Chapter 27: Maybe Not Out Loud
"Sarah!" Apollo yelled, rushing over to her. She was unconscious, and in that moment Apollo began to feel helpless. The one person that he had been so determined to protect a couple days ago, was now in harm's way. All because he couldn't step out of his daily depression to protect her. Why was he so stupid? He decided to stay with Sarah because she was like him, he wanted to help her, and maybe she could help him too. But any chance he had at redemption, was long gone. Allia bust through the door. "What happened to her?" She screamed, rushing over. "I don't know, she just...…..got mad at me….and collapsed." He admitted with a somber sigh. "Get me water, and a towel, and everything in the medicine cabinet!" Allia shouted. She ordered them around for an hour, then decided Sarah needed to rest.
Sarah's POV:
Sarah woke up abruptly in an unfamiliar bedroom. She sat up in the bed, and it let out a loud creak. She saw Blake hunched over on a chair, half asleep. He shook awake and just stared at Sarah for a moment. "You're awake!" He said excitedly. He jumped up from the old wooden chair and took her hands in his. "Thank god you're okay! We thought you were gone for a while there! Oh I am so glad that you're okay!" Blake said. "I'll go tell everyone else!" He announced. As he hurried to the door Sarah whispered, "please don't. I don't want the commotion right now. I have a pounding headache. My stomach feels like I just had a baby, I just want to lay here." She said, laying back onto the array of pillows. "Should I give you some privacy then?" Blake asked patiently. "No, it's fine. I don't really want to be alone right now. Do you remember the conversation we had earlier, about his tendencies?" Sarah asked suspiciously. He chuckled quietly, "yes, he tends to get like that. He's become a barrier between you and everyone else. It does make me worry but you two choose each other, we wouldn't be here if you didn't." He said, sitting on the edge of the bed. "You know Blake, I'm starting to think that we knew each other before. How in the hell could I have formed an attachment that quickly? Why was I so weak in the moment that I clung on so much to form this bond that I can't figure out? I-we had to have met before, right?" She asked, in confusion. "I would assume so, but you are talking like you formed that bond a decade ago. It's been like a month, maybe not even so we need to figure out your mindset changes. When you're anxious, you're like a completely different person. Then now, when you're frustrated, you talk about your past self like a delinquent teenager. You are one person, not six. We just have to pull your broken pieces back together, okay?" He asked with a caring grin. "Okay Blake. Will you read?" She asked. "That's a weird request. We don't even have any books to read." He said, holding out the to, with a chuckle. "Actually, we do." She pointed to the nightstand next to her where there was a book titled, "The Mistakes in our Moons". "Would that help keep you calm?" He asked. "Yeah, it would." She replied. Blake grabbed the book and laid on his back next to her and began to read.
Eventually, Allia came in and destroyed the peace. She scolded Blake for not telling her that the patient was awake but forgave him for keeping Sarah occupied. Eventually Apollo walked in, and he seemed angry. At this point, Sarah was over his attitude. Why was she so naive when panicking? She got herself into this, she had to stop this cycle. He just stood there, staring at her, and she stared right back. He apologised, and asked what he could do because he felt horrible for letting it get to him right when he was beginning to be able to block it out again. What is it, you ask? Intrusive thoughts. Sarah's response was, "I'm not sure you can do anything. It was completely my mistake to trust a complete stranger in one of my weakest moments. I was okay with you, even if trusting someone like you made me feel weak. But since I'm just a nuisance, you don't need to do anything." Sarah finished coldly. "Keep reading please." She looked at Blake. He looked between them, and decided it would be best to try to keep Sarah content. She was the heart of this operation anyway. Just as he began to read chapter 10, Apollo cut in. "I never said you were a nuisance", he said in confusion. "Maybe not out loud, looks like you forgot that I can sometimes read your thoughts. Your own head isn't safe for insults anymore." There was silence for a moment, before Blake started reading again and Apollo made his exit from the room.
Sarah walked into the kitchen with Blake and was carefully watching Allia's body language. She seemed nervous, and Sarah's intuition was right. Allia asked them all to come sit down, and started announcing.. "I have some news. I don't know if it should be considered good or bad. We have some real help for Sarah, but the help isn't coming from a great place. It's...…..the Herestrians. They're our only hope for Sarah's poison right now. They'll cure her before it starts to seriously affect her, and she'll have to assist them with infiltrating the MCAA's for information or something in that regard. Apollo, you're going back home for school. Blake, you too. Isi…...really not my business but you can't stay here. We'll get everyone on their way first thing tomorrow." She said hastily. "I am not leaving!" Apollo argued. "But yes you are my grandson. It's not safe for you, and you two need distance. The closer you are together with your intertwine, the weaker you both are. It's for the best darling." Allia just stood there. "Why....why them?" Sarah felt her eyes starting to water. Memories flooded her head, all the things she did for them. All the people she hurt, all the people she killed. Apollo stormed off, seeming like he accepted that he couldn't fight on this. Maybe he was just sick of her. Who knows? Sarah was debating storming off too, so that she could be alone when she felt arms coming around her torso from behind. She heard Blake's voice, "want to read? Calm you down a bit? It's not like we really get a choice here." "So it really doesn't bother you that I'm going to be there alone?" Sarah asked, panic rushing through her. "You won't be, I'm not leaving." He whispered, hugging her even tighter. "We are finishing that book before tomorrow", she announced. They raced back to the guest room, eager to keep reading. That book will mean so much to Sarah, she will relate to its premises more than she would ever believe, she just didn't know it yet.