Page 120 of Black Hollow: Awakening

“Jeez, Will…”

“Just go, okay?”

“Don’t be like that.”

“Why not? You said it yourself, I have the right. So I’m exercising it. Go.”

Norma stood up.

“If you need anything, call,” she said, forcing a calm tone.

Will ignored her words. He watched her go, then closed his eyes, feeling the rage churning inside him.

He was done with all of it.

February 24 | Monday

Liam visited him just after two.

“Hey.” Will smiled at the sight of the only face he wanted to see.

“Hey yourself. Can I sit?” Liam asked. “Because I heard from Norma there’s been some… tension.”

Will rolled his eyes.

“You can, as long as you don’t bring it up.”

Liam chuckled, taking a seat in the chair.

“Thanks for the card.”

“No problem. Do they know in Greenhill yet?”

“Hm? Oh, my grandparents? No. When I came to, they asked who to notify, but I figured there was no point in worrying them. They would’ve come right away, and they’re not in the best of health.”

“Makes sense.”

Silence fell. Will didn’t really know what to say. Liam apparently didn’t either, because at one point he started drumming his fingers on his knees. Suddenly, he shot up from his seat.

“You know what?” he asked, walking over to the window. “On my way here, I had all these great lines prepared. That everything would be okay, that you have nothing to worry about, that it could have been worse… I mean, they sounded great in my head,” he clarified with a quiet snort. “Now they just seem kind of… off the mark.”

“Do I look that bad?” Will muttered with a grim smile.

“No, you look awesome.”

“Uh-huh. Why does that sound like an incredibly unconvincing pickup line?”

“A pickup line?” Liam grinned mischievously. “Funny you’d make that connection. Have you been watching those kinds of movies set in hospitals, too? Because I’ve seen plenty. They actually do start out pretty much the same.”

“Movies?” Will repeated, confused. “What kind of—”

Liam’s smile grew even wider.

“Oh my God,” Will said, bursting into uncontrollable laughter.

He reined it in as quickly as he could, because the pain in his chest was unbearable. His face twisted into a pained grimace.

“Okay?” Liam asked with concern, sitting on the edge of the bed.