SPACES | 𝘯. 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘯 (book 3) ✔

Chapter 135: Empty Space.

[I've been drinking
I've been doin' things I shouldn't do
Overthinking
I don't know who I am without you]

Third Pov:

     Emily's been in critical condition for days now. Emily's closest family, Harry, Louis, Liam, and Zayn sat impatiently in the waiting room of the hospital in Silver City. All of them had looks of fear and anticipation, each taking turns to go home so that one or two of them would stay and the rest would go get some rest. At least, as much as they can. 

     But everyone was waiting for the worst. They were waiting for the doctor to come and say that she wouldn't make it. To come and say their good-byes. Niall, on the other hand, had no clue. Emily's family and friends decided that it wasn't his business for now. Unless Emily got worse, then they would contact him to prepare him that he'll have to take Via, but for now, they found no need for Niall. 

     But the anxiety was eating Harry alive. He could only entertain Via for so long before she'd want Emily or Niall. And even though Niall and his actions were extremely off the radar, Harry knew that Niall needed to at least be aware of Emily's condition. So, when it was his turn to go back to the motel for some rest, he sat on the bed and scrolled through his contacts until he got to Niall's. 

     Harry hesitated and listened to the angel and devil argue on his shoulders before he clicked it and brought the phone up to his ear. It rang a couple times before the line connected and Niall's voice rang from the other end. "Harry?"

     "Niall." Harry said simply.

     "Um.. Wh-What's up?"

     Harry sighed, rubbing his temples, was this a good idea? "Erm.. I-I shouldn't be doing this because we all agreed that it wasn't your business.. But, erm.."

     "What's going on?" Niall asked, already feeling anxious. Had his predictions that Emily wasn't alright really come true?

     "It's Emily.. Sh-She got in a car accident a few days ago and.."

     "And no one was gonna tell me at all?" Niall asked in disbelief.

     "We were going to if things had gotten worse, Niall. It's your fault we all decided on that."

     Niall sighed with guilt. "Yeah.. Yeah, I know.."

     "So, um. I thought I'd tell you, mate. I didn't think it was right for you not to know.." Harry admitted, playing with the hem of his shirt.

     "Thanks, Harry. I'm.. I'll be on the next flight."

     "See you then." Harry nodded. "And Niall," Niall stopped his actions and continued to listen. "Don't make me regret this."

---

     Over time, Niall spent the most time at the hospital. He would take care of Via to try and show Emily's family and friends that he was fit for a father and used everything that Emily had taught him when Via was born. It was obviously a bit harder now since she was a bit older and wanted to crawl around more than just staying in Niall's arms. So, Niall would take her to secluded areas of the waiting room and watch her crawl around and play with her quietly.

      It was until the doctors finally gave permission that Emily could finally have visitors since she was in stable condition. The doctors had explained that when Emily got in the crash and the windows broke, Emily tried to protect herself only for a larger piece of glass to miss her face, but land at her side. And because of that, when she moved, the piece of glass had gone through her skin and damaged one of her lungs. It was a lot of work, but they were able to get all the glass out and stop the internal bleeding, but she still lost loads of blood and with the shock, was put into rest. She was now in a coma from the surgery, seeing that that was the only way to keep her alive and hopefully she'd wake up from it. 

     Niall, of course, was devastated. He knew it must've been his fault. He didn't think that these kind of severe injuries could happen with a simple car crash, but it was Emily's car and a larger truck that was being driven by a drunk driver. But nevertheless, he tried to call when she crashed. 

     But still, Niall stayed at the hospital mostly, Emily's family taking Via since she wasn't allowed in the patient's room. He stayed the longest with her. Wanting to be there if she woke up and wanted to make sure that she was okay. Everyone tried to get him to go back and shower and sleep, but he wouldn't agree. He claimed that he was alright with the food from the vending machine and the coffee that the boys would bring him. 

     And now, all he did was stay and wait. He wouldn't read, he wouldn't play music, he wouldn't do anything. He just sat in the seat next to Emily's bed and either stared at her and her paled skin or stare out the window and daydream about how different things would be if he hadn't screwed up. 

     Either way, there was no getting Niall to leave Emily's side. 

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[Empty Space- James Arthur]

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