City of Fire

Chapter Seventeen

"Ilona"

Ilona didn't care what time it was, didn't care remembering the last time she'd ate, or slept or done anything besides hold his hand. He lay there in the hospital bed, his whole body covered with bandages. The doctor had said that Erin had done well, saving his life and now all they had to do was monitor him in case he went into a relapse.

Someone touched her shoulder...

It was Melanie...

She'd stayed with her all day upon getting a phone call from Tidus but now, Ilona not even caring what time it was, had to leave.

"Call me when you get a chance," she murmured and Ilona nodded. She heard the click of the door being shut before it was silent again. Ilona stared at his face. It had always looked so strong, like a bear, but now it looked feeble and broken. The thought had another tear sliding down her cheek. She reached up and wiped it away, hating how she was a total mess.

"It's alright to cry you know," whispered a soft voice and Ilona jumped. She looked over her shoulder, seeing Tidus standing there and stiffened, immediately trying to throw up a wall but it was too late. He was across the room and placed his hand on her shoulder. She glimpsed that his arm was bandaged underneath the sweater Adrian had gotten him and emotion clogged her throat.

"Who could have done this?" Ilona whispered as more tears slid down her cheeks. She didn't bother wiping them away this time and Tidus didn't answer after a moment.

"I don't know his name, but he's someone like me." Tidus whispered and Ilona's head snapped up. She stared at him and he looked away, unable to meet her gaze. So that's why he'd been burnt. She shook her head, her eyes falling back to Darius's face.

"It wasn't someone like you," Ilona whispered and squeezed Darius's hand's tighter. "It was a monster," she hissed and felt her heart quiver inside her chest. Tidus didn't reply and Ilona glanced over at the door when Erin entered. He held something in his hands, a tray. On top of it was a small paper cup and what looked like a sandwich. He set it on the small table and smiled at her.

"Here, you need to eat something in order to keep your strength up." Erin said but Ilona shook her head.

"I'm not hungry," she replied, her eyes going back to Darius's face and she heard Tidus sigh.

"You need to eat, Ilona. You haven't had anything all day and you puked most of what you did have in you up." He reached over and grasped the plate the sandwich was on. "Eat." She eyed the sandwich before her eyes flicked up to his. She knew he was trying to be helpful, but to be honest she wasn't even sure she could eat.

"I can't," she whispered and looked away. Tidus sighed and she heard him open his mouth to convince her otherwise but stopped when the door opened again. Adrian filled the doorway and stepped inside, smiling slightly at her.

"I've taken care of everything. I even have a cleanup crew at your house taking care of it." He waved his hand towards Darius's unconscious body. "I hope he appreciates it." Again Ilona knew that the statement was meant as a teasing joke, but she wasn't in the mood for teasing. She was prepared to give him a haughty retort when a cold voice beat her to the punch.

"I'm sure she wanted to hear that," Zane said while stepping into the room. She immediately noticed how strained his face looked. The long coat he wore concealed his body but she knew that underneath it his wounds were probably bleeding again. He glanced at Tidus but after a moment his silver eyes found hers before flicking to Darius.