Erin was staring at the both of them intently. She wanted to know what it was they were talking about. She had an idea that she was involved in their conversation.
"Yes?" She persisted, glaring at Julian's handsome face.
"Jake here, was asking what is going between us, and I told him that you already know the answer." He replied with a roguish smile. Erin stepped forward, her face squeezed in displeasure.
"Julian.. We are just friends. In fact, we aren't friends! You're a... A..."
"I'm a what Erin?" Julian taunted. He still had that ridiculous smile on his face, like he was enjoying watching her being uncomfortable.
"Just... Please, come and check on my friend." Erin replied, her tone soft as she stared at him.
Julian kept mute for a moment, then he sighed and Lead the way back Into the room. Where the girl, Feesh was lying flat on the ground, her eyes rolled into her head. Julian knew she needed blood as soon as possible, else the turned one could die an easy death.
"Please.." Erin whispers from behind him, making him turn to her. Julian studied her beautiful face.
He couldn't believe how one could be so innocent but stubborn and determined. It was clear that Erin would not joke with the life of the people she cared about.
"I'm not leaving until you agree to take us all. You can see that Feesh needs all the love and help she can get at this time. She looks so miserable right now. Leaving her alone would be an unthinkable disaster."
"Alright, I will take care of her." Julian replied, placing his hands on Erin's soft cheeks. He was so tempted to kiss them. To feel how soft it was, but he couldn't. Not with her younger brother glaring daggers at him. He returned his hand to where it was before and slightly moved away.
"Thank you." Erin whispered gratefully. Her eyes teary.
*****
The doctor that had checked her the last time she was with Julian was standing in front of Feesh's stilled body.
Erin sniffed as the lone tear escaped from her eyes. The minute they'd gotten to Julian's place, Feesh had collapsed without warning. Since then she had been unconscious. Erin was scared that she was dead, but Julian had reassured her that her friend wasn't dead. Her body was just dormant.
The doctor sighed as she scanned through the medical chart on her tablet while keeping a brisk pace in her dark boots through the hospital hallway, trying to ignore the chill in the air. "The brain scan was normal. What about the respiratory pattern?" she asked her assistant, opening the next page.
"Normal. We can't find any neurological damage," The young man said, matching his long-legged stride easily to hers. His brown hair was swept back from an angled face with intelligent blue eyes. "The patient is in a coma with no brain activity, but her body is...strong and steady"
"Hmm.. I'm sure there's a reason for this sudden reaction." the doctor said, scanning the nurse's notes. "The lumbar puncture was normal, and there's no evidence of a stroke."
"No. The patient presents as healthy except for the coma. It's an anomaly," the assistant replied, his voice rising.
Interesting. "Any history of drugs? Sometimes drugs could cause a coma for a newly turned. " Sometimes drugs could cause a coma.
"Well...," the man said. "Not drugs persay, but there's been heavy intakes of sleeping pills, seems she was an insomnia patient."
"Hmm... That could be why..." The doctor turned to Julian. "Mr Ferrari, we'll run another autopsy on her in the next few hours and I'm sure by then, we can figure out what exactly is wrong with her."
"Thank you, doctor Sanchez, I'll be waiting for your response." Julian replied with a smile, before leading them out of the room. Erin took the opportunity and went to sit beside Feesh.
"Hey, baby girl," She whispered. Somehow she could feel Feesh's presence. "I don't know what's wrong with you, but I need you to fight. Fight Feesh, fight for your life. You deserve to be in this world. You deserve to be around people who care about you, please."
"Don't worry sis," Her brother crept up behind her, placing his hands on her shoulder. She quickly took it and squeezed with a tired sigh. "She's a pretty strong human. She'll make it through."
I hope. Erin said in her heart.
They heard a ruffling sound and turned back. It was a young girl. She looked younger than her brother even.
"She'll be fine. Do not fear." The girl whispered, her voice so tiny and dreamy. Erin smiled at the girl as she slowly walked in. Jake was giving her a skeptical look. He found it hard to trust people since he lost his parents. Erin couldn't blame him.
"Hi, my name is Eve. I'm a close friend of Julian's and I wanted to say hi to his new friends." she explained.
"Hi, Eve. Nice to meet you. I'm Erin Dexter and this is my brother, Jake Dexter." Erin replied, smiling warmly at the girl who was now studying a brooding Jake, amusement dancing around her deep, Forest green eyes.
"Jake Dexter..." She mentioned his name slowly, as if she was testing on how it sounded on her tongue. "You are troubled..."
"Of course I am troubled. My friend is lying there practically dead!" Jake retorted defensively.
"ah.. It is more than just that, Jake Dexter. I see trouble written all over your heart. It is beating with fear and uncertainty. You are troubled."
"What the hell do you think you're saying?? And who the hell are you to decide what someone else is feeling?"
"I am a seer. The very last of my kind. I can see everything that you're feeling, I don't read minds but I know that you are very conflicted. You feel torn apart and you feel like you will lose your most beloved to someone else. Your sister. You're afraid you won't keep her safe..."
"This is bullshit. I'm out of here." Jake muttered angrily before walking out of the room in hurried, frantic paces.
"He's still in denial, Erin." Eve said, smiling softly at Erin.
Erin sighed and stood up to move closer to the girl. "I wish I could protect him from... All this. He doesn't deserve to be in such a confusing world like this at such an early age. I don't know how he's coping so easily with the knowledge that there are supernatural creatures like you."
"He's a strong kid, your brother. You both are. He needs you, and you need him."
Erin sighed exhaustedly. Eve was right. She didn't know what she'd do with her life if something happened to Jake.
"Oh and she," Eve continued, pointing at Feesh where she was lying down. "Needs the both of you. She won't get through this without you both. Stay with her and protect her."
Erin nodded and without another word, the girl walked silently out of the room.
****