Never 18

Chapter 7

I slowly open my eyes, and at first, everything is blurry. The bright sunlight makes me squint, so I turn my head to avoid the glare. As I start to wake up more, I realize I'm lying on something soft, and there's this faint smell of antiseptic in the air. My head is throbbing, a dull ache that pulses with every beat of my heart. It's not the worst pain ever, but it won't go away.

I try to sit up, but my body feels way too weak, and my muscles are shaking like crazy. A wave of dizziness hits me, and I collapse back onto the pillows, feeling totally confused and helpless. I glance around the room, taking in the plain white walls and the soft hum of machines. It's a typical hospital room, with a small TV on the wall, a plastic water jug on a table, and monitors beeping as they keep track of my vital signs. I get that I'm in a hospital, but knowing that doesn't really ease my growing panic. I start looking around for familiar faces, and my heart starts racing, which makes the monitor beep faster.

"Take it easy," a calm voice says, cutting through my fear. I turn my head and see a nurse standing next to my bed. She looks like she's in her forties, with kind eyes and a reassuring smile. "You're in the hospital," she continues. "You fainted on the beach, but you're okay now. We've been keeping a close eye on you."

Her words barely register through the fog in my head, but I hear the comforting tone in her voice. I try to ask the thousand questions racing through my mind, but my voice just comes out as a raspy whisper, my throat dry and sore. I manage to croak out the two names that matter most to me, "Dana? My dad?"

"They're here," the nurse says, her smile growing. She grabs a cup of water from the bedside table and holds a straw to my lips so I can take a small sip. The cool water feels incredible on my dry throat. "They've been really worried about you. They haven't left your side. I'll let them in now that you're awake."

The nurse leaves, and for a moment, everything is quiet except for the steady beeping of the monitors. Then, the door bursts open, and Dad and Dana rush in. Their faces are full of worry—Dad's forehead is wrinkled with concern, Dana's eyes are red and wide—but when they see I'm awake, relief floods over them.

"Hey there, kiddo," Dad says softly. He gently takes my hand, his larger one enveloping mine, warm and reassuring. I can feel his hand shaking a little, showing the fear he's trying to keep under control.

"Hey," I manage to reply, my voice still weak but a bit stronger after the water. "What happened?"

"You passed out," Dad says, holding my hand a little tighter. His eyes flick to the monitors and then back to my face, like he's double-checking that I'm really okay. "We were all so scared. One minute you were walking by the shore, and the next..." His voice fades out, like he can't bring himself to finish the sentence.

"You really freaked us out," Dana says. "When we couldn't wake you up, I thought..." She stops, not able to say the rest.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "I didn't mean to worry you."

"Don't apologize," Dad says quickly. "We're just glad you're okay. That's all that matters."

The room goes quiet, except for the steady beeping of the monitor next to me. My mind is still a little foggy, but then I start to remember something... No, someone. Him! I remember him!

"The guy..." I say, the words slipping out before I fully get them. "The one who found me... where is he?" I remember his face, the most beautiful face, with worried eyes looking down at me and strong arms lifting me.

Dana glances at Dad before she answers. "He left as soon as he knew you were safe. Didn't even stick around for a thank you."

"Who was he?" I ask.