005
1112 Words
TALIA
By the time I opened my eyes, the tubes were gone. The room was dim, except for the faint lights from the machine that was beeping.
I turned and he was still there.
He sat in the same chair, his elbows on his knees, his head resting in his palms. His knuckles were bruised and scraped. A bandage around his wrist. Maybe he got injured trying to save me.
I managed to turn sideways, watching him sleep. His soft snores, and his hair covering his face were really beautiful. And for the first time in weeks, I smiled. His presence felt familiar. Too familiar.
I watched him sleep for a long minute before he sensed me and looked up, his hair still blocking his eyes.
Relief flooded his face com it hurt to see.
“Hey,” he whispered. “Welcome back.” he smiled, revealing his perfect dentition.
I tried to swallow. My mouth tasted like metal.
“How long was I out this time?” I asked.
“Sixteen hours.” He stood slowly, like he was afraid of startling me. His eyes didn't leave me, carefully studying my reaction.
“They kept you sedated so your lung could re-inflate. But you’re off the ventilator now.” he smiled, like that was supposed to make me feel better.
I looked down at myself: wires, bandages, bruises blooming across every visible inch of skin. My left arm was in a brace. My ribs were wrapped so tight that breathing felt like knives.
I wanted to ask if Ian had come to see me. If anyone at all, but I knew better than to expect much from them.
“I thought I died,” I breathed.
“You almost did,” he answered, voice rough. “Twice,” he whispered that part like he didn't want to say it.
He sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to shake me. He opened his mouth to speak but then the television flickered on.
KANE’S TECH BANKRUPTCY AND SCANDAL. Boldly written on the screen.
I furrowed my brows in confusion. What? Was this Isla’s doing?
My heart started racing so fast, I had to lie back down to catch my breath.
I turned to look at him who was already looking at me.
The announcer stated that he hasn't been seen and investors are calling for his arrest.
The crowds outside were chanting—” thief,” “lock him up.”
Some bystanders were talking about how the crash affected them and all the investments they put in.
I gripped the bed rail for support, my heart racing uncontrollably. What I couldn't do in five years, someone came in and finished it up in a few days.
Was this what Isla and Victor had planned? Ian still wasn't dead. Victor said the final icing on the cake was killing Ian.
Then it all hit me. He promised I would be next after Ian if he intervened. Did he send that nurse? What happened to her?
So many thoughts were running through my mind at the same time.
“You didn't deserve any of this. He deserved what he got.” He said.
Did he really deserve any of this?
“What is your name?” I asked.
“Knox. Knox Whitaker.” he smiled.
I nodded, turning back to the announcer.
How was he feeling? I still had the drive that could save him.
I was contemplating saving him or letting him sink.
The door opened slowly, and the doctor walked in.
“Ah, Miss Voss. I can see that you're awake.” The doctor smiled.
His eyes moved to Knox who was glaring at him.
“I’ll leave now, maybe another time,” he said, hurrying out.
“What was that?” I asked confused.
“Nothing,” he said, lowering his gaze.
My stomach dropped. There was definitely something and he was hiding it.
“Whatever it is, say it.”
His grip tightened on my hand slightly, rubbing it gently like he was bracing me for some bad news.
“Just say it already.” I panicked.
“The aftermath of the accident and the poison was gruesome,” he hesitated.
“And?” I snapped.
“You were pregnant T, for four weeks. The doctor said it was tiny, the impact of everything was too much for the baby, it didn't make it.” he exhaled softly.
Tears welled up in my eyes without me knowing.
The world felt like it was spinning. A child I'd never know, never felt, ripped away from me just like that.
First the accident, then an attempt on my life, then my child.
Hot tears ran down my cheeks, my breath already shaky.
I pressed my hands against my stomach, thinking about the life that didn't make it to this life.
He stared at me with something in his eyes. I couldn't breathe, the room felt like it was closing in.
“I didn't…I didn't know.” I whispered, my voice cracking.
He pulled me in, patting my hair. “It was early. I'm sorry. So f*****g sorry.”
“I need air. I need space. Outside maybe, just out of here.” I stuttered.
“It's not safe.” he managed.
“Please.” I cried, my voice cracking.
“I don't need your people around. I don't need eyes on me when I think. Just let them keep their distance.” I cried.
He nodded, leaving to speak with them.
I took a brand new sweater that was in a bag beside me and wore it. Each movement hurt, but the pain I felt inside me was worse than the physical pain.
The nurse Knox sent, helped me out to the private garden where I stood, letting the cool breeze blow me.
I wrapped my hands around myself, trying to process everything when I spotted a child near the fountain.
He was stuck in his wheelchair, struggling to push it.
“Hey—let me help you.”
I pulled him out, helping him place his wheelchair on a smooth pavement.
He turned to me, glaring at me, and handed me a paper.
Before I could look at him again, he had disappeared.
Couldn't at least say thank you, I muttered to myself.
I opened the paper and my heart dropped.
The words were written in block letters, and with real blood.
“WATCH YOUR BACK, YOU’RE NEXT.”
I scanned the surroundings with my eyes, trying to find who. Then I noticed a red dot on my chest.
At the center of my heart.
Oh my God.
- Writer
