Nightmares at Everglade Falls

10. Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Gabriel

I rush Ophelia to the infirmary, my heart pounding in my chest as I pray that she’ll be okay. The nurse on duty is a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and a warm smile. Her hair pulled back in a messy bun. She looks up as we enter, her expression immediately turning severe as she takes in Ophelia’s condition.

“I need a bed now,” I say, my voice tight with worry. The nurse nods, leading us to a vacant bed and helping me lay Ophelia down gently. She reaches for scissors, preparing to cut away Ophelia’s torn blouse to assess the extent of her injuries.

“What happened?” the nurse asks, her voice calm but firm. I hesitate, unsure of how much to reveal. “I’m not sure,” I finally admit. “I saw a creature...”

As the nurse cuts away the fabric, my eyes are drawn to Ophelia’s injuries. The sight makes my stomach churn—deep gashes crisscrossing her skin, oozing blood. But even in this state, I can’t help but notice other things—the way her purple bra contrasts against her pale skin and the soft curve of her stomach. I quickly avert my gaze, feeling a blush creep up my neck.

Ophelia’s hand finds mine, squeezing it tightly. “How bad?” she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. I shake my head, trying to reassure her. “It’s... It’s fixable,” I say, though I’m not entirely sure if that’s true.

Before I can say anything else, the doors burst open, and Principal Celestia storms into the room, her expression furious. “I just heard,” she says, her voice sharp. And then she sees Ophelia.

“What in the actual fuck did this?” she whispers, rushing to her side.

“What happened in there?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Ophelia sniffles, her eyes red and swollen. “It was terrifying,” she says, her voice trembling. “I was studying, and suddenly the room went dark, and I felt... claws.”

My stomach churns at her words, and I feel a surge of anger towards whoever could have hurt her like this. “Who would do something like that?” I mutter, more to myself than anyone else.

Principal Celestia comes to my side, her expression grave. “I’m so sorry, Gabriel,” she says, her voice heavy with regret. “We’re doing everything we can to determine who’s responsible.”

I nod, though I feel a gnawing sense of frustration at the lack of answers. “Do you have any idea what could cause an attack like this?” I ask, hoping against hope that she’ll say yes.

Celestia shakes her head. “Not yet,” she says. “But we’re working on it.”

I glance at Ophelia, who squeezes my hand tightly. “I need you to stay,” she says pleadingly.

I nod, my heart aching for her. “Of course,” I say softly, squeezing her hand in return.

“I am going to need some space to work on the wounds, though,” the principal says.

I nod, taking a step back but keeping Ophelia’s hand in mine.

Celestia nods, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

I watch with a mixture of awe and dread as Celestia works her magic, literally, to clean Ophelia’s wounds. The sight of her using magic is fascinating and unsettling, a reminder of the supernatural world we live in.

When the nurse begins to bandage Ophelia’s wounds, I reluctantly step outside, promising to wait just beyond the door. My mind races with worry, but I’m determined to stay strong for Ophelia.

Outside, I find Owen and Aurora, the latter in tears, standing before a group of our peers. Isabella is there too, her expression a mix of concern and confusion.

“What happened?” Aurora asks, her voice tight with anxiety.

“Yeah, man. We heard that there was an attack,” Owen says.

Aurora sniffles, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

“We don’t know yet. All we know is something attacked her. It had claws,” I say.

“Is it one of the students?” someone in the crowd asks.

“That is highly unlikely, but I will let Principal Silvermoon brief you afterward. All I know is that something attacked Ophelia and hurt her badly.”

“Why didn’t she use her magic?” someone asks, and the crowd breaks into a murmur.

I swallow the bile in my throat as I hear a shushing in the crowd. Everyone is on edge.

Isabella’s hand finds mine, her grip surprisingly comforting. I know this cannot be easy for her, especially with everything happening between us.

“Thanks for coming,” I whisper.

“Of course. Do you think she’ll be okay?” she whispers, eyes searching mine for reassurance.

I nod, though my own doubts linger. “She’s strong,” I say, more to convince myself than anyone else. “She’ll pull through this.”

Just then, the principal steps outside.

I gently disentangle my hand from Isabella’s, ignoring the guilt that shoots through me. “Where are you going?” she asks, her voice tinged with concern.

“I want to check on her,” I reply, my gaze flickering towards Ophelia’s room.

Aurora pipes up, her own worry etched on her face. “Me too.”

“Actually, I need everyone else outside,” the Principal says, her voice firm. “Let Gabriel check on her. For the rest of you, I need to talk to you.”

I nod gratefully as Isabella and Aurora reluctantly step away. I can feel Isabella’s eyes on me the entire time, but right now, I have to focus on Ophelia.

I hope Isabella understands that.

I step back into the room, my heart pounding in my chest as I see her. She’s dressed in a hospital gown, looking small and vulnerable in the sterile room.

“Hey,” she says softly, offering me a small smile.

“Hey,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. “How are you doing?”

“Better,” she says, but something in her eyes tells me she’s not telling the whole truth. “What were you doing in my room that late anyway?”

I hesitate, not sure how much to reveal. “You left your books behind,” I say finally.

In the lab, where we almost kissed, the thought rushes through me. I push it aside.

She nods, but there’s a fleeting expression on her face that I can’t quite decipher. Before I can dwell on it, she changes the subject. “Is Aurora outside? I know she must be worried sick.”

I nod. “Yeah, she’s out there with the others. They’re all pretty worried about you.”

Ophelia’s smile widens, and I can see the gratitude in her eyes. “I’m lucky to have a friend like her,” she says softly.

“I am sure she feels the same way,” I say.

Ophelia looks up at me. “Thank you for bringing my books and saving my life.”

I take her hand and squeeze gently. “Of course. And there is no way Mrs. Renault can fail us now.”

She scoffs out loudly, and I will be damned, but that is the loveliest noise I have heard all day.

“Does this mean you only rescued me to save our grade?”

I smile at her. “Of course. School is very important to me.” I know she knows I am just humoring her to help with the levity of the situation.

I am just glad she is letting me.

“I guess that makes us friends or something,” she whispers.

I stand up, let go of her hand, and help fluff her pillow. “Yes.”

“Then, as friends, Gabriel, can I ask you for one more thing?”

“Anything, Ophelia.”

“Please stay. I don’t want to be here alone.”

I think about my girlfriend outside. I think of everyone out there. Then I look at Ophelia’s soft green eyes. There is only one answer I can give.

I hope I don’t regret it.

“Of course I will stay with you, Ophelia.”

I wake up in an uncomfortable position, my neck stiff from sleeping upright. Somewhere in the night, I must have leaned my head against the corner of Ophelia’s hospital bed and dozed off. As I stretch, I can feel the stiffness in my muscles, but my attention is drawn to Ophelia.

Despite the bruises and split lip, her face still holds a delicate beauty. I gently trace her cheek, my fingers lingering over the faint bruise under her eye. Her black hair spills across the pillow, framing her face like a halo. Leaning in, I kiss her forehead softly, feeling a tug in my chest at the sight of her vulnerability.

With a heavy heart, I tear myself away from Ophelia’s side and make my way back to my room. But as I push the door open, I’m met with a sight that sends a jolt of shock through me. Isabella is curled up on my bed, her form huddled and vulnerable.

She jolts awake as soon as the door closes, her eyes widening in surprise. I can feel my heart sinking as I realize I need to have a conversation with her, one that I’m not sure she’s going to like.

“Isabella,” I begin, my voice hesitant as I step further into the room. “What are you doing here?”

She sits up slowly, her expression guarded. “I... I needed to see you,” she admits, her voice wavering slightly. “I couldn’t sleep. I needed to be near you.”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair in frustration. “Isabella, we need to talk,” I say, trying to keep my tone gentle despite the turmoil churning inside me.

Her eyes flicker with apprehension as she nods, a knot forming in my stomach at the thought of what’s to come.

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation ahead.