Chapter 8

Crimson ignored his calls for her. She managed to make her way to her bike. She opened up one of the saddle bags and pulled out the first aid kit. She looked at the shallow wound. It had bled a lot but it wasn't that bad. She started cleaning it, even though she knew the virus couldn't be killed with just rubbing alcohol. Pulling out gauze, she wrapped it up.

Saben ran until he saw her. "Crimson-" he stopped and stared at her wrapping her wound. Does she have the virus?

Crimson looked up. "What?" she growled. It sounded more angry and threatening then she wanted it to be.

Saben shook off the feeling and put on a fake smile. "Do you have to be so stubborn?" he said, walking up to her.

Crimson rolled her eyes. "I'm not stubborn."

"Too... prideful to accept help?" he reworded, leaning on her bike next to her.

"What help do I need?" Crimson asked.

"Well, you didn't have to run to your bike for supplies." Saben said. "Why wouldn't you let me see your wound?" he asked.

"I ran to my bike because it would be faster than searching for a medical kit in this place. I also ran to it because I need to work on it. I wouldn't let you see it because it was just another wound." Crimson explained in a careful tone.

"I still care. Even if it is 'just another wound.'" he said cheerily.

Crimson rolled her eyes. "It's fine. I'm fine. I just need my bike to be fine. Then I can go."

He sighed. "Why do you have to go?"

"I told you. I don't feel safe here." Crimson responded softly. She walked back down the stairs, this time in search of tools.

"Why?" he asked simply, following her.

"You are worse than a child. Do you really need me?" Crimson asked. She found a tool box in the closet Koralie had hid in.

"Maybe." he said with a smile. "I am a bit childish." he admitted.

Crimson rolled er eyes and continued back to the stairs. "I'm not staying."

He thought a moment before following her. "Do you not get lonely?"

Crimson looked over. "Not really."

"You probably just want me to go away then." he said with a small smile.

Crimson shrugged, "I don't care." she started to inspect her bike.

Saben looked at the bike with her. "What's wrong with it?"

"One of my brakes were cut." she replied.

"I see..." he responded. Saben still wore a worried expression on his face.

Crimson found electrician's tape amongst the tools and taped it up. "I'll have to leave and find a hardware store to get brake fluid."