Kitchen Witch

27 | Code Blue

Charlotte woke to a crushing feeling in her chest. She cautiously took in air while blinking her eyes into focus. Unfamiliar, stark white surroundings came into focus, and she gasped a painful breath. 

Sarah's face peered over hers, looking anxious.

"There she is, there's our girl–" Sarah gently squeezed Charlotte's hand reassuringly. "You're in the hospital. You gave us all quite the fright–"

Charlotte managed to move her head, taking in more of the room. It was small; what she had thought were white walls were really more of a beige yellow, and the lights were bright, too bright. There was a steady blipping noise coming from a machine nearby; it was both comforting and grating. "Martha—" called Charlotte hoarsely, the events of the evening trickling back to her.

"Here–I'm here, Charlotte." Maratha stepped forward, coming into view. Sarah scowled at her and held her place, not moving from Charlotte's side.

"We're all here, Char," Sarah said, moving over to let Riley step in. Riley saved your life, Char," she said while giving Martha a piercing look.

Riley gently placed his hand on Charlotte's arm, careful to avoid the IV lines. "I thought I was going to lose you–" His voice cracked.

Charlotte took in Riley's face. She had never seen him look so pale. She hadn't thought it possible for a man who spent his life in the reflection of the sun on the water to look that pale. "Riley, I'm so sorry. I hadn't meant to hold things back, I—" Charlotte winced in pain. I didn't mean to hurt anyone."

Riley moved closer, taking Charlotte's hand that Sarah had relinquished. "No, no, I'm sorry, God–I messed up. Charlotte, you have nothing to be sorry about. I don't know why I'm such an ass.

Sarah smiled teasingly. "Yes, we really don't know why you're such an ass." Then she turned her attention toward Maratha, "No, you're not the one that needs to be sorry–"

Charlotte couldn't ignore the obvious tension in the room. Sarah was practically shooting daggers with her eyes at Martha. Martha had retreated to a chair in the corner of the room and was sitting quietly with her signature facial expression as a piece of armour slapped back on.

Charlotte's heart squeezed, "did it work?"

Again, Sarah, like a protective mama bear, was the first to answer. "Yes–yes, it did. She doesn't remember anything."

"Charlotte, I'm not sure why your friend here–" Martha punctuated the word friend like it was a question. "Seems to have taken quite a dislike toward me. But she is correct. I don't seem to have any idea why we were on the beach that night." Martha leaned forward, looking at Charlotte and softened her voice. "But I do know that I asked something of you, something that almost cost you your life, and for that, I'm sorry, Charlotte."

Charlotte felt some of the heaviness that had been pushing on her chest release. She looked back at Maratha, searching for some sign that the warmth that had built between them hadn't been completely walled back up. She smiled, trying to convince herself that Maratha was going to be okay. "I will always be there; you can count on it."

She wiggled gently, trying to sit up without causing too much pain. Riley quickly reached down and helped her shift her pillows to support her weight. His hand briefly pushed a red curl from her forehead. Her heart fluttered without pain. 

 "Well, now that that's sorted, how do I see about getting home?"

"Not so fast–for God's sake, you almost died!" Sarah exclaimed while straightening the bed sheets. "Plus, you have visitors." She added with one of her wicked smiles.