A New Life: Sequel to Amber

Chapter 4

Link's POV

I woke up with a shooting pain in my right thigh. I opened my eyes and saw I was in the hospital and that's when I remembered. Amber was kidnapped and I was shot while I was trying to save her. Tears came to my eyes and I let them freely flow. Sobs escaped my lips as I began to lose control. I had to get her back. I couldn't let anything happen to her. She was my world along with Rhett and Christy. I heard the door open and a small gasp. Quiet footsteps approached me and I felt a small hand on my arm. 

"Oh goodness, Mr. Neal, are you alright?" a woman asked.

I opened my eyes and was met by two sad, but gentle brown eyes. The nurse was an older woman, probably in her sixties. Her graying brown hair was pulled into a tight bun. She had a kind face and by the way she acted, I could tell she was a grandmother. She looked at me with sorrow and waited for an answer patiently.

"Are you in pain? Do you need some medication, dear?" she asked sweetly.

I nodded my head. No, that wasn't the reason I was crying, but my thigh was in terrible pain and maybe the medication would help. She smiled sadly and grabbed the medication from the cabinet.

"Alright, here you go, Sweetie," she said and attached it to the IV in my arm. "Is there anything else I can do for you, Hon?" she asked gently.

I shook my head and hid my face in the pillow. My sobbing only got harder and I felt a hand gently rubbing my back.

"There, there. The pain will be gone soon, Mr. Neal," she said softly as she continued to rub my back.

"It's not that," I barely managed to say. 

Her expression changed and she became concerned. 

"May I ask what has you so upset, sweetheart?"

"I was shot by my daughter's kidnappers. I don't even know if she's still alright!" I sobbed.

I completely broke down at this point. I felt her arms wrap around me and put my head on her shoulder. If she were younger, this would be very awkward, but considering her age and the circumstances, I was grateful. She continued to rub my back as I sobbed on her shoulder.

"I'm sure she'll be alright, Mr. Neal. Have the police been notified?" she asked.

I nodded and pulled away from her. My sobbing had calmed down now and I was silently crying.

"They'll find her and she'll be alright. It's going to be alright, Mr. Neal," she said and smiled.

"You can call me Link," I said and chuckled slightly.

"Alright, Link. I will. I'm your nurse, so if you need anything, don't hesitate to call for me. I'll be happy to help. You're a nice young man, Link and I'm so so sorry about your daughter. I hope they can find her soon. Oh, and I think some people were waiting for you. Should I send them in?" she asked.

"Yes please, thank you, Nurse."

"It's Sue," she smiled.

"That's my mom's name," I smiled back.

"You're mother has an excellent name, Link," she laughed and closed the door as she left.

I wiped away my tears as best as I could. I wasn't certain who was here, but I assumed it to be Rhett and Christy. I was wrong, it was some police officers. Two women police officers came in and walked over to my bedside.

"Hello Mr. Neal. We'd like to ask the description of your daughter. Her height, approximate weight, hair color, eye color, age, and where she was last seen. Also, how are you doing? You don't look too well," one of the officers said and gave me a comforting smile.

"I'll be alright, as long as my daughter is found safe soon, but thank you. She's 5'1", weighs about 110 pounds, has long, straight, dark brown hair, brown eyes, she's thirteen, but nearly fourteen, and she was last seen at the carnival by the pier," I said softly.

"Alright, thank you. We're going to look for her immediately. If you get any sort of contact, tell us right away. We need to know. Thank you, Mr. Neal. Hope you heal up soon," the other woman said and they left.

I closed my eyes. I just wanted to sleep now. I wanted to cry, I wanted to leave here and find her, but I couldn't. Just as  was about to fall asleep, I felt two soft lips gently press against mine. My eyes shot open and I kissed back when I saw that it was Christy. Rhett was standing beside her. She gently rubbed my cheek and then pulled away. She looked into my eyes with such hurt. 

"My poor baby! I can't even express how devastated I am about this whole situation! I can't believe that happened. Rhett and I came as soon as we heard, but we had to wait for the police to question you first. Oh Link, I'm so, so sorry," Christy said and held my hand. Rhett stepped forward and wrapped me in a tight embrace.

"Link, you never deserved any of this mess. I can't believe she was taken and you were shot. Are you alright, man? Is there anything I can do to help? Link, you mean so much to me. Meeting you all those years ago was the best thing that's ever happened to me and I could never thank you enough for all the good you've done for me. You've always been there for me when I needed it most, and I'm going to reciprocate. I'm going to be here for you. Whatever free time I have, I'll visit you. We both will and I'll bring my girlfriend Jessie sometimes. You met her once before, right?" Rhett asked.

"Yes, I did. She's a nice woman. Thank you so much, Rhett. You're the closest thing I've ever had to a real brother. As you know, my childhood was a little hard on me. All those half and step siblings that I never bonded with. You were always the closest to an actual brother. We are  blood brothers and I still have the slightest scar from that, but it's a scar that I'm glad I have. It's the scar that shows how true and strong our friendship truly is. Thank you, Rhett. I love you, brother." I gave him another hug and then moved my gaze to the beautiful woman standing beside me.

"Christy, I have never felt the same thing I feel for you with any other before. Every time I see you, I fall even deeper in love with you and when you kiss me, I feel like I'm dying inside. Good dying, of course. You are perfect in every way and I can't even tell you how much I love you. Christy, I love you so, so much and I'm so grateful that we're together. I don't deserve you, but I'm so glad you're here anyway," I said.

She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me once more. She was amazing and I love her so much.

'Oh Link, I  don't deserve you. I feel the same way towards you. I love you, Link. I really do and I'm going to be here as often as I can be. We're going to make sure you're well and we're going to get Amber back. I promise you that," Christy said and grasped my hand.

The medicine started to make me drowsy and I yawned. My shoulders slumped and my muscles relaxed. My head leaned back, and I drifted off to a calming sleep.