Broken

Chapter thirteen

Elliott 

I tried hard to wake up last night and felt my body jerking. Then this bright, blinding light engulfs me. I start walking blindly when I hear a familiar voice. "Oh Elliott," the voice chokes before Miranda appears in front of me.

"Miranda," I choke quietly, reaching to touch her face.

"Yes Elliott, it's me, but it's not your time yet," she chokes with a smile and turns my head.

A shimmering portal reveals Jessie watching me being revived. "Am I...?"

"Yes Elliott, you're dead. She needs you more than I do," she chokes quietly. 

Melanie approaches us with tears in her eyes. "Get back to that woman Elliott," she signs and points to the portal. 

Jessie is pounding on my chest, begging me not to leave her. "We'll watch over your girls Elliott," Miranda chokes and shoves me.

I can hear the sound of my heart slowly beating, back in the dark abyss of my head. I can hear Jessie talking about fighting for the one you love and my heart starts beating faster.

I'm here Jessie. 

"How long has it been," I hear Gary ask in a choked whisper.

"A week, she was about to be pronounced dead the first night, but I brought her back to me," Jessie chokes quietly and I feel her holding my hand. "The brain swelling is gone, it's up to her now to wake up."

I will my eyes to open and the over head light in the room blinds me. I grunt through the breathing tube and immediately feel Jessie's hands on my face. The over head light is turned off and my eyes flutter open. 

I reach my hand up and wipe her tears and she smiles as the tears fall faster. "Next time you want to surprise me, do it at home," she chokes quietly. 

"I'm sorry," I sign as tears fill my eyes and our only way for me to communicate with her. "You were emotional about adopting the girls and I could hear in your voice how you didn't want to wait."

"Sarah was able to get the documents from what was left of your car. I signed them after you tried to leave me," she chokes, barely getting the words out.

"I had moments I could hear you, I heard you calling me back to you," I sign as Carol walks in and drops the clipboard in her hands. 

She rushes over to my side, shining a pen light in my eyes. "When did she wake up," she asks softly, checking my vitals. 

"A few minutes ago," Jessie chokes quietly. 

"How are you feeling," Carol asks quietly. 

I sign while Jessie translates. "She said her head is pounding and her left leg is throbbing," Jessie chokes looking away from me. "I'm sorry, I need a minute."

She walks out of the room and tears roll down my cheeks. "She wouldn't give up on you. They were in the middle of calling time of death when she pounded on your chest," she chokes quietly. 

She gives me a dose of morphine and moments later I could feel the pain subside. My eyes start to feel heavy and I fight to keep them open. I don't want to go back in the darkness. Jessie walks back in, calmed from her crying and takes my hand.

"I don't want to go back to the darkness, you're not there," I sign as it gets harder to keep my eyes open.

"I'll be here, waiting for you in the light. Sleep, your body still needs to rest," she chokes quietly, kissing my forehead. 

"Lay with me," I sign as my eyelids win their battle and I feel her lay on my right side as I'm slipped back into the darkness.