When I come to, it's all I can do not to cry out in pain. Even the slightest movement makes me feel like I'm getting shot. "He's waking up." I open my eyes to see Zeke standing over me, a frightened look on his face, with Lauren next to him.

"Matt! Matt, I was so worried! I thought you were going to die!" Cassandra stands on the other side of the bed, her eyes bloodshot. "Guess you're stuck with me," I say, and she offers me a halfhearted smile.

"Now you listen and you listen good," Lauren says, pointing a finger at me. "If you ever even think about dying, I will kill you, do you understand?" It's amazing how concerned they all are. This is what it's like to have friends, I think, and smile in spite of myself.

"Duly noted." The infirmary door opens, and the nurse walks in. "We've got to stop meeting like this," she comments. She puts something in my IV and instantly I feel better. "What...what's that?" I whisper.

"Morphine. Developed by the Erudite. Sometimes those nerds come in handy." She turns to the others. "I think you should let him rest. The stuff is probably kicking in by now, so he's not going to be conscious for a while."

Zeke crosses his arms. "Fine. I'll be right back. Just gotta go teach that stupid, good-for-nothing Erudite what the price is for messing with my friends." He storms out of there, Lauren jogging after him.

"Feel better!" It feels more like a command than a request. "You're pretty," I mumble to Cassandra. "I know I am." She grins, then leans down to kiss my cheek. "I love you," she whispers. Her face is the last thing I see before the drugs put me to sleep.