Two Paths, One Decision

•Chapter Twenty One•

Before I could do anything, I was falling downwards, and the branches kept scraping my legs and arms. I could feel the bruises forming already, and my cheek was cut by a large branch. I was falling too fast, I can't scream - I'm gonna die. My leg hit an especially large branch and I heard a spine chilling pop. I try grasping for anything to hold but I just felt air on my palms.

I close my eyes, readying myself for the painful death. When it never came I opened my eyes.

"It's okay, I gotcha." Ranessa said as she carried me through the forest swiftly, but gently. I cry aloud in pain when my foot barely grazed a trunk. "It's okay, we're almost there." I could feel Ranessa's regret through my Empathy. I guess my Rapid went off because now everything is a bit duller. Or maybe my pain is just dulling everything out.

The water I heard earlier was now closer, actually it was right next to me. Ranessa set my down gently, next to the river bank. Ranessa looked around.

"Okay, Fane isn't here right now but he will be."

"Aren't you a healer? Can't you heal me?" I ask her with tears in my eyes.

Ranessa sat next to me and looked at her hands. "I'm sorry, I gave that up a long time ago. But here's a pain reliever." She placed a wipe on my knee and it instantly felt better. It still hurts when I move or when someone touched it, but at least I don't feel it when I don't even move.

I moved my hand and placed it on top of her clasped ones. "Hey, it's okay, I understand. You just saved my life, there isn't anything that can top that." I laugh lightly at the last part.

Ranessa looked up at me and laughed a bit too, shaking her head she said, "You're weird, you know that?"

I shrugged a bit and we waited in silence for Fane to come.

"Are you okay?" Fane said from the side of us.

"I'm fine, almost died, but I'm fine." I laugh a bit with Ranessa. I winced a bit though when I shook my leg.

Fane looked to me then my leg and took out something in a small vial. It was a purple-blue color. "Here, this only fixes broken bones but not the cuts. I'm sorry, I never should have pushed you." Fane handed me the vial and I inspected it in my hands.

Ranessa looked at my leg and said, "It's not gonna work. It's dislocated."

I freeze with the vial in my hands and look at her. "What?"

"I said, it's dislocated I have to relocate it first before you drink that." Ranessa leaned low and examined my leg. I haven't seen it yet because I'm too scared. I look down and find my knee cap facing to the side with a large bump. It's already bruising and swelling up. I try and say something but nothing left my mouth.

"Three..." Ranessa placed her hands on both sides of knee. I flinch at the harsh contact.

"Wait! Wait!" I tense up and try and push her away. I think of something so I can get out of this. "Doesn't Jeremiah feel my pain right now? He could be stuck somewhere for all we know. Let's find him first."

"No need." An all too familiar voice said from behind us. I glance from where the voice was heard.

I roll my eyes, to a limping Jeremiah. "Look what the cat dragged in." There goes my excuse.