340: SERENE SOLACE ARIEL’S POV In the quiet of the night, I stirred in my hospital bed, the gentle moonlight filtering through the curtains and illuminating the bruises that adorned my body. Beside me, Janice slept peacefully, her innocent face a comforting sight in the sterile room. With a deep breath, I gathered my strength; every movement was a reminder of the pain that lingered from recent events. But my resilience propelled me forward. my sore muscles with each Carefully, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, feeling the protest of motion. My limbs felt heavy with exhaustion, but I pushed through, my focus solely on ensuring Janice’s undisturbed rest before venturing into the silent halls beyond. Each step was a battle against the ache that coursed through me, but I pressed on, driven by the singular purpose of finding Luke. I wanted to see his face. I needed to assess his condition and determine whether everything would be alright. Of course, no doubts. Everything would be okay. The hospital corridors stretched before me in a gloomy hall by flickering fluorescent lights that cast haunting shadows along the walls. Yet I paid them no heed, my mind consumed by the urgency of my mission. I pushed open doors with trembling hands, each room revealing unfamiliar faces lost in varying states of pain and exhaustion. With each disappointment, my desperation grew, fear gnawing at my insides like a relentless beast. But I refused to succumb to despair, clinging to the hope that guided me through the darkness. Finally, I found him. Luke’s room stood before me like a beacon of familiarity amidst the chaos, a sanctuary in the tumult of uncertainty. With bated breath, I entered, my heart hammering in my chest. There he lay, my beloved husband, unmoving on the hospital bed, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. A chill ran down my spine as I approached, my hand trembling as I reached out to touch his still form. His face was serene in sleep, but the absence of his lively spirit filled me with an overwhelming emptiness. With a whispered prayer on my lips, I sank to my knees beside him, tears mingling with the cool touch of his hand. I traced the lines of his face, willing him to awaken from the depths of his coma and return to me. But the silence remained unbroken, save for the steady rhythm of his heartbeat echoing in the room. In that moment, exhaustion threatened to engulf me, dragging me into despair. Despite the darkness, a glimmer of hope persisted within me, refusing to fade. With newfound resolve, I pressed a tender kiss to Luke’s brow, a silent promise hanging in the air. I’ll always be there for you, Luke. You saved me, and you were willing to die for my sake. Now look at you, unconscious, right in a coma. It pains me to see you this way, but I know everything is going to be okay. Evan, if I’m injured right now, damaged or broken, I’ll stay by your side because you have been lovely to me. I really appreciate that, Luke. I really appreciate that.” “I’ll be here when you wake,” I whispered, the words barely more than a breath against the stillness of the night. And with that, I settled into vigil beside him, my hand clasped in his, waiting for the dawn to bring with it the promise of a new day. I opened my eyes slowly, feeling a tap on my arm. Taking my eyes upward, I saw a man in white. Most likely an angel But after cleaning my eyes pretty well, I realized it was just a doctor. I’m still feeling drowsy I guess I must be seeing things. “Uhmm, excuse me, miss. What are you doing here?” He asked gently, squatting to my level. I was sitting on the floor with sleepy eyes. I yawned, cleaning my eyes once more. “I’m keeping my husband company.” “Keeping him company? But he’s unconscious” “Yeah, so?” The doctor let out a deep sigh, shaking his head. “Nevermind. But you need to leave, miss.” “Are you chasing me from this room, keeping me away from my husband- “Not really. If you put it that way, I can see that you’re patient. And after scanning you fully, it’s clear that your case is serious. You shouldn’t be putting yourself under so much stress, miss.” “Thank you for being concerned. But you do not have to worry. I’m totally fine. I can handle myself.” I “Sorry, miss, but I’m not taking any risks. You should be leaving now. Come on, get up.” He wanted to help me stand on my feet, but I stopped him. “Don’t hold me, okay? I can take full care of myself. Ouhh!” I bawled, feeling the sharp pain within me. “Well, miss. You have to go back to your room. But hold on, I’ll be right back.” The doctor left. I turned my gaze to Luke, staring into his closed eyes. It wasn’t a nice thing to see him in such a condition. I too was bruised, wounded and energized, but I wouldn’t be worried about myself too much. Luke was all I could think about. Just then, the door opened. That doctor, who had been here some moments ago, appeared. But he wasn’t alone this time. He brought some male nurses who appeared to be really muscular. “Look, miss,” the doctor began. Since you don’t like doing things on your own, we’re going to help you with that.” After that, he gave the men a head gesture, right at me, and they followed his command, treading in my direction. “Don’t come closer,” I told them, but they refused to listen to me. They held my arms, kind of forceful but gentle, since they had knowledge of my condition. With both of their hands now cleaving to me, they carefully lifted me from the floor. “Let go of me, the two of you!” I enjoined the both of them. Well, guess what? They acted like I had not said anything. “Aren’t you both going to put me down?” “I’m sony, miss. But we’re only after your safety. Your condition might worsen if you continue to act like this. And we do not want to be the ones responsible for that.” “That’s what you care about the whole time–your reputation.” “I’m just a worker here. Don’t judge me.” His eyes went to the men who were still holding me. “Take her out of here. The nurses outside will lead the two of you to her room. Unless you guys know it yourselves.” “Nah, we don’t,” one of them answered. “Okay, then, take her out. We do not want to let her condition get worse than this.” Both nurses took me out of them while I still protested for them to let go of me. But my words fell on deaf ears. They eventually took me to my room, with another nurse assisting them. She had come to check on me a few times today–those hours when I freshly regained consciousness, lost in deep thoughts. Janice was in the room, sitting on the edge of the bed, obviously waiting for me. The men slowly dropped me off the bed. After that, they made their exit, along with the lady who had directed their path. “Mom, where have you been?” “It’s nothing. I just went out to take some fresh air. That’s all. “You went to take some air in this condition?” “That’s just it, and I was kind of lucky since those men took me back to my destination.” Well, I wouldn’t say I was lucky.
