Sound of Silence

Burned

My mind drifted back into consciousness slowly. Muffled voices filled my ears and flashing lights blinded me from overhead. All I could see were white ceiling tiles passing by quickly. Screams came from beside me then faded away. Was that Wesley? It sounded like Wesley. I couldn't quite place where I was, or what happened. My mind was too foggy.

"You're going to be okay miss McCain, your parents are on their way," a soft female voice whispered to me.

But I didn't care if I was okay or not. All I could think about was my friends.

"BETHANY!" I heard someone scream. It was Vivian.

I turned my head slowly, my vision blurry, as I saw two male nurses holding back my friend.

"BETHANY!" She sobbed, tears streaming down her face.

"Please calm down miss," one of them said to her.

"No! I have to see my friend!!" She yelled.

"Your friend is okay please calm down."

"BETHANY!" she cried out  "I'm SO SORRY!"

Then everything went black.

___________

When I finally awoke there was a throbbing sensation in my left arm. I turned my head to face a beeping machine telling me that I was still alive, my heartbeat bobbing up and down. I was in an all white hospital room, dressed in a light blue night gown, a large bandage wrapped around my left shoulder. To the right was my father, fast asleep, snoring in a chair, oblivious to the fact that I was awake. I sat up, wincing at the pain that shot through my entire body. I wanted to get up, but my right arm was attached to an IV, that slowly dripped what I assumed was pain medication into my veins. My head throbbed as I tried to recall what happened. The memories suddenly piecing themselves together.

There was I fire.

I was burned.

Someone pulled me out.

But who?

Footsteps paused outside the doorway, and a sharp intake of breath echoed throughout the room. Arms were quickly wrapped around me, and I gripped back whoever it was. Shaking hands pulled away from me, and sobs wracked the woman's body.

"My baby, my beautiful baby," My mother sobbed.

"Mom," I called back, tears welling up in my eyes. The whole experience had me shaken up.

"I thought you were dead," She cried, her green eyes wide, "you've been comatose for three days, they thought you might not make it."

This information surprised me. How was I that badly injured? The blast wasn't that big.

My mother pulled me into another tight hug. Clinging to me desperately. It hurt,  but I wasn't about to tell her that. She pulled away again, this time her face turning stern.

"You ever drink that irresponsibly again and you're dead Bethany Rosalie McCain!!"

I tilted my head at her, confused.

"Mom, I didn't drink," I assured her.

"Don't you give me that bull-crap young lady! I saw the reports so don't even lie to me!"

"Everyone else drank, but I swear I didn't!"

"Your blood work came back with twice the amount of alcohol than the legal limit! TWICE!"

My heart sank, this didn't make any sense, I didn't even have a sip.

"That's not possible-"

"Don't!" my mother interrupted, "I'm happy you're okay honey, but just- Just don't lie to me, okay?" Her freckled face was all scrunched up. My mother could pull off the freckles, unlike me. It suited her, gave her a young look.

I could tell she was upset. So I kept my mouth shut. But something wasn't right here, I was positive I didn't drink last night. So how could the blood work come back positive?  There was so much to figure out, and not enough time. My mother's face was grim, her lips pressed together in a thin line, this only meant one thing. There was something she wasn't telling me.

"Mom?" I questioned her, "is everything okay?"

She stroked my head, playing with my hair.

"No honey, there's something-"

"BETHANY!" Screeched another voice, cutting my mother off.

"Vivian!" I smiled turning my head to face the brunette.

Her eyes were red and puffy, make up staining her cheeks. She looked as if she hadn't slept in a week. Will and Wesley appeared in the door way next to her, and they all  made their way over to my bedside. 

"I'm so glad you're all okay!" I choked out, tears welling up in my eyes.

"You're glad we're okay? We're glad you're okay!" Vivian exclaimed hugging me.

Will and I made eye contact. His expression similar to that of my mother's earlier. Vivian was now crying. Wesley wrapped his arms around her.

"It's been a hard week," he explained.

I nodded in understanding.

"Where's Q?" I asked.

Everyone froze.

"Sweetie," My mother started, her hand returning to my hair, "Quinton didn't make it."

No.

This couldn't  be happening.

"You're lying," I told her firmly.

"Honey I'm sorry," my mom sighed, her eyes filling with tears again.

"No, no, he's not dead! He can't be!" I was yelling now, anger welling up inside me.

Tears streamed down my face, I was unable to hold them in anymore. Q, the gentle giant, my new friend, gone. Because of a stupid bonfire to discuss Noah.

Noah.

Chills went down my spine. A small piece of the puzzle clicked into place. My body felt dead inside. He was there, I just knew it. He pulled me out of the fire.