Chapter 19
709 Words
Tee's POV
I opened my eyes to the sight of Gally lying next to me, I smiled but I honestly didn't even want to get up. Today was the day we would have to force feed Rachel, she hadn't eaten for 4 days. We hoped that after the first couple of times; she'd hate it so much she would actually start eating herself and maybe recover a little; she was so weak now. I screwed my eyes shut, perhaps hoping if I didn't open them, I wouldn't have to go through with it. Gally held my hand as we walked over to where it was going to happen. I looked at Rachel in despair, it was as if she was mad, with fear. The dark hollowed circles around her eyes made her look almost skeletal and her hands were trembling vigorously.
"Gally, I can't do this!" I said, exasperated. He held me in close to him and then kissed me, his perfect lips touching and parting with my shaking ones. "It's ok, you can leave at anytime if you get too overwhelmed" he muttered in my hair. I saw some gladers grab hold of her and hold her down. She was screaming and trying to fight them off with what little energy she had left in her body. Britney joined us and the three of us held hands, me in the middle, watching someone we loved being tortured. I couldn't take this anymore, seeing her in so much pain. "Stop!" I yelled and ran towards Clint and Alby who held her down. "Don't do it so harshly, STOP!" I screamed again. Alby held me back. "Stop, do you want her to die Tee?" He asked looking at me. Gally came to my side. "Don't ask her that, of course she doesn't" he remarked quickly.
Alby went quiet, Gally walked up to her, pushing Clint aside and got hold of Rachel, firmly but gently. He muttered something to her and let her go. She stopped struggling and stood up, her knees buckled and she started to fall but Britney and I caught her by her scrawny arms. Her arms were like delicate twigs, she had lost so much weight so quickly; it was unbelievable. We knew she had deteriorated, but not this quickly.
We led her into the hut, we went out, struggling to comprehend what was happening. "I am NOT watching this!" Britney concluded. I looked back and the last thing I saw was her helpless eyes, staring out at me. I burst into uncontrollable tears. Gally and Britney hugged me tightly, I held them both, sometimes a hug was what you needed; even if you were kind of being smushed in a 'Gritney' sandwich.
After about ten minutes Gally had gone in to help, me and Britney finally decided we would too. I walked in and a horrible sight met my eyes. Gally had Rachel's mouth held open and Alby was trying to spoon food into it. Rachel was gagging and trying not to eat it with all her might. She made the most appalling noises. "Rach please, you have to!" Gally said, trying to reason with her. She wouldn't stop and continued to hit him and struggle. Finally Gally lost it. "You're going to f*****g die unless you f*****g eat!" He boomed. She went silent and still. Alby attempted to give her some food again, she flinched and began to cry. "Please Rachel" I said, coming in. Gally looked up at me hopefully. She looked down for a minute, then, reluctantly pushed Gally's hand off her mouth and held it open, awaiting the food. I sighed in relief. Thank God she had agreed. Alby patted Gally's shoulder and began to put the food gently in her dry mouth. Gally came up to me, looking guilty. "I shouldn't of yelled at her" he said sadly. I held his hand. "Don't worry, someone had to do it, and you stepped up to the challenge, it's not easy, yelling at someone, especially your sister, I'm proud of you" I said, smiling. "Geez that was cheesy" he said lightening the mood. "You can say that again" I said laughing to myself...
I was so happy, I hoped nothing would change that.
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