She's Here

Part Two

A voice pierced the veil I had surrounding my head, causing a moan to escape my lips. I was so peaceful in the darkness, the silence. Why did they have to disrupt the serenity?

"Nick, please wake up. I called your dad, he's on his way." At the mention of my father, my eyes flew open. The fluorescent glare of the lights caused me to squint, but I soon recovered and managed to make out the figure of my mother.

"Wha- What happened?" I mumbled hoarsely. My mouth seemed to be filled with cotton, which made it extremely difficult to speak.

"You.. were in a- an accident, sweetheart. I'm s-so sorry," she said, her voice straining against the tears filling her eye. She threw herself forward, enclosing me in a backbreaking hug. I cringed, the pressure causing pain to blossom in my chest.

She quickly pulled away when she noticed the immense pain I was in, the realization only bringing more tears to her eyes.

"Mother, do you know who Natalie is?" I inquired weakly, laying back in the bed. Her eyes widened and she shook her head, "No, what does she look like?"

I eyed her suspiciously, my voice coming out as a whisper, "A few inches shorter... than me... Dark brown hair. About shoulder length, I guess. Saucer-sized eyes, tight, pale skin." She shook in an almost imperceptive shiver, obviously recognizing my description.

"No, doesn't sound familiar," she said, a hint of fear coating her words. 

"Oh, okay," I said quietly, closing my eyes.

I woke up what seemed to be seconds later to the sound of my mother and father conversing. I decided to keep my eyes closed for now.

"He said he saw Natalie, but that's not possible, is it?" My mother said in a hushed tone, seeming almost frightened. 

My father audibly breathed in sharply and I could sense his eyes widen. "No, I can't see that happening. She's long gone, Mary. No possible way for her to exist."

I could her my mother grabbing my fathers arms as she whispered hoarsely, "Yes, you know there is a possible way." I could hear her whimpering slightly, obviously upsetted by the words that escaped her lips.

"No, Mary. There isn't," my father said, slightly agitated. I turned over, causing the conversation to end abruptly. "D-dad?" I whispered, causing him to look up.

He quickly moved to my side, worry seeping through his calm facade. "Yes? Are you feeling better?" He asked quietly. I nodded slowly, which caused his features to soften slightly. 

"Okay, good. The doctor said you'd be able to go back home in a few days," he said. I nodded again and took a sip of water from the glass beside my bed. 

The nurse peeked in and knocked softly. "Hello, hello," she chirped, stepping into the room. "Would you like some breakfast, sir?" She asked, standing near my bed. 

"Sure, I guess," I said sheepishly, setting the glass down. She smiled and stepped back out, closing the door behind her.

My mother shook her head in agreement to something my father said. "Okay, it's about time for us to leave," she said, kissing my forehead as she stepped out. "Hope you feel better," said my father, trailing behind her.

The nurse returned a few moments later, a tray of food in hand. "I got you some eggs and toast, along with another cup of water. Is that fine?"

I nodded and accepted the tray of food, thanking her as she slipped back out.

As I took a bite of the toast, a flicker of movement in the corner of my eye caused me to look across the room at a row of beds behind a transparant curtain. I saw a girl sitting on one of the beds, seeming to stare at me.

"Hello?" I called out, fear coating my words. She stood up and walked away from the bed, further from me. 

Her figure seemed to halt in front of a wall, lifting her hand up slightly. The lights flickered off suddenly, leaving me completely blind. 

"Oh hell, where are you?" I said, standing up from my bed. I felt something brush past me suddenly, hitting the wall. I ran over to the door and attempted to open it, failing hopelessly.

"Stop, please. Just stop," I said, panicking. The lights suddenly flooded the room, the girl disappearing. 

I looked around breathlessly, tentatively crawling back into the bed and covering myself. "Just stay the fuck away from me," I said hoarsely, closing my eyes.