AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You know it won't be good enough. The woman is like you and has to see it for herself.”
I laugh and grab the bottle of water from the nightstand beside me. “Tell her to come later or tomorrow. I'm not going to last very long and don't know when I'll wake up again.”
“Don't worry, I'll make sure everyone leaves you alone for the rest of the day. Tomorrow will be better, I promise.”
“Sure it will,” I say, forcing a smile. How could he know?
Patting me on the head, he shoots me a sympathetic smile. “See ya tomorrow.”
I have a feeling I'll be getting those smiles for a while. All the questions wondering how I am and if I'm feeling better will come as soon as I leave this building. I'm not looking forward to any of them.
My brother grabs his jacket from the chair and heads toward the door. Before he can fully exit, I call after him.
“Oh, Connor?”
He spins around, tilting his head. “Yeah? Miss me already? At least let me walk out the door first.”
I roll my eyes, chuckling, but it feels like the sound is coming from someone else. A distant me. “No, you ding dong. You think you can tell everyone to limit the questions and sympathetic gestures tomorrow?”
His lips stretch into a thin line. “Of course, man. Anything you need.”
“Thanks. Try to make it to your car without hitting on any more of the hospital's staff.”
He laughs, his shoulders shaking. “I'll try but can't make any promises.”
He leaves and I sink into bed, turning on the TV before closing my eyes. It was so quiet in the cellar, and the sound of random people talking is more soothing than I ever imagined it could be. I used to prefer to sleep in silence. Now I get lost in thought, drowning in the memories of the cold room I wish to forget.
Burying my face in the pillow, I inhale, taking in the smell of hospital detergent to remind me I'm not in the cellar anymore. I keep inhaling and exhaling until my head goes foggy, everything around me turning to darkness.
My eyes snap open when someone shifts on top of me. Staring around the dark room, I'm not able to find my call button to turn on the light. I can't see the images on the side of the bed either and don't want to push the wrong one, sending the nurse in here for no reason.
A soft moan comes from nearby and I glance down, taking in the wiggly figure. Slowly moving my hands, I slide my fingers through the person's hair, curls brushing my skin.
“Shhh, it's only me. I couldn't sleep. Too many strangers kept coming into my room.”
“Iggy?” I whisper, my voice groggy.
“Yeah?” His voice is a sweet melody.
“You're here.” I tug on his hair gently, having the sudden urge to shove my nose in it.
“I am. It wasn't easy sneaking into your room, either.”
I chuckle, running my fingers down the side of his face. “You should go back to your room. They'll look for you soon.”
“Let them.”
“You know, lots of strangers come in here too.” I continue to rub his head and his cheek brushes against my chest. It's weird and foreign having clothes between us. A part of me misses having his skin touching mine and I'm not sure why. I'm growing uneasy the longer I go without it.
“I know, but I can handle it better when you're with me.”
“Ig—”
“You saved me. It's all thanks to you that we're out of there.” His breathing evens out as he lies against me.
“It's my fault you were ever there to begin with.”
“Maybe.”
