Creatures in the Dark

Chapter Fourteen

The dark night had consumed the once buzzing city. People stayed inside, afraid that another fight would spark up in the streets. The fighting had long died down as the light left the city. The soft taps of running feet were the only sign of life in the city. Ace had Stephan on her back as she ran through the streets to get the injured boy to the nearest hospital. Her expression was unreadable as Stephan nodded off on her back. It was a short trip with Ace’s speed. She quickly rushed into the emergency room and got the man some medical attention. 

Ace glanced at him as he was brought into the back before disappearing out of the hospital. She couldn’t stay there. It would be too risky. The only thing she told the nurse was that he was caught in the crossfire of the battle between the humanoids and the H.E.U. before she booked it out of the medical facility. She would come back to visit him later, but she wasn't going to stay. 

.

.

.

Stephan groggily opened his eyes and tiredly looked around. The white walls glared back at him as the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor aided him in realizing where he was. He sat up and looked around, ignoring the shooting pain in what is left of his right arm. There was no one waiting for him in the room. It didn’t surprise him though, he knew how the others felt about hospitals, so it didn’t bother him that he woke up alone. Despite how much damage he had taken in the fight, it didn’t hurt as much as when he got burned. 

A nurse took note of Stephan’s consciousness and walked in. She began to ask him how he felt and other questions as a general check-up on his physical wellbeing. He responded simply, not having enough energy to give her more than one or two-word responses. 

“Also, would you like me to contact the woman who brought you here? She left us with a phone number to call once you woke up.” She asked kindly. Stephan nodded and tried to give a tired smile of gratitude. “Yes please.” The nurse nodded and walked off to go contact Ace. Stephan sat quietly, staring at the I.V. in his arm. It had been so many years since he last was in a hospital. He usually tried to avoid being injured, but he failed that task. A spark of pride blossomed in his chest as he realized that he was able to protect the others. It was his only true accomplishment in life. Even though it cost him a limb, he didn’t feel any regret. Ace, Nyoka, UnKnown, Yael, and most importantly, Nightmare were ok. He killed Griffen, they were all safe now. 

He smiled softly and laid back down in the bed, deciding it was best to rest his body before Ace arrived. He didn’t need her to see him in worse condition. Stephan nodded off as he waited patiently for his visitor to arrive. A small chuckle brought him out of his small nap. “You look like shit.” Ace chuckled softly as she pulled up a seat next to the side of his bed. “Thanks, I appreciate the kind words,” Stephan muttered with a lazy smile. “So, how are you feeling?” Ace asked in a genuine tone. “I’m in pain, but it isn’t that bad. Not sure if it's the drugs they got me on or the fact that this isn’t the worse thing to happen to my body.” 

Ace nodded and rested her chin in the palm of her hand, an odd look settled in her gaze. It was clear she wanted to tell him something, but she knew it wasn’t the time. Stephan glanced at her with a raised brow. “What’s up with you? You have something you  need to tell me?” He questioned. Ace signed, “It’s not important right now, I will tell you once you get out of the hospital. It is important that the others are here for this discussion, but there is no way in hell that I could get any of them in a hospital.” Stephan nodded and tried not to worry about what she had to say, but that anxiety slowly crept its way up his spine. He tried to keep that emotion hidden, but Ace could clearly see the worry cross his face. Instead of offering words of comfort, she simply kept quiet. She wasn’t willing to give him a false sense of security by telling him it would be ok. Stephan turned all his attention to her as Ace rose to her feet. “Well, I’m heading out. Once you get discharged I will pick you up and we can chat then.” Stephan just frowned and nodded, watching Ace’s retreating figure leave his room.