Lukas's POV
Three days.
That's how long I've been awake.
Three days of doctors shining lights into my eyes.
Three days of nurses asking me the same questions.
Three days of physical therapy, medication, and everyone acting like I'm made of glass.
The hospital room is quiet now.
Late afternoon sunlight spills through the large window beside my bed, turning everything pale gold. Machines hum softly nearby. A plastic pitcher of water sits untouched on the table. Someone — probably Mom — has brought flowers that are already starting to wilt.
My right arm is wrapped in fresh bandages.
So is part of my neck.
Most of the burns are hidden beneath loose hospital clothes.
Everything still hurts.
But I'm here. Actually here.
I look down at the piece of paper resting in my lap.
The number Isadora gives me the day after I wake up.
I don't need to ask whose it is.
I know.
My heart starts beating faster.
For a moment, I just stare at it.
Then I reach for my phone.
The movement pulls painfully at my side.
I ignore it.
The number takes three attempts to enter correctly because my hand won't stop shaking.
Finally, I press call.
The ringing starts.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Maybe he changed his numb—
The line clicks.
Someone answers.
Neither of us speaks.
I can hear breathing.
That's all.
Just breathing.
My throat tightens.
Suddenly, every word I had planned disappears.
I don't know what to say.
I don't know where to start.
The silence stretches.
Then a familiar rough voice speaks from the other side.
"...Lukas?"
The sound of it breaks something inside me.
My vision blurs instantly.
A sob escapes before I can stop it.
I press the phone harder against my ear.
"Christian..."
And just like that, I start crying.
YOU ARE READING
Foreigner
General FictionAfter yet another fight, Lukas Mai is sent to Whittiker All-Boys Boarding School as punishment. Determined to keep his head down, his plans unravel when he humiliates the wrong person, drawing the attention of the Seven - a powerful and ruthless cli...
