"Can you get up?" Elise asked frowning down at me.
Get up? I don't think I can even speak right now! And isn't this all her fault? She should carry me all the way to my dorm. Maria suddenly blocked my view of Jen and I can't say I'm not grateful for that. I moved my eyes to look at her and a tear involuntarily fell from my eye.
"Do you think you can get on my back at least?" Maria said as she covered me with a white sheet.
It took a long time for the two of them to get me on Maria's back as it was just the two of them. The bathroom was now empty and I wonder if those girls will still learn normally after what they had to see. I was slowly taken to my room and changed into a plain white dress I had brought from home, one of my best dresses.
"Have you told Oliver?" I asked Maria out of curiosity and so that I wouldn't have to look at Elise.
"I sent Markus to inform him. I've also informed Sr Drevin so she can bring the doctor over here then when you get better you'll be taken to the clinic." Maria said as she checked my temperature.
She sat down on the bed next to me and checked my pulse rate and somewhere at the back of my mind I felt that she was taking care of me because of Oliver. My eyes darted to Elise who was standing by the window with her eyes focused on something that she keenly watched.
"Your brother is coming this way." Elise said,"Thankfully he's got a pass."
Maria's hands trembled slightly from the information on Oliver's arrival. I rolled my eyes at her and I don't know if she saw it or not but I don't think I care. After what felt like three eternities, Oliver finally pushed open the door and walked in with Markus.
"Vee are you okay?" Oliver asked walking towards me quickly.
He pushed Maria away from me and sat where she had been sitting. She looked so shocked and even Markus was shocked. I laughed internally at the expression on Maria's face and I wasn't the only one laughing because I saw a small smile creep onto Elise's lips.
"I'm not fine." I told Oliver,"Everything hurts."
"I wish I was there." he said and that made everyone glare at him,"Not in the baths but I mean to protect you." he added.
"How would you have protected me?" I asked him smiling.
"I don't know. Such things happen with instinct." he said taking the blanket to cover me even though it was so hot outside.
"Isn't your instinct running?" Elise asked making Oliver and I realize we weren't alone in the room.
Before he could respond Sr Drevin walked in followed by an old man having a first aid kit in his hands and a stethoscope round his neck. The man narrowed his eyes at Oliver and Markus like he didn't want them in the room.
"Do you have a pass Mr Rogers?" Sr Drevin asked Oliver as she came to stand next to the bed.
"Yes." he replied simply as he smoothed the blanket at the edges like he didn't mind that he was being watched.
Oliver had always been this way since we were kids and I like having my own personal nanny. I remember a time in kindergarten when I had diarrhoea; one of the most traumatizing experiences of my life. He had been informed my teacher that I had been given a rotten banana by one of the older kids and had fallen sick. Our parents were quite busy on that day that they couldn't even answer there phones so he had been tasked to take me home, which wasn't far. I had messed up my underwear and was crying profusely until he gave me his school trouser to wear while he remained in his boxers. Before leaving he had got into a fight with the girl who had given me the banana; as in a physical fight. The whole way back home he gave a death glare at anyone who dated to scrunch their nose because of my odor.
He was and always will be my guardian angel. I think I wouldn't have made it out of kindergarten without him.
"This is Dr Buffers." Sr Drevin introduced the old man and I in turn gave him a little nod,"He will take a look at you....in private."
"Private?!" Oliver exclaimed.
"Yes Mr Rogers, in private. Unless you want to see your sister naked?" Sr Drevin said with raised brows.
Naked! Why do I have to undress in front of this man?!
"Naked?!" Markus screamed making everyone look at him.
Ohh....he was worried about me and now he is embarrassed. He looked down as soon as Sr Drevin frowned at him.
"I meant to say....why naked?" he said to compensate for his earlier mistake.
"Elise and I will stay here while the rest of you go back to class." Sr Drevin said.
Oliver was still frowning at the nun like he would strangle her at any moment. And Markus was looking down at me like a worried husband after hearing his wife might die in labour. I gave them a weak smile and they smiled back before glaring at Sr Drevin and Dr Buffers who both had their backs turned on the two boys. When they left I felt my heart drop to my toes when Dr Buffers told Elise to undress me. They hadn't even put underwear on me because of how painful it would have been on me and now I wish they did. I felt every drag of Dr Buffers' fingers on my skin as he inspected my bruises that had now turned black and blue.
For they rest of the check up I felt nothing and heard none of the old man's instructions because Jen was standing right behind Sr Drevin glaring at me.
"I'll go get the medicines for her." I heard Elise say holding a piece of paper in her hands.
"No please stay!" I shouted before she could even move an inch.
I have a strong feeling Elise is the only reason why Jen isn't attacking me so letting her leave will be a death wish. She narrowed her eyes at me and then let her eyes scan the room before they settled on Jen. She handed the prescription to Sr Drevin who happily took it as if she didn't want to stay here with me. When she turned around her eyes locked with Jen for the briefest seconds and then the nun walked around the ghost. So Sr Drevin could see her too! Maybe it's because she is a holy woman?
"Mr Rogers?!" Sr Drevin exclaimed touching her bossom like she just had a heart attack.
What is Ollie doing here?
"You too Markus?" Sr Drevin added.
So Maria is the only one who had actually listened to the nun. Elise covered me again and looked at Sr Drevin who hesitantly opened the door for the two boys to enter and for the doctor to leave. Oliver was the first one to come in followed by a ghostly pale Markus.
"Did the old man do anything to you?" Oliver asked in a whisper and I shook my head.
"You're sure?" Markus whispered with concern.
"I was right here you know." Elise jumped into the conversation not bothering to whisper.
Oliver looked like he wanted to say something like 'shut it shorty!' but he kept it in because it is an offence to insult a fellow student.
"Why aren't you in class?" I asked trying to ease his tension.
"Are you kidding me?" he said quickly then he lowered his voice,"Every time I blinked I saw that old man touching you. I couldn't leave you."
"But I was right here." Elise said exasperated.
"Well I don't trust you, okay. I don't trust anything about this place." he retorted.
Ouch! That must have really hurt her judging from the expression on her face. She blinked rapidly in disbelief then sighed as if she was letting out some steam.
"Why didn't you leave?" Elise asked Markus,"Same reason?"
"No. I....had visions of her crying because the doctor was touching her." he answered seriously.
"That's the same thing." Oliver and Elise said in matter of fact way.
I laughed at Markus and he looked down feeling embarrassed.
"Thanks for worrying about me you guys." I thanked them.
"Markus and I don't have the same position in your life so next time say this instead," Oliver said then he cleared his throat to mimic my voice poorly," thank you my dear brother and GUY!"
We all laughed but I noticed that Elise's smile was half hearted and I also noticed Jen was gone. I wonder if she is upset because Oliver said he doesn't trust her at all. She is probably even asking herself why Ollie trusts Markus and not her. I'm not sure I should pity her but I can sympathize with a heart broken girl.
Oliver and Markus didn't leave until after Elise returned to the room. I don't want to remain with Elise but what choice do I have. Apparently the passes have an expiration time of two hours. They promised to come see me at the hospital though so at least I have something to look forward to once I was taken to the clinic. I watched the door close and Elise started to stare at me.
"What's wrong?" I asked her trying to smile.
"What did you do to make her follow you?" Elise asked with a frown.
"I didn't do anything at all! But you sure did do something." I told her.
"Maybe it's because this was her room." Elise said more to herself than to me.
Her room? This was Jen's room? No wonder. Does she think I'm Elise's friend or something?
"Why did you bring me here if you knew that the room had some sort of evil spirit?" I asked enraged and confused.
"She hasn't appeared for a long time so I thought she had left." Elise said seriously,"Wait here."
Wait? Why wait? I don't want to remain alone! Elise was long gone before I could even say anything to her. At least she left the door ajar for me so the room felt less creepy. She didn't take too long and came back with a bowl that had something that looked like salt in it and in her other hand was an old pill container. I watched her while she put the salt into the bottle and she closed it and gave it to me.
"If you see her again throw some of it at her." Elise said.
I nodded even though I didn't know if it would actually work or if she was just trying to get me killed quicker.
"And Olive," she started hesitantly,"I need you to stay out of trouble and don't tell anyone about it."
I'm not going to nod at that. Why can't I tell anyone about this? It's always safer to have someone else who knows what you're going through. I can't tell Ollie though because he will probably try and kill her or even start reading books on how to get rid of spirits. Or he might call the police. It would not be all that bad if the school was shut down but I feel like that would make the spirits all focus on us. Markus looks too sensitive so I can't tell him either and Maria looks like a no good goody two shoes.
"How did she die?" I asked.
"Suicide." Elise answered and I'm not sure if I'm imagining it but she sounds sad.
So was Jen's death not her fault? But that memory or vision, Elise had betrayed Jen.
"She had slept with a teacher so in confusion I had gone and told the punisher." Elise said and I could see the confusion and sadness settle in her eyes.
"When was that?"
"Eighth grade. Jen and Constance were my only friends."
"Constance?"
"The punisher back then." Elise answered then she walked towards the window and stared at the clear sky.
So some time back Elise used to come and see Jen here? From the look in her eyes I can tell she loved her friends. But if that was in eighth grade then why did Elise look much older than she does now? I'm sure she is hiding something from me.
"Can I give you some advice?" Elise asked looking at me.
"Sure."
"Never go to the sewing room." she answered and the calm look that had earlier on was completely gone now.
"Is that advice or a warning?" I asked laughing to brighten up the mood but she had this look in her eyes that made my smile fade.
"Take it how you want to."
I looked away from her for a little bit before looking at her again. She was back to looking out the window with an expressionless face.
"So....are punishers appointed or chosen....?"
I saw Elise smile briefly then she looked at me, turning with her whole body.
"We earn it." she said,"We survive."
Okay.....that didn't really answer my question. But the way she said it though....
"Don't be one Olive Rogers. No one ever really wants to become one after the selection."
"Selection?" I asked only to have her stare at me.
I shut my mouth immediately and looked at her like I had not said anything to her. She sighed and then left me alone in the room. The room fell silent and I looked around to check if by any chance Jen was back. The coast is clear. No Jen, no sudden beatings. I never thought I'd say this but....I miss Oliver and I miss Markus. Can't Markus just get new passes or Elise take me to the clinic so that they can finally visit me? Come to think of it they only left a while ago but it feels like it has been ages since I saw them. I wonder if I can get up now. I removed the blanket that covered me and moved my toes around. Then I moved myself to the edge of the bed and place my left foot on the floor.
Ahh ha! I can already move again. I've always known that my body is strong for a twelve year old girl who will be turning thirteen. I walked towards the window and my eyes widened at the sight of Oliver with an annoyed Sr Drevin beside him as they walked towards the dorms. Even from this height and distance I can hear his annoying pleads to see me. She must be really irritated by him and judging by that look on her face she might just slap him anytime soon.
"Mr Rogers!" she screamed at him stoplight to glare at him,"Are you deaf that you've failed to hear me tell you time and again that you can't get a pass twice in a day?"
"I heard you loud and clear sister. But I'm only asking to help her to the clinic to make sure she's alright." Oliver said with his hands pressed together in front of him.
Sr Drevin frowned and continued walking, trying her best to ignore the person walking beside her.
"So should I like...get a wheelchair or something?" Oliver asked now swinging his hands on his sides.
"That will be too troublesome Mr Rogers. You'll carry her in your arms." Sr Drevin said between her teeth.
They disappeared from my sight as they had now entered the building. As I awaited their arrival to my door I got back into my white dress and put on some underwear. It took them five whole minutes to get into my room. When I finally heard them my legs were slightly shaking. I don't know what is now happening to me because even my lower back is aching now. There was a light tap at the door and after a few seconds I heard it creak open. Oliver greeted me but I failed to respond as I felt a little short of breath and it also felt like I was chocking.
"Vee is something wrong with you? Why are you up?"
"I.....I...ahhh..." that was all I could say and I sounded like I was about to die.
The sound of Oliver's pounding feet rushed towards me very fast and I felt my knees buckle and I fell; into his arms at least. He carried me back to the bed and I saw how his face looked contorted in worry. Sr Drevin came into my line of vision and as always she looked annoyed and yet calm.
"Let's take her to the clinic. Calling doctor....."
Oliver didn't let her finish talking as he took me up in his arms again and run out of the room like I was suddenly weightless. I felt the sting in my bones as I jiggled from how he was running. When we reached the stairs, he made me stand and told me to get on his back which I somehow managed to do even though I couldn't feel my legs. He descended the stairs going down two steps at a time. My heart was practically leaping out of my chest every time he went down. I'm sure by the time we reach the last step my heart will be on the floor.
Oliver didn't stop running and he caught a lot of attention as well. Some students who I think are mostly juniors started crowding the windows to look at us. When I go to class for the first time I'm sure I'll be quite famous. I buried my head in the crook of Oliver's shoulder to hide my face as I was only in that white dress that had gone up exposing most parts of my thigh. Oliver stopped all of the sudden and I wondered what was wrong or who was authoritative enough to have stopped him.
"Vee...." he called out to me and I hummed as softly as I could,"I don't know where the clinic is."
Iconic! I should have known something like this would happen.
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