The Man Who Kept the Monsters Away

Chapter Two: Winnie

My head was pounding and I felt like I got hit by a truck. Which, I chuckled wryly to myself, is mostly true since I did get hit by a car. I groaned as I tried to open my eyes. The steady beeping noises let me know I was in the hospital. A quick look around showed a fairly good sized private room. Yay, my favorite place. At least I didn’t have a roommate. I tried to lay still and take stock of my body. Unfortunately I was familiar with how broken bones felt, thankfully nothing felt broken just very very sore. I tried to remember exactly what happened. I was talking to West, he was being sappy… and OH MY THE KID! I looked around for the call light or anything I could use to get someone in here. A young blonde nurse briskly came through the doors no sooner than I showed up. “Ms. McIntyre, I’m so glad you’ve woken up! Are you experiencing any pain?” She asked while looking at the monitor displaying my vitals.

“Uhm, I’m pretty sore but I’m okay. That little boy, is he okay? I had to shove him pretty hard.” I looked at her closely, trying to read any body language that she wasn’t being truthful when she answered me.

“He’s perfectly fine, you managed to shield him from all but a few bruises.” She made a few adjustments to one of the IVs leading into my arm. I tried not to look too close, something about medical needles going into my body creeped me out. “He and his father are actually here, waiting to speak with you when you wake up. Of course, that’s if you would want to.”

“Yes, please! I would love to see him safe with my own eyes, as silly as that may sound” I admitted empathetically.

“I’ll let them and the doctor know that you’ve woken up then.” She rushed out before I had a chance to thank her.

I raised the bed up and briefly wished I had a mirror or even my phone to make sure I didn’t look an absolute terror and scare the poor kid but hopefully he would understand. My focus was quickly pulled to the doorway when I heard little sneakers rushing closer and an oddly familiar deep voice call for Rowan. The door bust up and that same little boy rushed into my room stopping at the foot of my bed.

“Hi, I’m so sorry I got you hit by a car but my name is Rowan and you’re my hero and if you want to we can be best friends because you saved my life and my daddy says that when someone saves your life you owe them a deep rat-tit-tude because it’s hard to be a hero” he gasped in a breath. “I almost forgot oh gosh my daddy would be so mad! Thank you Ms Mac-Empire for saving my life! You’re my hero”

I smiled at the little boy with the warm chocolate eyes. “You are so very welcome Rowan! Please, call me Winnie. Especially if we are going to be besties!”

“Roman Atticus Keirnan!” A mammoth of a man stormed in. “The next time you take off like that I’m going to ground you until you’re an adult!” He crossed his arms and continued lecturing Rowan in a frustrated tone. I tried to listen, really I did. But he was the most beautiful/handsome/gorgeous man I had ever met! He was easily 6’3 and built like a linebacker. His hair was the darkest shade of black I’d ever seen, and his eyes were almost as dark. “Ms. McIntyre? Ms. McIntyre?”

“WINNIE!” Rowan yelled.

“Oh what, yes? I’m sorry I drifted off there, I think I have a slight concussion” I gave them a small smile. It’s most likely true, so I don’t feel like I lied. “Can you repeat what you said?”

Those dark eyes stared at me so intensely it felt like he could see into my soul. “I said thank you very much for saving my son. I know that nothing can come close to repaying you, but I would like to cover your medical bill, at the very least.”

“I couldn’t let you do that Mr… Sir! I’m sure it will be expensive” I stammered a little.

“My name is Kage, Kage Keirnan. Please, Ms McIntyre, it would mean a lot to me and Rowan if you allowed us to pay your medical cost”

“Don’t worry Winnie!” Rowan piped up “My daddy has a lot of money, he’s like a bajillionaire” He bounced up onto the hospital bed with me, jostling my ribs. I was able to contain my wince, just barely. I didn’t want to make this sweet child feel any guilt.

“A bajillionaire huh? I guess I have him to thank for the fancy private room?” A glance at Kage confirmed my suspicion. “Thank you, Mr Keirnan. But despite the status of your alleged bajillion dollars, I didn’t save Rowan for a reward.”

The door opened and an older gentleman in a white doctors coat came in glancing down at the chart in his hand. “Ms. McIntyre, I would say it’s a pleasure to meet you, but the circumstances are less than ideal” he held his hand out and gave me a firm yet gentle shake. “I’m Dr. Wright. You’ve had quite the accident there young lady. Though thankfully none of the damage is too severe, given you were hit by a speeding car. Some bruised ribs, a concussion, other various contusions. I think if everything looks okay, we can discharge you tomorrow afternoon. Do you have any questions for me?”

“Do I have to stay overnight? I really would rather leave.” I asked

“Well given the concussion it would be best if you were somewhere you could be monitored. Do you live with anyone?”

“No sir, I live alone”

Rowan gasped and his eyes lit up “You can stay with us Winnie! We have a hugemongus house with allots of rooms! It’s okay isn’t it Daddy? She can stay with us? She can can’t she?” Rowan was nearly bouncing with excitement.

“Rowan, I-“ Kage started but I cut him off.

“I’m sorry Rowan, but I was told that I should never stay with an adult that I don’t know and while you and I are besties now, I don’t know your daddy.” I winked and turned to the doctor. “I have friends I’m sure could stay with me or vice versa.” I looked around the room and noted that there was a lack of my personal items. “Uhm, if you guys give me my cell phone I could call them”

Kage cleared his throat, “I’m sorry Ms McIntyre, your phone was destroyed in the accident.”

“Oh, well, that’s a bummer” my phone was older, sure, but it still worked. I tried not to let the depression hit me. I was now jobless, phoneless, and soon to be homeless when the bill for this posh hospital stay came. I swallowed my sigh. “If I could I would still like to sign out. AMA even. I just, I can’t stay here. Please, Doctor”

He looked at me almost disappointed before sighing, “I’ll get the paperwork ready and then Kage and Rowan can drive you home.” He patted Rowan on the head on his way out. “Thanks Grandpa Rick!!” Rowan called out.

“Ms. McIntyre,”

“Call me Winnie, please Mr Keirnan” I interrupted.

“Call me Kage then. Winnie, I would be honored to drive you home at the very least, if you are sure you’d rather not stay with us?” He looked at me with an unreadable expression. I could feel an embarrassing flush spread across my cheeks as I waited for the doctor to come back and let me leave.