Otkroveniye Complex // Book 1 of the Takaryev Series

Chapter 14

Ravil was awakened by the sound of an opening door. He cracked open his eyes and, feeling a bit stronger now, tried to sit up. 

It was his father. He shuffled awkwardly into the room, only meeting Ravil's gaze once. 

"Hello," Ravil said. 

His father sat down in the chair next to Ravil's hospital bed and fished out Ravil's phone, handing it to him. "Figured I'd bring you this. You might need it." 

Ravil took the phone. "Thanks." 

"Are you okay?" his father asked. 

"I think so." Ravil answered, turning on his phone and opening Skype to text Artem. 

He read the text that Artem had sent two days ago. 

Must've been right after I passed out, Ravil thought. 

"Hey," Ravil typed. The only sound was that of his fingers tapping the screen. "I'm in the hospital. I blacked out or something, they think it's head trauma from the car accident I told you about. I'm okay though."

Ravil turned to his father, asking out loud, "When do I go home?" 

"Tomorrow," his father answered. "But you have to take a diuretic for a week and go see a neurologist so they can check for swelling in your brain."

Ravil stifled a grumble. "Okay."

Artem texted back. "Oh, thank God," said the message. "I was freaking out. I'm glad you're okay." 

"They say I've got to get back on a normal sleep schedule, though. So I might not be able to play Warcraft as much anymore." Ravil typed. 

"That's fine. I'm practically nocturnal anyways, so I can work with your time zone." Artem answered.

"Okay, thanks. Brb, my dad's here." Ravil typed. He clicked off his phone. 

"I don't mean to make things awkward," Ravil's father said. "It's just that we don't have much to talk about. I'm sorry I left you all those years ago. I really am." 

"I don't know how to reply to that." Ravil answered, glancing over at his father. 

"I mean, you don't have to forgive me." his father said. "I wouldn't forgive me."

"Find something better to talk about," Ravil said.

"Sorry." The room was swallowed up by silence, until Ravil's father spoke again. 

"Did you hear about the new Warcraft movie coming out?" 

"Yes, but I'm not going to go see it. Blizzard's only in it for the money." Ravil answered coldly. "They already shot down the non-profit vanilla servers." 

"I wish I could have a real conversation with you, Ravil," said his father, a note of melancholy seasoning his voice. 

"I guess that's what you get for leaving me with Mom." Ravil rolled his eyes. "You're trying too hard."

"I'm sorry." 

"I can't forgive you."