Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

rather than later, preciosa,? he promised as he ran off, a dark,

ominous mist collecting to obscure his outline.

Helen tried to shout something tough and ballsy after him, but all

that came out was a pathetic moan. He was gone in a second, and

she was left to lie there alone until she was noticed or until she was

well enough to walk away. Finally, she heard someone approach.

?Helen?? a familiar voice said as it neared. ?Oh, no. It is you.?

?Matt,? Helen grunted. ?Get Lucas.?

He came around into Helen?s field of vision and got down on his

knees in front of her. ?Don?t you think the nurse would be a better

idea? Or maybe a paramedic??

?Please. Lucas. Quick.?

He sighed once, rubbed Helen?s back in an

awkwardly reassuring

way, and then got up and ran off. Once she got her breathing under

control, Helen could see enough around her to take in the fact that

she was practically in the school parking lot?much closer to the

school than she had realized. Still curled up in a ball on the

ground, Helen banged her forehead against her knees. She couldn?t

believe she had been that stupid. Her ear pressed to the ground,

Helen heard approaching footsteps that were a little too heavy and

a little too quick to be a normal?s and smiled to herself with relief

even though she was still in terrible pain.

?Thanks, Matt,? she heard Lucas say from somewhere behind

her. ?Where are you hurt?? he asked her as he came around toward

the front, Jason close behind him. Helen pointed to her stomach

and spoke with her eyes. Lucas nodded and looked around,

confused.

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?Did you see what happened?? he asked Matt.