Me and Myself

Chapter Nine

I jumped and yelled while the snake snapped his ugly self towards me making that obvious move by sticking his tongue out and waving it up and down creating the 'ess' sound. I slowly started moving backwards, but as always unlucky me the snake dropped his remaining self on the ground and bounced getting closer to me. I shut my eyes tight and scream my lungs out waiting for him to sting me. Or bite me? Is the snake even a male? I mean I don't know his gender yet, he might be a she snake. Does snakes have gender? Wait? What? Why am I babbling and why am I not feeling anything yet? I uncovered my eyes from my eyelids with fear and saw Sage struggling while holding the snake's mouth shut with his hands. I can see his bi's and tri's flexing through the jacket he was wearing. I shook my head gathering my thoughts.

"Sage? Oh God!" My voice came out broke. A broken tone including fright. I gasped when the snake wraps himself around his neck. Watching two different creatures fight is the most horrifying thing I've ever seen. Specially when the one is the person you care about and the opponent can kill him with just a sting. I can hear my heart pounding faster through my ear drums, my body responding to the cold breath by quivering and chattering teeth, hairs on my body standing, eyes dried unable to form tears, my blood running cold-

"Ol-ive-hit-him- wit-h a- stick!" He chocked pulling me out of my frozen state. I blinked and quickly nod. I started looking for a wooden material that can kill the beast I mean the snake. Whatever. I stepped on something and my gaze went straight to it. A fallen piece of branch from a tree, I quickly grabbed it and went closer to them. The closer I got the weaker I became.

"H- h- it h-i-i-m" he stuttered. I can feel his strength running low, I don't want him to give up. I also can't see him die because I was too weak to strike. I got to this. I told my self.

It's hard to hit it. I'm scared that I might miss my target and bang Sage's head. I raised my hands tightening my grip on the piece of wood. How I'm I supposed to hit a snake who's curled on a neck without hitting the person? How? The snake is wrapped on his neck so how in the world is that possible? Tell me! I can't do this. No no I should do this. He might die you know?

"OLIVE!" Sage coughed craving for air. "Sh-ut y-o-ur ey-es an-d h-it."

I did, but it wasn't once or twice. After shutting my eyes tight I just kept on throwing hits one after another non stop until a hand grabbed my hands to stop me. My eyes opened and met Sage holding my hands infront of me. Then takes the stick away from me to throw it. My eyes quickly went to the bone less creature lying on the ground. I sighed and met my gaze back to Sage.

"Thank God I've said those words before 'let's save a life' scenario." He chuckled after mimicking a kids voice.

"That wasn't funny Sage!" I snapped.

"Hey, I'm still alive." He smile waving at me. Well at that point he stood on my nerves.

"Are you serious right now? You could've died! That thing could've killed you! Do you know what that means? Oh my God! I can't even do this with you right now!-"

"Hey shhh it's okay, we're okay. Everything is fine-"

"Fine? You call this fine? Can you even imagine how I was feeling minutes ago while you were trying to be a superhero?" Tears started falling and rolling down my cheek. He slowly reached me and pulled me in for a hug. I started sobbing.

"It's all over now. Comedown shhh..." he shushed me and kept soothing me until I stopped. I released my hands from his torso and that was when I finally came to my senses and realise that I was hugging him. I quickly dropped my hands and apologised wiping my running nose.

"Sorry" I cleared my throat and again wiped my tears from my cheek that were roll. He stepped closer and holds my hand. I tried to look away feeling embarrassed by the childish act I've shown. He turned my chin with his fingers making me face him and I did.

"I never thought you would do this for me. Thank you." Now I'm confused.

"Sage that was my obligation. I had to do it."

"You don't have any obligations."

"Well that's what friends do." I shrugged, but I can see his face darkening.

"Friends?" He asked lowering his voice than the usual. I froze.

"A-aren't we?" I strutted. He scoffed.

"Let's go. They might be looking for us." He spoke silently and walk past me to the direction we came from. I was stuck there. I wanted to explain something, but I didn't know to whom I should explain. Me or him? I should say something. I must say something. Anything. I gasped and took few quick strides to catch up with him. I grabbed his arm and spun him to face me.

"Sage I-" the thing I'm looking at right now stopped me from forming any other sentence. BLOOD! Blood is dripping from Sage's forehead down to his nose. "You're bleeding." I deadpan.

"What?" He reached his forehead and wiped the red liquid. He took a look at his hand and tried to deny by saying he was fine. But seconds later he statement was disproved. He started staggering.

"Sage? Hey? Sage?" I tried to support him, but he's double my weight. The darkness made it hard for us to watch our steps while the stones, fallen branches and the pieces of rocks encumber the way. I can't hold him for long let alone take him back to camp. He was getting exhausted whilst I didn't know what to do. Seconds later he got knockedout. His flawless body flattened out on the cold grass getting bedewed as time passes by. I shook his body trying to wake him up, it was no help. I quickly untied my scarf and tied his head where I thought the blood was coming from. I never took first aid classes, but I used to help Joseph at times. How in the world I'm I gonna reach my friends or anybody? I was about to cry instead I yelled for help until my lungs run out of breath and my throat got dry. I ended up coughing hard while pain make his way to my chest and strike me. I winced placing my hand on my chest wishing for it to stop. Nada! Nothing appeared and I already started to fear the loneliness I'm having at the moment with the body that looked lifeless. Wait, my cellphone? My phone! Dammit, how would I forget such a simple thing! I quickly took out my phone and unlocked it. We weren't that deep in the forest so the connection still works. Since it was cold and well I was obviously scared, my fingers were fumbling to hit the buttons right, but I did call somebody. Stella.

Ringing.....

Ringing....

"Hey girl, wha' sup?" She answered. Thank God.

"Stella I need your help. Sage fainted. This snake thing appeared out of nowhere and it wrapped itself on his neck. It was killing him and I just closed my eyes and started hitting and- and .... his bleeding real bad I can't stop it. He was fine I swear. We were on our way back to camp." I already started sobbing making my way through the second sentence.

"Where in the b****y hell are you?" She asks, her voice sounding worried and shocked.

"I don't know"

"Stay there we'll be on our way. Just stay there, don't move!" I nod like she was watching me "okay?" well ofcourse she wasn't.

"Okay. Please hurry." I pleaded.

"Don't you worry and don't switch your cell, kay?"

"Yeah, okay" after I ended the call I wiped my snot and brought my attention back to Sage. The man laying on the ground. I don't know what's worrying me more. Is it because he's been knocked out for long? Or is it because I'm alone in the forest and if something bad happens I got nowhere to go? Or is it because the reason of him laying back on the wet cold glass with bleeding head was me? Will he make it? Will he wake up and be normal again? Is he going to suffer because of me? Is he gonna die? Will I go to jail?

The air was getting cold it was freezing. My hands and feet were getting numb. I tried rubbing myself but it ain't working so I hugged my legs pressing them closer to my chest. I turned towards Sage and saw his lips turning purple. I'm scared. God I feel so worthless. Did I kill him?

What took them so long. I thought we weren't that-

"Olive! Olive!"

"V where are you?" I heard a voice calling my name from far. Actually I do know that voice and not just a voice, but voices. I sttuggled getting on my feet. My body was puckered up I clenched my teeth and informed my location by calling out their names.

"Stella? Stella?" I yelled and soon bodies in the dark started to appear and approach us.

"Olive?" A flashlight flare on my eyes. I shade my eyes from the light by covering my eyes with my hand. "Girl is that you?" Stella asked.

"Yeah that's me and would you please put that thing down." I waved off.

"Sorry" she lit on the ground and jumped. "Holy mother! Is that Sage?" She looked closer and gasped again. "He's losing a lot of blood, call the damn ambulance!" She ordered and Pat started dialing whilst Loo gave me the jacket that they brought me. I refused.

"Let's dress him, I'm okay, but he's freezing to death." I started crying. Loo hugged me tight.

"You f*****g stupid? What are you having? A mini farewell party? Huh? Dude help me and let's get him in the jacket. Or you want him dead?" I wiped my tears away and nod. "What?"she frown. I quickly shook my head and kneel beside her to dress him the jacket.

As we were dressing him my eyes rolled up to his face. Those peaceful eyes were no longer shining and I couldn't see my reflection through them instead they were closed and he looked pale. I felt my peace shifting into something else, something dark. Few minutes later I hear the siren of an ambulance coming our way and seconds after that transport nurses and paramedics arrived to where we were standing. They set the stretcher on the grass and carefully lift him up. We followed them out to where the ambulance was waiting. They allowed to take only one person with them so I took the offer whilst Loo, Pat and Ella followed us.

White wall, white ceiling, white bed, antiseptic flares my nostrils pulling back the painful memory I hid at the back of my head. You see after the ambulance took off the paramedics were helping him. As soon as we arrived to the nearest hospital they took him to the emergency room. My body was numb; it's getting hard to lift a finger not just lifting but also I couldn't keep my eyes open. The girls were sitting beside me on the pew. My mind was racing while my heart was pounding. Will he make it? What will I do if couldn't make it. Tears made their way down on my cheeks whilst I feel their warmth penetrating my skin. I looked down at my feet to hid the tears that were falling non stop. I wiped my snot with the back of my sleeve.

"Hey?" A soft voice called me and I looked up to meet a sad face of the person I'll never guess will be. Stella. I gave her a lip tight smile while she wraps her arms around me. "He'll be fine I promise." She whispers and I breakdown.

Minutes or so later I came to my senses. I wiped the tears away and excused myself to the restroom. I washed my face and dried the wetness with a napkin that the hospital offered to his customers. I glanced to the mirror infront of me. My eyes were reddened and puffy, my nose was reddish because of the continuous friction that happened to wipe the snot which kept flowing, my cheeks were also rosy. I looked like hell. I released a long breath that I was holding and went back to our seat. As the girls came to view I saw a man with a white gown talking to them. I quickened my pace to hear what he was saying, but he went before I could reach them.

"What happened? Is everything okay? Why do you look worried?" I bombarded them with questions.

"Chill okay? Didn't I tell you he'll be fine? Well he is." Ella smiled.

"So why can't we see him?"

"He's not awake yet. He lost a lot of blood so the doctor said he needs to rest." Loo explains.

"Can I see him?" I pleaded.

"Hey V the doctor told us to wait, let's wait a till morning ok-"

"Or are you lying?" I shoot.

"No Olive for God sake how would you say that to us we're you're friends we'll never lie to you." Pat exclaimed and I nod.

"Prove it!" I counter

"What?" Pat frowns and Loo mumbles.

"Prove to me that you are truly my friends."

"What are you talking about?" Loo speaks while shaking her head in confusion.

"Help me get inside."

"Get inside?"

"Yeah to his room." I dead pan.

"You want us to break in to the hospital?" Pat's eyes widened.

"Not the entire hospital, just a room. Plus we ain't gonna rob anything ofcourse so we're not breaking in you're letting me in with out anyone noticing."

"I think you hit yourself too while hitting the snake. Are you insane!" Loo infuriated.

"Shhhh lower your voice someone might hear us." I whispered.

"Well that would've been good." Pat scoffed.

"You know what forget it I'll do it myself!" I snapped and start walking away.

"Get your narrow a*s back here!" Ella whisper yelled at me. I whined and did as told.

"Pat come with me and you two stay here do not move! Understand?" We nod "We'll call you when we're done. Keep your senses intact. Let's go." She nudged Pat and went to the other side.

Loo and I did as told. We were checking our surrounding once in a while.

"What took them so long?" I whispered.

"I don't know." Loo shrugg.

I kept glancing at the watch every now and then while Loo was fidgeting with her nails nervously. I drop my hands on hers and squeezed it lightly. She looked up and I gave her a smile. A true warm smile. She returned the same.

"You guys truly are my friends. My best friends actually." I corrected myself and we giggled until something hit the back of my neck. "Ahhhh" I whine rubbing the spot. I turn around to see the culprit and found Ella and Pat waving our way. My eyes widened. I quickly went to their direction.

"Hey?" I whispered when we hid ourselves behind a wall.

"Didn't I say something about keeping your sense intact?" Ella shots a glare.

"It was just a mini second mistake" I pout.

"Yeah what ever now put this on." She shoved a black plastic bag. I frown inserting my hand; I found my hand grabbing a nurse's gown. I was shocked. I quickly placed it back then stared at them.

"How did you get this?" I whispered checking behind us making sure that no one saw what I just did.

"You wanted a proof, you have it." Ella smiles.

"No El you could've been caught. This is too much." I shook my head in disapproval.

"God! Girl stop babbling and wasting time. Go see your man!"

"I wanna hear how you get this though." I smiled

"Chicka whatever. Now put that white s**t on and get your a*s in that room."

"Thanks." I smiled and hugged her tight. Tears were about to escape my eyes but she cleared her throat.

"You know I didn't do this alone," I smiled and pulled Pat into the hug.

"You know if it wasn't for Loo we couldn't do our job with you bombarding questions and shooting us with your del-" I pulled Loo and we all hugged.

"Now I wouldn't say it was unnecessary contact, but it's enough." Ella releases herself from our tiny friendship bond.

"What matters is that you liked it." I winked at her while putting on the gown they got me.

"Shut up!" We laughed. "Shhh!" She shushed us.

"Hold on let me check if everything is clear." Loo went to check the corridor. "All clear now quick." She pushes me forward initiating the start.

I walked with confidence like I was a true nurse which I wasn't and turned the knob. Before I enter the room I looked back once and smiled at my girls. My girls. Mine.

°•○●°•○●

Stella's POV

The girl mind f****d long ago. I don't get why we're in a fight with her in the first place to where there is no point to hit. Huh, what a waste of beauty, confidence and a smart a*s. I mean mind. Don't expect me to apologize, carry on. You see I hate it when someone tests me and specially when it messes with my ability. It bangs my ego right through it's head and if that s**t gets mad? It's a game over baby.

Now after that 'prove it' surprise quiz of hers, ego got mad so he created a plan. Not a master or grand one, but the perfect one. The reason I chose Pat to follow me was that she's a tech girl and the perfect thing I need to my perfect plan to work. IT. Plus girl ain't know no games when it comes to it. I love that passion.

We reached a safe spot so I turned her to face me.

"So can you get the plan of this building?" I shot.

"Why do you need that?" She frown. Erg, even if she's smart there are times she's slow.

"I wanna get my a*s in to the nurses changing room." I cut the chase.

"Why?" See today is one of those times. Wrong timing hoe. I mean friend.

"Look Pat, we need to get her a gown. A nurse's gown so that she will look like one and get in that stupid room where the stupid boy who wanna fight a snake and be the hero of the night to impress her but ended up lying behind the door."

"Owkay." She frown shooting me a weird glare.

"Now pace your speed."

"Okay okay." She took out her cell and start hitting stuffs which looked so random and so random. I sighed and started waiting cause there ain't no point on glaring on stuffs you don't get plus I'll end up getting bored. Once you get bored no game will be interesting. Everything I do, I do it with a passion, don't ruin my mood.

"Here" she passes her phone.

"It's on the second floor at the far left, we should be on our way." I returned the cell after getting what was needed.

We used the stairs to make our way to the second floor since people use elevators the most at nights. Well we did reach safe and sound, but how do we go in there without no one noticing. We waited a few seconds until the nurses and few people enter the elevator. I gave pat a sign to follow me and we head to the room.

"What if someone is in there?" She whispered.

"Shhh get back lemme do this." I shooed her off.

I slowly and quietly reached the knob and turned it. It was locked.

"It's locked" I whispered half grinning.

"s**t how are we supposed to get the keys?" She whispered. I mentally scoffed and rolled my eyes. So stupid.

I took out a bobby pin that collected my hair and inserted it carefully. I fidget a little until I heard a click sound informing me vanquish. My smile grew wider as I open the door to see no one having a secret makeout our worse. Pat followed me inside and we closed the door. We started checking the lockers to find a single gown. At last I found an open one with a the piece we've been looking for.

"Thanks to a clumsy nurse we got what we need."

"And thank lord we haven't been caught yet." She crossed and I roll my eyes. Drama queen. "Can we leave now?" She whined.

"Since when did you become a sissy?" I teased.

"Since you made me break in a hospital." I gave her a flat look, "okay I take that back, let's just get outta here."

I placed the cloth inside a black plastic bag or else we might end up being caught. We closed the door and left the floor with a good bye. We tried to call V and Loo, but they were in their subconscious. I took out a hasp and aim straight to her head. Boom! Hit that bone! She rubbed the spot and check who did that. I waved. Yup that's me nigga.

°•○●°•○●

Olive's POV

As soon as I closed the door I mentally thanked my girls again and spin my heels to find a bandaged Sage lying on the hospital bed. He's head was all covered now, no blood is dripping, his lips turned to their normal colour, the colour I loved on him, he seems relieved and at peace. Who said only the dead look at peace? I approached him and watch his heart rate through the monitor. As I check the room with my eyes, they landed on a chair against the wall. I moved the chair closer to him and sat beside. I held his hand and a sigh left my lips. I remembered the scenario happened earlier and I felt a relief washing me.

"Hey my black I mean white knight?" I whispered and giggled grabbing his hand. I know he can't hear me, but I feel like talking to him. I need to talk to him. "I was scared that you might not make it." I confessed. "You ended up like this because of me. What should I do to make it up to you? What do you want me to do? You know I couldn't stop crying until the doctor confirmed us your safety. He said you lost a lot of blood and that you need to rest, but I couldn't wait til morning so the girls stole a nurse's gown." I chuckled. "Believe me I look like one." I sighed. "Here I am babbling about stuffs that you probably don't give a s**t, but I wanted to talk to you. Or let's just say I want you to listen me talk." I rubbed his hand and smiled to myself. "Life is too short and too unfair sometimes. I don't know what I would've done if- if- (clearing throat) if you didn't make it. I know you might think that I'm a selfish person to talk about myself right now, but what if I'm not able to get this chance again? What if I change my mind? So I'm gonna tell you my answer." I inhaled a deep breath and sighed. "I can't love you. It's not because you're not my type or a good person or anything like that, It's all me. I'm toxic, poison, venomous. You might not understand what I mean, but believe me you don't wanna be with me once you know me. I don't wanna ruin your life; the day I saw you with your family, I wished I was you. I wished I had your life. But wishes like that never work. I love you, but I'm not allowed to be with you." Tears were forcing themselves for an escape. I fought. I fought not to cry. Sage started to cough non stop. I quickly pass him the glass of water I found on the hospital table. I helped him sip a bit and the cough stopped.

"Hey" I smiled.

"Where am I?" He didn't bother to greet.

"Uhm in a hospital room." Not breaking the smile.

"Are you my nurse?" My eyes widened.

"What?" I stuttered with shock.

"Are you the nurse that checks up on me?" He repeated.

I froze.