Angels Among Us

Chapter 6:

Chapter 6:

"Eve... Eve, wake up!" I heard a mellow voice whisper. "Eve they want you to see your father!"

I instantly awoke and oriented myself. Little to my knowledge, at some point during the night I had sprawled out over Niall's chest. He must've not minded as he returned the favor wrapping those strong arms around me. I would curious at how I could have even attempted to get into a awkward position like this. After all we were in separate chairs, in a hospital waiting room. The distress made me that relentlessly restless.

The nurse directed us through the corridor and into ICU. The eerie though of my father being connected to numerous tubes and wires stopped me at the door. Niall could sense my apprehensive behavior. He reassured me with a small shake of the head.

I pushed the door open to see my father laying on the bed, weak with pale skin except for the terrifying red, burned blotches of skin scattered about his face. I ran to his side grabbing his large hand with tears instantly streaming down my face again. He flinched in horrendous pain. As I got a closer look, there were already small scars forming from the minor yet still brutal embers. I could tell he wanted to talk to me but it was too painful. As much as I hate seeing him in such excruciating torment, I wanted to know what he had on his mind.

*Niall's P.O.V*

I could hear Eve crying through the creased door. Every now and then there would be a small mumble coming from her father. I didn't know whether she knew what he was trying to say or not, but I was positive I knew.

"Niall?" I peered up to see Eve's beautiful tear streaked face. Her red puffy eyes were flat heartbreaking.

"The nurses asked us to go home and rest." She continued.

As we walked out to my car, I debated whether to tell Eve what her father had said. I wanted to end her curiosity but didn't want to frighten her. The ride home was quiet with a gee whimpers escaping Eve's pink lips. I couldn't imagine the grief she was going through. She already had to say goodbye to her mother at such a young age and now the trauma of not knowing the fate of her father. It seemed indescribable.

*Eve's P.O.V*

I tried to hide my emotions but it didn't work. There was too much being thrown at me at once. My sanity was going to burst any moment. I couldn't even begin to imagine life without my father. It was hard enough without my mom. This seemed unsubstantial. An unexpected sob escaped my mouth. I felt so alone.

Just then Niall grabbed my hand.

"It will be okay." He reassured.

Drops of rain lightly fell on the windshield of Niall's car, adding to the sorrow, as Niall pulled into my driveway. I slowly opened the door stepping into the rain with my eyes directed towards the door. As I approached and unlocked it, I heard Niall's car door open. I turned around.

"I'm not leaving you like this." Niall shouted bluntly but full of care.

My hands fumbled with the keys as I opened the door. As much as I wanted Niall to stay, I also wanted him to leave. My depression shifted into pure, fierce anger. Anger at the hospital, anger at whatever started the fire and anger at Niall. I had no reason to be angry at Niall but I needed another outlet.

"No. Just go home!" I spat out. My attempt to force the door closed was shattered when a strong hand pushed it right back open. I ran into my bedroom and shut the door, locking it behind me. It wasn't long after that Niall was trying to open it.

"Go away!" I shouted with tears of anger.

"I can't just leave you like this!" He yelled back.

"Go!"

The rattling of the door knob came to a halt but Niall hadn't left. My back slide down the cold wall in the corner of my room. With my head buried in my knees, I wept impossibly more. This time it wasn't because of the fear of living without my father but that something more so tragic could happen to my family. Anger took over as I whipped my phone at the wall across the room. Part of me hoping it would shatter into a million pieces for all the pain it had brought me in the last not even twelve hours. I had been weeping for at least twenty minutes. A chime of gentle knocks pounded on my door

"Eve? Will you please let me in?" Niall's tender voice pleaded.

I fought the urge to open the door but find myself picking up what was left of my pride and unlocking the bolt. I refused to make eye contact with him as I quickly turned away. I walked over to my dresser and picked up a necklace, fiddling with the chain to distract myself as if I wasn't dying inside. I thought I could trust Niall, I would not let my walls down. At least not yet.

"Will you talk to me?" He asked.

"No."

"I don't want you to-"

"No!"

"I just want to help you." He said walking through the doorway in my direction. I dropped the necklace and walked to the far side of the bed trying to avoid him.

"You know I hate seeing you like this."

I didn't respond. He sat next to me.

"It's all going to be okay."

I held my silent ground. He light grabbed ahold of my chin and turned head in his direction.

"I want to help you."

"Where is my dad at?" I choked on my own words.

"He's at the hospital hun."

"No that's not him! My dad isn't weak like that! It's not him! He wouldn't let that happen!" I cried.

Niall almost seemed speechless at my words. There was a long pause before he spoke.

"Eve I know the future seems dim right now but you know he's going to pull out of this. Everything is going to be okay."

"I don't want okay! I want everything to be back to the way it was when I was 5!"

He wrapped a warm arm around my waist pulling me into his chest. He slowly leaned back onto my headboard and I curled my legs up in his lap. He quietly hummed a beautiful melody to a song that I knew but I couldn't recall the name. It had a soothing legato quality that calmed my nerves. Just as I was almost relaxed cuddling into Niall's warm embrace, my stupid phone rang. Niall saw my paranoia to answer after what happened last time I did so. I slowly rolled off of him and he got up to answer.

"Yes?" He asked.

He let out a sigh.

"Okay we will be there as soon as we can." He said hanging up.

"It was the hospital," he spoke making my heart sink into my stomach. "Your dad is talking! They want us to to see him!"

I released my breath happy to hear the improvement that occurred in less than an hour of our absence. I rushed the the bathroom and rapidly brushed my teeth and hair. Then I threw on boots and coat, grabbed Niall and were out the door.