I LIVE THIS, I BREATHE THIS, YOU CRAVE IT

CHAPTER 14: What Now?

Rhea's POV

The four of us have been sitting in the waiting room for what seemed like days. The whole scene just kept playing in my head over and over. It's all I could think about.

Seeing Emma bloody, passed out on the concrete. The paramedics hovering over her and poking and prodding her. I was so helpless. I am so helpless.

Why would she do that?

"Here, Rhea," Damian said from above me. I looked up to him holding a small coffee cup in his hand. I took it gently.

"Thanks," I mumbled.

He sat back down in his seat next to me. I just held the warm cup in my hands, letting the heat from the cup warm my skin and trying desperately not to have a panic attack in this waiting room.

All I saw when I closed my eyes was Emma bleeding on the concrete. How was I ever going to sleep again?

"She'll be okay," Dominik offered, his hand squeezing my shoulder.

I nodded, tears welling up in my eyes.

"I should've stopped her," I whispered more to myself than anyone else and the tears started to stream freely.

Silent tears turned into sniffling that turned into sobs. Soon enough I was being held up by Damian, wetting his shirt as he held onto me. Gentle hands caressed my back.

My worst nightmares were coming true.

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After a few more hours, Emma's doctor walked into the waiting room and I sprang up, the boys following.

"Are you here for Emma Jackson?"

"Yeah, we all are."

"Well, I'll start this off by saying that she's very lucky. By some miracle, the bullet missed any vital organs, but we had to go in and repair some internal damage. She lost quite a bit of blood but she'll make a full recovery," he told us. He had a kind face and soft eyes. "She's in recovery right now. It'll be a few more hours until she's awake but you can go see her if you'd like."

I thanked him quickly before I rushed over to the recovery rooms, the boys trailing behind me. The tears drying on my cheeks were forgotten until I reached her room.

I'll never forget that sight for the rest of my life either.

There she was. Eyes closed. She looked peaceful, just like when she was asleep in our bed. But it was marred by all of the tubes and cords. Her beautiful, long, dark hair was messy where it draped over her shoulders. She had a bruise forming around the white bandage that was taped over her temple and another bruise under her eye. Her arm was wrapped, a small amount of blood visible through the gauze and I didn't even want to look at the rest of the damage under the blanket.

I couldn't bring myself to walk into the room right away. I wanted to go to her but that would make this too real.

"Rhea," Finn said softly from beside me. I looked over to him and he nodded. His hand gently pushed me forward into the room. "She wants you."

I didn't know I could cry this much but the tears kept coming as I walked to her bedside. Damian pushed a chair over for me to sit in.

"We'll be right outside," Dominik told me, rubbing my shoulder lightly.

I waited until they all left the room before completely breaking down. I just held her hand and cried. I cried until there were no more tears in my body. One hand rested on her thigh, slowly rubbing back and forth while my other hand held hers.