Monsters Within

Chapter 14

I sit in the chair near Gale as he sleeps. Not wanting to fall asleep I prop my head up on my arm and straiten. The doctors said he was fine after a while, but wanted to keep an eye on him, given the circumstances of his injuries, I don't disagree. He stirs in his sleep and I smile slightly, he's so peaceful. Then, I hear him wake a bit.

"Kay, Kay," he groans quietly. I stand up and walk to him.

"Yeah I'm here," I say standing next to him.

"Can you stay here with me?" He asks opening his eyes, just enough to see.

"I am silly, I've been right over there the whole time." I reply pointing to the chair.

"No I mean, here, like sit on the bed with me," he says groggily. "Please."

I smile, "Okay." Then sit next to him as we stare at each other.

Gale smiles sweetly and drifts back to sleep. I watch the slow and steady rise and fall of his chest. Then bend down to kiss his head. My eyes grow heavy and I slip down onto my side.

*************************************

I wake only to find an empty bed. My eyes shoot open as I jump off the bed.

"Gale?!" I say worriedly.

"Yeah?" He calls from the bathroom.

I finally let out the breath I had been holding in, "Oh thank god," I whisper to myself. "Just didn't know where you were. Sorry."

"It's ok. I'm just gonna take a shower then I'll be out. Can you check to see when we can leave?"

"Sure." I call back.

Our room is near the desk where most of the doctors wait for their paperwork and other needed items, so I head over.

"Excuse me can you see when Gale Roth, can leave?"

"Sure." Replies the woman behind the desk as she begins to type. "He can leave anytime now, just check in with his doctor before you do."

"Okay, thanks." I say walking back.

I open the door as Gale walks out of the bathroom, in only his underwear. That's when I see his back. It, like mine, is riddled with scars.

Next thing I know I am behind him, my hand gently going along the marks, tears blurring my vision. He turns and looks at me, his face showing hurt at the memory of how they got there. I am only allowed to stand there for a few seconds before he backs off, almost as if my touch is on newly torn flesh.

Then I turn and start to take off my shirt.

"Kay wha-" he just stops dead as he stares at my back.

Gale's POV

Her back is covered in scars like mine. I feel no pity, because I know how it feels. Instead I feel a connection, knowing someone who has gone through things like I have.

I reach out to the bare part of her back, as she still wears her bra. Then I take her in my arms like a bride, and hold her close to me, never wanting to let go. She just rests her head on my chest as tears slide slowly down her glowing face.

"You're not alone anymore." I say
softly.

"Neither are you, you have me now." She replies, and I wonder if I will ever get used to that.

Kay's POV

Gale sets me down and I put my shirt on. The doctor comes in shortly after that, giving us the a-okay to leave. I stay near Gale as we leave and he wraps his arm around my waist.