Visions of Fate

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR - BY YOUR SIDE

As I rushed into the hospital, I was surrounded by the antiseptic smell and the sound of beeping machines. The bright florescent lights overhead made my eyes water. I felt a sense of panic and dread as I made my way to the receptionist desk.

The doctor, who was kind enough to pay for my transport, spoke to me, his words hushed and serious. "We're doing everything we can, but it's severe," his face was somber, eyes filled with sympathy and concern.

I felt like I was in a daze, my mind racing with worse case scenarios. The hospital room was cold and sterile, with a single bed in the center. My heart raced, hands trembled and eyes stung with tears I refused to shed. The hospital's stark reality hit me like me like a slap on the face - Mom was so busy trying to fight for her life, and I was powerless to change it.

The doctor's words became a distant hum, as I gazed at the bed, my mind frozen in disbelief. Mom laid motionless on the hospital bed, her body covered in bruises and scratches. Her face was pale and swollen, with a cut on her forehead and a black eye. Her lips were dry and cracked, her hair tangled and mattered. She looked so fragile and vulnerable, not like my strong and vibrant Mom at all.

Her arms were wrapped in casts, and her body was connected to machines beeping and whirring around her. A tube went into her nose, and a monitor displayed her heartbeat in a steady rhythm. Her eyes were closed, and her chest rose and fell with each breath.

I felt a lump in my throat as I took in the sight of Mom, battered and broken. I wanted to shake her awake, to tell her everything would be okay. But deep down I knew it wasn't that simple. Mom had been hurt badly, and it was going to take time for her to heal.

As the bile in my throat thickened, and the very image before me blurred with unshed tears, I ran out of the room, pulling my phone out of my pocket. I hit dial on Ethan's name. He answered on the first ring.

"Emily," she sounded relived, though there was so much static in the background. "I'm so sorry I missed your calls, I was just about to call you. God I've been so busy trying to–" Ethan was interrupted by the sound of a stifled sobs that became louder the more I tried to hold it in. "Baby, what's wrong? Where are you?"

                      
                                     †

I tightened my grip on Ethan's coat, getting swallowed by his thick masculine scent. We were both sat in the waiting room, my head on his shoulder, his hand entangled in mine, waiting for more news from the doctor.

"I'm so sorry, babe," Ethan said for the hundredth time that evening. "This was all my fault, if I had picked your calls we would have been able to prevent this accident." He tightened his grip on my hand to draw my attention, but I kept my gaze on the smooth paint on the wall in front of me.

"It's not your fault," I said. He had no idea how true that statement was. A vision must be embraced, but can never be changed, after all.

"I'm so sorry, babe," Ethan said again, caressing the smooth of my hair.

"Don't apologize," I replied.

"No," he lifted my chin to meet his gaze. "I have to, because I am. I've been so obsessed with my life, I forgot that I had a girlfriend who needed me. That you recently got freed and aren't aware about the dangers of this world, yet. I'm hardly at your house anymore and I'm pretty sure this relationship is still intact because of you," he used his thumb to wipe a tear I didn't know had escaped. "My everything," he added.

I continued to stare at Ethan's blue eyes, before my gaze dropped to his lips. I wanted to comfort him with his lips on mine. To tell him that I forgave him and that I would forever stick with him no matter how jerky or free spirited he behaved. I wanted to use my lip movement as communication and assurance.

But I had an unconscious mother a few feet away from me, who struggled to fight for her life. No matter what, I couldn't bring myself to kiss my boyfriend. Not like that, and most certainly not in that hospital.

Instead, I wrapped my hand around him. The coat that was draped over my shoulders slipped in this process, and Ethan readjusted it as he held me closer to him. I desperately latched onto his presence, his existence, his love, everything about him. Because that was what I needed at that moment.

As I found solace in my boyfriend, he willingly gave it up with every fiber of his being. It was clear with the way he held me close to him. With the way he drew lazy patterns on my back, whispering words of assurance and reassurance.

I don't know how long we stayed glued together, but we eventually heard someone clear their throat in front of us and looked up to find the doctor. We both got up immediately, and I felt a bit intimidated by the reflection of lights on the doctor's glasses, making it difficult to see through to his eyes.

"Good day Ms Walker," he said. "How are you coping with everything, so far?"

I shrugged my shoulders, wrapping Ethan's hoody tightly around me. "I really don't know, Dr Pierce."

He gave me an encouraging smile before moving his gaze to Ethan. "I see you brought your boyfriend for support," his grin turned into a playful one and I felt the tension ease off my shoulders.

I watched them exchange words of greetings, before Dr Pierce's gaze was back on me. "Ms Walker," he started, and I braced myself. "I need to discuss your mother's condition with an adult family member. Is your father or any other relative available to speak with me?"

I needed to call Dad, I knew that immediately I rushed into the hospital building. Because I knew he would give anything up, even his job, for the sake of his wife. The thought of speaking with him again made my stomach twist and clench. But I knew I had to do it for Mom.

"My dad is out of town at this moment," I replied. "But I'm sure he'll be glad to fly back in within two, three days."

"Perfect," Dr Pierce gave me a toothy grin. "We will try to sustain her till then. But I need a word in private," he turned to Ethan. "Do you mind if I borrow your girlfriend for a bit?"

"Sure, absolutely," Ethan easily replied and lowered himself to his seat.

I followed Dr Pierce to another hallway, which was empty, asides some nurses occasionally walking by us. I noticed that thier scrubs were similar and often identical to Mom's, and I had to remind myself that this was also her place of work.

"How do you feel, Emily?" Dr Pierce asked with a much more softer tone. This wasn't him taking on the role of his job, anymore. This was him being genuinely curious.

"I'm numb," I tried to smile, but the weight of sadness in my heart wouldn't let me. "I really don't know how to feel, to be honest."

"I understand," he said, and my gaze dropped to my feet. "Your mother is not only one of my best workers, but also one of my best friends," when he spoke again, his voice was distant. As if he was explaining a true life story to his grandkids. "Even the patients love her presence around them. She celebrates with the relatives of those who survived, and mourns with the relatives of those who loose.

"My experience with her in this hospital has truly been special," he pinched my cheeks a little. "And I never thought I would ever get to see her beautiful child in the flesh," I smiled at his compliment, and he put a gentle hand on my shoulder. "We're going to do everything in our power to bring back the one we all love the way she was before."

"Thank you, Dr Pierce," I smiled at him, truly grateful for his efforts.

"But I need you to do one favor for me," he added and I creased my brows. "I need you to go home, have a nice shower, and get a decent rest," he said. "This hospital is meant for sick patients, and if you stay here for much longer, you're going to make yourself just that." He patted my arm before walking away.

I sighed to myself, knowing he was right. I was a hot mess, and a proper shower was just the thing I needed to pull myself together.

But before I got my much needed rest, there were still so many things I needed to discuss with Ethan.