Convergence - The Last Science #2.1 - In Plain Sight

B2: Chapter 7 - Identity - I

  "I know, Natalie. Don't worry. I'm sure he knows that too." Hailey's voice sounded so self-assured over the phone. Natalie wished she could sound so calm. She felt like her world was crashing down around her. Again. "Is he bleeding?"

  Natalie gingerly felt around Quinn's head, feeling like she was breaking the rules even more. Her hand touched something wet. "He is. Oh god. What do I do?"

  Hailey's voice got more urgent. "Where are you? What library?"

  As Natalie rattled off the address, Quinn stirred. He groaned a little, but didn't move much more than that.

  "Do you have any bandages in your bag?"

  "No... Am I supposed to have them? I didn't think about it."

  "It's okay. You shouldn't have to carry them around." Hailey hesitated again. "Do you have any pads?"

  Natalie's face heated up as she realized what Hailey was suggesting. "As a bandage?"

  "They're made to be clean and absorb blood. It's better than a random piece of cloth. I know it's gross, but it's your best option."

  She dug through her bag, trying to find the specific pocket she'd placed them in. There were so many pockets in the rows contained inside. After ten empty pockets in a row, Natalie got frustrated. She found the tiny tug the bag constantly made on her core and followed it back, willing the bag into giving her what she wanted.

  Her hand suddenly bumped into the correct pocket, where the individually wrapped packages waited. Natalie took one out and unwrapped it, then placed it against the back of Quinn's head where the blood was trickling out. He shifted a little at her touch, but still didn't wake up.

  "Okay. I'm holding it now. I just keep pressure on it, right?"

  "Yeah, exactly. That's good, Natalie." She could hear a loud hissing sound through the phone, like an airplane about to take off.

  "What's that sound?"

  "I'm flying by an airplane right now," Hailey shouted. The sound got so loud that Natalie pulled the phone away from her ear for few seconds. Once it dissipated, she could hear Hailey again. "I'll be there in a minute, Natalie. Just hang on. Is he awake yet?"

  Natalie checked again. Quinn's eyes fluttered a little. He groaned. "Yeah, he is."

  "Okay. That's really good."

  Quinn's eyes were starting to come back into focus. He mumbled a few words Natalie didn't understand.

  "He's starting to talk."

  "Okay, so he can probably understand you too. Don't say my name anymore, okay?"

  "Yeah."

  "I'm sorry, but you gotta decide this right now. Do you want to tell him, or do you want to keep it a secret?"

  "I have to decide?" Natalie asked, shocked.

  "You know him better than I do."

  "I thought we were supposed to keep everything a secret."

  "We're not gonna tell him everything, but if you think you can trust him, it could be good to have someone at school to help you out."

  Natalie's mind was racing, while she continued to try and hold the bandage against Quinn's head.

  "What if I say no?"

  "We tell him the bookcase fell, and you called me for help since you're not supposed to be there."