Ms. Evergreen remains quiet when I pull my hand away and find it covered in a black cream of some sort.
“What is this?”
“An ointment to help you heal. I would refrain from wiping it off too much. Otherwise the wounds might scar.”
“Wounds?” I blink furiously at her, drawing a blank. “What happened to me?”
She glances at me curiously. “What do you remember?”
Tilting my head, I stare up at the ceiling, trying to remember. “I’d had a nightmare and needed some fresh air. I went outside and found Mr. Daniels leaving the girls’ dorm. And then…” I swallow hard at the images racing in my mind.
Blood red eyes.
Sharp teeth.
Pale skin.
Pain. Unbelievable amount of pain.
My lips part as I turn my head to look at my teacher. “Am I dreaming, or did it really happen?” My voice is a whisper.
Her green eyes are steady on me. “Depends. What did you see?”
My heartbeat can be heard roaring in my ears. I feel like I’m going to be sick now, but I don’t. I just quiver under the threadbare blanket, hoping that it’s all a nasty dream. That I’m in my dorm room right now, just having another lucid nightmare. “I— I saw…”
There’s a creak from the floorboards and my eyes snap to the open doorway. A lone figure stands silhouetted against the darkness. My pulse goes faster and my hands curl against the fabric, feeling the need to escape.
“Ms. Mitchell. How do you fare?”
A breath of relief escapes past my lips. Immediately my hands uncurl and my heart returns to normal. “Mr. Daniels…What are you doing in the girl’s dorm?”
He steps into the light, looking every bit the rugged handsome instructor that he is. A ghost of a smile is on his lips. “You’re in my home. I found and brought you here to recover. I had Ms. Evergreen supervise you during your healing.”
I push up on my forearms again and find I’m able to sit up a little easier once the dizziness seems to pass. “Your home?” How strange to be in a house belonging to a teacher. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to intrude?—”
He lifts up a hand, “Nonsense. I?—”
“Be glad he found you in time.” Ms. Evergreen blurts out.
My eyebrows furrow as I glance from Mr. Daniels to Ms. Evergreen. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t think?—”
“If he hadn’t of found you, you’d more than likely be in an awful predicament.” Ms. Evergreen butts in, not allowing Mr. Daniels’ to finish.
“And what predicament would that be?” I ask, feeling a tad bit nervous.
“Dead.” Her voice grows quiet.
I swallow hard and look from her to Mr. Daniels. “Dead as in six feet dead? Or dead as inHollywood Undead?”
Mr. Daniels sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. “It doesn’t matter. The outcome is that you’re alive and recovering well. You should be able to return to the church in a few days.”
They’re not exactly easing the discomfort of my almost dying.
“In a few days?” I echo his words and lay back down against the pillows. I feel so small in this bed, it’s hard to imagine the possibility of Mr. Daniels with his incredible build taking up so much space in this bed. “But…what about classes?”
“What about them?” Those black eyes are staring straight into my soul, or that’s what it feels like at least. “You’re recovering. I’ll not allow you to travel in your condition.”