Dragon Rider Play

[SilentVoice]

"Come on, Jeremiah, just a little farther," Pat coaxed as she walked backward across the bridge.  "Stay with me.  Okay?  Focus on me."

[Dark Silence]

Jeremiah nodded ever so slightly and watched Pat. He did his best to stay awake, although the more time passed, the harder it became.

[SilentVoice]

53 got Jeremiah into the ward and got to work.  Pat went to see Tithenor, but he was already out.  He was with the Headmaster for now.  She had nothing to do but wait.  That was the hardest of all.

[Dark Silence]

Jeremiah kept struggling to stay awake, to stay conscious. One of his hands reached out and held Pat's tightly. He needed to that know he wasn't alone. He needed to know Pat was there.

[SilentVoice]

Pat held his hand, squeezing it.  "I'm here," she said softly.  "I won't leave you."

[Dark Silence]

Jeremiah closed his eyes, although he remained awake. Pat was here. Pat wouldn't leave him. He kept holding her hand tightly as 53 worked.

[SilentVoice]

It took some time, but at last 53 finished and got Jeremiah settled into a bed in one of the side rooms.  He gave Jeremiah a potion for the pain.  "This will make him drowsy," he told Pat.
Pat nodded and sat next to Jeremiah's bed.

[Dark Silence]

Jeremiah slowly relaxed as the potion started to take effect, although he didn't once let go of Pat's hand.

[SilentVoice]

Pat let him hold her hand, sighing softly.  "I'm sorry, Jeremiah.  This shouldn't have happened.  You aren't supposed to be the one getting hurt."

[Dark Silence]

Jeremiah shook his head. "It's not your fault. I let my guard down at the end."

[SilentVoice]

"Just be still," Pat said softly.  "Be still and heal."

[Dark Silence]

"I don't like being still." Jeremiah murmured. "It makes me antsy."

[SilentVoice]

Pat turned his hand over and played with his fingers. "Then sleep.  Focus on my hand and let yourself sleep."

[Dark Silence]

Jeremiah shook his head. "I don't want to sleep." He said quietly.

[SilentVoice]

"Why not?" Pat asked.

[Dark Silence]

"Because I'm scared." Jeremiah said softly. "I'm scared I won't wake up, and never get the courage to tell the girl I like that she's the most beautiful girl ever."

[SilentVoice]

Pat sighed.  "Jeremiah, I promise you'll wake up again.  Please sleep.  You'll feel better if you do.  You'll get your chance to tell her."

[Dark Silence]

Jeremiah hesitates. "Promise me... you'll be here when I wake up?"

[SilentVoice]

"I won't leave, no matter what," Pat promised.

[Dark Silence]

Jeremiah nodded some and gradually fell asleep, reassured. He did feel exhausted.

[SilentVoice]

Pat groaned and laid her head on the bed next to Jeremiah.  Her hand gripped his tightly.  "What do I do?" she whispered to not wake Jeremiah.  "I think I like you, maybe even love you, but what am I supposed to do about it?  It would be hard enough in the usual situation, but now I'm supposed to be a boy, and you love someone else.  I guess I'll just have to pretend nothing is going on."

[Dark Silence]

But of course, Jeremiah didn't answer because he was asleep, and of course, Pat had no idea it was her he really liked the whole time, and just didn't havve the courage to tell her yet.

[SilentVoice]

Pat sighed again and closed her eyes, reaching up to stroke his cheek then let her hand fall.
Erika crawled up onto the bed on the opposite side and nestled in, whimpering.

[Dark Silence]

After a couple of hours, Jeremiah woke and made a noise that was a cross between a groan and a whimper. The whole side of his chest felt like it was full of hot metal.

[SilentVoice]

Pat sat bolt upright and gripped Jeremiah's hand tighter.  "Don't move!"

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