Snakes in my hair? It’s more likely than you think. - Chapter 10：It Hurts

When she opens her eyes again, she isn’t sure where she is. The room lights are dim and it seems like it’s night already. Until she hears a beeping from a machine does she realize that she’s in a hospital room.

Someone clears their throat and she looks over to find that it’s Nurse Pures.

“How are you feeling, Juno?”

Her voice comes out small and hoarse, “I don’t know…”

“Be honest.”

“I’ve felt better.” she admits.

The nurse asks, “How much do you remember before you collapsed?”

Her mind is blank, “Um. Not much…”

“I see. Well basically you collapsed in the middle of the hallway, bleeding and twitching profusely. Many of the students were terrified, thinking you were going to die.”

“Yikes.”

“Yikes indeed. Luckily, they were able to get you help. Actually, one of the students brought you to the school’s hospital. She carried you all the way here.”

Aspar Hill Boarding School has its own hospital attached to the building, it’s modest in size since it’s mostly only for the students and staff. Regardless, carrying a person all the way from the building she was in, to the hospital is roughly a 10 minute walk, less if you run.

“Who was it?” but Juno has a feeling she already knows the answer.

“Kylie Rhys, what a remarkable young woman. She acted fast and didn’t panic. She was quick too. Truly remarkable. You have a good classmate, if not friend. Next time you see her, you should say thank you.”

Juno is shocked. Really shocked! This scenario is really hard to picture, considering Juno is a lot taller than her and she’s pretty short. It’s embarrassing.

“Wow, I can’t believe that she would do that for me.”

“She did. Now, let’s talk about what happened.”

“…”

“Juno,” he sighs deeply and then pulls up a chair to sit on, “First off, I’m not mad but please be more considerate. Next time you feel sick, ask for help.”

She can only nod, feeling ashamed.

“More importantly, other than dehydration and slight malnutrition, there isn’t actually anything ‘wrong’ with you. Although, that plus your blood loss has weakened you, don’t worry you’ll make a full recovery.”

“That’s a relief. I am… so sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused.”

“Don’t apologize. Next time just reach out to me, okay?”

She nods again and gives him a small smile.

He looks a bit hesitant to say this but continues with, “This all happened two days ago. Juno you’ve been unconscious for two whole days. During that time, we had tests done and we didn’t find anything abnormal which is well, abnormal. Another doctor looked into the possibility of this being a magical curse, but fortunately there were no traces of that found. Sorry if this is a lot to take in.”

Juno feels numb.

//Two days!?//

“I’m not done. As you know, if something serious happens we have to contact your guardians.”

If Juno hadn’t been passed out for two days she would have definitely fainted at hearing this.

“One of your moms is outside. I’ll go get her.”

She wants to say, ‘No! It’s fine!!!! Really!!! Tell them to go away and not worry about me!!!’ what she does instead is give a shaky nod.

A few minutes later…

“Juno!”

“Mom…”

Had Juno not been such a poor state, there was no doubt she would have pulled her into a hug but she takes her hand and holds it like it’s fragile.

“I… am, I am so sorry.”

“Don’t say that,” she cups Juno’s face forcing her to look up at her, “I am so relieved to see that you’re okay.”

Taking a closer look at her face, Juno can see just how tired her Mom is. Her eyes are redder, probably from crying and she has bags under her eyes. Her hair is in a messy bun and her outfit is wrinkled. Most notably, her hand is shaking like the rest of her. A wave of guilt overcomes her.

“I love you so much. You are my life, Juno. Please take better care of yourself.”

“I’ll try to.”

A few moments passed before someone else knocks on the door and comes in.

She stares at Juno. Her intense stare makes her put her head down again.

She walks over to the bed, her heels clicking on the floor and gently puts her hand on top of Juno’s head.

“How are you feeling?” she finally asks.

“I’m okay.”

“Now, Juno. We both know that’s a lie.”

She meets her eyes and says, “Okay then, Mother I feel really, really bad. And I am so very sorry for worrying you.”

“I always worry about you, Juno. You’re one of my daughters after all,” she pauses but then her voice softens and she says, “Linh and I, we love you so much. We don’t say that often, but we do.”

“Your mother’s right.”

“I am glad you’re being honest with me about your feelings, Juno.”

“Mother. I’m always honest with you.”

Juno’s Mom senses the tension and tries to defuse it but then her wife says something shocking.

“Then, I suppose it’s my turn to be honest with you.”

“Wait. Joanna why don’t we wait till morning, she just woke up…”

“Juno deserves to know the truth of why we came here.”

//Wait a second…//

“You two didn’t come here for me?”

Juno’s Mom is trembling even more now, “Not exactly… No.”

“Why?”

Juno’s Mother breaks eye contact. “This is going to be hard to hear.”

“Tell me. Please.”

That heavy feeling she’s had this whole time, was it true after all.

Juno’s Mother tells it to her how it is, “Your sister has been missing for over 2 weeks now. She’s simply disappeared, no one has heard of her.”

“We-we found out a week ago from her co-workers and friends. We did some digging around and found out that her friends thought she went home to visit us for a week but it was strange that she didn’t come back after a week. Sstranger that she wouldn’t respond to any messages or calls. We’re so so-ssorry, we wanted to tell you sooner but we’ve been going around looking for clues and-”

Juno’s Mother continues, “And we’ve been trying to find her. By ourselves, through law enforcement, acquaintances, and other means. Two days ago we decided to come here and tell you in person. I am so sorry, Juno.”

Juno stays silent for a long time.

“Honey, pl-pleassse say something!”

Juno cries.

She cries like she hadn’t cried in years.

She cries like she did the time Mila left home.

She cries like she did when she left home.

Something in her has just broken and the tears won’t stop.

These tears, they’re real and they hurt.

Juno’s Mom finally pulls her in for a hug, crying alongside her daughter.

Juno’s Mother looks out the window and wipes the tears forming at the corner of her eyes.

Juno cries until her already hoarse voice is gone and she physically can’t anymore.

Nurse Pures walks in, and informs them that they have to leave soon unfortunately.

“I can give you a few more minutes.” and then he leaves the room again.

“We’ll come back in the morning to say goodbye.”

“There’s something else we want to tell you. Mila’s disappearance isn’t random. Your mom and I believe that our family has been targeted.”

Juno clears her throat, “There’s something wrong. I’ve spoken with her recently and she sent me a package but … there was something off about it.”

“Do you still have this!?”

“Yes… I don’t know where my phone is but my stuff should still be in my dorm.”

“We’re going to have to take this with us. This is an important lead-”

“Moms do you know who’s ‘targeting’ us and why?”

“Honey, the thing is we don’t actually know. You’re mother and I, we never received any threats until after your sister disappeared.”

“We can’t track the source as well. Which is why we are leaving soon so we can find your sister. You’re going to stay here where it’s safe.”

“What…”

“It’s for the best, Juno. If something happens to you as well… I think I won’t be able to hold on. After hearing about Mila’s disappearance I almost collapsed, the only reason I’m still together is because you two need me.”

“I am the same… Juno, I look strong but this has been hard on us. Mila and I might have had our differences but, but she is still my daughter. And- I want her to be safe. I love her and I love you both.”

“I can’t stay here… Don’t leave me here! Ack.. please.”

“We can’t take you with us, not only will it be more dangerous but you’re still weak. I am not losing my other daughter. Juno, you’re staying here, where it’s safe, until we come back for you.”

Juno’s Mother says defeatly, “I can’t keep you safe right now. This is my weakness. The only way for me to be a good parent, is by doing this.”

//I don’t understand!//

“I understand…”

They both kiss her head and wish her goodnight.

“Please. Pleassse. Don’t leave me here. Don’t leave me.” she whispers into the darkness.

The voice is clear and deep.

She shifts her head and trembles slightly, “Who said that?”

A pair of red eyes stare back at her.