End of the Line Page 6

Gradually I opened my eyes and realized I was lying down on the ground, but I couldn’t remember doing so. At a snail's pace, I tried to sit up. Where was I?

  “Lauren, lay back down,” an urgent yet soothing voice ordered.

  I turned my head, which was still circling to see Jill walking over to me. Where were we? I don’t remember walking around here.

  “What happened?” I asked, placing my hands on my head to stop the spinning—holding the world in place.

  “Just lay back down.”

  “I’m fine. Just tell me what happened.” I started to sit up again.

  She sighed. Jill’s eyes closed briefly before looking back at me. “You fainted.”

  “I what?” I questioned, my eyebrows fusing together. I didn’t remember that.

  “You were just walking and talking with us, and then you just fell. We couldn’t wake you up, so Aaron had to carry you here.”

  The back of my head throbbed and the muscles in my neck ached.

  I started to have that feeling again, the out-of-body light headedness. I lay back down, hoping it would keep the world from moving around me. I wrapped the sweatshirt tighter, as chills ran through my body, causing me to quiver. I closed my eyes as the world began to spin faster.

  “Where’s everyone else?” I asked, trying to stay in control.

  “Mandy’s watching Sean and Paige just over there, and Cole and Aaron went to look for better shelter nearby.”

  “Okay…”

  I was already drifting again. I couldn’t fight it anymore and darkness overcame me.

  Chapter Four

  Aaron