Lucid

CHAPTER 18 - GREEN EYES

I burst through the front doors, soaked to the skin, my heart pounding with panic. The cold, sterile air of the hospital was a harsh contrast to the storm outside. My eyes scanned the lobby—people everywhere. A crowd of faces, all of them wearing concern. Some whispered among themselves, casting furtive glances, and I could hear the word that made my blood run cold:

Ethan.

I shoved past the rows of chairs, heart hammering. I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think straight.

"Are there any new patients that have been admitted, like, recently?" I asked, voice frantic, my hands trembling as I leaned over the counter.

The receptionist didn't even look up. She was too busy staring at her screen, typing away like this was just another ordinary day.

"I'm sorry, sir. Close family only."

I clenched my fists at my sides. "Please, I'm a close friend. His family doesn't care as much as I do."

Still, no response.

"Please take a seat. I'll let you know as soon as possible."

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I slammed my fist into the counter, denting it with the force. My breath became ragged, deep. A low growl worked its way up from my chest. I felt the shift in my body, the power surging through me, threatening to burst through my skin. My eyes—green, sharp—were starting to glow.

"WHERE IS ETHAN?!"

Finally, she looked up, her face pale. But I didn't care. I turned, eyes searching. I heard the sound of a woman sobbing from somewhere down the hall.

And that was it.

I broke.

I sprinted, ignoring the receptionist's frantic shouts, heading for the hallway.

At the end of it, I saw her—Ethan's mom. She collapsed into his father's arms, tears falling from her face. My heart stopped. I couldn't breathe.

"No. Please, don't do this to me." The words came out broken, a plea I didn't want to voice.

A nurse, drenched in blood, walked out of the room. She guided them toward another waiting area.

I moved, desperate to get to them, but before I could take another step, two large figures grabbed me by the arms.

"Sir, you're not allowed to—"

I shoved one of them against the wall, my pulse racing, and slammed the other into the floor. The sound of their feet hitting the ground was drowned by my own blood pumping in my ears.

I was done with people getting in my way.

"LET ME GO! I NEED TO SEE HIM!" I shouted, my voice hoarse with fury. I couldn't think straight, only knew that I had to get to him. "I CAN HELP HIM! PLEASE, LET ME GO!"

One of the men tried to pull me toward the exit, but my strength had only just begun to show. I felt the anger coursing through me. They were nothing.

"Ayden."

A calm voice sliced through my fury.

"Ayden, calm down, sweety."

Her hand was on my shoulder, grounding me. I turned, suddenly aware of her presence, and my chest collapsed. There was no fight left.

It was her. My mom.

Her uniform—its weight pulling at her, the tears in her eyes.

"Mom?"

She motioned for the guards to give us space, her hands gently pulling me toward her.

"Ayden, you can't be here right now."