Emerged

Bandages and Bruises

Elle’s POV:

Looking at the man that towered over me a few hours earlier , lying in a bed looking so frail , sent my body into momentary paralysis.

The guilt and the what if’s came rushing through my mind like an ice cold bucket of water dumped right over me. Had I stayed… had I waited for him to pick me up.

Had I not run away… he would not be here.

He twitched in the bed, moving his arm slightly, that was resting almost lifeless on his side moments ago. A groan slipped past his lips , one that conveyed just how much pain he was in. Yet his eyes remained shut.

Pffffuuu… I did not want to be seen here. I’d be in and out. At least that’s what I told myself , in order to justify why I came to check up on a practical stranger.

The top of his gown was too big for his frame and the little space at the top of his chest was peaking out. I could see the bandages that seem to be wrapped around his abdomen.

I felt nauseous. Like I stabbed him in the chest myself and in that moment , tears welled up in my eyes.

If only I waited.

Before I could think about it, my feet moved on its on accord. I found myself grasping his hand in mine with a vigour I hoped portrayed my shame.

“Elijah. It…it’s Ellie. I know you probably cannot hear me…” , I paused. “I am sorry Elijah. It’s all my fault. I’m so sorry.”

I didn’t know I was crying until my tears dropped onto our conjoined hands. Shock shook me for the second time… and this time, I shocked myself.

Why did this shake me so much? Why am I so affected?

He tightened his grip on my hand and groaned again before slowly opening his eyes, which immediately met mine.

Time seemed suspended in that moment. As though the air around us became too toxic to breathe in and the space too small to hold us both.

We stared at each other for a moment. Me, staring back at him in surprise at his sudden awakening after I just broke down, while he stared back at me as if analysing who I am and where he is.

It was a look of confusion. He stared down at our hands and immediately my cheeks heated. His grip tightened around my fingers before releasing my hand and resting his hand on the bed next to him again. Awkward.

OH MY GOD! I did not just show him that he had an effect on me. That he got to me.

Shit. s**t. s**t.

The tears that dried on my cheeks and my intense grip on his hand just now were all tell tale signs that I actually cared about him.

Is it bad that I’m thinking about my ego right now? After-all it’s my fault that he ended up in the hospital. If I had just stayed—

“Ellie. Is that you?”

His words snapped me out of my internal monologue and I immediately took a step back from his bed. My body felt hot all of a sudden and my eyes shot around the room , anywhere away from him.

“I urh— was here with my mom when I saw you being brought in. I thought I’d check on you. Ho-how-how are you feeling?”

I found myself stuttering as I became hot with embarrassment after being caught holding his hand.

WHY DID HE HAVE TO WAKE UP AT THAT MOMENT.

He was silent. As my eyes darted around the room, I found myself walking toward a table in the corner by the window. His hospital room definitely seemed private alright!

“Would you like some water? I’m sure you are thirsty after what you’ve been through.”

I poured a glass without waiting for his response. My nervousness overwhelmed me and the room felt too small as I felt his piercing gaze on the back of my head.

His silence was unnerving to say the least. The fact that I could not read his thoughts and could not look at him right now due to my shyness, left me in a daze.

Self induced, I know. I could feel the heat of his eyes on me, as I poured the glass and picked it up before turning to walk back to where his bed was situated.

Immediately our eyes met. Time did that weird thing again and seemed to slow. Why was he looking at me like that?! His eyes and his face was exasperating all of a sudden.

He seemed… mad. Or was it sadness?

I pushed the glass toward him while he continued to stare at me. Holding it out waiting for him to take it.

He stared. I held the glass suspended. Was he testing my patience?

“My hands are broken.”

Huh? Broken? He just held my hand a moment ago?

“Oh.”

“Can you feed me?”

HUH!!!! Oh this is bullshit.

Of cause he would milk this. He could use his hands perfectly , he just wants to punish me because he got hurt because of me. Well. Partly.

“Urhhhh… fine.” I gave in begrudgingly.

Only because I felt guilty too. So I swallowed my pride and brought the glass to his lips as he took tentative sips while staring at my face as if trying to memorise my features.

What the hell dude?

“Thank you.” He said.

Silence filled the space as neither of us knew what to say. After-all we were still strangers and the situation felt too fresh to bring up. However, despite the tension that was palpable, my feet did not move to leave and his eyes never left me either.

Although mine found more interest in the colour of the tiles on the floor. White of cause. Is that real Marble?

“So… one amazing first date hey? You definitely made your mark if I can count the bruises on my body as one.” Sarcasm dripped from his voice as his words lingered in the air for a few seconds.

My eyes shot to his face and the fire, that is ever ready for him, seemed to light up instantaneously.

Get a load of this guy.