Untouchable

Chapter 18: Comprehension

Warning: Adult themes and violence. Mention of physical and sexual assault. Sensitive readers may want to skip the italics.

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Chapter Eighteen: Comprehension

"Will, I'm pregnant."

"What?"

My mind finally cleared, and I was ready for action. I was stung by a poisonous scorpion. I had to get to the hospital immediately. Even if I would be okay, it could harm the baby. I had to get there now.

"I'm pregnant."

"Wait—What?"

"I'm preg—nant." Rolling my eyes, I moved as quickly as I possibly could, the pain flaring up now that my sudden breakdown was over. "We need to get to the hospital now."

I limped to the trail, using my hands to hold on tight as I rushed down the rock face. My calf muscles began to seize like I was having a charlie-horse.

My face scrunched up in anguish. "Will, do you have something to use as a tourniquet on my leg?"

Will stood silent, and frozen behind me. "Will!"

He shook his head, but his eyes stayed wide like he was still locked inside his mind. He gave me a bandana from his bag. I tied it as tight as I could directly below my knee. I didn't know if this was the best thing to do, but you're supposed to keep snake venom from spreading, so it couldn't hurt.

I flew down the trail, motivated but wincing from the pain. We made much better time down than on the way up.

Will didn't say a word the entire way down, and I wasn't up for making polite conversation.

This probably wasn't the best way to tell him of my predicament.

I began to feel woozy after we passed back over the dry creek bed. Fortunately the yoga-ists were gone. I stumbled but Will caught me in time. Instead of letting me keep walking, he swept me up in his arms and began jogging to the car.

"It's okay. We're almost there. You're going to be fine." I tucked my head underneath his chin, trying not to cry, barely containing a whimper. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Cate."

He set me down in the passenger seat of the car and buckled me in. The pain grew, my entire leg throbbing like I was having an allergic reaction. Darkness began encroaching on my vision.

The driver's door slammed and Will revved the engine, peeling out of the parking lot.

The darkness was beginning to win. "Will, my baby. Please take care of my baby."

Just before it all went dark, I heard, "I'm going to take care of you. You're both going to be okay."

I may have been mistaken, but it sounded like his voice broke a little at the end.

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I drifted in and out of consciousness. I'd wake up only to be dragged back under by the pain. Before I knew it, my door was being opened and Will was lifting me effortlessly into his arms. I leaned my head weakly against his shoulder, utterly exhausted.

"I need help here!" Will hollered. "She's pregnant and was stung by a bark scorpion."

The scurrying of ER staff came bustling to his shout, and I was set down on a gurney. Our separation woke me up enough to be cognizant of the situation.

"Don't let them touch me!" I said desperately.

I looked around frantically, blinded by the bright ceiling lights. I couldn't find Will anywhere and I began to panic, the anxiety taking over my body. I was going to bring on a flashback without anyone else's help.