Page 122 of Black Hollow: Awakening

March 1 | Saturday

A rustle woke him. Will cracked his eyelids open and spotted an unexpected visitor.

“Blake?” he asked quietly, wondering if he was dreaming.

“Who else?” Alden muttered, his voice laced with weary condescension.

Literally anyone else. That should have been the answer. A lot of time had passed since the accident, and since Blake hadn’t shown up before, Will had no reason to think he ever would. Not that he’d been expecting him.

“How are you feeling?” Blake asked, his tone clearly guarded as he eyed Will carefully.

“Fine…” Will was still not all there. “What…?” He frowned and pointed to the bag Blake was holding.

“I packed your things,” Alden informed him. There wasn’t much to pack, really—just a few changes of clothes and some personal items he’d asked Liam to bring him. “You’re going home today.”

“They’re discharging me?” Will asked, astonished. The last time he spoke to the doctor, he’d been told they would keep him for at least another week.

“You’re discharging yourself.”

“What?” Will scoffed. “Why?”

“The power has gone out three times since you’ve been here,” Blake stated, and of course, he was right. Will already knew. He hadn’t seen any blackouts himself, but he’d felt those distinctive pulses, and afterward, he’d overheard the nurses talking about some electrical issues. He’d put it all together. “You can’t draw attention to yourself.”

“I doubt anyone would connect some random guy’s presence with power failures.”

“This is a hospital. The power is more important here than at school or in your house.”

“They have backup power.”

“And what if you fry that, too? There are sick people here!”

“Yeah, and I’m one of them,” Will hissed, irritated by Alden’s condescending tone. “The doctor said I need to be under observation, so until he decides I can leave safely, I’m not moving.”

“But you can move, unlike the people who are only alive thanks to life support,” Blake stated grimly. “Even a momentary shutdown could have catastrophic consequences. Are you really ready to be responsible for that?”

Will discharged himself. He had no other choice; Blake was right, but that didn’t make him any less angry. How could he even take care of his own health when he was a danger to others? It was completely fucked up.

Alden drove him home. Will got out and started toward the front door on his crutches. He heard footsteps behind him. He glared over his shoulder at Blake, wondering why he wasn’t leaving, but then he remembered the bag with his things.

Will let out a shaky sigh and fumbled in his pocket for his keys. He tried to work the lock, but they slipped from his grasp. He swore under his breath, unsure whether it would be better to bend over or to squat—both options seemed equally exhausting and even more painful.

But Blake beat him to it, picking up the keys and opening the door.

“I didn’t ask for your help,” Will snapped.

“We don’t always have to ask for something to receive it,” Alden replied coolly.

Will went inside, rolling his eyes. He immediately dragged himself to the living room and collapsed on the couch with a quiet groan.

Blake followed him in. He left the bag on the table and announced, “I can help you upstairs, if you want.”

“What for? So I can tumble down the stairs later?”

Alden narrowed his eyes.

“Let’s hope that cynicism speeds up your recovery.”

“Seriously? You, the king of assholes, are going to call me out on my cynicism?”