Pentatonix and the Recovery

Chapter 1

A worried friend paced in the hospital waiting room, his blue eyes unfocused with concern and fear. Kailyn Hale had gone unconscious due to an infection in her shoulder, which they later discovered was shattered. She was in surgery, and it seemed they'd taken a long time. He glanced at his friend, Kirstin Maldonado, as she trembled on the bench. His heart ached for her because she had been the one beside Kailyn when it happened. If Kirstin had not felt that Kailyn wasn't breathing regularly, she might be dead. Kirstin had been sleeping with Kailyn to help with the nightmares and stay by her side in case of an emergency like this one. His heart ached as he saw how upset his friend was; therefore, he moved to sit down beside her. Instantly, she leaned into him, trembling and weeping. She was terrified, he knew. He felt her tears soaking into his shirt as she gripped it.

Kirstin Maldonado: Scott, what if she's dead?

Scott Hoying: She's not dead, Kirstie. Remember, she lasted that long under Victoria's ruthless care. She'll survive.

Kirstin: But it's taking them forever!

She buried her face in his chest, and Scott held her close. He understood how upset this could make her. She was there; she felt Kailyn's cold, limp body; she was the one to find her unconscious. He felt sorry for her because he would have felt the same way if he had been there. Scott glanced up and watched a police officer, not even in uniform. He had been called in the middle of the night, hearing that his fiancé was being rushed to the hospital. He likely had done what Scott and Mitch Grassi had done; just threw clothes on. Time was precious, and having only proposed the night before, he wanted to be at the hospital. The police officer's K9, Jasper, was lying at Kirstin's feet with his head on his paws and ears down. He lifted his head and let out a whimper when a doctor rushed over to the nurse's station after stepping out of the surgery room.

Dr. Adams: I need backup!

A person sitting in the chair beside Kirstin leaped to his feet. His brown eyes filled with agony.

Mitch Grassi: No! Kailyn! Why?

Scott: Mitch, it's okay. She'll be o-

Kirstin stood up and met Scott's blue eyes steadily. Fear was in her brown eyes, and Scott knew she was about to say something she didn't mean. She had done it before when they were searching for Kailyn.

Kirstin: Scott, no need to sugar-coat it. She's not going to make it. Period.

Scott stared at her in shock as her tremors stopped, and she went over to comfort her grieving friend. Jacob Stevens sat beside Scott and watched the hope drain from Kirstin and Mitch.

Jacob Stevens: She doesn't mean that, you know. She's scared.

Scott: I know. She was like this the day we found Kailyn. Since we started staying with Kailyn, Kirstin has been jumpy. But all the same, she's cared for her in ways that we can't. She's been a wonderful mother figure in Kailyn's life.

Jacob: The doctors are wrong about saying that it will be bad for Kailyn if she and Kirstin slept together. Because what if Kailyn has a nightmare? If Kirstin is right there, that would stop Kailyn from trying to get up.

Scott: You're right, Jacob.

Jacob's blue eyes gleamed with a bit of joy as he met Scott's eyes, which were troubled.

Jacob: Sir, may I ask you an important question.

Scott: Of course.

Jacob: Would you be my best man?

Scott: Wait really?

Jacob: Most certainly

Scott and Jacob smiled at each other as they watched the doctors and nurses work. Jacob then realized that not always needing backup is a bad thing.