with me to the gym.

     "What Level mission is it?"

     "It's a Level 1 so it's simple.  Unfortunately, I can't say more about it."

     "Ah, I understand.  Good luck and be careful,"

     "I will," His lips brushed my cheek softly and he turned and left quickly.

 

     I strode into the gym where Master Gilbert, Dimitri, Tyler and my mom awaited me.  I put on a smile even though I was nervous.  Okay, that was an understatement.  Being in the hospital for a month made me rusty.  I hadn't performed a spell in so long I was afraid I wouldn't remember how.  Or I wouldn't make enough clones and would fail the exam.  Or maybe I would do the wrong spell and make an utter fool out of myself in front of Master Gilbert.

 

     Then I remembered the fight.  I had to beat someone in a match by either knocking them unconscious or pinning them for five seconds.  It would be difficult no matter who I fought since I could only use one arm.  I prayed it wasn't someone like Asalie or Roselia.  They were the two best in the class but Asalie was better than Roselia.  Relief flowed through me when I saw my opponent was Karen Yamato, a shy Japanese girl.  She was shorter than I was by an inch or so with silky black hair that she used to hide her mark on her forehead.  I caught a quick glimpse of it, it looked like three L's similar to a triskelion.

 

     Though she was shy, she was an excellent fighter, which made me even more paranoid.  I didn't even realize my knees were trembling until a hand clamped down on my shoulder gently and lips were at my ear.

     "Calm down.  You'll do fine, Dalia," Then the Italian voice and wonderful aftershave disappeared and I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

     "Please make three replicas," Gilbert ordered.

     I nodded. "Replication!"

     I was engulfed in a cloud of smoke as three clones appeared.  When the smoke cleared, there was a look of approval on all their faces.  I sighed with relief, my confidence coming back, and undid the clones.  So far so good.  Next, was the match.  Karen and I stepped into the middle of the gym and I she looked unsure.

 

     "A-are you s-sure, Master?" she stammered. "She is still hurt."

     "Don't worry, Karen.  I'll be fine," If I could use my ability that is.  I didn't know much about her, but I knew she was the fastest girl out of all the first-years.  If my eyes didn't work now, I'd be screwed.  I hadn't used my ability since the fight with Ian, and even then I wasn't sure how I did it.  I figured I'd just go with the flow.  Gilbert nodded in agreement and explained the rules.  No spells were allowed, however we could use any weapon we chose and our abilities.  I recall Karen saying once that she didn't have an ability so I assumed that he meant for me to use mine.  If only I knew how.  I had the options of knocking her unconscious, making her surrender, or 'killing' her.  As in, if I had a knife I would place it where her heart was but not stab her.  Same thing for the throat.  As I pondered what to choose, he began the match and Karen went into attack mode.

 

     Almost immediately, she pulled a knife out of a holster that was strapped to her thigh and rushed at me.  I yelped, ducking quickly as she slashed at my head.  Then I leaped back a few feet, gaining some distance.  Since I had no knife holster, I used a quick spell to materialize my own knife.  We engaged in our knife fight, each giving and receiving some small cuts.  I aimed for her shoulder but she sidestepped into the attack and I cut her throat.  It didn't kill her, in fact it was just a scratch, but an inadequate line of blood slid down her neck.  We both gasp and I just barely saw her pupil fade before she kicked me hard in the chest.  I coughed and staggered back, grunting in pain.  She punched me in the same spot then tried to punch me in the face.

 

     I was able to dodge it but then she backhanded me in the face.  I spun in a full circle and she pushed off my chest and leapt into the air.  I hit the mat hard and lay there, stunned and in pain.  I was able to roll out of the way as she threw her knife at me.  It hurt a lot but I was able to flip up onto my feet.  Karen's eyes were blinded with fear and anger and she used her speed to disappear.  Fortunately, my eyes had changed by then.  I watched her as she ran all around me, a cloud of dust following her.  I waited patiently, then extended my foot, accomplishing the task of capturing her foot.  She lost her composure, but just before she hit the floor, the same foot connected with her side.

 

     She bounced once on the mat then rolled until she was on her back.  I jumped on top of her and quickly straddled her, using all of my weight to immobilize her.  Then, I pinned her arms above her head with my cast-covered arm and placed my knife at her throat, being careful not to cut her.  She saw the knife at her throat and her pupils returned.  She blinked, bewildered, then realization hit her and she sighed in defeat.  Gilbert ended the match and I got off her and I sat down my knees stretched out and my hands behind my body, also stretched.  Karen quickly excused herself, saying she had a mission to attend to.  I frowned at that, becoming envious, then flinched as my chest throbbed.  My stomach stun as well, so I assumed that the wound had been reopened.  Master Gilbert smiled at me.

 

     "That was very impressive, Dialla.  You won a match while being injured and only being able to fully use one of your arms.  You also performed the Replication Spell beautifully," I glanced over at Dimitri when he said that.  His face remained impassive, but there was approval in his eyes. "You pass, Dialla.  Well done."

     "Awesome!  Can I go on a mission now?"

     Gilbert laughed, my mom shot me a horrid look and Tyler and Dimitri chuckled in amusement.  I guess they didn't realize I was but I let it drop.

     "You job now is to rest and heal.  Consider that a mission," he answered and left.

     Mom and Tyler congratulated me then left, since they had classes to attend to, leaving Dimitri and me alone.  Dimitri approached me as I rose to my feet, staggering as my chest throbbed.  He rushed to me, his arm resting on my forearm.  I thanked him for steadyng me and slipped away into the locker room.  The wound had opened up and was bleeding badly.  I muttered a string of swears and did my best to stall the bleeding.  There was a first-aid kit near by but it was positioned on a high shelf, just out of my reach.  Curse being five-five.  Every time I stretched towards it, the pain increased.  I tried three more times before giving up.  I walked over to the door and tried to nudge it open with my foot but it was latched shut.

 

     I snarled and kicked it.  The dull reverberations echoed throughout the locker room and a moment later the door opened.  Dimitri stood, first with a perplexing look on his face, then he analyzed what was going on and brushed past me.  He ordered for me to sit down while he grabbed the kit and opened it up.  He sprayed some antiseptic on my stomach and I tensed.  He didn't seem to mind that I wasn't wearing a shirt.  I mean, yes, my chest was concealed with bandages, but my face was also warm and an unattractive red.  Yet he was perfectly calm as he wrapped up my stomach.  Once he finished, I quickly slipped my shirt back on and stood up.  He followed me out of the locker room and I strode towards the exit when he reached out and grabbed me.

 

     I stopped instantly, looking at the hand that gripped my arm. Dimitri tugged at me and I staggered as he pulled me over to the bleachers.

     "We need to talk," was all he said at first.

     "Yeah, I kind of figured that out when your started dragging me over to the bleachers," I said and sat down. "What's up?"

     He gave me a wry smile for a second then grew serious. "How do you feel about me?"

     I blinked at him, trying to appear confused and skeptical.  When in reality, I couldn't breathe.  Heck, I couldn't even think straight.  What kind of question is that?!  And why would he ask it all of a sudden?  Does he know that I was awake when he kissed me?  That I'm secretly in love with him?  Is that what this is about?  Okay, okay, calm down.  Take some deep breaths and think this through.  Find a way out of this.

 

     "Well, you're my mentor, so obviously I'm supposed to respect you.  And, after everything we have been through, I've gotten close to you.  You're a great friend and--"

     "I know you were awake when I kissed you, Dialla," he cut me off. "And I overheard your conversation with Asalie as well."

     I didn't know what to say at first so I responded to the latter first. "I've had many conversations with Asalie.  Which in particular are you referring to?"

     "The one where you said, - and I quote - 'I have a huge, HUGE, crush on my twenty-five year old mentor who--"

     "Yeah, yeah, I get it," I said quickly, perturbed. "And I already know what you're going to say I just don't want to hear it."

     He raised an eyebrow I continued.

     "You're going to say that you are flattered that I have strong feelings for you and politely say that you don't have the same feelings.  Then, a huge lecture on how I need to stop this because we can't be together because the age difference is too huge and because you are my mentor.  And, you're going to say that the kiss you gave me was just a friendly kiss and that it will never happen again and it was a stupid mistake."  As I listened to myself speak, I acknowledged that I was a little hysterical and my vision was starting to get blurry with tears.

 

     "I see.  Well, that was a very good deduction, but you're a little bit off,"

     I stared at him, my mouth open a fraction.

     "I am flattered that you care about me so much, however, I am not going to lie and say I don't have feelings for you, because I do.  And that kiss I gave you wasn't a friendly kiss.  I lost control of myself for a split second and before I could stop myself I had kissed you."

     "How did you know I was awake?"

     "Most of it was due to the way your body reacted.  The other way was how you reacted.  You made it so blatant it was almost funny." He examined my face for a moment. "Blatant means obvious."

     "I know what it means," I snapped. "But if that's true, then why did you act like it never happened?"

     "I thought that if I told myself that it didn't happen, I would believe it and it wouldn't happen again.  That I would forget about it.  Unfortunately, the more I tried to convince myself, the more I found myself thinking about you."

 

     "Me too," I murmured.

     "But we can't be together."

     "I know that,"

     "You need to be with people your own age."

     "I know that," I repeated firmly. "You know, saying something that I already know can't happen over and over doesn't help.  It just hurts more and I'm in enough pain already."

     "The last thing I want is to hurt you, believe me.  But you need to get this through your head.  You and I will never be together.  Understand?"

     "Yeah.  Understood." I got up from the bleachers and left.

     I had to get out of there as fast as possible.  I couldn't let anyone see me with the tears streaming down my face.

Author's Note