A Dance With Death

|| Chapter 26 - Fear ||

                            

I peek through the curtains of the window to have a look at the sky. I haven't seen the outside world for a while and it's strange that I don't seem to miss it. Maybe it's because I was outdoors in my 'dreams' and those dreams didn't end well. I don't think I will look at a plant the same way I used to before.

I can see large clouds forming in the sky, masking the sun. Everything appears dim. The window faces the hospital's garden, I presume. It is a huge circular garden with a beautifully decorated flower bed in the centre. The combination of yellow and red flowers appears to be bright and pleasant even in the dim light. The garden is bordered by some bushes and short trees, whose leaves are waving with the slight wind that blows. To the left of the garden, I can see many cars parked and there is another building behind the parking area. It is now that I've noticed that this hospital is indeed very huge with at least seven floors.

"Rain's coming," I say to myself and pull the curtain. I turn around and to my surprise, find Ava sitting with her knees to her chest on the floor beside her bed. It's odd considering she was outside a while ago and I didn't even hear her come in. "Um, why are you sitting on the floor?"

She looks up at me as she swings back and forth. "Because chairs are too mainstream," she says.

"Yeah, right." I laugh. "Seriously. What are you doing down there?"

"Waiting," she replies, her smile disappearing. "Waiting for the time when this girl will wake up." She points her thumb at the bed.

I sit down in front of her with my legs crossed. "It gets frustrating, yes," I say. "But you gotta get used to it."

"The doctors said I would wake up soon." She hugs her legs tighter and rests her chin on her knees.

"Well, the doctors aren't aware of the person who stabbed you," I remind her.

She groans. "I know. I just want this to be over."

"If I had a dollar for each time I thought that," I murmur.

"You're already rich," she points out.

I shrug.

She starts to say something, but something cuts her off. Behind her, I see someone emerging through the door I bend to my side to get a clear view of the person - Althea. She seems to be worried and looks all around the room. Ava turns around while I hurriedly stand up. Griffith enters the room too. Althea's eyes meet mine, and she visibly relaxes

"Hi," she says and sighs. She slightly shakes her head. Her gaze then travels downwards and she frowns when she sees Ava on the floor. "What are you doing down there?" She asks Ava.

Ava stands up. "Can't someone just sit on the floor once in a while?"

Althea just blinks.

"What happened?" I ask. "You looked tensed."

"Yeah," she says, as if in a daze. "I, rather, we, sensed a reaper aroound. We had to make sure you guys were okay. Thankfully, you are."

"Do you think it's . . . him?" Ava asks.

"No, I don't think so," Althea says. "Although we can't possibly make that out. But it just can't be him."

"I think it was just another reaper doing its job," Griffith says. "After all, this is a hospital."

"Then you thought wrong." I nearly jump at the unexpected voice that comes from the other side of the bed. All of us turn towards the source of the words. I find Ektor standing besides the bed with his hands in his pocket. His entire posture is sturdy, like usual, but his face shows tiredness. He looks paler than usual. Ava takes a step back. I nod at her, assuring her that it's all okay.