I wasn't sure where I was. I could feel something soft and wet brushing against my skin, sending goosebumps sprawling across my arms. 

        I tried to open my eyes, but the glaring fluorescent lights above, stung painfully, causing my lids to flutter shut before they had even opened halfway. Turning my head to the side, I finally opened my eyes, a splitting headache pulsing at my temple as my eyes adjusted to my surroundings. 

        To my left, I could see a pale yellow wall flanked with shelves supporting various medical instruments. Laminated posters hung with a sort of mathematical precision, colors and charts presenting various categories of information. The chart closest to me was of different types of puffers used for asthma. 

        Still feeling a smooth sensation against my arm, I turned my head to the other side, my neck muscles protesting. I barely stifled a startled gasp as I saw a woman sitting on a chair beside my bed, tending to the wound on my arm, just under my elbow. When she saw me looking, she said in a cheerful voice, "You're awake! Sweetie, how are you feeling?"

        I smiled at her sincere tone and welcomed the cheerful aura radiating off of her. I had already had too much gloom, more than I could possibly deal with. I suddenly realized that this woman was who entered with the man after Aunt Morrison and Courtney arrived.  

        "I-," I gulped as my voice cracked. "I'm feeling better. My head just hurts a bit."

        "Aww, don't worry, love. After you eat something you'll feel better," she said in a gentle tone, smoothing my hair back from my forehead. I closed my eyes, my mother's memories rushing back to me like the current of the waves as the tides wash over the sand at the beach.   

        "Mommy, my head hurts. Please leave me alone."

        "I know, my little flower. I just want to help. Do you want me to massage your forehead?" Mom would say, her voice quiet and careful. 

        Sighing, I said, "Yes, please."

        Mom's hands would push my hair back tenderly, and gently, her fingers would trace circles on my forehead, massaging the pain away. 

        I snapped out of my commemoration when my stomach clenched uncomfortably, my insides churning. 

        My discomfort must have been evident in my expression as the woman beside me urged a tray with a McWrap from McDonald's in front of me. Eyes widened, I looked to the woman beside me as if seeking her permission to begin eating. I just couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that a perfect stranger would follow an act of kindness so genuinely, especially for me. 

        When the woman nodded, I smiled widely, whispering a soft "thank you". I had just unwrapped the wrinkled paper and my mouth was 2 inches away from the wrap when my memory jogged back to me, too suddenly. 

        Dropping the wrap back onto the tray, I made to stand up, my mind frantic with the flurry of thoughts racing through my head, but was restrained from doing so as the woman quickly reached out, holding my shoulders in place. Bringing my hands up to my shoulders, I tried to pry off the pale fingers keeping me in place, but failed to do so as the fingers stayed put.  

        "Let go, please," I whined, dizziness starting to take over my consciousness.

        "Sweetie, you need to eat."

        "I don't want to! Please, just let me go!" I screamed, jerking under the woman's grasp, trying to break free. 

        "April, love, calm down! What happened?" the woman questioned, her fingers digging into my shoulders to hold me in place. 

        "MASON! Where is he?! I need to see him right away! Please, please, take me to him," I pleaded, my heart clawing at my chest, my eyes watering as I sniffled, trying to stare hard at the lady. My mind kept on repeating one word over and over again, Mason Mason Mason Mason Mason.  

        "He's fine, April. I'll take you to see him once you finish eating," the woman replied, her own eyes glistening with tears. 

        "H-He needs me," I whispered, drained of all energy to yell or try to escape. Looking down at the tray on my lap, I squeezed my eyes shut, tears splatting onto the black plastic. "I need him." 

        "Oh, love, come here," the woman let go of my shoulders and wrapped me in an embrace. I buried my head in her shoulder, finally letting go of all the melancholy and fear I had kept to myself these past few days. I felt a pang of sadness as the lady's shoulders started shaking, both of us crying, whether our tears were for the same reason, I couldn't tell. 

        After about 3 minutes, I finally pulled away, the dizziness returning with an impact so strong, I had to clench my teeth to stay upright. 

        Having seen my uneasiness, the woman said, "April, after a few tests we realized that you fainted before because of lack of eating. That's why I need you to eat something."

        Exhausted and worn, I managed a small nod, the longing to see Mason growing with each passing second. Bringing my fingers to the food once again, I managed to muster as much calmness as I could, and bit into the wrap. My resistance for food immediately turned into a growling hunger as I swallowed my first bite, the vegetables and cheese melding together to form an exquisite flavor. 

        I was suddenly so hungry that I finished the wrap in less than 5 minutes. 

        "Now you feel better, don't you?" the woman asked, smiling. 

        "Mhm, I sure do."   

        Just then, a knock sounded at the closed door, the series of 3 quick taps indicating a sort of urgency. 

        "Come in," the lady beside me said. 

        A nurse entered through the door, dark bags sitting under her eyes, her exhaustion etched onto her face. She couldn't have been more than 28 years old. 

        "Dr. Collins, the patient is losing too much blood. I did as you instructed, but I only found one person with the same blood group as the patient," the nurse said, her voice monotonous. 

        Immediately I knew she was referring to Mason by "the patient".

        "Okay, then what seems to be the problem?" Dr. Collins, according to the nurse, questioned.

        "The person with the same blood group as the patient, aka Courtney Chillman, has denied to donate blood."

        At hearing Courtney's name, my eyes widened, my breath becoming shallow. I shook my head disapprovingly, fury coursing through me entire body as if someone lit a firecracker within me. How could she be so inhumane? She says she loves Mason, but clearly she needs to spend a bit more effort to prove her lie a truth. 

        "What!? Courtney Chillman, as in Morrison Chillman's daughter?" Dr. Collins asked, her eyebrows shooting upwards. 

        "Yes, ma'am," the nurse replied. 

        As if on cue, Courtney and Morrison -- yes, Morrison. I'm not fully ready to acknowledge her with respect just yet -- entered the compact chamber. 

        When I met Courtney's gaze, I glared cold and hard, mustering as much abhorrence as I could into that one look. 

        In return Courtney just smirked, shaking her head as she looked me up and down.

        "Can you please leave for a moment? I have something important to discuss with my niece here," Aunt Morrison said, her question directed to Dr. Collins and the nurse. 

        Looking at me with concern, Dr. Collins squeezed my hand before standing up and leaving, the nurse following her. 

        Once the door had clicked shut behind them, Aunt Morrison smiled a sickening grin, and said, "Hello, April. I have a deal for you and I have a hunch that you will be tempted to accept."

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Author's Note:  

Hello everyone! Here is chapter 23! I am really sorry for the late update. School has been keeping me so busy that I wasn't able to find time to write. I hope you understand. It feels great to finally be back and writing. 

So, April got quite scared and hysterical when reminded of Mason. Also, what "deal" do you think Aunt Morrison has for April? 

The answers will be presented in the future updates, but I can assure you of one thing: I have a few twists in store for you all. 

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! If you liked this chapter, then let me know by commenting or voting. 

That's all for now. Have a fantastic day! :)

- Anika