Chapter 29 Recovery

"Harriet?"
"Harriet?"
I felt a brush of fingers on my cheek. I feel so lightheaded, my eyes fluttered from the dazzling light on the ceiling. When I tried to move my right arm, I grimaced and gave a hissing noise as the pain shortly flooded my senses, making me almost blackout. Ohhh great. I felt pain. I'm not dead yet.
"What day is it?" I asked, rasping as I tried to recline myself on the headboard, cringing in pain. Jason helped me and placed the cushions comfortably on my back.
"You slept like a log, warrior princess," he muttered, smiling. He brushed the hair from my face and tucked it behind my ear. "It's been two days."
"WHAT?!" I almost sat straight in shock but my arm was still agonizingly painful. When I looked at it, it was coated with a hard brace, correcting my bone from being broken. I felt terrible because I couldn't afford to wait any longer here to heal while my dad and Carl were suffering in Zone twenty-eight!
"It's all my fault... If only I didn't..."
"Stop blaming yourself, Harriet. You are also a victim. That person deserves to die." Jason tried to make me feel better but I only felt awful. "Killing a Creeper is nothing. But killing a person?"
He sighed. "I understand the feeling. Of all the people, Harriet, I'm the one who knows that sort of emotion."
I averted my eyes from him and looked down on my casted right hand. Jason's right. He didn't have a chance to live a peaceful, pleasant life because he had to survive and Aisea was a poor place to live, especially when you work at an early age without any parents to look after you.
We were both raised in a different kind of place with different kinds of people that surrounded us. Yet, we both understand what's missing in our life. Maybe I just understand that we both had to be tough and self-reliant to survive living in this era. It's a new world full of anticipation and fear and the only means to get away from all of this is to find a new place where you could be with the people you trust with your life.
And I think I have finally found them. Here, in Zone four.
I stared at Jayson who was sitting on a folding chair, his bright green eyes were a palliative sight to look at. His dark hair was in a mess and he looked tired. He must be watching over me since I came here in the infirmary.
"Did the others know? I mean Li and Mona?"
"Yes. They came here yesterday and checked you." Jayson replied with a smile and I exhaled in relief. They all care for me.
"Also, Dr. Peterson said you will be alright. We're just waiting for a new device that can fix your bones in no time. Although I mistrust it, it's still good that you don't have to wait for too long to heal yourself and save your family."
"Thank you, Jayson. I can't do this all without you. You all give me the courage to keep going." I smiled at him, my eyes were teary. I can't understand but Jayson's presence was always giving me relief and I felt like I could do everything when he talks about my goals.
"I feel bad though. I didn't know what happened to you until Timothy started looking for you everywhere. I thought you were with the Ambassador when you went to that monster. What were you thinking, Harriet? I know you felt danger with that man too. I can't understand why you had to go there alone."
I shut my eyes tightly and grimaced when I tried to sit upright. The room was silent and only our voices were heard echoing in the corners of the infirmary. I wonder what time it is. It must be late at night.
"I'm sorry I never want to burden any of you with my personal problems so I didn't tell you I had the plan to talk to him. You all have your own dilemma, Jayson. And you're starting a new life. I don't want to ruin your life or put you all in any danger." I explained to him, vexed and frustrated with myself. "I need to save my family and I don't want to drag any of you with my issue."
He sighed. "Fine. But at least never do that again. You all gave us a heart attack, silly girl."
Jayson and I were both startled when the curtain was drawn by someone.
It was Timothy. He also looked surprised to see Jayson. Awkwardness suddenly cascaded on the three of us as I tried to smile at him. He grinned at me as he offered me the tray of food in his hands.
"I just thought you needed food since it's been two days since you were unconscious." He said as he arranged the small table on top of me. He placed the food tray on it and made sure I was comfortable enough to eat. After helping me, he took a small folding chair that stood on a corner and sat beside Jayson. The sight of both of them was so awkward that none of us couldn't say a thing.
I started munching the food and Jayson cleared his throat. Timothy was fidgeting on his chair. It was funny but I didn't want them to think I was making fun of them so I just kept on eating. The food was so good that even though I felt uncomfortable in front of these two guys, the hunger I felt made me finish it in just minutes.
"Oh, goodness. Thank you, Timothy. The food is great!"
"I'm happy you liked them. I chose them for you. I think you're really fond of sweets."
Jayson cleared his throat again.
"Are you sick, Jayson? Do you need a nurse to attend to you?" Timothy asked sarcastically, a little annoyed. He was giving a fake smile but I could feel that he didn't like Jayson's presence here.
"Huh? No, I just... It's the air I think. Or maybe it's your perfume? You know, I am a bit allergic to some kind of smell—"
"Stop it, both of you." I scolded them both. What's going on with them?
They refused to look at each other but they stayed in their seats. When I attempted to lift the tray with one hand, both of them suddenly stood at the same time and we were about to take the tray from my hand. They collided at each other and Timothy almost lost his balance and accidentally shoved the pole that hangs the bag of my IV drip! It fell but Jayson's fast reflex had caught it before it clattered on the floor.
"Oh, my heavens! What's wrong with both of you?!" I exclaimed, astonished by their weird behaviors. I was starting to get upset because I couldn't understand why they suddenly acted so strange. Even Jayson!
"Hey! Take your hands off me!" Timothy angrily hissed at Jayson as he took the pole from its hand and put it back near my bed. Jayson's eyelids fluttered as he had woken up from a daydream and flinched from Timothy, massaging the bridge of his nose.
"I-I'm sorry."
"Are you okay, Jayson?" I worriedly asked, my brows furrowed. Sure he"s acting strange suddenly when Timothy came here but I feel there's something wrong with him that I couldn't fathom.
"Yeah... I- I'll just go." Jayson smiled at me awkwardly and excused himself. He even gave Timothy a gentle pat on the shoulder before he went outside my cubicle.
"Aww!" Timothy grimaced with Jayson's heavy hand.
"Hey, Jayson!" I called out for him, worried but he didn't give me a single look and went out of the infirmary, leaving me and Timothy.
"What's wrong with him?"
"I have no idea. You came and he suddenly turned... awkward." I told Timothy as I shrugged my shoulders to him. I worry about what triggered Jayson to behave so strangely like that. It was as if he was not himself when Timothy came.
"Oh, sorry for him, I am a straight guy." He joked and smiled at me. I tried to suppress a laugh but it was impossible. "I don't think Jayson's like that, Timothy. You are so rude."
"I'm just trying to make you smile. You've been through a lot, you know? You must stop stressing yourself out all the time and try to smile. Stop being in your fighter mode and scare Li always." He chortled and stared at my face. His expression became so gentle. "You're not alone, Harriet. Let us help you too."
"Thank you. I can't believe the son of the wealthiest guy in Arcania is telling me that." I bantered. I watched him take the small table and the tray from my bed and handed me some tissues and a bottle of hand sanitizer.
"I learned a lot when we were trying to survive out there, Harriet. I realized and experienced so many things that I never thought would really happen to me. It was hard and scary and sometimes I just wanted to give up. But somehow, I'm grateful that my eyes were opened to the truth of this world's situation. It made me think that I must do something, Harriet. What we went through since we escaped from the airport gave me another purpose."
My heartbeat went fast by Timothy's words. I was touched by what he said and I didn't think that situation had changed him drastically. I love the improvement he has made to himself and I feel proud of what he has become.
"I believe you have the ability to change this world for these people, Timothy." I complimented him and we stayed all night talking and comparing our experiences and embarrassing stories about our childhood days...