AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We’ve done all we can,” Dr. Lopez says, her voice tired but resolute. “Now, we wait.”
BEEPING
An incessant beeping drags me from sleep, and I blink my eyes open to stare up at the darkened overhead lights. Shadows fill the room, the only illumination coming from the machines attached to my body and lights near the floor.
The beeping quickens, and a scuff comes from my right.
Panic seizes me, and the beeping sound screams with alarm.
“Rowe, it’s okay. I’m here.” Tris appears above me, his hair rumpled and deep wrinkles in the scrubs he wears.
He reaches out to turn down the beeping machine before taking my hand and bringing it to his heart, which beats at a slightly slower pace than mine.
Blue sparks dance around our clasped hands, stronger than they were…yesterday? I scan the room, searching for some sign of the day. But without windows, it could be three in the morning or the middle of the afternoon.
“How long?” I croak, the words dragging against my dry throat.
“It’s been three days since the bonfire.” Tris releases my hand to grab a plastic cup that rattles with ice. He uses a spoon to scoop up some ice chips and feed them to me. “You’ve been in and out of consciousness. Do you remember?”
Pain, followed by sweeping numbness and a bright light.
I swallow the ice chip on my tongue. “Grandma.”
Tris pauses with another spoonful near my lips. “What about your grandma?”
“I saw her.” I lick my cracked lips. “She was mean.”
He spoons the ice into my mouth and waits for me to swallow before asking, “Why was she mean?”
“She said it wasn’t time.” Heaviness drags my eyelids closed. “I thought she was going to hug me, but she shoved me back.”
“Good.” His cool hand touches my forehead. “I hope she keeps shoving you back. I’m not ready to lose you.”
“Not going anywhere.” I try to open my eyes but can’t muster the energy.
* * *
The next time I return to consciousness, the lights blind me, and I quickly shut my eyes with a groan.
“Sorry,” Delilah whispers. “Let me dim those for you.”
The light leaking in through my eyelids fades, and I risk cracking them open again. Delilah hovers next to my bed, her long, auburn hair unbrushed and dark shadows under her eyes.
“You look worse than when we brought you up from the well,” I croak.
“It’s been a long week.” She pulls over a wheeled tray table, which holds a single-serve Jello, a cup of ice water, and a puzzle book that makes me smile. “Do you think you can eat some Jello?”
My stomach rumbles in response. A hollow ache fills it, like I haven’t eaten in days. Which…maybe I haven’t. I remember waking up and Tris being here, but how long ago was that?
Delilah chuckles and peels off the tinfoil lid of the Jello cup on the tray table. “Tris said you like strawberry.”
I struggle to sit upright, and a sharp tug comes at my elbow. Frowning, I stare down at the tube in my arm in confusion.
“Here, let me help.” Delilah presses some buttons on the side of the bed, and the top half raises me into a sitting position. “The IVs are giving you fluids to make sure you stay hydrated. Once you’re awake and drinking on your own, they can come out. I remember how annoying they are. Just try not to move your arm too much.”
“Where’s Tris?” I ask before opening my mouth for the spoonful of Jello.
Delilah’s hand trembles, and I quickly eat the jiggling pink blob. “He’s checking on Ambros. I told him I’d sit with you while he was gone.”
