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“Sir, you’ve been shot and she’s severely injured. We need to evaluate both of you and fix your injuries. I can’t do that if you’re holding on to her the entire time,” an unfamiliar voice says nearby.
“Grey…” I think I say his name out loud, but I’m not sure what’s real at this point.Can he hear me?
“I’ve got you, angel. We’re going to make you feel better, just hang in there a bit longer.” His deep voice sounds calm, but I know better. He’s scared and right now, so am I. I attempt to nod my head, though I don’t know if I actually manage it.
“Greyson, you need to let them take her. Once you’re patched up, I’m sure the good doctor will let you see her.” It’s Rian, of all people, who I can hear gently trying to reason with him.
“I can’t let her go. I can’t leave her.” Greyson’s voice is full of concern. It feels like he’s scared to take his eyes off of me for one second.
“It’ll be okay, Greyson. They’ll take care of you quickly and then you’ll be straight back in her room, right?” Lya says pointedly. I can almost feel her glaring at the doctor, even without looking at her. Greyson had said they were okay, but actually hearing her voice brings me so much relief.She’s alive.
“Uh, yes ma’am. He can go in right after we clean and close the bullet wound,” someone, who I presume is the doctor, responds like he’s about to shit his pants. Lya can be terrifying when she wants to be.
“See, just let them take her and you’ll be right in,” Lya says calmly.
“Fine, but if you fuck anything up, I will make sure it’s the last thing you do. If you somehow hurt her more, if you don’t give her the best possible care, I will be the face you see in your nightmares. You might think you’ve seen darkness before, but that shit has nothing on me. So don’t fuck it up.”
I’m slowly released from the warmth of Greyson’s body and put onto an uncomfortable mattress. I whimper at the discomfort of being set down.
“It’s okay,” Greyson whispers to me. “I’ll be back soon, angel. I love you. Don’t you dare give up on me. We have a future to live out.” A soft kiss is placed on my temple. I can tell I’m being moved away from him, but it’s impossible to open my eyes to see his beautiful blues.
“She’ll be okay, man. She’s a fighter. Now go get that wound fixed. It’s going to be a bitch if you don’t—trust me, I know.” Zep’s voice is barely audible as I’m rolled further away.
Someone gently clears their throat next to me. “Alright, sweetie, my name is Kelli. I’m going to be your nurse while you’re here. We’re going to get you some medicine and fluids into you, then we’ll assess all of your injuries. Are you able to talk?” We stop rolling and I think I’m placed in a room.
“Yes. I can talk.” My voice is shaky and hoarse.
“Good, honey. Now, can you tell me what you would rate your pain level as?”
All I can do is scoff at that question. How would I rate it?Uhh, try the most excruciating pain I’ve ever felt in my entire life.I can barely open my swollen eyes, my hand and leg were stabbed, and I think I might’ve broken a couple of ribs. Just as I’m about to tell her that, she stops me.
“Right, probably a dumb question, given your condition. Okay, I also just need to ask something to make sure we are taking care of you properly. Were you sexually assaulted or raped? I know it’s an invasive question, but we need to know. If you have, we can get an evidence kit in here.”
I try to shake my head, but pain shoots through it. “No... He didn’t make it that far. I wasn’t… He didn’t.”
A hand suddenly squeezes my good one. Her palms are soft, and her squeeze is gentle.
“You’re going to be okay. I’ll make sure you get the best care. I would, even if I didn’t think that handsome man of yours would threaten me.” I can’t see her face, but I can tell she’s angelic. Her tenderness shines through the darkness surrounding me and I feel she’s a good soul.
“Where am I?” I ask, realizing I don’t even know where I am.
“You’re at Craibridge West Hospital,” she informs me.
I haven’t been to this hospital in probably about thirteen years, not since Lya pushed me down the porch steps of our childhood home backwards on my bike and I broke my arm. It’s the type of hospital where no one asks questions about gunshots, and you’ll probably get worse of an infection leaving than you had coming in, but this nurse seems nice enough.
“Okay, I’m going to hook you up to a few machines and an IV, and then I’ll go get some dressings for your face. That hand might need surgery, and your ribs will need to be assessed, so I’ll get the doctor to come and take a look at you. In the meantime, you get some rest.” She pats my shoulder and gets to work. She slides in the IV line, making me flinch, and adjusts my pillows so I’m comfortable.
After she’s finished, I can hear her walking away.
“Wait… I don’t want to be alone. Can you send my family in here, please?” The thought of being alone scares me. Rationally, I know I’m safe now, but I’m still shaken up.
“Of course. I’ll send them in.”
With that, I allow myself to drift off to sleep.
* * *
“Ahh,there she is. Inigo Montoya, I thought you were trying to get out of that bet you owe me.” Thiago’s charming voice rings in my ears.
