yk don't read unless you're fine with blood and stuff. 10 years or older Allan was quiet on the car ride to the hospital. The clothes that Claire’s mom bought him barely fit, but he didn’t say anything, as he didn’t want to sound ungrateful. Allan shifted in the seat. The car was too stuffy for him, with Bernard driving, Elizabeth in the passenger seat, and Claire sitting beside him. Allan felt himself starting to sweat. He shifted once more. He stared out the window at the landscape whizzing by. He could see dark clouds rolling in the distance, and a lightning bolt struck the ground. Allan blinked slowly and shifted again. The sun had just started to set, and the sky was an orange and blue mixture. He itched his arm and shifted once more. “You alright back there?” Bernard asked, taking a left turn. Allan jumped. “Huh?” Bernard glanced into the rearview mirror. “Are you all right?” he repeated. Allan managed a faint smile, and nodded. “Yeah.” Do not lie. Allan groaned, then tossed his head back. “No.” Elizabeth turned around in her seat. “What’s wrong then?” Allan looked at her. “Nothing. Just nothing.” Bernard eyed Allan. “Okay, if you say so.” Elizabeth turned back around and pulled out her phone. The wind had kicked up a little, and it started to sprinkle. Allan started to feel sleepy. He shut his eyes, but they were yanked back open. You can’t afford to sleep right now. He sighed, then pulled out his phone. He stared at it for a while, not turning it on. “Uh. . .” Claire tapped him on the shoulder. “I think you need to turn it on.” Allan blinked slowly. “Uhh…. yeah. I guess so.” he looked away from the phone and stared out the window. THe wind had started to kick up, and it started to sprinkle. “Guess the snow is over with. For now, at least…” Allan whispered to Claire. Claire nodded. “Yeah…” Bernard watched from the rearview mirror, watching Allan very closely. Once they reached the hospital, it had started pouring rain. Allan zipped up his jacket and winced. ‘Great timing…’ Allan opened the door and stumbled out. “Allan!” They yelled. Allan waved them off. “I’m fine. I’m fine…” Allan stumbled to the passenger door and opened it. Elizabeth smiled and chuckled. “Still have those manners of yours, I see.” Allan smiled faintly. “A wound’s not gonna stop me from being who I- “ Allan glanced up and saw a tree soaring their way. Allan’s eyes widened. Allan reached in and yanked Elizabeth out. “HEY!” she screamed. Allan tossed her aside and glanced into the car. Claire was still in there, struggling to unbuckle her seatbelt. Allan didn’t think. He just moved. Allan jumped into the car and started to help her. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! GET OUT OF HERE!” Claire cried, trying to push Allan out. “NO!” Allan pulled out his knife and started to cut the seat belt. Claire glanced up into the air and started tapping Allan. “A-Allan… Hurry! Allan glanced up and saw the tree was much closer. It was hurling towards the car much faster. Allan looked down and sawed on the seat belt. There was a loud snap when it broke. “GO GO GO! Allan yelled over the wind. He pushed Claire out of the car and she broke out in a run towards her dad. Allan went to jump out, but his foot caught under the driver seat. Allan cursed, and slipped his shoe off and made it for the door. But he was too late. The tree slammed into the car, crushing the car vertically. Allan screamed in pain, and looked down. The tree had crushed his legs, and Allan looked away quickly. “Ahhh…” he winced. He glanced towards Claire and her parents. He smiled faintly. At least they're okay… “Allan.” Allan opened his eyes slowly and blinked. “Ugh….” He looked down and saw the stitches in his sides, and his legs ruined. There was a knock on the door. Allan flinched. “Yeah?’ he managed. Bernard walked in. “Hey. I was just wondering how you were holding up. You were in pretty bad shape there.” Allan shifted. “Good. His eyes widened. “Wait! How’s Claire and her mom?!” Bernard chuckled and sat down by him. “Their fine, Allan, you have my thanks.” Allan relaxed. “So, was it a tornado?” Bernard nodded. “Yes. just a small one, that was the only tree it really kicked up.” Allan blinked and reached for the tv remote. “Wanna stay and watch some tv? I bet they have some good game-” “No,’ Bernard interrupted. Allan stared at him. “I came to talk with you.” Allan frowned. “About what?” Bernard shifted, and leaned against the bed. “I saw a look in your eyes I have never seen before, and I have almost all of your looks.’ Allan blinked in confusion. “What are you talking about?” Bernard stared at him. “The way you looked at Claire, when you saved her. You knew you would get hurt, but you thought about her, instead of yourself… Why?”
Allan flushed and looked out the window. ‘It was the right thing to do. That’s why.” Bernard eyed him. “Allan, you don’t need to hide your feelings. I can tell clearly. I am a doctor, you know.” Allan closed his eyes and sighed heavily. Bernard got up and walked to the other side of the bed. “Allan. Look at me.” Allan opened his eyes. “Tell me the truth.” Allan sighed and scratched his neck. “You already know, then why are you asking me, huh?” Bernard smiled. “Because she wants to talk to you.” Allan went to sit up. “W-what?!” Bernard put his hand on Allan’s chest. “Stay laying down. If you get up now the stitches could bust.” Allan calmed back down. “Okay… Can I at least watch tv now?” Bernard let out a deep laugh. “Yes.” Bernard went to walk out of the room. “Oh hey!” Allan whispered. Bernard turned around. “Yes?” Allan shifted. “There is something I wanted to tell you.” Bernard walked up to him. “What is it?” Allan looked around, as if someone was watching him. “The voice is getting louder. More powerful.” Bernard raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?” Allan locked eyes with him. “It’s taking over me.” Three hours later… Allan flipped through the channels. He finally settled on cartoons. Allan sighed and looked out the window. It was snowing now, Allan smiled at it. He saw tiny kids making a little snowman, and having a snowball fight. Allan thought about Christmas. It was his favorite holiday. It was a shame that he wouldn’t be home this year for it… There was another knock at the door. Allan sighed and muttered under his breath. “Come in,” he said. Allan turned off the tv and tossed to the other side of the bed. “Great, can't even watch tv…” “You can keep it on. I really don’t mind.” she said. Allan jumped and cursed. “Claire?” Claire stepped into the room and looked down at the floor. “Sorry. I just thought…” Allan grabbed the remote. “I thought visiting hours were over.” he said, gripping the remote. Claire shuffled over to the chair beside Allan. “They let me stay.” Allan raised an eyebrow. “Why?” Claire shrugged her shoulders. “Doctor’s daughter, I guess.” Allan laughed, then winced. Claire backed up a bit. “What happened?” Allan smiled faintly and chuckled. I guess I can’t laugh without it hurting.” Claire giggled then stopped. “Anyways… I came here to thank you. And, give you some decent food.” Allan smiled. “I’m laughing.” Claire burst out laughing. “Ha ha very funny. Here.” Allan reached out his hand and grabbed the bag. What is it?” Claire smiled. “I thought you’d want some home food.” Allan tore open the bag. “No way… My dad’s the best cook.” Allan grabbed the burger and started to chow down. For about 10 minutes, they sat there, watching cartoons. Finally, Claire broke the silence. ‘So why did you save me?” Allan gave the bag back to her. Allan shifted. “Because it was the right thing to do.” Claire nodded. ‘Are you sure that’s all?” Allan turned the tv off. Another 5 minutes passed. “Allan?” she asked carefully. Allan fiddled with his hands. “Yeah?” Claire scooted the chair closer. “Why did you save me?” Allan chuckled. “If I told you, you’d hate me.” Claire smiled and looked down at the floor. “Are you-” “Hey kids!” Bernard said loudly upon entering the room. Allan jumped and looked out the window. Claire stood up quickly and back away, acting like she was fiddling around with the cabinet beside them. Bernard looked at Claire and Allan. “Hm. I just came to say, "They're out of rooms here, so Claire will be staying here for the night. Elizabeth and I will be right across the hall.” Claire spun around. “WHAT?! There’s no other bed in here!” Allan groaned. They turned around and watched him. “Allan, you alright over there?” Bernard asked, rushing towards the bedside. “Allan nodded. “Yeah… Just lemmie… get up real quick.” Allan shifted and turned over. “Allan! IT’s not safe to-” Allan saw the wheelchair in the corner. “Claire. Roll that over here please.” Claire walked briskly towards the chair and rolled it towards him. Allan positioned himself, and rolled out of the bed. Allan winced, and held back a scream of pain. “There. She can sleep there. I’ll sleep,” he pointed towards the recliner. “There.” Bernard stared at Allan in amazement. ‘You mean, you did all that, put yourself through all that pain, just so she could sleep comfortably?” Allan groaned. “Just get me to the recliner. Please.” Bernard nodded and wheeled him over to it.
