Without Words

27- Ditto

A/N: Italicized words are those written by Elle.

I tried opening my eyes and was greeted with the most painful headache, like a ten wheeler truck ran over my head several times and was still prodding me awake. I tried to get up and winced. Turns out I couldn't, my whole back is sore, head is pounding, neck is burning and my side is throbbing. I took deep calming breaths and attempted to open my eyes again.

I was in unfamiliar surroundings. Where was I? Hospital?

I tried lifting my head and noticed a brace wrapped around my neck. I feel suffocated by it, even more from the oxygen mask over my face. I quickly removed it, trying to control my own breathing. It was then that I noticed the IV lines connected to my left hand and several IV fluids attached to it. I pushed myself up carefully and slowly. Noticing something attached to my finger too, I removed it and something beeped loudly from the machines.

"Elle?" I heard mom's voice from the far corner. I was trying to turn my head toward her voice when she appeared at my side, still wearing her scrubs and looking like she just woke up. She called out others too and all of sudden the place was filled with people. "Oh baby, you're awake."

"W-wha--"I attempted to say but stopped. My voice was hoarse and an overwhelming pain in my throat shook me.

"Shhh. " Mom softly brushed a curl away from my face. It was then that I noticed a large bandage on the right side of my head. "Your injuries will make it hard for you to talk. I requested a pen and paper for you."

Claudia appeared beside her, handing them to me. "I am so glad you're okay, sweetie. Your friends called 911 when you blacked out. Katelyn was panicking the whole time but they did well."

Mom tried to put the oxygen mask on me again but I flinched away from it. "Can you breathe fine?" She asked worriedly and I nodded.

She clipped something on my finger and examined the numbers displayed. I think it was a pulse oximeter. "O2 sats are better but, just to be sure, I'm going to request a cannula instead. Will that be comfortable for you?"

A nasal cannula is better than this mask. I nodded then gestured to my neck brace.

"I'm afraid not, baby." Mom said gently. "Your neck is severely bruised. We need to stabilize it to quicken the healing process."

I wrote with the pen shakily, noticing my bruised wrists as well. I wrote one word.

Noah?

Devon answered behind Claudia. "School security restrained him until 911 came. Then, he was taken into custody. I called his parents. He was supposed to be in a rehab facility in New York and escaped a week ago. For now, arrangements are being made to return him but your mom wants to press charges."

I widened my eyes and shook my head profusely at her, ignoring my headache and neck.

"Eliza, he hurt you." She insisted, her eyes held concern, fear and mild fury. "Your friends were interviewed by the police and the school handed video footages over. He choked you and threw you around like a rag doll. He could've killed you."

I shook my head again.

My fault.

"No." Matt hissed as I saw him by the side. Dan is with him. "Don't even think about it, Elle. If Logan didn't return to school, no one would have been there to save you."

He was high.

"That wasn't your fault either." He said pointedly. "From the videos, you were even trying to move away and calm him down."