Breaking the Surface (Part 2)

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(DAWSON'S POV)

I'd made a promise to myself years ago that I'd never ask for my uncle's help. However, seeing as though Austyn has interfered with most of my plans, she'd successfully thrown a wrench into this one as well. Her health is my number one concern. No self-preserving promise for my highly inflated ego could change my mind about that.

By the time I arrived at my Uncle Elijah's personal residence, he'd already requested for the on-call physician to be waiting for us in the private medical observation suite that had been set up for 'emergencies' such as this. It was equipped with every necessity you could think of when involved in this type of business.

Austyn's lips had taken on a slight blueish tint, and every time her consciousness would stir even an ounce of coherency from her drug-induced fog, she was either hallucinating off her ass or severely confused. There was no grey area.

Neil, the doctor, had to inject her with multiple doses of Narcan throughout the night to reverse the fentanyl overdose, but there was nothing he could do in regard to the cocaine. It was sadly something her body had to ride out. He had her on oxygen due to the opioid hindering her breath intake, as well as fluids for her dehydration from the fair amount of vomiting she'd done before Graham got to her. Not including the two memorable times she hurled in the back of the van on the drive here.

Late afternoon the next day, once Austyn's heart rate and breathing went back to normal, Neil cleared me to take her home and provided me with necessary supplies and medications. Not without Elijah requesting an overdue 'family meeting' with Theo, Kol, and myself, of course. I came prepared with the assumption that I wouldn't be able to skate out of asking him for a favor unscathed.

It's been three days since breaking into the warehouse to rescue Austyn, and she hasn't uttered a single word the entire time. Apart from her waking up in a panic at my place the first night, she's been sleeping nonstop. Her nightmares were frequent, though. And as anticipated, they attacked without mercy.

The horrors of witnessing her wake in countless cold sweats and unaware of her surroundings, ruefully lead me to calling Lily. I'd requested for her to come and stay over at my place, needing her expertise to help bring Austyn back down to earth in the way that only Lily can.

She surprisingly hadn't asked many questions; but I think that's only because she's too scared to know the truth. Besides, much like myself, Lily's worry for her friend took precedence over any nagging urge of interrogating me. Although, she made it crystal clear that we'd be having a serious, in-depth discussion about what's really going on around here once things with Austyn were under a little more control.

Lily is not as vapid as she may sometimes come across in the presence of others. On the contrary, in fact. She's incredibly observant, and she can sniff out any lie or secret like a fucking bloodhound. I've gathered from just a few instances being around Lily that she plays this role on purpose. She gets her rocks off with making people believe she's some stereotypical, Americanized, dimwitted-blonde, just so they'd never suspect her innate ability to swindle them to her benefit.

It's fucking impressive if I do say so myself.

For two days, like clockwork, Austyn falls asleep – has a nightmare – scares the absolute shit out of us when she wakes up, belting a gut-wrenching scream – she cries... a lot – she gets snuggled and coddled while Lily plays with her hair– and then she falls back to sleep. Starting the cycle over again.