Awakenings

Did you ever have one of those dreams where you feel like you're falling down an endless pit...

and all of a sudden you jump awake and momentarily forget where you are? Your body is covered

in sweat and your stomach has mysteriously made it's way into your throat. You clutch the closest

thing to you in hopes that it will bring you off this euphoric high.

It is then that you realize that you were never asleep.

-*-

"Medalin! Medalin, wake up NOW!"

Does my uncorrupted older sibling even realize that I haven't slept for eighty-three and a half hours and the concept of me actually falling asleep and having her wake me up is very slimming? So, I humor her -- or I at least cover my back and make her think I've slept a glorious eight hours -- and let her think my closed eyes are a sign that I don't want to come out of a peaceful slumber.

"Just fifteen more minutes, Chase."

I could feel her eyes roll to the back of her head. "It is a beautiful day, Medalin, don't waste it sleeping."

I rolled towards the wall and cracked my eyes open. "I wouldn't dream of it."

The springs squeaked as her body lifted from the bed. "Fifteen minutes Med, then I'm bring in my backup... And you know what he'll do to do."

I let myself smile as I pictured a long-haired boy pulling me out of bed and throwing me into a bath tub filled with ice cold water. "Make it ten."

Chase let a laugh pass her serious mouth. "That's what I thought."

As soon as the door latched shut and the sound of my sister's steps could be heard retreating down the steps, the comforter found its way onto the floor. I retrieved the box of makeup underneath the bed, and started the ten minute process that made my face look like it wasn't sleep deprived. The eyes were the hardest part... No amount of Visine could keep the red out and the light purple shades under my eyes were becoming almost black. Nine and a half minutes and six vitamin and mineral supplements later, my door shut for the second time and I was on my way out.

Chase's back up plan was sitting on the couch eating a bowl of Fruit Loops and deeply engrossed in the newest episode of the Power Puff Girls.

I sat down beside him and stole a bite of his cereal. After swallowing the now-soggy rings, I stared at him until he looked at me.

Thirteen minutes later (or to him, it would be a commercial break), he did. "What?"

"Good morning, Zacharis."

He laid his cereal down on the end table and kissed my forehead. "Good morning, Mediva."

I gently pushed him away. "Zac, how many times do I have to tell you...? There is only room for ONE diva in this town, and it is your brother, so stop calling me that."

Zac threw his head back and laughed. "I love when you bust on him, say some more."

I rose from the couch and he hollered after me. "PLEASE! The moccasins! The scarf! No! PLEASE GOD, BUST ON THE MAN PURSE!" I laughed and made my way onto the back patio.

My legs started to shake so I planted myself on the porch swing. I felt the electrical tremors make their way up my body. I prayed to Evie that this would be a small one. My fingers wound themselves around the metal chains and my closed eyes willed the pain to subside.

Just when I thought the worst would hit, I felt two strong hands cover mine and a soft breath enter my ear. "Don't open your eyes yet, baby." I leaned my head onto the shoulder of the owner of the voice, already knowing who it was. Feeling the tremors go back through my legs, I wrapped them around his waist.

When the final wave passed through me, I threw my head back and gasped for air. He sat down beside me and gently wiped the unnoticed tears off my face. "How long this time?"

I turned my head and stared into his dark brown eyes. "Eighty-four hours."

He sighed and pulled me towards him. "At least you'll sleep now."

I smiled slightly at the situation. In order for my body to allow me to sleep, I had to not sleep for over a long period of time. If you can figure it out, let me know.

Forgetting my own problems, I looked up to the man beside me. "What about you?"

He sighed and pushed some hair, that didn't need to be pushed, behind his ear. "Ninety-two hours."

"Christ Isaac... You need... I..."

He smiled slightly and turned towards me. "You're talking the way I feel. I've never had to go this long before. I'm afraid I'll awaken in front of my family or something... I can't keep coming over here every night."

"Yes, you can Isaac, and if it is what you have to do, you will. I need you here as much as you need to be here. I'm going to stay with you until you awaken."

That's what we called it. Awakening. When your body wakes itself from the zombie-like form it put itself in. How we got this way, I know you're asking. But that's something that will come along later.

"But Medalin, you have to sleep..." I stopped him before he could ramble about how much my health meant to me. If we didn't awaken together, I would always be before him, and he would always try to con me into going asleep. Needless to say, he failed every time. He may be stubborn, but I believe I'm more persistent.

"Isaac, me being there for you is more important than me sleeping. Besides, I like when we get to sleep together."

He grinned and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. "You know when you say that, it always turns me on."

I ran my hand under his shirt. "Why do you think I keep saying it?"

He kissed the top of my head then suddenly stopped my hand from going anything further. I thought maybe I had taken it too far, but then I noticed his chest started to rise and fall rapidly. I looked up into his face and saw his eyes became large and glossed over.

I looked into the window and saw Zac was rinsing his bowl out at the sink. "Come on baby, we have to go to the garage."

As soon as I got the garage door locked, I heard Zac yelling for us. I turned around and saw Isaac hunched over with blood pouring out of his mouth. Without thinking, I shakily unlocked the door and yelled for Zac.

"ZAC! Call 911!"

Not listening to me, he ran to the garage and started looking me over. "No it’s not me, please Zac, just call the-" Before I could finish, he spotted his oldest brother lying lifelessly on the floor, now a puddle of blood surrounding him.

He tried to say something, but I could tell his voice was lost. He looked at me helplessly. "What happened?"

"Zac, please, he's not dead... He's just sick... Please, you need to call 911. Go now..."

Zac shook all thoughts from his head and ran out of the garage. I rushed over to Isaac and cradled his head in my lap. My tears mixed roughly with his blood, making an ugly display. "Come on baby, don't give up on me now." I pulled one of my shirts off and carefully wiped the blood off of his face. His face. His once golden face was now pale white with specs of red. His hair fell in damp curls around his forehead.

I heard many sets of loud footsteps clambering towards the garage door and sound of sirens in the distance. I placed my hand on his neck and quickly kissed his lips. It was then that I noticed he no longer had a pulse