Sirens ~Nika Mühl

Chapter 23

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The heart monitor droned on, its steady rhythm tracking Cue's fragile heartbeat. Each beat a reminder that Cue was still alive, still clinging to the world.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Cue groaned, wishing someone would silence the relentless noise. Her eyelids felt as if they were weight down by lead, but she forced them open, blinking against the harsh light of the hospital room. The sterile white walls and faint smell of antiseptic brought everything rushing back to her in an instant.

Catching Zeke, the sharp pain of being stabbed in the thigh, the crack of her arm breaking, the sickening thud of her head meeting concrete, shooting her best friend, twice, then the blinding lights of the ambulance, the awful wail of sirens, the chaotic blur of the emergency room and Nika's voice calling her back from the brink of death.

Nika.

Cue shot up, ignoring the sharp tugs of the dozens of wires and tubes connected to her injured body. Panic flared within her; she had to find Nika. Her gaze darted around the room and landed on Paige, slumped in the chair with the national championship trophy cradled in her lap like a child. The blonde girl stirred at Cue's sudden movement, her eyes snapping open. When she saw Cue awake, her expression brightened with excitement.

"Holy shit! Cue-tip you're awake!" Paige exclaimed, practically leaping out of the chair. She shoved the trophy in Cue's face, its cold, polished surface glinting under the fluorescent lights. "We did it. Those games were fucking crazy by the way, Nika hit like a hundred threes in the championship game..."

Nika.

Cue cut Paige off, her voice cracked and hoarse from disuse, "Where's...Nika?" The name fell from her lips like a lifeline. She needed to see her, to feel her presence, to be reassured that she was still here, still alive. While she had been fighting for her life, Nika was the only thing that flashed through her brain, the only thing that gave her the strength she needed to keep battling against the cold clutches of death. She needed Nika more than anything.

"Her and Azzi went to go get food, but I'll text them and tell them you're awake." Paige set the trophy down beside Cue, the cold metal brushing against her skin. She looked at Cue, a rare softness in her eyes that only ever seemed reserved for Azzi, "I'm glad you didn't die Cue-tip."

Cue managed a faint smile, "Yea, me too, Paigey."

A few moments later, Cue's skin prickled with anticipation, a familiar warmth spreading through her as if her body knew that Nika was near before her mind did. The door creaked open and Nika stepped inside, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Brown met hazel and it felt like the first time all over again. The air between them charged with that familiar electricity. Everything in the world was right again.

"Cue, baby, you're awake," Nika whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. She placed the food bags onto a small table before nearly collapsing in the bed with Cue, wrapping arms around her as if she would never let her go again. Cue's lips met Nika's in a desperate kiss, one that conveyed all the relief and love she felt. It was a kiss that nearly mended every broken piece inside of her, the sensation nearly healing everything Zeke had forcibly ripped apart.

When Cue finally pulled away, a mischievous smile tugged at her lips as she feigned amnesia, "I'm sorry who are you?"

Nika's face fell for a split second before she caught the teasing glint in Cue's eyes. She rolled her eyes and smacked Cue's good shoulder softly. "You're such an asshole."

Cue's laughter quickly turned into a pained gasp as Nika accidentally pressed against her ribs. Instantly she recoiled, eyes wide with guilt, "Shit babe I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."