Burning Paradise

Chapter 23: Dark secrets and lies (part 4)

Airs' POV:

As I sat in the sterile, white lobby of the hospital, anxiety gnawed at my insides like a hungry beast. The air was heavy with tension, each passing second feeling like an eternity as I waited for any news of Vanerya's condition. Beside me, Willam sat in stoic silence, his face a mask of worry and apprehension.

And then, like a ray of hope breaking through the darkness, three figures approached us—a girl and three boys, their features bearing a striking resemblance to Vanerya. My heart skipped a beat as I took in their familiar faces, the girl's eyes a mirror image of Vanerya's own, albeit without her signature freckles. The boys, with their green-hazel eyes and curly brown hair, exuded a sense of familiarity that was both comforting and heartbreaking.

Willam rose to greet them, his expression softening as he enveloped them in a tight embrace. "My sons and my oldest daughter," he said, introducing them with a hint of pride in his voice. But beneath his composed exterior, I could sense the pain and anguish that he was trying so desperately to conceal.

Meeting Vanerya's family under such dire circumstances was a bittersweet reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable twists of fate. It should have been a joyous occasion, a celebration of love and unity. But instead, it was overshadowed by the looming threat of Vanerya's uncertain fate.

As I exchanged hesitant greetings with her siblings, I couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that weighed heavy on my conscience. Vanerya was lying in a hospital bed fighting for her life, and I couldn't help but wonder if I could have done more to protect her, to prevent this tragedy from happening.

But dwelling on the past served no purpose now. All I could do was stand by Vanerya's family, offering whatever support and comfort I could in their time of need. Together, we formed a makeshift alliance, united in our shared concern for her well-being.

As we sat together in the hospital lobby, the atmosphere was thick with unspoken emotions—fear, uncertainty, and a glimmer of hope that refused to be extinguished. Time seemed to blur as we waited in anxious anticipation, each moment stretching on into infinity.

But amidst the chaos and despair, there was a sense of solidarity—a shared determination to see Vanerya through this ordeal and back to health. And as we clung to that fragile thread of hope, I knew that we would weather this storm together, drawing strength from each other in our darkest hour.

In that moment, surrounded by Vanerya's family, I found a sense of belonging—a reminder that love and resilience could overcome even the greatest of adversities. And as we awaited news of her condition, I silently vowed to do whatever it took to ensure that Vanerya received the care and support she needed to make a full recovery.

For her sake. For her family's sake. And for the sake of the love that had brought us together in the first place.

____

The police assured us that they would find Jacob, but their words did little to quell the storm of rage and helplessness churning inside me. They had procedures to follow, a system to adhere to, but I couldn't just sit idly by and trust that justice would be served. Not after what Jacob had done to Vanerya.

I left Vanerya with her family, my heart heavy with the sight of her lying so still and unresponsive. The machines beeped steadily, a stark reminder of the fragile thread of life she clung to. Her siblings and father surrounded her, their faces etched with worry and hope, a silent vigil for the woman we all cared for deeply.

As I walked out of the hospital, the cold night air hit me like a slap in the face. The city lights glowed dimly in the distance, a stark contrast to the darkness that enveloped my soul. I couldn't shake the image of Vanerya bleeding out on her apartment floor, the life draining from her before my very eyes. I couldn't let Jacob get away with this.

I slid into my car, my mind racing with thoughts of revenge. The engine roared to life as I sped through the city streets, my grip on the steering wheel tightening with every passing second. The police might have been confident in their ability to catch him, but I needed to take matters into my own hands. I needed to find Jacob and make him pay for what he had done.

I drove aimlessly at first, the familiar sights of the city blurring past in a haze of anger and frustration. I knew Jacob well enough to have an idea of where he might be hiding. He wasn't the kind to disappear quietly; he thrived on chaos and confrontation. My mind replayed every conversation, every encounter we'd had, trying to piece together his likely whereabouts.

I headed to the seediest parts of town, the places where people like Jacob felt most at home. The neon lights of dive bars and rundown motels cast eerie glows on the deserted streets. I kept my eyes peeled for any sign of him, my heart pounding with a mixture of fear and determination.

Stopping at a particularly dingy bar, I got out and pushed open the door, the smell of stale beer and sweat assaulting my senses. The patrons barely looked up as I entered, their attention fixed on their drinks and the muted television in the corner. I approached the bartender, a grizzled old man with a permanent scowl etched on his face.

"Have you seen this man?" I asked, showing him a photo of Jacob on my phone. The bartender glanced at it briefly before shaking his head.

"Never seen him," he grumbled, turning back to his work.

I moved on, asking anyone who would listen if they had seen Jacob. Most people ignored me, a few offered vague, unhelpful answers. My frustration grew with every dead end, my desperation fueling my determination.

Hours passed, and still no sign of him. The city seemed to close in around me, the weight of my failure pressing down on my shoulders. I was about to give up, to return to the hospital and be with Vanerya, when I caught sight of a familiar figure lurking in the shadows of an alleyway.

Jacob.

My heart raced as I approached him, every muscle in my body tensing with anticipation. He turned to face me, a sneer spreading across his face as he recognized me.

"Well, well, if it isn't the knight in shining armor," he taunted, his voice dripping with malice.

I didn't respond, my anger boiling over as I closed the distance between us. Jacob's sneer faded slightly as he saw the fury in my eyes, but he stood his ground.

"What do you want, Airs? Here to play hero again?" he jeered.

I lunged at him, my fists connecting with his face in a blur of motion. He staggered back, blood trickling from his nose, but he didn't fall. Instead, he laughed, a cruel, mocking sound that only fueled my rage.

"You think you can scare me?" he spat, wiping the blood from his lip. "You're just as pathetic as she is."

I didn't stop to think, didn't hesitate. I was consumed by the need to make him pay, to exact my own form of justice. Blow after blow landed, my knuckles aching with the force of my anger. Jacob fought back, but he was no match for my fury.

Finally, he crumpled to the ground, his sneer replaced by a look of fear. I stood over him, breathing heavily, my fists clenched at my sides.

"This is for Vanerya," I hissed, my voice low and dangerous. "If you ever come near her again, I will make sure you regret it."

Jacob whimpered, his defiance shattered. I left him there, broken and beaten, and returned to my car. As I drove back to the hospital, my thoughts were consumed by Vanerya. I had done what I could to protect her, but I knew that the real fight was just beginning.