Kidnapped Books 1&2&3 (Watty Awards)

Book 2-- Chapter 22 The Awakening

Well hello everyone and welcome to the last installment of Kidnapped. I know sad :(. But please be happy! There will actually be one more chapter after this, the epilogue. So I hope you have enjoyed the story!

--Madi

When the thing you fear is gone, you’re supposed to feel good. But the thing I was afraid of had taken something I loved with him.

The twins and Jack were staying with Andrew and Emma. Chief James, Mrs. James, and I were camped out at the hospital, hoping one day Izzy would wake up.

I entered the hospital doors and the nurses at the check in smiled sadly at me. That meant there was no change in Izzy. I sighed and walked down to her room. Two left turns, three right turns, two floors up, and another left, that brought me to room 719. I smiled as I ran my hand over the numbers, our anniversary.

Mrs. James wasn’t in the room, probably crying somewhere again. Chief had to work today. He was staying strong for everyone. This wasn’t what I needed right now. I didn’t need to be alone with her right now, I couldn’t bear it.

I sat down beside her bed. Her eyes were still behind her eyelids. Her hands were at her sides, bandaged. The cuts hadn’t healed yet. The sheets hid her bandaged legs from view. I tucked a stray piece of raven hair behind her ear.

“How are you doing?” I asked. No use pretending she can hear me. I touched the bandage around her throat lightly. The image of Mark, swinging the knife down, the blood pouring from her throat, it truly was a miracle she was breath. The doctor said he had missed the jugular vein. He couldn’t explain why she was in a comma.

“Kendal said mama today,” I told her. I had to try. I wrapped my fingers through hers. “They um talk all the time now, only looking for you though.” I kissed her hand.

“It’s been a week,” I said. “Aren’t you tired of sleeping?” Of course she didn’t answer me. Mrs. James comes back into the room, dabbing at her eyes. She gives me a weak smile.

“How are you?” She asked. When I saw her I felt guilty and selfish. For the first few days I had ignored them, shut them out. I couldn’t believe that they understood, but of course they did. I was the one who didn’t understand. There’s a bond between parents and children. They feel the child’s pain along with the pain of their loss. The horrible slices made my skin itch, but I could see by the look on Mrs. James’ face that she felt each one. She was slowly bleeding to death.

“I’m ok, you?” I asked. She sat down on the other side of Izzy, gripping her other hand.

“Dealing,” She said, smiling. “I haven’t seen the kids for a few days, how are they?”

“They’re good. Jack is really upset.  Kendal and Kali look around the house searching for her calling for her.” I told her. She nodded and ran her hand over Izzy’s hair.

“It’s been hard on everyone,” She whispered. I just nodded.

“I went to the diner yesterday. Everyone there misses her a lot.” I said. This time she nodded. A gentle knock on the door brought us out of our haze.

Two people stand in the doorway, a woman with piercing green eyes and tousled brown hair, streaked with grey, and a girl around eighteen with matching eyes and blond hair. I know who they are immediately.

“You’re Mark’s mother aren’t you?” The venom in my voice seemed to burn her skin. She pulled the sweater she wore around her tighter.

Her eyes well with tears as the girl spoke, “Please, we needed to talk to you.” She begged. I wanted to slam the door in her face. This was the family of the monster who nearly killed my wife on numerous occasions.