Severing Ties (Book 2. Ties)

43. Severing Ties

I could clearly distinguish the voices around me because I was fully conscious. My eyes stayed closed though. I was not ready to face the questions they would ask. I was not ready to focus on the reality of what had happened. I was not ready to confront the demons that had haunted me my whole life.

"She's had a very traumatic time! I don't want you asking questions right after she wakes up," my mom said loudly.

"Elisabeth, be reasonable. It's his job."

"Don't tell me to be reasonable, Nick. She could have died." I could hear the emotions in her voice. "All I want is to have her in my arms, to spend time with her. Not listen to the monstrosities she lived through!"

With even more reason, I kept my eyes shut. My father was there.

"El, don't you think it's better if she gets it over with once and for all? If she says everything right away, she won't have to think about it after that," Lucius suggested. I won't ever stop thinking about it.

That must have been an awkward interaction. Husband meets ex-husband. "I don't want to pressure her. We'll let her decide when she wakes up." There was silence for a few seconds. "Are you going to stay here," my mom asked.

"Yes," Nicholas responded.

"We have some things to do. We'll be back soon," she added before I heard a door open and close.

"Jean, do you want something to eat or drink? I'm going to go down to the cafeteria."

Whoever Jean was, he told my father, "I could do with some coffee, thanks."

"I won't be long," Nicholas informed and exited the hospital room.

I decided to take a chance and open my eyes. The person I concluded was Jean, sat by a set of windows covered by blinds as he observed his phone. His face reminded me of someone, but I could not pinpoint him. "Who are you," I asked with a quiet and raspy voice.

His eyes snapped up to me. "Agent Joshua." Oh. His face and name connected in my brain. He had saved me. I slowly sat up with a lot of effort.

"You should lay back down. I'll call a doctor," he said as he rose to his feet.

"No," I said as loud as my voice could go. "If you want me to answer questions, take me to Robin's room; otherwise, I'll make life a little hard for you."

"You are your father's daughter," he said with a smile.

I stared at him with blank eyes. "Whatever that means... Can you lead the way now?"

"You're weak right now. I can get you a wheelchair—"

"—I don't need help. Just take me to Robin." I sounded strong and unwavering, but I was not. "Nothing in me is broken." Not physically at least.

His eyes simply stared at me with scrutiny, then he said, "fine."

I followed him and made him take me to the only person I wanted to see. He opened the door and let me walk through first. Raven, her grandparents, Rayan, and Jason were in Robin's room. But they did not matter. All I could see was how broken, bruised, and cut Robin was. Instantly, tears were brought to the corners of my eyes.

I went closer to the bed and put my hand between the mattress and Robin's palm. Even the top of his hand was injured, so I did not know where to touch him. I dropped my head and sobbed as quietly as I could.

"Mackenzie," Raven said as she came up behind me and put her hands on my shoulders.

"No, no. Don't," I told her and shrugged out of her soft hold. I was unsure whether I had said that because it hurt or because my guilt could not stand to let me get comforted. She looked contrite and hurt at my outburst. To apologize, I added, "I'm sorry. It's just that I'm in pain." Physically and emotionally.