Inner Predator: Unleashed

Chapter 23

Chapter 23 

“Sweetheart,” my father tries to intercept me in the small waiting room of the clinic. He never calls me anything but Aurora, or Rory, but no pet names. I always assumed he felt uncomfortable with names that familiar since, even after spending some time together, we aren’t all that familiar with one another. The use of the name mixed with the tone of his voice only serves to make the panic in my chest surge.

“Please.”

 It’s the only word I can manage to get out of my dry throat. The battle wages behind his eyes as he debates whether or not to get out of my way and let me through to the only thing that matters. He’s caught between wanting to protect me and knowing nothing will stop me from getting back there.

“This might be goodbye,” Arlo whispers stepping forward from behind me to better speak to my dad. “You know what it’s like not to get that chance.”

My father’s expression changes into something I rarely see mar his handsome face. Something akin to sorrow. When he speaks, his throat sounds swollen with emotion.

“I’ll finish up these interviews,” he says. “I’ll be right out here if you need me.”

He moves from my path and I walk through the large wooden door that leads to the back of the clinic where rows of white, clinical rooms line the walls. Rooms that I hate. Rooms that can only be associated with pain. I glance into each room as I pass, the door slightly ajar. Everyone looks the same. Different, but the same. Lifeless eyes, shaking, skinny bodies due to malnutrition, the same thin white uniforms on. But they’re all here and safe. They have a chance at life again, just like Jackson, Penny and I do.

I stop in front of the only closed door, the one I know must have Chase inside. I turn back to Arlo who has silently followed me and raise an eyebrow in question. He nods. Without hesitation, I twist the knob and push open the door rushing into the room. I’m by his side and able to examine him briefly before my legs give out on me and I fall to my knees next to the bed. My hand finds his and I hang on to him for dear life.

His eyes are closed peacefully. He doesn’t appear to be in any pain at the moment, despite how he looks. He’s too pale and his typically warm skin is lacking heat. There’s a clean white bandage wrapped around his head and the blanket is pulled up to cover him. Wires come out from under the blanket and weave back to machines that offer steady beeps. Reassurance of life, I guess.

I jump a little when Arlo’s warm hand comes down on my shoulder. I forgot he was in the room until now. Dragging my eyes away from Chase, I look at the man.

“Wh-what happened?”

“Beckett has yet to give an official report details,” Arlo says. He pauses, a little chocked on his words. Maybe it would have been kinder to wait for the doctor to come in here rather than have Arlo tell me. “He was shot four times.”

The air leaves my lungs like a popped balloon.

“How…”

“I’m not sure yet, Aurora,” he says patiently. “All the bullets were extracted successfully, but the damage…”

“He’s stable though,” I say. The steady beeping of the machine and the rise and fall of his chest is enough to confirm my words. He’s stable and alive. Hurt, but alive. But why is Arlo acting like he’s gone?

“One of the bullets entered his forehead,” Arlo says quietly. My eyes go back to the white bandage around his head and my heart stops. Shot… in the head. My body starts to sway as I suddenly feel lightheaded, but Arlo’s hold on my shoulder keeps me upright. Tears that I no longer care to hold back stream down my face. Hopeless. “We don’t yet know how much damage was done. Or if he will wake up.”