His Salvation [Eddie Munson]

Chapter Eight

Robin's face greets me when I open my eyes. She's sitting on the edge of the bed and resting her hand on my arm. I slowly scan the room and notice I'm in her room. I'm in her bed.

How long have I been out? The sun is shining through the window. It's so bright. I lift my hand to my head in pain and finch as I come in contact with my forehead. Oh shit. My head. I check my hand and there is no blood. I let out a breath.

"You didn't need stitches. By the time we got you in the car, it stopped bleeding. We brought you back here." Her eyes drop and her hand tightens on my arm. " I'm sorry, Madi." Her voice breaks.

"Stop," I whisper. I place my hand on top of hers. "You didn't do anything."

"That's the thing. I didn't do anything. I shouldn't have left you alone. I was so caught up in Vickie and I thought Nanc-" I cut her off.

"Robin. It's okay." I pat her hand. She looks at me.

I can see the hurt in her eyes, but she didn't do this. She couldn't have predicted what happened. I don't hold anything against her, because I know if I were in her shoes I would have been hanging out with Vickie too.

I think Robin feels responsible for me at times, but she forgets that I'm eighteen. I don't need a guardian or a protector.

I look toward the door. "Where is Nancy?"

"Oh! She had something she couldn't miss at The Weekly Streak. Some news that they needed to get printed." Robin points over at the nightstand. "She left those for you and said she wishes she could have been here when you awoke."

I turn my head and see a beautiful bouquet of white daisies. I can't help but smile. I can't remember the last time I got flowers. Besides the ones from my parent's funeral. "That's sweet of her."

"Look, I don't want you to feel uncomfortable so say the word and I'll tell him to leave." A wary expression flashes on Robin's face.

"What?" I ask in confusion.

Robin looks at the door and back at me, "He's been here all night. He won't leave. I swear, I asked him to just go home but he won't."

It all starts flooding back. Eddie's face flashes in my mind followed by his words. Oh, God. He's here.

"He's out there right now?" I whisper.

She just nods and looks at me. Without realizing it I brush my hair out of my face and slowly sit up leaning on the backboard of Robin's bed. "Can you send him in? Please."

Robin stares at me for a moment and agrees. I watch her walk slowly out of the room. I take a breath and try to gather my thoughts. What should I say? Should I even say anything? No. Why is he here? Why was he concerned about me when before he wanted nothing to do with me. He's confusing me.

I look up to see Eddie standing in the doorway. His eyes are softer than I've seen them. He's standing with one hand on the doorframe and the other down by his side. We just stare at each other for a long moment and he slowly starts walking into the room.

"How are you feeling?" He asks as he takes a seat in the chair next to the bed.

"I've got a headache, but I'm doing okay." I grip the sheets and pull them closer to my body.

He's sitting in the chair with his legs wide and his forearms resting on his thighs. He looks tense. "Do you need anything? I can go grab you some water or uh..." he trails off seeming lost in thought.

I shake my head, "Thanks, but I'm fine."

I watch his every movement. He leans further into his chair. I follow his eyes to his hands and watch him twist his rings. It takes a moment but I realize his right hand, free of rings, is purple and blue. It's bruised.