Say something

Being pulled out of his daze, Grandpa Paulson turned around to face the two men. The butler hurriedly excused himself and vacated the room closing the door making a 'kchak' sound.

**********

"This can't be happening again and what could it be this time?" Phoenix asked no one in particular. Her eyes widened a bit. Uneasiness crept up Phoenix's heart as she turned to look over at Jade. Her fingers trembled a bit. She felt cold and hot sensations simultaneously.

She wasn't new to this feeling. She knew it well enough but she just couldn't decipher what it meant this time around.

" What's wrong love? Did you say something? Say that again, I didn't hear you clearly." The driving Jade asked. Not noticing her condition, he turned the radio volume down as he continued to drive.

Strange.

" What's wrong Butterfly, are you feeling unwell?" Jade parked the car by the roadside quickly upon noticing her unusual behaviour. Her silence was beginning to make him feel nervous.

Still receiving no response, he held her shoulders and shook her to garner her attention. Phoenix suddenly looked up intently into his eyes. Her gaze was distant, her eyes empty. There were hurt and pain within the depths of her orbs.

_ ' What's wrong with her? This is scaring me.' _

" Phoenix Phoenix. PHOENIX what's wrong with you? What's going on? Can you say something. Are you hurting anywhere? Are you unwell? .... Don't stare at me like that, please say something."

The woman by his side just stared back at him. Her gaze was scary and was freaking him out. Her eyes were bloodshot, then a tear rolled down her right cheek and she clenched her teeth harder. Her eyes grew heavy with her breathing labouring.

" Ja..Jad.. take me home. It's not ri..right. I need to go home."

" What's not right Phoenix? You know you are scaring me sweetheart. Tell me what's wrong so I can try to help you... Nevermind, we are going to the hospital right now." He took a deep breathe as he reached out his trembling hand towards the steering wheel.

" Do.. Don't. Just bring me home please." Her low pleading voice reached his ears. Pain was evident on her face.

"Why don't you want to go to the hospital? You aren't well and now you are declining to be treated?" He paused before he continued as he took her hand into his.

He froze when something unexpected happened. " WHAT TH... You..you are bleeding? Phoenix what's happening? We are going to the hospital right now, you need to see a doctor." Fear painted Jade's face.

At this exact moment, Phoenix took hold of his hand and tightened her hold on it. Jade took out a tissue wipe from the compartment as he helped to wipe the blood away.

Phoenix shook her head a bit as she wiped the blood with another tissue. Her bloodshot eyes and nosebleed together with her teary and pained face tugged at his heart. " Just ta..take me home. I will be fine, it's a usual occurrence."

" WHAT? Is this an old chronic sickness?"

" No. Take me...take me home now please." The last part came as a whisper.

Jade had been to Phoenix's house so he didn't have any problems with the directions as he drove the car over.