The ambulance started to move as the paramedics did what they could in the moment, loud sirens rang in my ears as I tightly held onto Astro who was a sobbing mess.
♡
Tick...
Tick...
Tick...
The clock ticked, echoing through the seemingly endless yet pristine hospital halls.
Tick...
Tick...
Tick...
Astro sat next to me silently with an expression of melancholy. They stared down into the shiny tiled floor, hunched over while sat next to me on the powder blue seats.
The gloomy silence, interrupted by only the harsh ticks of the clock was distorted as a new sound arose.
Tick...
Click...
Tick...
Sounds of heels clicking as they strode along the floor became louder and louder, until a short lady in what looked to be a nurse's outfit stopped in front of us. "Astro and Y/N?" She spoke, the only voice I've heard in about an hour - or probably even longer had we been sat in complete silence, waiting.
I got up and stretched a little, offering my hand to Astro which they took to help them stand. The nurse clicked her pen, wrote something on her clipboard, then clicked her pen again before putting it in her pocket. "Please follow me."
I felt Astro's hand slip out of mine, making their way to the comfort of their jacket pockets. We followed the nurse through the hallways of the current ward. Unexpectedly, Astro spoke up - "Do you think.. she will be okay?" Their voice was quiet and solemn, like they were trying to convince themself everything will be okay yet they know it wont.
I didn't know how to answer, nor what to say or do or even how to feel. All I hoped was for Opal to be alive. "I hope so.." I spoke softly in reply to them, who hung their head as we reached the door to the hospital room Opal was being kept in.
The Nurse spoke as she opened the door and entered before we did, holding the door open then letting it close. I walked with Astro to the side of Opal in the hospital bed, her blonde hair stained with blood while almost her entire body was wrapped in bandages.
"She'll have to stay here for a while while her body heals. She's currently sleeping, though she's alive and will survive. Not many major injuries, rather many small ones from glass shards." I breathed out a relieved sigh, looking next to me to see Astro trembling.
"Though," The nurse continued to speak. "There is one major wound, looks to be a very large and venomous snake bite. She should recover from it due to our doctors but it will most definitely leave a scar."
My hands made their way to my face as I started to cry, more relived than sad yet also in despair of a close friend being hurt so badly. If only I woke up earlier.. maybe I would have been the one in the hospital bed instead.. if only I'd never drunk at the club, then she wouldn't even be involved in any of this... but... I'm just so glad she's alive..
The nurse left the room and I fell to my knees, sobbing. I felt Astro kneel with me, taking me into their arms and giving me a hug before standing back up, staring at Opal's bandaged body.
I took a few deep breaths, moving myself to a chair beside the hospital bed. to recollect myself and my thoughts.
♡
My head was fuzzy as I panted heavily, my limbs giving way under me. My face was smashed into the pillow by a larger hand and sweat dripped from my forehead.
