Left Behind (Completed) *editing*

Chapter Twenty-One

The longer I spent waiting for information, the more upset I was becoming. I still hadn't slept. Colin had yet to return an hour later. Why did the hospital staff insist on antagonizing me? A simple answer was all I wanted. Is or is there not a chance of Dylan's survival? Debbie sat alone, waiting for a response. Austin and Melissa had moved to wait with me.

Growing weary of just waiting around, I rose to my feet and headed outside. There were no smoking signs posted so I crossed the street before lighting up. My phone vibrated and I pulled it out, smiling at Colin's name on the screen. I opened up the text. 'Where are you??' It read. I simply responded and shut the phone. I inhaled my cigarette. It was beyond frustrating. I needed to know about Dylan.

Only a short minute later, Colin walked out. The bandage wrapped around his arm made me smile. Despite Riley and Colin being at odds, Colin donated his blood to try and save Riley. Colin carefully looked both ways before crossing the street. He wandered over with a face full of concern. Dark circles had formed under his eyes from the sleep deprivation. I probably looked just as bad. I also observed a couple small cuts on his neck and recalled that Colin escaped having his throat slashed.

"I heard about my Mom," Colin said.

"Yeah... whatever," I muttered.

"This isn't your fault. I told her you had no idea we were there until you showed up," he explained.

I couldn't really use too much of my energy to care about what Debbie thought right now. Two people I cared about were in the hospital. The two people I had not that long ago had to make a difficult choice between. I knew I chose the right guy today. I still cared for Riley but it was seeing Dylan get shot that broke my heart. The last time my heart felt this shattered, my Dad had died. That meant something and Dylan had to live for that reason.

"I don't care about her right now," I admitted. "Anything about Riley? Dylan?"

Colin looked at me sympathetically. "No word on Dylan," he said.

"I don't understand why," I muttered.

"Riley's okay though. My blood got him by until they were able to get all the blood he needed," Colin said. This helped ease a touch of the pain but not even half of it. "Do you want to see him?"

The question brought me great difficulty. I did want to see him. Prior to this, we weren't speaking. I did hope to call Riley my friend once again, after this was all over. I nodded, dropping the cigarette and stomping it out. Colin kept an unusual amount of distance from me as we crossed the street. We entered the hospital once more. Colin informed the lady at the desk who we were there to see and she buzzed us through.

Following behind Colin, we entered Riley's room. It brought back memories of the last time I visited him in the hospital. The thought made me wonder where Riley and I would be if that didn't happen. He was a good guy except for his jealousy. He was sweet and funny. Minus the little problems we had, he was a real gentleman. If it weren't for Dylan, I would of endured it.

"Ahh," Riley said when he saw us. "It's you."

"Me?" I asked. I directed a smile in his direction.

"Yeah, you. I almost died for you," Riley reminded me. Riley's blue eyes shifted to Colin and brought a smile to his face. "I hear that I owe you a thank you," he told him.

"I didn't do much," Colin sighed. Colin moved to sit in the chair next to Riley's bed and leaned forward.

"Your blood is coursing through my veins. Kinda gross, huh?" Riley teased. His face grew solemn as he looked at Colin. "After everything I've done to you, which by the way? I am so sorry for... It means a lot that you'd give your blood to me."