Fearless Beings

Chapter 18

Tom's POV:
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I raise my head from the pillows beneath my neck. The fist thing I notice is the bouquet of flowers on the table beside me.

Wait..

I don't remember anyone bringing me flowers. No no. Why would someone bring flowers? And then my eyes dart to my surroundings.

White. Everything is white. Like--maybe like hospital rooms? And that's when the unmistakable scent of hospital acids flood my nostrils. What happened? I close my eyes, trying my hardest to remember. Memories come flashing behind my eyelids like lightning.

James..

Staircase...

Bathroom...

Toilet...

Sink...

James...

Blackness...

My eyes fly open and I look down at my wrist. As expected, the tip of a drip is hidden beneath my flesh and the other end is just strapped to my wrist. An IV to my second arm, in the inner of my elbow, to pump whatever liquid is it straight to my veins. God.

"Hi."

I turn my head. I didn't even noticed Karen coming in.

"Hi, Mum."

She winces and I know it's because of the way my voice sound; rough and croaky. I clear my throat.

"You feeling any better?" She asks, the look on her face wishing I'd say yes not matter what my condition is.

I nod. "I'm fine, Mum. Don't worry."

She sighs and travels the small space from the door to the chair beside my hospital bed. "I--" her voice cracks. "I just th--thought maybe--"

"Mum, seriously?" I chuckle, taking her hand in mine. "I'm fine. You know I am. It was probably just some virus."

She nods, eager to believe me. "Okay. You're fine, right?"

I smile. "I won't say it again, by the way. Yes, I'm fine."

The corner of her lips curve into a smile. She wipes her palms on her pale-white dress.

She looks so different. With Hannah and everything that's going on, she looks so different. She grew paler, and thinner. She lost a lot of weight. And from my place, I could see her collarbone jutting out. I don't blame her. Her life is roller coaster.

"Do you need anything?" She asks, capturing my gaze.

I give her a little teasing smile. A joke might help here, right? "Actually, I might want somethings. Maybe ice cream and--"

"Tom," she laughs. "You've always had the worst timing, you know?"

I shrug.

"But," she gives me a serious look. "Do you need anything really?"

I shook my head. "Come on, Mum. I'm fine."

She nods and stays silent, staring at her navy heels. Always representable.

The silence becomes too long. So I break it, "Where's James and Dad, by the way?"

"Your Dad took James out for the mall. It's been a long time since he's been there." She stopped, squaring her shoulders. "And everything must look overwhelming to James right now."

I swallow. He shouldn't go through this. He should live a normal childhood. No, not a normal childhood; the best childhood. He deserves better. He doesn't deserve this. I wonder how he can handle it sometimes. Especially Hannah.