There was blood everywhere. Henry was seriously injured and near true death. Claire was trying to give him water and wipe down his face, which was something that I should have been doing. Thomas was in shock. I didn’t know if my mother was undead, true dead, or alive. Sophie took over guarding Kellan, and there I stood, behaving like a fool.
I shook all over. I could feel Henry’s need for me, and could see him trying to reach his hand out. I dropped the empty Sig and hurried to his side. His eyes were closed.
I knelt down and kissed his forehead. He opened his eyes, and they were gray. I had never seen them so lifeless. “Oh, no. No, no, no!” I screamed.
“It’s okay, love. You’ll be fine.” He voice was garbled.
“Are you turning?” He nodded with a grimace.
“I need a fix, or it’s over.” He was trying to speak in a calm tone, but the pain was getting to him. “I’ve lost too much blood.” Claire jumped up and ran to the bin of supplies.
“Bite me.” I held out my wrist to his mouth.
“No. I won’t let you be like this.” I saw Claire rummaging through the bin. He was in agony, absolute agony.
“Henry, do you have any more needles or IV’s, or whatever you use?” We didn’t pay any attention to her.
“I don’t care. This is all too much. It’s okay. I will allow you to bite me if it’ll save you.”
“Be s-strong, love. G-get my gun.” His words were staggered. Here he was, still trying to comfort me in all his pain, then he insinuates that he wants me to shoot him? I had no words. I felt dizzy again. Everything was spinning and fading around me. “Elai-na?” I had forgotten about my head wound with all of the craziness going on. I threw up again. “Elai-na! Claire. Hel-p her.”
“Shit!” She didn’t know what to do. Help me, or try to find something with which to tap herself. She got up and reluctantly ran to the trucks to get another pack. Henry couldn’t move. He was reeling, hissing, and growling from the pain.
Sophie yelled at me. “Elaina, you have to lie down! You must have a concussion.” I lay down next to Henry. He touched my hand with his icy cold, stiff one.
“Hurry, Claire! He’s turning! Hurry!” yelled Sophie. He was trying so hard to stay composed for me.
Claire ran back from the trucks, with needle and vials in hand. She dropped down next to us. “How do I do this?!” Claire’s hands were shaking.
Sophie ran over, but she was still watching Kellan. “I don’t think this is a good idea. You already gave Nick some.” She sounded concerned. Claire vehemently disagreed, and shoved the supplies at her.
“Here.” Sophie was very reluctant but, with a speed I hadn’t seen before, she tied off Claire’s upper arm, found a good vein, and started filling one of the vials.
Her eyes were welling up with tears. She couldn’t bear to see me lose the love of my life, like she had lost Marc. Sophie filled one vial, popped the next one on the needle, ran over, and poured the first one down Henry’s throat.
“Come on, Henry. Stay with me. Swallow.” Sophie’s voice broke. “Please…fucking swallow.” His hollow, lifeless eyes stared up at her. Her former protector, lover, and her only friend was on the verge of leaving her again, permanently. She ran her fingernails over his throat, trying to get him to swallow. Finally, he did.
Sophie ran back to Claire. She grabbed the near full vial off of her vein, plugging the next one in. Again, she ran back and made Henry swallow it. She ran back to Claire again and untied her arm. She took the last vial off, and forced it down Henry’s throat. I could see how much she still cared about him. His life meant so much to her. I appreciated her efforts.
Sophie wanted to save him, like he had saved her so many times.
While still lying down, I peeked over at Henry. I was scared of what I would see, but I could see the pain washing away on his face as he moaned.
“Thank you, Claire. I’m forever in your debt,” I said, knowing I owed so many people for saving Henry. She couldn’t speak. She just stared off into the distance, looking a little woozy.
I heard Nick clambering back up the cellar stairs. He was carrying Mom, and growling in pain from the fresh bite wound on his arm. She looked lifeless. I closed my eyes. I didn’t want to see if she was alive or true dead. The world started spinning at an alarming rate. The lights went out again.
***
“Thomas!” No answer. “Thomas! Get your arse over here!” Sophie was getting pissed about Thomas’ newfound silence and continual stagnation. As much as she wasn’t a fan of him, she needed his help.