AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Amiri."
I startle when Nolan touches my arm. Jesus, I'm really out of it. Scrubbing my hand down my face, I attempt to collect myself enough to process the day.
"You okay?" He keeps his voice low and soothing, clearly picking up on my out-of-character distress.
I huff, "No, I'm not okay." How the hell could I be okay? Frustration settles into my bones, making me shift back and forth restlessly.
"Would you like to see her first?" I see no judgment or plea in his eyes to say no, but I still do. She doesn't need my chaotic energy right now. If I can't be one hundred percent there with her right now, then I don't deserve to take the first visit.
My throat works down a sob while I watch Nolan and Korren walk through the door to the ICU rooms after they each give me a hug. Casting my eyes around the room, I take note of my parents sitting by Ryan, shooting him worried looks. Training my gaze on him, I cringe a little at his run-down appearance and dead eyes. I take the seat next to him and take hold of his cold hand in mine. His pale skin looks sickly wrapped in my dark palm; the difference in complexion is a frightening contrast.
I sigh, my eyes settling on Dan and Mia standing at the check-in desk, finally getting the information from someone other than a couple of emotional, broken bastards who can't even take care of themselves.
My head thunks back on the wall; the slight pain is deserved. A subtle squeeze of my hand has me zoning in on Ry's face, hoping like hell he's coming back to us. Nope. His face is still stony and passive, making me wonder if I just imagined the feel of comfort he offered.
Disappointment weighs heavy on my shoulders and eyelids when I lean my head back against the wall. The hushed crying and bustle of the hospital lull me into a restless sleep.
"Have I told you how much we miss you?"
I've been sitting at Eve's side for the past fifteen minutes, mindlessly talking to her. They say that she might be able to hear our voices, which could help her wake up faster if she feels our love and support.
Ryan has yet to say a word, though. His head is face first in the bed beside her hip while he holds her hand between his. He looks like he's praying...I just wish he would talk to her too. She needs all of us. His sniffles join the sound of the heart monitor.
"We miss your smiles and the sass you enjoy throwing at Nolan. Ry can't keep him in check on his own, you know?"
I hope the mention of his name will coax him into saying something, but I'm met with silence. Maybe it will be enough for Eve to just hear his name and feel him beside her. She looks the same as yesterday, so many tubes and machines keeping her in the land of the living.
I can't help but wonder if her mind is blank right now or if she's reliving our memories in there. Or if she's remembering all of the trauma she has suffered through. Fuck. She may be strong and alive, but my girl has absolutely suffered. Her body doesn't look like hers; the sponge bath yesterday did not clean off all the muck and grime from the past week.
I so badly want to run her a bath, wrap her in my arms, and brush out her hair while she enjoys the bubbles and heat of the tub. My hand clenches on her wrists, my sorrow building again.
"Evie-"
Before I can continue my rambling, an extra beep on the machine next to me has my own heart straining in my chest. Ry doesn't move, even when the next beep comes quicker. What's going on? Is she waking up?
"Eve? Are you there?"
Ryan's head shoots up at that right before all hell breaks loose. Those extra beeps of her heartbeat become frantic while her body stays still.
This isn't right.
I shoot out of my chair at the same time, Ry dips down and grips her face.
"Evelyn!" His roar teeters on a soul-wrenching beg.
My stomach bottoms out, hands hovering above her, not sure how to help or where to touch her. With her heart rate increasing and her body lying broken in front of me, I have no idea where to touch without making this worse.
Before I can make a decision and clear my mind of the sheer panic invading my senses, the doors are thrown open, and shouts permeate the air. I hover above my girl, wide-eyed, as a team of nurses and doctors burst through the room.
Ryan's sobs and pleas are the loudest, making my chest crack open in agony and horror. A set of arms yank me from the room, and I do nothing to fight them, my entire body and mind on lockdown.
On the other hand, Ry is being wrestled away as he fights and screams for Eve to wake up. Between the bodies crowding the room and my brothers flailing, I catch one last look at my Angel's face.
That's when the rapid beeping of her machine ceases.
That's when my own heart stops right along with hers. Everything dies in that moment with Eve. Nothing else matters.
Evelyn has flatlined.
