𝗠𝘆 𝗘𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 ⇉ 𝗝𝗝 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸

Get Out

THE NEXT day, Ariella sat in a chair next to John B's bed, holding his hand tightly, her eyes never leaving his face. Sarah was there too, perched on the edge of the bed, but Ari didn't spare her a glance.

Her focus was solely on John B, her heart pounding in her chest. Suddenly, she felt him squeeze her hand, making her gasp and smile. His eyes flutter open, and he looks right at her.

"Hey, Bird." Ari smiles, her voice soft but filled with relief.

John B smiles back at the use of the nickname. Besides his dad, she was the only one who called him that.

"Hi, Cinderella." He whispers back, his voice weak but affectionate.

Ari chuckles softly, her heart swelling with emotion. Sarah watches from the bed, a twinge of jealousy in her eyes, but she quickly reminded herself of the blonde boy she always saw her sister with.

"Hi." Sarah says from behind Ari, her voice tentative.

John B turns his head slowly to look at her. "Hi."

"Where am I?" John B asks quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"St. Olive's. You fell from the Hawk's Nest. You have a concussion and a broken wrist." Ari explains, her thumb gently running over his hand, trying to soothe him.

John B looks away from Ari, turning his head to see his left arm encased in a blue cast. He lifted it slightly, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Woah." He mumbles, still trying to process everything.

"Pretty cool." Sarah comments, trying to lighten the mood.

"I need to get out of here. DCS is gonna find me—." John B starts to sit up, but Ari gently pushed him back down.

"Hang on there, kid." A voice said from behind them.

John B and Ari turn their heads to see Ward Cameron standing in the doorway.

"Sarah told me everything. About your adventure, you running from DCS, about how you were protecting her in the tower." Ward explains, his voice steady. Ari looks back at John B, and they shared a silent look, communicating volumes without saying a word.

"John, I believe I owe you an apology. You were honest with me about the tanks, but I still didn't quite believe you. If it wasn't for my daughter, I would have fired you. Unfortunately, from time to time, I have a bit of a short fuse." Ward admits, his voice tinged with regret.

Ari scoffs loudly, unable to hide her disdain. John B's hand squeezing hers reassuringly.

"I'd like to make up for everything, if you'd let me. I spoke with Sheriff Peterkin, and... I've offered to be your legal guardian, if you'll have me." Ward took a step closer to the hospital bed, his eyes searching John B's for a reaction.

Ari knew this wasn't out of the kindness of his heart. There was always a reason behind Ward's actions, but if it meant John B would stop running, she was willing to make him go through with it.

John B chuckles, disbelief coloring his expression. "What?"

"It'd mean a roof over your head and no more running from the DCS." Ward states, his tone almost too smooth.

John B glances at a beaming Sarah and then at a skeptical Ari. He opens his mouth to protest, but Ari shook her head, her eyes pleading with him to consider it.

"It means more time with me." Ari smiles, her voice soft but determined.

If anything happened, she was going to protect him from her father.