Kings of Hawkings [bxb]

Chapter 47

Although the crisis at the Spencer household had passed, a lingering shadow still hovered over the boys of Hawkings.

The Wolf Hunt.

They knew it was inescapable and that they had to devise a plan. But life was never predictable, and the boys at St. Vincent's were particularly vengeful. While they could plot and strategize, they knew St. Vincent's was likely doing the same. What truly unnerved them was the eerie silence from Lukas.

Jonas and Hugh were inseparable. They worked out together, ate together, slept together, and visited Eli every evening. Their routine was unbroken, which turned out to be their first mistake.

Their second mistake was Jonas revealing what he feared losing most—his closest people. He hadn't realized how dangerous that would be.

On New Year's Eve, Jonas and Hugh visited Eli as usual. This time, Travis joined them to watch the fireworks with Eli in the hospital, and Hugh managed to sneak in food without the doctors noticing. They gathered together, savoring each other's company with a sense of contentment that had been missing for a while. Eli was set to be released soon, and his room in the dorm was already prepared.

Hugh squeezed Jonas' shoulder. "I'll be right back." He stepped into the hallway while Jonas stayed with the others.

Hugh stretched and leaned against the coffee vending machine, pressing the buttons for his selection. As the coffee poured into a disposable cup, he rubbed his face, weary from lack of sleep. He and Jonas hadn't had much rest recently, as he and the other Kings had been busy devising a plan to counter St. Vincent's. They were working to prolong the Hunt as much as possible, but despite their efforts, they knew it would be impossible to avoid it altogether.

Hugh was consumed by frustration, seething at how St. Vincent's could still manipulate them so easily. Lost in his thoughts and staring blankly at the coffee pouring into his cup, he was completely unaware of the approaching footsteps. His eyes were distant and heavy until a sudden, searing pain exploded in his back. A wave of intense heat surged through him, swiftly followed by a chilling, ice-cold sensation that felt like freezing needles piercing his skin.

He twisted around, wincing at the sudden, sharp agony, only to see a hooded figure vanishing around a corner, hastily shoving something into their pocket. Hugh's vision swam, and his legs felt like lead as he stumbled. The sickening warmth pooling beneath him grew, spreading across the floor like a dark, ominous shadow. Each breath was a struggle, each movement a torment as a relentless throbbing in his side intensified.

Panic gripped his heart, squeezing it with icy fingers as he looked down at the spreading red puddle, realizing the severity of his injury. With sheer willpower, he fought through the pain, forcing himself to stagger back toward the hospital room, every step feeling like he was wading through water.

Jonas' warm smile faltered instantly as he saw Hugh step through the doorway, leaning heavily and looking alarmingly pale.

Rushing over, Jonas' heart dropped as he spotted the blood trailing from Hugh. "Help!" he shouted, his voice hoarse with panic. "Eli hit the emergency button now!"

As he reached Hugh, the man's legs gave way, and Jonas caught him, collapsing to his knees with Hugh in his arms. Desperately, Jonas lifted the back of Hugh's shirt, revealing the gaping wound from which blood was flowing freely. "Shit!" Jonas' voice cracked with desperation. He pressed his hands tightly against the wound, trying to stem the blood, his face contorted with fear and anguish.

"Help!" Jonas' voice cracked with desperation. "Hugh, stay with me. Please, please stay with me."

Hugh weakly embraced him, his voice barely a whisper. "Sweetheart... Don't do anything stupid." Despite the words meant to comfort, the palpable weakness in Hugh's voice only drove Jonas into a deeper panic.