Beat Heal Love

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

“Iris,” I blink and see Nathan above me. I sit up and look at Smith. “He’s asleep. Let’s go back to my room. I’m sure supper’s waiting for me,” I stand up and see Nathan already up with Max laying at his feet. How he got up from under me is a mystery.

“If it’s supper then visiting hours are almost done. I should get going.”

“No one’s staying with me so you’re allowed.”

“I don’t think the doctors or nurses will be a fan of that idea.”

“Where will you go?”

“I’ve got some safe places. I’ll walk you back to the room before leaving though,” we walk out of Smith’s room and to Nathan’s. Max sticks close to us.

“Stay until they come by saying you have to leave,” he helps me into his bed beside him. I nod and put my head carefully on his chest, making sure not to hit anything.

“How long until they release you and Smith?” I ask. Even after sleeping part of the day away, I’m still tired.

“A few days perhaps. The only thing is that we can’t rebuild the warehouse for a few months at least,” I nod and he starts running his fingers through my hair, pushing me closer to sleep.

“I can’t stay the night, Nathan, so please stop trying to get me to fall asleep.”

“I’m just trying to get you to relax. Plus, if you did fall asleep and the nurses or doctors don’t want you here, they would wake you up and tell you to leave,” he sighs, “you didn’t sleep at all last night and only got a few hours here. Get as much sleep as you can with me. We both know you’re going to get nightmares as soon as you leave.”

“I’m not falling asleep,” I fight a yawn as I say this.

“Relax, Charlie. If you sleep, you sleep.” He’s quiet after those words but he continues to play with my hair. I sigh and do as he says, I relax.

•♦•♦•♦•♦•

I slowly slip into consciousness as I open my eyes. Blackness meets me and I realize that it’s already night outside. And that I’m still in Nathan’s bed at the hospital. It seems he told the nurses to just leave me be.

I lift my head up and see Nathan fast asleep. He has an arm wrapped around my waist and the other resting on Max’s head. The dog only blinks at me when I meet his gaze so I put a finger to my lips hoping that’ll keep him silent as I move off the bed.

“Charlie…” Nathan mumbles in his sleep, searching for me so I grab an extra pillow and put it in my place. He relaxes.

I’m walking past Smith’s room when I hear my name. I stop and back track to see Smith illuminated by the window beside him. He’s wide awake, waiting for me.

“You should be sleeping,” I scold him in a whisper, closing the door behind me.

“So should you. Where are you off to?”

“Food court. I wanted to see if anything was open,” I feed him the lie instantly.

“Are you sure? You aren’t trying to sneak out of here while Knight sleeps?”

“I’m safe here, so why would I leave?”

“Guilt? Fear? Many emotions power your head into doing stuff. If you know what’s waiting for you once you leave, why are you still going to?” I fall into the chair with a heavy breath.

“Fear, guilt, sadness, anger, you’re right. Many emotions are guiding me and that’s the way I survive. I follow my head, not my heart.”

“And yet here you still are, with me, with Knight, despite all the troubles we’ve had. You’ve stayed.”