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Jill had wanted to go to a party that was being thrown just off campus from Amberwood. Sydney had argued that it was a bad idea, but seeing the pleasing look on Jill’s face, she caved. Jill had no idea how much she would regret dragging Sydney to that party.
Eddie was already in bed when his phone rang. Jill.
“Are you alright? What’s wrong? Where are you?” He rattled off a mile a minute. He leaped from the bed and immediately started dressing to leave, his heart pounding.
Jill’s voice sounded so small on the other end. “I’m fine but something’s wrong with Sydney.” She said. “I think…I think someone put something in her drink.” As relieved as he was that Jill wasn’t hurt, he didn’t feel better.
“Stay there I’m on my way.” Jill texted him the address of the party.
After Eddie, she called Adrian. Sydney was sitting on the couch, her head bobbing slightly. She could barely keep her eyes open. Jill held her hand and sat next to her.
“Jailbait, it’s late. Are you alright?” Adrian answered, half yawning.
“I’m fine. It’s Sydney. I made her take me to this stupid party and now…now…” Jill started to cry. “Eddie’s on his way now but I don’t know what to do Adrian. I’ve never…”
“Take it easy, tell me what happened.”
“I think someone drugged her drink.” The drink in question being Diet Coke, of course.
“Text me the address.”
“Adrian, I’m scared.”
“I know, I know. I’ll be there soon. Just keep the both of you safe until Castile or I get there. Okay?”
“Okay.”
Jill squeezed Sydney’s hand. “Help is on the way.”
Eddie and Adrian burst through the front door of the house at the same time. Given the time between when she called Eddie and when she called Adrian and where they were coming from, Adrian must have sped like a madman to get there at the same time. Jill stood up and waved them over. Adrian immediately took Sydney’s face in his hands and began looking her over.
“Who was she talking to?” Eddie demanded. “What did they give her?”
“I don’t know, a bunch of people. I wasn’t paying attention. It’s a party!”
Eddie sighed and stormed into the next room like a man on a mission.
“Hey Sage, Can you hear me? Nod if you can hear me.” It was faint but her head definitely nodded. “You’re going to be okay.” Adrian declared with an abundance of unearned confidence.
Eddie came back into the room, but he didn’t seem any calmer. He looked between Jill and Sydney and then Adrian and Sydney.
“We should take her to a hospital.” He said.
“No!” Sydney managed to protest. She was still very groggy but her eyes were fully open and she shook her head. “No hospital.”
“Sydney, do you know who did this?” Eddie asked.
“Not sure.” She groaned and lurched forward like she was going to be sick but only dry heaves came. Adrian rubbed slow, small circles on her back.
“You take Jill back to campus, I’ll take Sydney back to mine and take care of her.” Adrian pronounced. Eddie didn’t seem convinced. He was torn between his desire to bring Jill back safely and find whoever hurt Sydney.
“Castile, I don’t have all day.” Adrian snapped. Sydney let out an unpleasant groan and Adrian threw an arm under her and helped her to her feet. “Fine. Jailbait, hop in with me and I’ll drop you back at school. Eddie, stay here and…exact your revenge or whatever.” Adrian’s normal cocky attitude was gone, replaced with bone-chilling fear. Jill and Eddie could both hear it in his voice.
“No, I’ll take Jill.”
“Eddie it’s fine. I want to go with Adrian and Sydney.” Jill argued.
“Fine.” He turned to Adrian. “You bring her straight there, no detours.”
“What ‘cause you think I was going to stop for slushies? You think too little of me.” Adrian feigned offense but he was too worried about Sydney to care what anyone thought about him.
“I don’t feel good,” Sydney said leaning almost completely on Adrian for support. The room was spinning and her vision blurred.
Jill helped him get Sydney into the passenger seat of his car. “You’re going to be okay, Sydney.” Jill squeezed her shoulder before hopping into the back seat.
Adrian looked over at Sydney as he started the car. Her eyes were glassy and vacant, but at least they were open. His heart was beating out of his chest.
He dropped Jill off at the school.
“She’ll be okay, right?” She asked him one last time before leaving.
“Yes. She’s Sydney Sage. She’s the strongest person I know. She’ll be fine.” He was assuring himself as much as he was Jill. “Go and make sure you call Castile and let him know you got in safe,” Adrian added.
“Goodnight. I’m really sorry.” She said to them both.
He pulled up at his apartment. Adrian got out of the car and walked over to the passenger side. He touched her shoulder lightly.
“We’re here. Can you walk?” Sydney nodded but as soon as her legs were beneath her they gave out completely. “Guess not.”
Adrian scooped her into his arms and closed the car door with his foot.
Once they got inside, he laid her down on his bed.
“I’m going to get you some water and a cold washcloth. Do you need anything else?” He asked.
She shook her head.
He came back and handed her the glass of water, helping her to sit up so she could drink. He took the cold washcloth and pressed it to her forehead.
“How are you feeling?” He asked. “Are you sure you don’t want to go to the hospital or…” He could heal her, was the unspoken part.
She shook her head but Adrian wasn’t sure which part she meant to turn down.
She seemed more alert after drinking water.
“My head hurts.”
“I’ve healed you before. You’ve let me then. Why not now?”
“My fault.” She mumbled.
“What?! Sage, no this is not your fault.”
“I’m usually so careful. I don’t know how this happened.”
“That’s why you don’t want me to heal you? Because you feel like it’s your fault? Sage, for someone so smart that is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. This is not your fault. It’s the fault of one person, and that's the son of a bitch who drugged you and that’s it.” She pulled away from him slightly and he regretted the anger in his tone.
“Adrian, I…” She started to say but was overwhelmed by either nausea or pain. She squeezed her eyes closed. “Will you hold me?” He hesitated but kicked his shoes off and laid down next to her in the bed, wrapping his arms around her.
“Sydney. I’m so sorry this happened.” He stroked her hair which was stuck to her face and neck with sweat. As soon as Sydney fell asleep there was a knock at the door. Adrian untangled himself from her and opened the door to find Eddie, out of breath. He stood aside and let him in.
“Did you find whoever did this?” Adrian asked, not sure which answer he wanted.
“Turns out there were a few guys at that party, who weren’t being upstanding gentlemen. From what I gathered they used Rohypnol. If she’s getting better, it should wear off in a few hours.” Adrian noticed Eddie’s knuckles, bright red and swollen, but said nothing.
“I think she’s going to be okay. She’s asleep now.” Adrian looked back towards his bedroom. Eddie nodded.
“I can’t believe this happened. I should have gone with them to that party. I’m a Guardian, I’m supposed to…”
“It’s not your fault.” He seemed to be telling people this a lot today, Adrian thought. Adrian clapped Eddie on the shoulder. “You’re still a good Guardian and a good friend. You should go back to Amberwood and let Jill know that she’s going to be okay.”
“Thanks, Adrian. And thanks for taking care of Sydney.”
Eddie left and Adrian went back to find Sydney awake again, sitting up in the bed.
“Are you alright Sage? Does something hurt? Do you feel like you’re going to be sick?” He asked, concern piercing through his voice.
“Thank you, for taking care of me.” She said sleepily. She slid back down under the covers and Adrian flicked off the light.
“Always.”