Chapter 13 Antivenom
\[Lilia\]
A loud blaring noise jolted me back to my consciousness.
It is so cold. I couldn’t feel anything other than the freezing cold that had covered all over me, and the pain blasted on my feet. Am I dead? I don’t think death would also feel this way. I think it would be more peaceful, no pain and suffering, except if I am in hell.
Was hell supposed to be this cold? I thought there would be scorching fire, a blazing lake of fire. But there were none like them. There is only darkness, cold, and pain.
I couldn't even bring my eyes open to look around to see where I had ended up. One of the last things I recall is that I was trying to get away from the mansion and ended up getting lost in the forest. If I were still alive, I don't think I would be able to survive in this situation for very long.
A pair of huge hands suddenly held my face. Muffled voices were reaching my ears. Many of them. One barking with orders. Afterwards, my body is lifted, arms wrapped around me tightly, cradling me against something warm, and it feels like home. A familiar scent wafted on my nose. However, no matter how I tried to search my brain, I couldn’t come up with someone that had a similar smell to this one.
The excruciating pain in my feet increased in intensity. Despite the tremors that run through my body as a result of the suffocating cold, my blood is boiling in my veins. So hot that my heart constricted as it pumps it. My breathing is labored while my chest tightens and a hammer-like pounding agonized on my head.
I could hear someone crooning in my ears, whispering lullabies as I was being held closely, but I didn’t know who.
“Ready the chopper! Call the hospital!” A man’s voice penetrated my hearing. I couldn’t decipher what he was saying, but I knew he was the one that held me.
He was running. I could feel it as my body vigorously shook against him. A sizable calloused thumb caressed my cheeks. His touch momentarily distracted me from the searing pain that I am feeling inside.
A blast of solid winds slammed on my shivering frame. An instinctive whimper tore from my throat as a protest as I buried my face deeper into him, seeking any warmth from the cold. I could even feel my teeth grind against each other in an attempt to ease the pain I was feeling.
“Easy there. I know it hurts. Hold on tight, кукла (kukla). We’re almost there.” The man cooed as I felt him shift me on his arms, lifting my body into a fetal position.
“Go!” He roared over the loud noise.
I struggled to keep myself aware of everything that was happening around me, but the only thing that I kept on focusing on was the warm embrace that was cocooning me. Then everything became blank.
The beeping sound in the background woke me up. My nose was pricked by the strong sterile scent as I attempted to flutter my lids open, hence to no avail.
I am no longer freezing, but the searing pain on my body hasn’t subsided yet. There’s also a part on my feet where it hurts the most, and it was like I have lost any strength.
‘Where am I?’
I tried to recall my memory of how I ended up here. Vivid images surge on my brain, reminding me of everything that happened.
Back in the mansion, I was only eating the breakfast that Aya had prepared for me. Then she went out for a brief moment, leaving the door open. I was scared that time from what had just happened the night before, and I took that opportunity to escape.
I even used the garbage bin as my escape tool and went towards the forest. Got myself lost and then caught in a heavy storm, and I remembered nothing else after that.
Heavy footsteps pounded on the floor, echoing to what looked like an empty hallway, followed by the twisting sound of a knob and the door creaking wide open. Voices came inside the room I was in. I don’t know how many there were, but I strained my ears and listened to their conversation.
“How is she?” A familiar voice inquired first.
Kael, I recognize his voice. He found me.
“Her body is stabilizing. We were able to extract the venom from the bite wound and administer an anti-venom just in time to prevent it from circulating in her system.” Another voice answered him, which is this time I don’t recognize.
It could be a doctor or something. I must be in the hospital in this matter. Then it would explain the sterile scent pervading my senses.
Though, what he said caught my attention. They were talking about venom, was I bitten by a snake? The pain that I was feeling must be the effect of its venom.
Just then, it sinks in. Goodness! I am too close to death!
Kael saved me.
But for some reason, he’s also the reason why I ran away in the first place.
“When will she wake up?” He asked again.
I wanted to open my eyes and tell them that I was awake, but it seemed like my body wouldn't listen to what my brain told it to do.
I’m so thirsty as well. At this rate, I could even chug down a barrel. If only I could have access to my body.
“Aside from that, she also suffered from hypothermia. She needs to recover her strength first, so I can’t answer for now on how long she will stay unconscious.” The doctor replied.
The sound of the door opening again rendered them both in silence. Another person walked in and spoke.
“Boss, we’ve got a problem.” It was Val, his voice void of any emotions as he addressed his concern to Kael.
“What is it this time?”
“One of our watchdogs spotted a De Luca outside the hospital. They tried to chase him, but he’s gone before they even got a chance,” Val coldly stated. “They must know you are here.”
A brief silence draped over the room before Kael heaved out a deep sigh and spoke.
“Settle everything. We’re taking her back to the mansion.”
I got lost for a moment in their conversation.
What did Val mean by that?
What is De Luca?