safe in my arms | solangelo au | under editing

Chapter TwentySix

WPOV:

I kick the door and it falls off its hinges, crashing into the floor. Dust rises up, blocking my vision.
"Nico?" I call. The dust settles and I see him. He's huddled in the corner. I run to him and almost burst into tears.

He's covered in blood, some of it is dried, some of it is fresh. His hair is matted to his head with it. His eyes are squeezed shut, tear tracks in his face. I shake him gently, but he just slumps against me, unconscious.

I pick him up carefully and sob. He's unbelievably light, like he hasn't eaten in days. He probably hasn't. His head falls against my chest, his lips parted. His breath is very faint.

I need to get him to a hospital.

~~~

I carefully walk out and take him downstairs. Nobody in the lobby of the building even gives me a second glance. Most of them look pretty sinister. I shudder. Nico has been living here for years.

Somebody taps my shoulder and I turn around. Two women look up at me judgementally. One of them is almost as tall as me, with dark hair in a plait per her shoulder and multiple facial piercings. The other is smaller, with dark skin and curly brown hair. Both of them look extremely dangerous.

"I don't have any money." I say instinctively. "Uh... You can have my watch, if you want." The girls exchange a look, then the smaller girl holds out her hand. The taller one nudges her.
"Hazel!"
"Shut up, I need the money." She glares at the taller girl. I pass her my watch and go to walk away, but they stop me.

"I don't have anything else." I say weakly. They sigh. "Look, I really need it get him to a hospital." I say desperately. The taller girl steps forward.
"What are you doing with Nico anyway?" She asks harshly.
"H-how do you know his name?" I start to worry. What I they're friends with Percy?
"He's lived here for three years." She rolls her eyes. "We look after him."
"You obviously don't. Have you seen the state he's in?!!"

"Look, we want to help." The smaller girl steps forward. "Nico's like a brother to Reyna and I."
"But..."
"Let us help." She says. I sigh.
"Okay..."

"Frank!" She barks. A tall, muscular man walks over.
"Yeah?"
"I'm going to the hospital with Reyna and this guy." She nods towards me. "I'll be back sometime later. Maybe tomorrow."
"Okay. Stay safe." He kisses her cheek and she smiles. She suddenly like a lot less fierce, compared to this guy. Reyna rolls her eyes.

The younger girl, Hazel, takes my arm and Reyna takes the other. They lead me out of the building, glaring at anyone who glances at us.

~~~

"You have a car?" Reyna asks. I nod. "Put him in then." She says. "I'll drive."
"Uh, I don't think that's a good id-"
"You can stay in the back with Nico." She sighs. "It's no as if I'm going to steal your car with you in it."
"But-"
"Get in."
"Okay."

She drives to the hospital ridiculously fast, Hazel sat in the front with her.
"Slow down!" She shouts. "I'm gonna be sick!"
"You're gonna crash!" I add.
"Nico's gonna die!" Reyna shouts back. Hazel and I shut up.

~~~

She arrives and we rush inside, me carrying Nico. I rush to the reception desk.
"I need a doctor." I say. The woman doesn't look up.
"Take a seat please."
"No, I need one now."
"Why?" She sighs. I roll my eyes.
"My friend is dying."
"I'm sure he can wait." She still hasn't looked up. Reyna storms over.

"Hey!" She yells. The woman looks up slowly. "He is dying." She jabs a finger at Nico. "He needs treatment. Now." The woman glances over at Nico and I, and her eyes widen.
"O-okay."

A doctor arrived shortly afterwards, taking Nico from me. He walked into another Pom, but when I tried to follow, a nurse pushes me into a chair.

"I need to go in there!" I shout.
"Are you family?" She asks.
"He doesn't have any family!"
"Then you can't go in."
"I need to!"
"Sir, you are disturbing other patients. Be quiet or we will have to call security." She says sternly. Reyna and Hazel sit on either side of me as she walks away.

"He'll be okay." Hazel says comfortingly.
"Yeah, Nico's a fighter." Reyna adds.
"I shouldn't have left him in the first place." I sob.
"What happened anyway?" Hazel asks. "How do you know him?"
"Hazel..." Reyna says warning my. I take a deep breath.
"I guess I should tell you..."