Petrichor

Chapter 21- Rory

"Tag, You're It" Melanie Martinez 

*TRIGGER WARNING*

I know I've fucked up. I don't know or understand a lot of things right now, but that I am certain of. Between the incessant voice of Jet bossing me around and plaguing my mind with more than unwanted images and definitely messing up with Adalynn, the past two weeks have been great. Really. Just great. Following the night of my meltdown, as Levi called it, I was sent to a small, niche medical facility nearby to be evaluated and monitored for exactly two weeks. Normally I would have hated the idea, but in all honesty, I needed time away. And the time away did me a lot of good.

When I arrived they made it blatantly obvious that I was underweight and rapidly losing weight as well. I didn't enjoy the more or less forced meals, but they helped. Today marked the thirteenth day of my stay. In my time here Jet had more or less disappeared, with the exception of appearing as a voice in my dreams every few nights. But my head felt clear, my body stronger. Everything finally felt in my control again. I wasn't a victim to my own mind. It's probably the most relief I've felt in my life, both physically and mentally.

A nurse rounded the corner, entering the spacious lounge area. "Captain Sterling," he grinned warmly. "You've made quite the progress within these short weeks. I am proud you've made the effort. Now, you'll have to be up bright and early tomorrow to get your last evaluation. Then, we will send you on your way."

Sweet as he might be, he's talked to me like a child since I arrived. I didn't appreciate it, but I ignored it nonetheless.

"What time will I leave-" My question was cut short as we heard shouts just around the hall. My nurse left with a puzzled expression, offering an apologetic look before heading in the direction of the voices.

"I don't care that its just until tomorrow, let me fucking see her."

"Ma'am I'm afraid she has a no visiting policy until-"

"Don't make me ask you shitheads twice." Ah, it's Adalynn.

"Ma'am, please. Do you want to speak with my-"

"Stop fucking calling me ma'am. You know what, just move."

Only one person had not only the audacity to speak to anyone in whatever way she pleased, but also the confidence to stride in expecting her demands to be met no matter the circumstance. Regardless of any poor execution on her part, I was grateful to just hear her voice. It felt like a century since I'd really heard her, or seen her for that matter. She'd been right in front of me for weeks but I could only pay attention to the noises around me.

I stood from my chair, walking a few steps forward and peering around the corner to see a few nurses rushing over. They began to spew apologies as another tried to guide Adalynn away. She wasn't having it. In fact, she pushed roughly past him, between the other two, and made a straight line for me.

Her cheeks were flushed and her eyebrows knit together as she spoke. "Have these fuckers been bothering you like this?" By the way her lips creased in a thin line I could tell her words held no sense of humor.

I couldn't contain the warmth that fluttered in my chest upon seeing her again, nor the laugh that escaped my lips.

Adalynn's face contorted into a confused expression. "Why-" her voice became slightly hushed as she leaned in. "Why are you laughing? You're embarrassing me, Rory." I could see the corners of her mouth tugging upwards as she tried to suppress her smirk.

"Oh, shut up," I closed the little distance between us, opening my arms to welcome her into a long needed embrace. She shifted uncomfortably for a few seconds before wrapping her arms around me in return, resting her head against my shoulder.