Part 17

As I took in everything around me, I almost failed to notice that someone was walking towards the branch canopy hideout. I heard footsteps and saw a shadow out of the corner of my eye. I positioned Alex so that he would be mostly hidden in the shadows, then grabbed the most lethal thing I could find: a branch with a sharpened tip. As I saw the shadow get bigger against the canopy, I prepared myself to stab at whoever entered, even though we were trespassing. Finally, the canopy opened, and I received the biggest shock of my entire life. I was stalk still as I felt the electricity seemingly fry every cell in my body. As I collapsed, I looked at the person who had shocked me and was momentarily surprised to see the teacher that had burst into light a few hours ago. As I was watching her, she looked at me, pointed her hand at me, and flicked it downward. I could feel my eyelids getting heavy, but I couldn't let them close, for Alex's sake. If I let myself sleep, she would be able to do anything she wanted, and I wasn't going to let her do anything to him. I may not have known him all that well, but he was my only companion, and I prefer my companions to have that human spirit. But just when I thought that I had beaten the drowsiness, I heard her say, "You know, you should get some sleep. We have a long couple of days ahead of us, and if you want to keep up, then sleep is the best thing for you. Just ask Alex when he wakes up." I looked over to where he was and decided that sleep wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. But just as I was about to get comfortable, she stated that it could get really cold here, especially since the summer hadn't officially started yet. I knew what she was trying to do, and it wasn't going to work. But something told me that she wasn't lying, but that her intentions weren't innocent either. I was determined to not let that woman dictate me, so I made myself as comfortable as I could at the opposite corner as Alex, but on the same side. I wasn't sleeping near that witch. After a lot of tossing and turning, I finally fell asleep.

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When I woke up, I noticed that sunlight was streaming into the canopy. I started getting up and noticed that Alex was sitting at the foot of my makeshift bed. It almost looked like he was keeping watch. I propped myself on one arm and felt a sharp pain go through the left side of my body. I let out a little whimper, which caused Alex to turn his head. "Dang it. I thought that it would've worked by now."

"It doesn't start working until she wakes up."

"Well, that's dumb. She should be able to wake up and not be in pain. Especially when you caused it." I could hear how he stressed 'you' like he was blaming whoever he was talking to for my pain. I decided to intervene at this point.

"Alex."

"Yeah? What is it?"

"Why does my entire left side hurt? It feels like that entire side is trying to heal from a massive burn or something."

"You're not wrong. When our crazy 'talented' teacher decided to shock you, she hit the left side. It fried most of the nerves and did a lot of damage. I woke up just before the sun and saw you shuddering. The damage was preventing proper blood flow, so you're body temperature was dropping faster than a freak snowstorm. That's when the lady gave me a mixture and told me to pour it over your forehead. I thought that she was insane, but I also knew that she didn't mean to kill you. If she wanted to do that, she would've killed you when she shocked you. So, I did it. There had to be magic in it or something because the mixture went right through your forehead, and I could see it light up the veins in your body. After that, she went out to get stuff, and I've waited for her to come back, and for you to wake up. Honestly, I'm just glad that you're alright."

At this point, I was nearly in tears. Alex barely knew me, and kinda fought a bit before we were forced into this journey together, and now he's glad that I woke up? I don't believe this. I knew that Alex was comfortable being near me, and I decided to use this as a test. I opened my arms for a hug, and said, "Come here," pretty softly. But it was enough to catch the momentary flicker of fear that registered in his eyes. I looked at him and implored him to come closer. Slowly, he started inching closer. Once he was close enough, I gave a good slap across the face. He recoiled, and I could see his eyes clear. After several seconds he looked at me, and promptly asked, "What the heck was that for?!"

"There's the Alex that I know. And prefer."

"But I don't understand. Why did you slap me?"

"You're eyes were glazed over. After I slapped you, they cleared. You're welcome."

He was in such shock that I couldn't keep myself from laughing. He had such a lost look and his mouth was open a lot farther than humanly possible. It was such a relieving sight. Of course, that made him get even madder at me. "Now what?!"

"Nothing", I choked. "You just had the funniest look on your face. I couldn't keep it in." He gave me a little pout, and I pouted back. It was obvious that we were both petty as hell. But after we both broke and burst out laughing. I started laughing so much that I started coughing. After I stopped coughing, Alex came round and took a look at my side. "It looks fine, but I'm gonna put some pressure on it. Let me know if this-". That was as far as he got because at that moment, the teacher came back, and we both jerked our heads to the sudden light. My face fell at the amused look on her face.

"Well, well, well", she cooed. "What do we have here?"