Along the Way

Chapter 19

I awoke to a bright light shining in my face. I lifted my arms in attempt to cover my eyes, before realizing they were strapped down.
Where am I?

My vision slowly returns to normal as I take in my surroundings.

I’m in a completely white room, the furniture is white, the walls are white, the floors are white, my clothes are- wait my clothes are white?! I only wear white if it is accompanied with black, same with all colors. I groaned in anger. I’m in a hospital aren’t I?

Typical hospital, everything is white. But if I’m here, then don’t they know who I am? Won’t I be taken home? I need to get out of here.

I look around the room desperately for an escape route. I was cut off when the sound of the door creaking open. I cringe at the squeaking hinges.

A nurse walks in, she looks particularly young, her hair was a light brown and her eyes were a sparkling brown. She wore a little bit of makeup, but all it did was enhance her natural beauty.

“Hello Naomi, how are you feeling?
I’m nurse Joy in case you were wondering,” She gave out a bubbly giggle before taking a seat beside me.

“Where’s Alex?” I croak, my voice cracking at the lack of use.

“She’s probably in the waiting room. So how are you feeling?” She asks again. Once again, I completely dodge the question.

“I want to see her.”

She gives me a strange look before asking another question.

“Are you feeling dizzy, light headed, or nauseous?”

“Let me see Alex!” I cry, thrashing in my bed in an attempt to stand up.

“Ok! Ok, ok, just calm down, I’ll go and get her.”

I didn’t realize until after she left the room that I had started crying. A warm tear dripped down my face as Joy brought Alex in.

“Alex…” I whispered.
She ran over to me and pulled me into a tight hug. I would’ve hugged her back if these restraints weren’t holding me back.

“What did they do to you?” She asked, a horrified look filled her face as she looked at my arm restraints.

“Naomi,” Joys said, trying to get my attention, “will you answer my questions now?” She finished, her smile returned.

“Let me talk to Alex, alone.” I insisted.
She looked away, as if contemplating if this was a good idea or not.

“If I let you, will you answer my questions afterwards?”

I nodded, even though I didn’t plan to answer them anyway.

“Ok, you guys get 5 minutes,” she said before walking out.

“We need to get out of here,” I say as soon as I hear the door click.

“The police are in the lobby, what are we going to do?” She asked, insanely worried.

“How high up is the window, what floor are we on?” I asked, trying to figure out a plan, and fast. Alex ran over to the window.

“It’s probably about three or four stories high,” She answeres hurriedly.

“Unhook me,” I demand.

“What? It’s too high,” She protests.

“Alex, unhook me,” I repeat, seriousness filling my voice.

“What about Lenny? He’s being questioned as our ‘kidnapper’,” She protests again.

“Alex, he’s a grown man and he’s innocent. If they catch us, we’re going home. Unhook me.”

This time, she gives in, messing with the latches, smoothly opening them. I run over and lock the door, then run back over to the window.

“We can do this, I used to climb out of my window all the time,” I insist, opening the window.

“Yeah, out of a two story building with a small roof right outside the window,” She states in a matter-of-factly tone.

I ignore her and start to climb out the window, desperately clinging to gutters and other windowsills on the way down.

“Throw my clothes down, I’ll get them later,” I say. She does as told and then begins climbing out herself.

“Naomi, I’m scared,” Alex says in a shaky voice.

“It’s ok Alex, I’m right here, I’ll catch you.”

We continued to descend, making it to nearly the second floor when Alex slips.

She lets out a scream as she falls.

“Alex!” I scream. I jump after her, grabbing her arm. I grab onto a windowsill that is located on the second floor.

If I let go, Alex will fall.

“Hold on Alex,” I say, holding her arm as tight as I can. She struggles to grip onto the building, but her hanging body is no use.

“Get ready Alex,” I say.

“Wha-” she gets cut off by a yelp as i pull her up towards me.

“Grab onto my shoulders, like a piggy back ride!” I say, straining with every passing second she doesn’t move.

“Alex! Please,” I plead.
She grabs on, and I take my now free hand and grab the building.

“Just hang on,” I say as I inch closer to the next floor.

“Careful Naomi, please don’t fall,” I could tell by Alex’s croaking voice that she was crying now.

We finally make our descent to the ground, then we waste no time bolting off, after I collected my clothes. We took off into the woods, using it as a cover from the nearby police. Luckily, my room was in the back of the hospital, so it wasn’t that hard not getting caught climbing out the window.

After we ran for a good ten minutes headed who knows where, we both sat on the ground, panting.

“You saved my life,” Alex said, after a long moment of panting and wheezing.

“What was I supposed to do? Let you fall?” I asked, not really expecting an answer.

“You let go of the building just to grab me. Why?” She countered.

“Easy,” I started, panting a bit more,

“You mean more to me than anyone. More than my sibling, more than my parents, more than myself. Without you, I’m nothing. I love you Alexandra.”

She didn’t answer this time, seemingly processing what I said.

“All I’ve done is drag you down Naomi,” She says, “I’m a nobody, you’re the one doing all these amazing things, I’m just… here.”

“Alex,” I start, “This journey wouldn’t be possible without you. You were the one who opened up to me about your love for this band, making me more confident in myself for liking it. You were always there for me when I couldn’t continue, you cheered me on when I fought even though you didn’t want me to. Though we have our differences, you were always there for me when I needed it most, and I’m doing my best to be there for you at all times so I hope I’m doing a good job because you deserve it.”

I lay down, taking deep breaths.
She lays her head down on my stomach as we both stare at the towering trees before us.

“You are,” Alex whispered.
I closed my eyes, taking another deep breath.

“Alex?” I ask, in a gentle tone.

“Hm?” She responds.
After a moment of silence, I work up the confidence to continue talking.

“Will you be mine?”

I wait anxiously for her answer.

“Yes.”