AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 5 Blair
I awakened with a groan, slowly opening my eyes as pain seemed to radiate throughout my entire body, spreading into my fingers and toes. Every part of me throbbed and ached. I winced as I sat up, noticing the tenderness in my ribs and my blurry eye. My lip hurt when I reached for the cup on my bedside table, thankful it was filled with water and ice.
The cool liquid soothed my dry throat as I sipped it for several minutes. My stomach growled as I looked around the room. I needed to eat. It had been over a day, at least, since I had something.
I pushed the call button and waited for a nurse to answer.
“Hi. What can I do for you?” a cheery voice asked.
“Hey. I’m starving. What am I allowed to eat?”
“Let me check your chart. I’ll be in shortly.”
“Thanks.”
While I waited, I tried to fluff my pillows and raised the head of the bed so my back was straighter. It hurt a little, but I ignored the pain. Maybe I could talk the nurse into medication. I sure needed it.
She came in about ten minutes later, carrying a tray with chicken broth, cranberry juice, green Jello, and chocolate pudding. I sighed as she gave me an apologetic smile.
“The doctor wants to see how you do with this first, and then we can slowly increase the amount of pureed and solid foods.”
I frowned. “Because of my injuries?”
“And your surgery. They had to operate and repair a tear in your spleen.”
My eyes widened. “Shit.”
“It went well. Your recovery should be minimal. The soreness will decrease over the next couple of days as long as you can move around, get out of bed, and try to resume normal activity. If you need help, please use the call button again.”
“I will,” I promised, knowing I would want a shower soon. I felt gross after the attack, rolling in the dirt and blood leaking from my nose and mouth. The metallic taste lingered on my tongue.
“Oh, the good Samaritan that dropped you off wanted to visit later. He waited until after your surgery to leave. It was sweet.”
“I never learned his name.”
“I’m sure he’ll tell you. He was quite adamant about returning to see you.”
“Okay. Thanks for letting me know.”
She left me, and I sipped on the broth, drank half the cranberry juice, and devoured the pudding. The Jello? No.
I dozed for a few hours, waking again to the sun’s rising, blinding me through the blinds.
My door opened, and I reached for the call button as the two bodyguards who had been with Mateo at Toxic Tonic entered.
One pulled a gun, tugging the curtain closed around us.
The other ticked his head toward me. “Put it down.”
My heart began to race, and the monitor picked it up.
Both the assholes smiled.
“Mateo asked us to give you a message.”
The second goon, who had long, stringy hair, stepped closer. “You keep your mouth shut. Talk to anyone or squeal to the cops, and we’ll return and finish the job Mateo started.”
“I’m not stupid,” I spat. “I won’t talk to anyone. Tell Mateo.”
