Bloodstained Reflections

chapter 11

"Skye!" he called softly, but the bustling sounds of the hospital swallowed his voice. He walked down the endless hallways, anxiety gnawing at him, his eyes darting from side to side. As he rounded a corner, he heard a faint sound—a baby's cry. Following the sound, he turned and found himself in front of the neonatal unit.
The room was a sanctuary of warmth, illuminated by soft lighting that created a gentle atmosphere. A large glass barrier separated the public from the precious occupants inside, and Reid felt his breath hitch as he took in the sight before him: rows of newborns nestled in incubators, each swaddled in soft blankets. The girls wore delicate pink onesies, while the boys were dressed in pale blue. Their tiny forms seemed impossibly fragile, yet they thrived under the vigilant care of the nurses, who moved gracefully between the incubators in crisp white scrubs, their faces filled with compassion.
And there, just beyond the glass, stood Skye. Her fingers lightly grazed the surface, her expression a delicate blend of fascination and sorrow. Reid could see the glimmer of tears pooling in her eyes as she gazed at the infants, her small frame almost dwarfed by the overwhelming emotions swirling around her. It was as if she were transported to another world, one filled with tenderness and unconditional love, a stark contrast to the turmoil she had been enduring.
He could see her heart aching for those tiny lives, each one cradled in a world of safety and care, just like he wished he could protect her. Skye looked so small and lost, a fragile figure enveloped in the bittersweetness of the moment. Reid stepped closer, his heart heavy with empathy, wanting to reach out and comfort her without breaking the spell of silence that had wrapped around her.
The sight of Skye touching the glass gently, as if trying to connect with the babies, made his heart ache. In that moment, he understood the depth of her sadness—each of those babies belonged to a family, cherished and protected, evoking a longing in her that Reid could scarcely comprehend.
He stood there, quietly observing, feeling an overwhelming urge to offer her solace, to let her know she wasn't alone. But for now, he remained at a distance, allowing her this moment of reflection, hoping that one day she would feel the same warmth and safety that those newborns enjoyed.
As Reid stood quietly outside the neonatal unit, lost in thought, he suddenly spotted Skye limping toward him. The sight of her, knees bandaged and face flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and delight, stirred something warm within him. Despite her discomfort, she moved with a determined urgency, her expression lighting up as soon as their eyes met.
"Reid!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of excitement and relief. "I'm sorry for disappearing like that!" She stopped a short distance away, a hint of playfulness flickering in her gaze. "I couldn't help it; the babies looked too cute! I just had to take a look," she added, sticking her tongue out in a childlike gesture of mischief.
Reid couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm, despite the lingering concern he felt for her well-being. "Just be careful next time, okay?" he replied, his tone lightening as he reached out to give her a gentle pat on the head. "And remember to apply the cream when you take off the bandage," he reminded her, his voice firm yet caring.
Skye nodded vigorously, a grin spreading across her face as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I will, I promise!" There was a hint of guilt still evident in her eyes, a soft shadow beneath her cheerful facade that reminded Reid of the weight she carried. But for now, she seemed to shake it off, her spirits visibly lifted.
As they turned to leave the neonatal unit, Reid noticed a rumble emanating from Skye's stomach. The sound echoed softly in the quiet hallway, and her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink. "I think that was my stomach!" she exclaimed, a mixture of embarrassment and amusement dancing in her eyes.
Reid chuckled lightly, the warmth of her presence making the stress of the day melt away, even if just a little. "How about we grab something to eat?" he suggested. Skye nodded eagerly, and they made their way to the hospital cafeteria.
The cafeteria was bustling with activity, filled with the sounds of trays clattering and voices mingling in animated conversation. Bright lights illuminated the room, and the aroma of food wafted through the air, teasing their senses. As they approached the counter, Reid looked down at Skye, her eyes scanning the various options on display.
He noticed her gaze settling on a small paper carton sitting on a shelf, decorated with a cartoonish cow mascot that brought a nostalgic smile to her face. "Choco milk!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. "I used to drink this all the time when I was a kid!"
Reid couldn't help but smile at her excitement. "Alright, let's get you a choco milk," he said, grabbing a carton and handing it to her. He turned to the cashier, quickly paying for it along with a few snacks he thought might help fill her up.
Once they stepped aside, Skye eagerly peeled back the straw and inserted it into the carton, taking a long sip. The chocolatey sweetness brought a radiant smile to her face. "This is so good! It reminds me of the summer picnics with my family. We'd have this and cookies!" Her voice was bubbling with happiness, momentarily masking the earlier tension from the day.
Reid watched her, a flicker of concern crossing his features. "Are you sure that's all you want? That's not enough to relieve hunger," he said, studying her as she continued to sip happily.
Skye waved her hand dismissively, her carefree demeanor returning. "Don't worry! This is enough for me right now," she insisted, her bubbly energy infectious. "I'm just really happy to be here with you!"
With the choco milk in one hand, Skye started skipping down the hallway, dragging Reid along beside her. She held onto his hand tightly, her steps light and buoyant, the earlier heaviness momentarily forgotten. Reid found himself half-signing, half-smiling at her enthusiasm, his heart lifting with each bounce she took.
As Reid and Skye stepped out of the hospital, the night air enveloped them like a cool embrace, a stark contrast to the sterile warmth of the building they had just left. The sky stretched above, an expansive canvas painted in deep hues of indigo and midnight blue, with the first twinkling stars beginning to emerge from the twilight. A slender crescent moon hung low, casting a gentle silver glow over the world, its light reflecting off the glassy surfaces of nearby windows and illuminating the pathway ahead.
Reid took a moment to breathe in the fresh air, feeling the weight of the day slowly begin to lift. Beside him, Skye seemed to absorb the atmosphere, her eyes wide and filled with wonder as she gazed up at the celestial display. He turned to her, feeling a mixture of warmth and apprehension as he prepared to say goodbye. "It's getting late, Skye. I think it's time to say goodbye for now," he said gently, trying to keep his tone light despite the heaviness settling in his chest. "I'll see you tomorrow at school. I'll book you a cab, okay?"
As the words left his mouth, the atmosphere shifted subtly. The lively sounds of the bustling hospital were replaced by an unsettling quiet that wrapped around them like a thick fog. The usual sounds of the city—the distant hum of traffic, the chatter of pedestrians—seemed to fade away, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. Reid glanced around, suddenly aware of how alone they were in the darkness, the shadows elongating around them.
Skye halted abruptly, her footfalls coming to a standstill as she moved past Reid, her body rigid with uncertainty. She turned to face him, her expression shifting from carefree to something more serious. The once bright excitement in her eyes dimmed, replaced by a distant, haunted look that sent a chill through Reid. It was as if a shroud of unease had descended upon them.
Next to them, an ambulance rested quietly, its lights still flashing—a rhythmic dance of red and blue that cast an otherworldly glow across the pavement. The colors spilled over them, bathing Skye in a flickering scarlet light, illuminating her pale features and casting shadows that seemed to reach out like dark fingers. The sight of the ambulance, a symbol of emergency and urgency, felt unsettling in this moment of calm.
Skye's voice broke through the heavy silence, trembling slightly as she spoke. "Is this... a goodbye?" Her words were soft, almost a whisper, but they carried the weight of her fears and uncertainties. The way she looked at him, searching his eyes for reassurance, made Reid's heart clench painfully.
He opened his mouth to respond, but the question hung in the air, pregnant with meaning, and he struggled to find the right words. The atmosphere felt charged, the air thick with unspoken emotions and the chilling reminder of the events that had unfolded earlier. For a moment, all he could do was meet her gaze, willing her to see the truth in his eyes—that he cared deeply and would be there for her, no matter what.
The ambulance's lights continued to flash, the rhythmic pulse of red and blue casting strange shadows that danced around them, adding to the unsettling ambiance. Reid felt a shiver run down his spine, the mix of the surreal and the stark reality of their situation pressing heavily upon him.
"Skye, I—" he started, his voice faltering as he searched for something to say that would bridge the gap of uncertainty between them. But before he could finish, he noticed the way her eyes had widened, the flicker of fear that sparked within them. It was a look that spoke volumes, and he knew that whatever comfort he could offer wouldn't erase the shadow of doubt lingering in her mind.
In that moment, time felt suspended, the world around them dimming under the weight of unspoken fears. The crescent moon hung overhead, a silent witness to their exchange, as if urging them to confront the truth of their situation. Skye stood before him, vulnerable yet fierce, the night sky reflecting the complexities of their connection—a fragile thread woven through pain, confusion, and the glimmer of hope for tomorrow.
Reid took a step closer, closing the distance between them, and with it, the distance between their fears and their shared understanding. "It's not a goodbye forever, Skye. I'll be there. We'll figure this out together," he promised, his voice steady despite the unease that lingered in the air.
But Skye's expression remained clouded, and the ambulance behind them seemed to echo her uncertainty, its flashing lights a reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictability of their journey ahead. In that moment, the night felt heavy with uncharted possibilities, and all they could do was stand together, illuminated by the dance of shadows and light, facing the unknown that lay before them.
Skye suddenly stepped forward, her small frame wrapping around Reid in an unexpected hug that radiated both vulnerability and a deep-seated sorrow. The warmth of her embrace took him by surprise, catching him off guard. It was an instinctive reaction, born from her need for comfort and reassurance, but it struck a chord deep within him. "Reid," she murmured into his shoulder, her voice barely above a whisper, "can you stay with me tonight? Just... just spend the night at my house?"
Reid's heart raced, a rush of conflicting emotions flooding through him. The shock of her request left him momentarily speechless. He rarely visited friends' houses, let alone spent the night. His introverted nature kept him comfortable within the confines of his own home, where the world felt manageable and predictable. Now, standing in the eerie glow of the ambulance lights, he felt a wave of anxiety wash over him.
What were they, he wondered? They were more than friends, yet the complexities of their relationship had always lingered in the air like unspoken words. Reid's mind raced as he processed the implications of Skye's request. She seemed vulnerable and lost, her need for companionship radiating from her like a beacon, but he also felt a sense of hesitation creeping in.
He couldn't shake the thought of his grandmother waiting for him at home, her health declining and her reliance on him growing by the day. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on his shoulders, a constant reminder of the obligations he had chosen to bear. Reid knew that Skye wouldn't understand the necessity of his absence, nor could he articulate the complexities of his situation to her in a way that would make sense.
The silence stretched between them as Reid considered the request, grappling with his thoughts. The last thing he wanted was to let Skye down, especially in this moment of fragility. After a long pause, filled only with the distant sounds of the city and the low hum of the ambulance's engine, he let out a deep sigh, feeling the tension in his chest tighten. "Alright" he finally said, the words leaving his mouth with an unexpected heaviness. "I'll spend the night with you."
Relief washed over her face, brightening her features in the dim light. She pulled back slightly to meet his gaze, her eyes glistening with gratitude and a hint of hope. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. In that moment, her sadness seemed to lift, replaced by a flicker of joy that momentarily banished the shadows that loomed over them.
Reid's heart softened, but in the back of his mind, he couldn't shake the thought of how this would play out. He planned to stay with her for a bit, enough to comfort her and perhaps help her feel safe. He would then slip away quietly, returning home to tend to his grandmother, hoping she wouldn't notice his absence for too long.