Subterranean | H.S.

S09

1/2 of the double update

I'm not a doctor or a medical student. I have no idea how some things work so I'll make them work in my own ways. This book is my fiction.

Persephone's pov 

''Are you done?'' I fold Arnie's clothes and put them in the empty space, next to me.

I'm so tired I could fall asleep right here, right now.

''Yes, Phee.'' After that I see him opening the door and getting out of the bathroom. He smiles at me, super proud of himself. His hair is still wet from the shower and I notice one of the buttons on his pyjama shirt is skipped. His little fist is clenched at his green towel with images of dinosaurs.

''Come here, let me fix that.'' I point to his shirt and he steps closer to me. 

Slowly, I fix all of his buttons. ''All done.'' 

''Thank you.'' He takes my hand and I stand up. ''Now, let's go. We have to finish the dinosaur book.''

I don't feel like reading a book tonight or even paying attention to anything, but I can't say 'no' to him. ''Okay.'' I nod and take some of his stuff. 

I close the surface with a key and then we walk to his room. He skips, and his crocks squeak. 

I stayed at the club till very early this morning and I can tell it was not my best idea. I decided to help Jade clean up a little, plus it was extra crowded.

Zayn really helped me relax. I will always be mesmerized by how alcohol can make all your problems simply disappear. Well, alcohol and a man who knows how to have fun. 

At first, after I told Riley everything I realized how stupid of me that was. He could have spiked my drink, drag me somewhere, done anything. If Riley knew she would probably say 'well, but he didn't, stop overthinking it'. I know nothing like that happened but I don't think I would ever do something so reckless again. 

Plus I would be lying if I'd say he didn't turn me on and I feel so bad about myself, knowing I have a boyfriend. We just got back together and I feel like a bad girlfriend already. I know it was not my intention to react that way, it was my body, but my mind agreed on dancing with him. Either way, what I did was very much wrong and I wouldn't want Jack to do something like that to me. I think we should treat people the same way we want to be treated. 

Arnie opens the door and holds them for me. 

''Such a gentleman.'' I mutter under my breath. ''Thank you.'' 

We walk into the room. The lamp next to his bed is turned on and it's the only source of light in the room.

His little body jumps on the bed and quickly disappears under the duvet while I take care of his towel and prepare clothes for him, for tomorrow. 

It's almost ten and it's getting dark outside. It's very much past his bedtime but they increased the doses of drugs for his treatment today and he needed to be awake for longer than usual, just to make sure he takes it well. He's been very brave today and I'm very proud of him. Even if he is tired he won't let it be seen. 

''Come on, Phee.'' I turn around and I see him sitting by the bed heading, patting the space next to him. The book he told me about lays on the duvet.

Right as I approach him my phone starts to ring.

''One moment.'' Without looking at the number I pick up the phone and put it to my ear.

''Hello?'' 

''Hello, Persephone.'' A woman's voice is heard from the other side. 

''Oh, hi. Sorry I didn't pay attention to the number.'' My eyes close and my fingers run through my hair. ''Do you need anything?''

''Yes, I need you to come to room 24B and take an extra drip for Arnie. His doctor asked me to prepare one after today to help refill his vitamins. She asked me to give you a call, she's unavailable right now.'' I squint my eyes and look out the window, watching one of the lights on the parking flickering.

I clear my throat. ''Okay, no problem.''

''Perfect, I'm waiting for you.'' 

''Will be there in a minute.'' I hang up and face Arnie. ''I have to go for a minute, but I'll be right back. I need you to stay in bed and wait for me, okay?'' I put my phone on the table and step closer to the door.

''Okay.'' He takes the book and opens it. ''I'll try to read myself.'' I smile at him.

I'm quickly leaving the room and rushing to the elevator. It comes right away and in a moment I find myself in room 24B.

''Hi.'' I'm greeting the nurse.

''Hi, darling.'' She gets up and pushes a small trolley towards me. ''There's the drip, bandages, needle. Everything that you'll need. Sanitizer is on the lower shelf, right here.'' She points everything to me and I'm glad because I'm so exhausted I know I'd come back here just to ask for it.

''Thanks.'' I take the trolley and take it to the elevator. 

After another elevator ride, I walk straight to Arnie's door. I know that after this I'm done for today so I only have to focus for ten more minutes.  

''Okay, I'm back.'' I say as I open the door and push the cart. The door close by itself after I push it.

I look in the direction where the bed is and I freeze in my spot.

My eyes are about to fall from my eye sockets.

I want to scream and cry for help. 

I feel tears in my eyes.

Suddenly I don't remember what feeling tired felt like.

''Hello, Persephone.'' He says, looking straight at me.

''This is not happening.'' I say, a little too loud.

//