Noah sat amidst his comrades in the hospital room, their imminent departures marking the end of their shared ordeal. Each of his friends had a destination in mind, a new beginning awaiting them. Even Rafael seemed to have a plan, ready to embark on a journey of rediscovery.
"You're heading back to your estate with your mum, right?" Rafael's concern broke through the room's solemn atmosphere.
Noah shook his head wearily, the exhaustion of recent events evident in the heavy bags under his eyes and the pallor of his skin.
Rafael's frown deepened, reflecting the worry etched in his features. "Why not?"
Noah drew a shaky breath, his voice weighed down by the burden of his thoughts. "I'm not ready to face her, not like this. I need time to heal, physically and mentally, before I can even think about going home."
"Yeah, I get that," Vincent chimed in, his agreement echoed by the solemn nods of the others.
"You look like you've been through a blender," Ethan remarked bluntly, a hint of concern underlying his words.
Noah managed a tired smile, his attempt at levity met with a few subdued chuckles from the group.
"And you might want to consider seeing a therapist," Evan interjected, his tone gentle yet insistent. "Especially after what happened with the nurse."
Noah sighed, the memory of his confusion and disorientation still fresh in his mind. "I was in a fog, didn't know which way was up. Thought I was a goner, along with you guys. Turns out, the bullet wasn't even real. Talk about a plot twist."
"We all woke up by the roadside, and you were unresponsive even after we got help, this, for days," Ethan added, his voice tinged with relief. "But now you're back, and we'll make sure you get the help you need."
Noah nodded, the passage of time feeling both fleeting and endless in the wake of their shared journey. "It's been quite the ride, hasn't it?"
Evan's gaze softened, his gratitude sincere as he spoke. "Thanks for pulling us through, even when we doubted you."
"Yeah, you showed real guts out there," Ethan chimed in, his admiration evident in his tone.
"You risked it all for us," Rafael acknowledged a note of respect in his voice.
"I've only known you for a few months, but I've seen enough to know you're the real deal," Vincent remarked, his words met with puzzled looks before a shared laugh broke the tension.
Noah's smile widened but not past a small line, his eyes reflecting the genuine warmth of his friend's sentiments. "I couldn't have done it without your trust and support. We made it through together, and for that, I'll always be grateful."
The boys embraced in a group hug, their bond strengthened by the trials they had faced together. A snap echoed in the room, drawing their attention to the doorway where the blond nurse, Lucy, stood with a warm smile.
"I'll send it to your private numbers. You should see yourselves, it's been tough, hasn't it?" Lucy's words held a hint of empathy as the boys nodded in agreement.
"Just to mention, your uncle is here as you requested. He'll fill out the forms, and you'll be discharged soon," Lucy announced before heading out.
"Thanks, Lucy," Noah mumbled gratefully as she left the room.
Noah gathered his thoughts before addressing his friends, "Listen, let's keep DREAD and all that mutated wolf stuff a secret. When you talk to your parents, friends, or anyone else, they can still come after us." The boys nodded in solemn agreement.
"We'd rather bury it all than risk reopening old wounds," Vincent added, the sentiment echoed by the others.
Noah took a deep breath, his thoughts drifting to Dhakirah. "I wish Dhakirah had made it," he confessed, his voice heavy with sorrow.
"Yeah," the boys chorused softly, honoring their fallen friend with a moment of silence.
"Okay, goodbye Noey, and take care," Rafael said, fist-bumping Noah before departing, followed by Vincent.
Evan and Ethan moved closer to Noah on the bed, a sense of remorse evident in their expressions. "We wanted to apologize for trying to kill you and all. Browne was messing with us by accusing you, and we didn't see it coming. Forgive our ignorance," Evan blurted out, his words tinged with regret.
Noah smiled understandingly, "I'm used to it. People often judge me at first sight. It's something I've grown accustomed to," he chuckled, the tension easing between them.
"Thanks," Ethan said earnestly, his twin nodding in agreement. "Now we can try to be more like you—love those that hate you, grrr," he joked, eliciting laughter from his brother.
"We'll try," Evan emphasized, giving Noah one last hug before they departed, leaving Noah to reflect on the journey they had shared and the bonds that had formed amidst the chaos.
As the silence enveloped him, Noah couldn't shake the gloom that settled over his thoughts, weighed down by the pain and scars he carried. His mind wandered to the drastic changes his life had undergone during his time in the camp. A year in such captivity would alter anyone's psyche, leaving behind indelible marks of trauma and anguish.
He dreaded facing his mother, his ex-girlfriend, and his extended family. How could he possibly articulate the horrors he endured? How could he convey the sleepless nights, the relentless agony, and the profound damage to his sense of self? The thought of narrating his ordeal filled him with dread, the weight of his burden almost suffocating.
Recalling his last encounter with Avgustin sent a shiver down Noah's spine, fear coiling in the pit of his stomach. His fingers brushed against the barcode etched into his skin, a stark reminder of his harrowing experiences. The bite he bore made him immune to the wolverines, a chilling realization that the alpha had spared him for a reason.
Restlessly, Noah slumped in the bed, his mind racing with unsettling thoughts. What if Avgustin and Yaroslav lurked in the shadows, waiting for another opportunity to snatch him away? His heart pounded with apprehension as he scanned his surroundings, the echoes of Avgustin's ominous words haunting him. "We shall meet again," he muttered, his voice trembling with unease.
Noah forced himself to calm down, rationalizing that there was no logical reason for his captors to release him only to reclaim him later. With a deep breath, he eased the tension in his shoulders, seeking solace in the reassurance of his own reasoning. "I don't ever want to see them again," he whispered, the words a solemn vow to himself. "Never again. Amen."
A/N
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Days Are Numbered
Genç KurguNOAH MERRIDEW is your typical popular kid who can't keep his emotions composed. Being the only child of a rich couple he is spoilt and rotten to the core with all his caprices being answered. However, thing takes a different turn when his father die...
