The Consequences {Jacob Black}

Chapter XV

Someone make the beeping stop. I reached for my alarm but stopped when something warm and rough wrapped around my hand. "You can't do that, Annie," I heard. Jake? His name brought it all back. Rough callouses brushed against my cheek and I chased the friction. "Your dad and Bella went to the cafeteria to get some breakfast." I finally groaned. "Come on, Annie. I haven't seen those eyes of yours in almost a day."

I pried my eyes open, turning away from the lights that were blinding me. "That's my girl," he murmured, his hand squeezing mine encouragingly. The fog that surrounded me cleared and I finally saw him. I blinked hard and bit back a groan.

"You look like shit," I croaked, my voice cracking as my throat used the last of its moisture. I coughed hard, trying to sit myself up. Jake fumbled with a remote and handed me a glass of water. I sipped greedily from the straw until he pulled the whole cup away.

"The docs said the medicine they gave you can make you a little nauseous. Best if we take it slow," he explained. I nodded, wanting nothing more than to go to sleep.

"Why are you here?" I asked. He frowned and my heart hammered in my chest.

"Did you want me to leave?" I tried to shake my head, but couldn't quite muster the energy.

I squeezed his hand instead. "Isn't your dad going to be upset?" I whispered. Jake pulled his chair closer, the legs scraping loudly against the linoleum.

"My dad is in the waiting room, hoping that you'll tell a nurse that he can come and see you," he whispered. I frowned, confused. Billy was mad at me, wasn't he? The darkness was crowding me again. It was quiet and welcoming. But Jake's warmth was so much better. I felt something warm brush across my skin. "Go to sleep Annie," he whispered, his lips tickling my ear. "I'll stay right here and protect you."

When I next awoke, my dad was asleep in a chair. Bella had somehow commandeered a wheelchair and was resting there, her head lying against a window pane. Billy was at the foot of my bed, his chin resting against his chest. I felt warmth around my hand and a pressure by my legs, constant and sure.

"You can tell her now," I heard a voice whisper. There was no sounds, but the same voice continued. "You controlled yourself Jake. You knew that she needed you and that outweighed your anger."

"I don't want her involved in all of this. I just want her safe," Jake's gruff voice answered. Was he talking to Sam? I blinked hard, trying to get rid of the sleep in my eyes.

"You can do whatever you think is best, Jacob; all I am saying is that you're no longer ordered to stay silent." Silent about what? I groaned and felt warmth graze my cheeks. "She's waking up; I'll leave now. Just remember that it's your decision."

I heard the door open and close then; the quiet click echoing through the room. My dad's snores sounded like a fog horn and I jumped, eyes popping open.

"Hey, you're okay. I'm right here," Jake whispered. I tried to sit up, but my arm gave out. "Down, Annie" he said as I huffed. I just wanted to sit up. "Everything's going to be a little sore."

I looked myself up and down, disgusted by all the bandages that decorated my skin and tubes that were pumping me full of God knows what. I thought back, trying to remember how exactly I ended up here. "Murphy," Jake whispered. I shuddered, the whole thing coming back.

There was glass and beakers and he was too heavy. I fought as hard as I could, but he was too heavy. I couldn't get him off of me. My heart monitor jumped erratically as my distress increased.

"Ryanne you're okay," Jake said. "Ryanne, look at me." The glass was poking my skin and I couldn't fight back. I had only been trying to save myself and somehow, I had created my own torture. "Annie," Jake whispered, his hands cupping my cheeks, his thumbs whispering across my cheek bones. "You are here with me," he stated firmly. "You are safe. I will never let another thing harm you."