Broken Promises

Chapter 6: Hospital

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Jason's POV

I can't stop pacing back and forth in the hospital waiting room. My mind keeps replaying the horrific scene I stumbled upon in the parking lot over and over.

I had stayed late after football practice, going over some new plays with the coaches. As I was heading to my car, I saw a body crumpled on the ground near Ethan's car. At first I thought maybe someone had just passed out. But as I got closer, the smell of blood hit me and I realized with sickening dread that it was Ethan.

He was a bloody, beaten mess - his face swollen and bruised almost beyond recognition. For a terrifying moment, I thought he was dead. But then I saw his chest feebly rising and falling with shallow breaths and I scrambled to call 911 with shaking hands.

The paramedics worked frantically to stabilize him as they loaded Ethan into the ambulance. I followed behind them to the hospital in a daze, my mind spinning.

Who could have done something so horrible? Was it a random act of violence? A hate crime?

No, a terrible suspicion was growing in the pit of my stomach that this had everything to do with Ethan's psycho ex Marcus. I felt nauseous remembering the crazed look in Ethan's eyes when he showed me those threatening texts earlier. I should have done more, insisted on protecting him.

Once we arrived at the hospital, the nurses shuttled Ethan off to emergency surgery while I was made to wait, frantic and helpless. That was hours ago and I still haven't heard any updates.

I rack my brain for possibilities of who could have done this to that sweet, gorgeous boy. The thought that keeps coming back is Marcus, like a stubborn virus I can't get rid of.

I'm such an idiot. I should have realized those unhinged texts were more than just an empty threat from a bitter ex. I should have taken them seriously and not let Ethan out of my sight. If I had been there...

The image of Ethan's battered face flashes in my mind again and I feel ill. I don't know if I can live with myself if he doesn't pull through because I failed him.

Just then, a nurse in pink scrubs approaches me. "Are you Jason? The one who found that young man attacked in the parking lot?"

I nod urgently, my heart in my throat. "Yes, yes - is he okay? Please tell me he's going to be alright."

The nurse regards me with a somber expression. "He's in critical condition after sustaining severe head trauma, multiple fractures, and internal bleeding. But he's stabilized for now."

I release a shaky breath I didn't realize I was holding. Thank god, he's alive at least.

"However," the nurse continues carefully. "We'll need to monitor him very closely over the next 24 hours. Head injuries like this can be extremely precarious."

I feel the blood drain from my face as her implication sinks in. Ethan might not make it.

Suddenly, a petite woman with the same dark curly hair as Ethan rushes up, looking frantic.

"Where is he? Where's my son?" she demands, eyes wild.

The nurse turns to address her. "Are you Ethan's mother?"

"Yes, I'm Carol," the woman replies shakily. "Please, I need to see him. Is he...?" She can't finish the question, voice breaking.

"Your son is in very critical condition after suffering severe injuries from an assault," the nurse explains gently. "But he's stable for now and in recovery. You can see him briefly, but I must warn you...the damage is quite severe."

Carol nods jerkily, swiping at the tears spilling down her cheeks. As she follows the nurse down the hall, I call out, "Ma'am? Mrs. Saw?"

She pauses and turns back to me, eyes taking in my tall frame and disheveled appearance skeptically.

"I'm Jason," I say shakily. "I'm the one who found Ethan and called the ambulance. I've been waiting to make sure he's...he's gonna be okay."

Her face crumples and she rushes back, throwing her arms around me tightly. "Thank you," she sobs into my chest. "Thank you for saving my baby's life."

I hug her shaking form, blinking back tears of my own. "Of course," I whisper hoarsely. "I just...I wish I could have done more."

Eventually she pulls away, wiping at her eyes. "Would you... would you come with me?" she asks hesitantly. "To see him? I could use the support."

I nod immediately. "Yes, absolutely. Let's go."

We follow the nurse down the sterile white hallway towards Ethan's room. My hands are sweaty and shaking as we reach the door. I have no idea what condition I'll find Ethan in, but I steel myself for the worst.

Nothing could have prepared me for the sight of him lying in that hospital bed.

Ethan is absolutely unrecognizable, his beautiful face a swollen, mottled mess of cuts, bruises and stapled gashes. Both eyes are puffy slits in his battered face. His right arm and left leg are suspended in casts, covered in yards of white bandages.

I suck in a harsh breath at the extent of his injuries, feeling like I've been punched in the gut. How could anyone do something so cruel and inhumane to this wonderful human being? My hands clench into fists as burning rage bubbles up inside me.

This has Marcus's sadistic handiwork written all over it. I'll kill that bastard for what he's done.

Carol rushes to Ethan's bedside, tenderly taking his uninjured hand and pressing kisses to his bruised knuckles as she breaks down into fresh sobs. "My poor baby," she wails, rocking back and forth. "Who did this to you?"

Hearing the anguish in her voice breaks my heart. I move closer, placing a hand on her shaking shoulder as my own vision blurs with tears. "We'll find out who did this," I say in a low, gravelly voice. "And they'll pay, I promise you that."

I stare down at Ethan's broken form, a fiery vow taking hold in my chest. I don't care what kind of vengeance I have to unleash - that sociopathic scumbag Marcus won't get away with this. Not on my watch.

One way or another, he's going to pay his debt for this malicious attack on the kindest, most beautiful soul I've ever met. And I'm going to be the one to make sure of it.

No matter what it takes.

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This is just a filler chapter, because my brain is empty right now.
Would you guys like more of whatever this angst is? Or get into the juicy romance?

Also, Memorial Day woooo!
Xoxo, J.W.