When I woke up the next morning the pain in my arms had subsided, so I was able to get out of the hospital gown. I had to take a bath instead of showering because I didn't want to get my bandages wet. I even taped some plastic over them for protection. It took a long time to get ready and dressed, but I felt like my wounds were healing already, far faster than they should be. Dr. Hughes, who was a witch, must have put something on my arms to help them heal. I knew I would have to go back to the infirmary to have the dressings changed, but I went down to lunch first. I had missed breakfast by sleeping in and taking so long to get ready. I hadn't even seen my roommates at all that morning, and I was kind of glad.
I found Jack in the cafeteria sitting at a table by himself. He jumped up when he saw me and gave me a thorough look-over. He looked like he wanted to give me a hug or something, but he seemed to remember that it wouldn't be a very good idea.
"You're alright! Thank goodness! I was really worried, and I couldn't get anyone to tell me anything. When I went to the infirmary you weren't there anymore, and the doctor was worried about you. She said you ran off when you should've been resting. You never did follow orders particularly well."
I sat down across from where he was standing, and he sat down as well and continued eating his lunch, though he kept glancing at me like I was going to pass out or something, even though I felt fine.
"Of course I'm alright," I said. "It really wasn't that bad. Plus the doctor here is much nicer than that old guy I had when I broke my arm. I'm kind of surprised they don't have a healer or something though."
"Yeah, I am too. I actually asked Ms. Coleman if there was one, and she said there are at least two alive, not including the gods, but neither of them work here, so we just have a witch doctor instead. She knows regular medicine and magical remedies."
"I think she might have used a magical remedy on me. I feel like I'm healing really fast."
"You're not just trying to make me feel less worried, are you? I'll never forgive you if you're lying to me," Jack whined. He knew me too well. While I was feeling like I was healing quickly, I had downplayed the initial injury. Good thing he wouldn't know, I thought.
"Don't be silly," I replied, and helped myself to some food. I carefully kept any signs of pain from my expression, though the pain was still there.
"Want me to kill Adrian for you?" Jack half-joked.
"That won't be necessary. I hold no grudge."
"What?!" he exclaimed, looking shocked. "The guy could have killed you!"
"Yes, I know, but that was my fault, not his. Everyone continues to remind me of what could have happened. The important thing is that it didn't."
"Jules, it's not just what could've happened, it's what could still happen. You really need to stay away from him. That's the second time he almost killed you. You might not survive a third."
"Both times were accidents and they were both my fault," I argued. "Adrian isn't a bad person. I can see that more plainly than most people, because I can see what he's feeling. Yes, he has a temper, but so do you, if you haven't forgotten."
"Sure I do, but I haven't hurt anyone. I haven't even tried. Adrian definitely tried to hurt Michael yesterday, and there's no excuse for that."
"Do you honestly think he wants to be violent?" I asked, getting angry. "He's afraid of himself and what he might do. I see it all the time."
"That doesn't change anything." Jack was getting angry now too. "If he can't even trust himself, how could you possibly trust him?"
"Maybe that's all he needs. If he knows other people believe in him, maybe he'll start believing in himself."
"No, Juliet. He's dangerous, and you need to stay away from him."
"I'm not going to abandon him, Jack," I said, and I got up and walked away.