The Prophecy (The Guardians) - By Wendy Owens Page 0,16

it aside she repeated the process on the other side, his blood flowing up around her fingers, making visibility impossible. Pulling it free at last, she knew she had to act quickly. Attempting to slow the bleeding, she pressed the heated blade against his flesh, but nothing happened.

She didn’t have time to think of options, there was a good chance Gabe had already lost too much blood to survive. Grabbing a pile of the shredded linens, Rachel pressed them against the wound, and grabbed the needle and thread with the other hand. She used her mouth, elbows, and any other part of her body she could to keep pressure applied between stitches.

Finishing her work, the bleeding at last seemed to stop. Cleaning the wound, Rachel cringed at her poor stitching. She was grateful Gabe had been unconscious during it all. Gabe’s body was so void of blood, his skin had taken on a blue hue. Rachel feared he might not awake from his sleep. She would keep his wounds clean, tend to him as best she was capable, and pray. It was all she had left that she could do.

CHAPTER SIX

Faint voices. Blurred images of familiar, but unrecognizable faces. An overwhelming light that fades to darkness. Gabe was convinced this must be heaven, or perhaps the path to get there. Maybe the journey in the afterlife was like a quest you had to go on and he was about to embark on his.

Gradually, however, things became clearer. He became more aware of his surroundings during his brief stints with consciousness. He could tell he was in a bed, his torso tightly wrapped in something. His face ached and throbbed, though he didn’t know why. Opening his eyes hadn’t seemed like an option until this moment. At this moment he was lucid enough to know his eyes were something he could control. Focusing his energy, fiercely concentrating on the small task, Gabe pushed his eyelids upwards; the light streaming in caused him to pull back a little. The light made him realize his head was pounding, a pain he hadn’t noticed before. He felt like he had literally been hit by a truck.

Gabe struggled to grab hold of his memories. They seemed to be lost in his mind, a sea of confusion. A few pieces came back to him and he began to patch it together like a quilt. He had gone to Baynar, he saw Clarite, and he had crawled back to the valley so he would not be detected.

Detected by whom? Gabe wondered. Then he remembered the Wintoks he had fought, the injuries. Worse than that though, an immense sadness rushed over him as he remembered his friends in Baynar and their deaths. Gabe ran his hand along his arm and side feeling the numerous bandages. The areas still throbbed with pain and he wished he had some of Sophie’s healing teas.

Draped across his ankles he saw the chestnut hair of Rachel. Her face hidden by her locks, he could tell from the heavy breathing that she was fast asleep. It dawned on him then that she had done this, found him, cleaned up his wounds, taken care of him. He was in complete shock that after he had treated her so gruffly she could show such compassion.

Gabe shifted his legs slightly and Rachel began to stir. Looking up, expecting to see her patient still asleep, she gasped when she saw Gabe staring back at her.

“Hey Doc.” Gabe groaned, realizing just how dry his mouth was.

“Gabe? Oh my God, you’re alive!” Rachel shrieked.

“I didn’t know that was in question,” Gabe replied jokingly.

Leaping forward, Rachel wrapped her arms tightly around Gabe’s neck. In that moment, Gabe realized just how tender his wounds still were.

“Ugh! Ouch, okay tiger; slow down, a little too soon.” Gabe cried.

“I’m so sorry,” Rachel replied, coiling back into herself. “I didn’t think— I just can’t believe you’re alive. You have been out for three days. Honestly, with how much blood you lost I’m surprised you woke up at all.”

“Gee, thanks sunshine.” Gabe said, smiling with gritted teeth as he shifted his weight.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…” Rachel stopped herself. She did mean it. He should not be alive.

“I know, it’s fine.” Gabe replied.

“Actually, it’s not.” Rachel added.

“I’m sorry?” Gabe asked puzzled.

“You should not be alive. Do you have any idea how much blood you lost? You were blue for Christ’s sake!” Rachel squealed.

“Yeah, I probably should be dead, Rachel. But you have to remember, I’m not