Twilight of Shadows | LingOrm (GxG)

TWENTY FIVE

The hospital's sterile environment was a harsh contrast to the chaos of the warehouse. Lada paced the waiting room, her footsteps echoing in the silence. She clenched her fists, her anxiety palpable. Narin sat quietly in a chair, her small frame shaking slightly. The events of the night replayed in Lada's mind like a haunting reel, and the sight of Earn, now unconscious and battered, was an unbearable image.

Dr. Vann, a woman with kind eyes and a weary expression, approached them. Her presence brought a flicker of hope to Lada's heavy heart.

"How is she, Doctor?" Lada asked, her voice rough and choked with emotion. She stepped closer, her eyes searching Dr. Vann's face for any sign of good news.

Dr. Vann took a deep breath, her expression solemn. "Khun Earn is stable for now, but she's still in critical condition. She sustained severe injuries-one bullet in her shoulder and another in her thigh. We've managed to control the bleeding and stabilize her, but she's unconscious. Her body needs time to recover from the trauma."

Lada's heart sank at the news. She closed her eyes, struggling to hold back her tears. "How long will she be unconscious? Is there any way to know?"

Dr. Vann's eyes softened with sympathy. "It's hard to predict. It could be a few hours or even a few days. We're monitoring her closely. The next 24 to 48 hours will be crucial."

Lada nodded, trying to absorb the weight of the information. The thought of Earn lying so vulnerable and broken was almost too much to bear. The realization of how much Earn meant to her-how her bravery had cracked open a part of Lada's heart she had kept closed-was overwhelming.

Dr. Vann placed a gentle hand on Lada's shoulder. "I know this is incredibly hard. If you'd like to see her, you can. She's in the ICU. It might help to talk to her, even if she can't respond right now."

Lada's breath hitched as she nodded. "Yes, I'd like to see her. And... Narin would like to see her too."

Dr. Vann nodded. "Of course. Follow me."

As they walked through the sterile corridors, Lada's mind was a whirlwind. The sight of Earn's unconscious form was a stark contrast to the strong, brave woman she had known. The depth of Lada's feelings-a mix of regret, longing, and profound sorrow-was almost unbearable.

The ICU room was dimly lit, the beeping monitors providing a steady rhythm. Earn lay in the bed, her face pale and covered with medical devices. Her breathing was steady but shallow. Lada's heart ached seeing her like this, so vulnerable.

Narin hesitated at the doorway, her small hand gripping Lada's tightly. Tears threatened to spill as she looked at the unfamiliar room. Lada gently encouraged Narin forward, her own steps feeling heavy.

They approached Earn's bedside. The contrast between Earn's stillness and the fierce woman she had been was jarring. Each bruise and bandage on Earn was a painful reminder of the violence she had endured.

Narin's small voice broke the silence. "Mommy, I'm scared," she whispered, her lips trembling. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and her tiny hand clutched Lada's with desperate need.

Lada's heart shattered seeing her daughter's fear. "I know, sweetheart," she said softly, wiping away Narin's tears. "It's okay to be scared. We're here together."

Gently, Lada guided Narin to Earn's bedside. "You can say something to Aunty Earn if you want. She can hear you, even if she can't respond."

Narin's eyes filled with tears as she looked at Earn. Her voice was a soft whisper. "Aunty Earn, I'm sorry I was scared. I'm safe now because of you. Thank you for saving me. Please get better soon. I miss you so so much."

Narin's voice cracked with emotion. "Mommy, can I kiss Aunty Earn? I want her to wake up so we can have fun again. We can build my Barbie castle like we used to. Remember? You said Aunty Earn would help me make it the biggest and prettiest one ever. And we can have tea parties with all my stuffed animals. Aunty Earn always made the best tea parties."

The simplicity of Narin's plea was heart-wrenching. Lada's eyes brimmed with tears as she carefully lifted Narin so she could lean over Earn's bed. Her arms cradled Narin with a mixture of tenderness and sorrow.

Narin leaned close to Earn, her tiny face close to Earn's. Her voice was filled with hope and heartbreak. "Aunty Earn, please wake up. I miss you so much. We can build my Barbie castle and have tea parties again. I even saved my new dolls for you. Please come back to us."

Narin's words were punctuated by hiccuping sobs, her small frame trembling. "Remember how you sang me lullabies? I miss your songs. Please come back and sing for me. I want to hear your voice again. We can play together, and I promise I'll be good."

The room was silent except for the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor and Narin's soft words. Lada watched with tears streaming down her face, her heart breaking at the sight of her daughter's longing. She could barely hold back her own sobs as she stroked Narin's hair.

Lada's heart ached with every breath. She held Narin close, feeling the weight of the moment press down on her. The love and pain in the room were palpable. In the silence that followed Narin's plea, Lada could only hope and pray for a miracle-a chance for Earn to wake, to heal, and to return to the family that so desperately needed her.

Lada's heart swelled with a mix of pride and anguish as she watched her daughter's tender gesture. She reached out, gently brushing a lock of Earn's hair away from her face, her fingers trembling.

"I'm here, Earn," Lada whispered, her voice breaking with raw emotion. "I'm here, and so is Narin. We're all here, waiting for you to come back. You can't leave us now. I need you, Earn. I need to make things right... I need to tell you how much you mean to me."

Tears streamed down Lada's face as she leaned closer, resting her forehead against Earn's. The hospital room seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in that fragile moment. Lada's voice was a soft, desperate plea, filled with the longing she had kept hidden for so long.

"I didn't realize until now how much I've missed you, how much I've needed you. You've always been a part of me, even when you tried to push me away. Please, come back to us. We need you here. I need you."

As Lada sat there, holding Earn's hand, the world outside seemed to recede. The only thing that mattered was the woman in the bed, the woman who had sacrificed so much. The minutes ticked by slowly, each one a test of patience and hope. And as the night wore on, Lada knew one thing for certain-she would be there, by Earn's side, for as long as it took.