Runaway

Chapter 20

It was quiet. I could hear a light buzz sound humming in my ear. My throat was dry and soar. I needed to move, my muscles felt solid, and I had to fight the urge to take all my strength and move them. With all my energy I peeled open my eyes. I sucked in a sharp breath as an uneasy feeling took over me.

"She's awake," Someone called from a distance. Max. It was him speaking, I recognized his voice. There was shuffling until his face popped up above mine. "Alexa, you scared me so bad." Max sighed, reaching in for a hug. I felt the nervous tension in my muscles leave as I tried to sit up.

"I need wa- water," I rasped out. It was hard to breath as my throat felt like a rock was lodged in it.

"Of course," Max mumbled, reaching to the table with a plastic cup filled with water on it. He grabbed the cup and brought it to my lips. His hand traveled to the back of my head so I would be elevated enough to not choke as I drank the precious water. The liquid seeped down my throat, and I felt revived.

"Do you feel ok? Does anything hurt? Do you want me to get you something to eat?" Max choked out, eyeing me carefully.

"Max, I'm fine," I smiled. An itch began to irritate my throat and I found myself coughing once again as Max reached for the cup of water.

I remembered everything that happened. Josh, where was he? "Where's Josh?" I asked, quickly. Max didn't answer. His head bowed down towards the ground. "Max, I asked you a question."

"He's alive.... but barely," Max answered, in a quiet mumble. I almost choked on my water.

"What do you mean?!" I spoke, clearly. A familiar lump began to form in my throat. "Where is he?"

"He's in a different section of the hospital." Max stated, the sad expression never leaving his face. I looked around observing my surroundings more closely, we were in a hospital indeed. The white walls, the smell of latex gloves, the beeping machines.

"I need to see him," My voice quivered as I spoke.

"You will, I promise," Max heaved a breath, trying to relax me.

"No Max, you don't understand. I need to see Josh... Now." I restated my demand clearly. Josh took a bullet for me. It's my fault if something happens to him, in fact, something already has. I attempted to sit up, a painful moan escaped my lips at my effort.

"Alexa stop," Max warned. His hands landed on my shoulders and the thought of the night of the party flashed through my mind. I shoved his hand away and looked down at my lap.

"I'm sorry ok?" Max said, trying to make contact with my eyes. I avoided any possible contact with him. I took a breath, getting ready to speak but I was stopped when the door to my hospital room flew open. My sister, Megan, her eyes were red and puffy and her dark brown hair was up in a messy ponytail.

"Al," she cried, coming over to me with her arms open. Max leaned back allowing Megan to embrace me in a soft hug. "I'm so glad your ok," She spoke into my shoulder.

"Your ok," I whispered into her ear, as tears formed in my eyes. It was just me and Megan left. I rubbed her back soothingly.

"I'm guessing you want to see Josh, right?" Megan spoke, letting go of our hug and smiling at me while wiping her tears.

"Yeah, can you take me to him?" I asked, quietly and hopefully. I took a quick glance at Max, and noticed he was staring at me.

"Um yeah. Now?" She questioned, looking at the state I was in.

"Yes, please." I pleaded, staring into her bright brown eyes.

"Mmkay, come on then," Megan replied, placing a hand on my back and helping me sit up. I blew out a puff of air as my legs dangled off the side of the bed. She ducked her head down and I placed my arm around her shoulders, I pushed myself to sit up and Megan began to pull me up.