The Infinity Trilogy

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

My head was cushioned on someone’s chest as I lay on top of them in the back of one of the SUVs and I know that someone was Owen.  He was holding me tight, though my tears had already dried up before I’d fallen asleep. 

“Are you awake?” Owen said softly, running his fingers through my hair.

I nodded slowly and leaned up to look at him.  “Hey,” I said, my voice husky.

He just stared at me.  I could see his question in his eyes, though.

“I’m okay,” I said, reassuring him.

“Lola, you killed your brother,” he said.

I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes, remembering that last look on Alex’s face…

“Don’t cry,” Owen said, wrapping his arms around me.  “I’m sorry.  I’m so sorry that you had to do what you did.  If there had been another way…”

“No,” I choked out, shaking my head.  “There wasn’t any other way.  I had to do it.  I did.  It’s over.  He’s…gone.”

“Okay,” he said, nodding.  “I won’t talk to you about it anymore.”

I sighed, closing my eyes as I leaned my head against his chest. 

“Where are we now?” I asked him.

“We’re headed to the hospital.”

I shot back up, looking at him.  “Who?!” I said.  “Who’s hurt?”

He sighed, tucking my hair behind my ear.  “Adrian,” he said.

“Adrian?!  What happened?  Is he okay?  He’s not dead, is he?”

Owen smiled.  “No, he’s fine.  Well, not completely.  He’s got a concussion, broken ribs, and a broken leg.  I think he’s woken up.”

The guy that was driving us pulled up to the front entrance of the hospital and I jumped out as soon as I could.  I didn’t even wait for Owen as I ran inside…and right into Secretary Duke. 

“Lola,” he said, holding me back by my shoulders. 

“Secretary Duke,” I said.  “Where’s Adrian?  Is he okay?”

He smiled slightly, looking tired.  “Third floor, room three-fifteen,” he said.  “He’s been asking for you.”

I smiled at him gratefully.  “Thank you!” I said, and started running for the elevator. 

People packed the hospital hallway, most of them holding towels, fabric, and gauze to their bleeding selves. 

I passed all of the rooms, hearing the screams from inside, before I came the last one at the end of the hallway. 

Adrian’s room. 

When I walked in, no one was there besides him. 

Adrian was lying on the bed, his right leg in a cast and a brace on his left wrist.  His eyes were on the TV, which was showing news footage of D.C.

“Hey,” I said quietly, stepping forward to show myself to him. 

His eyes immediately met mine.

“Lola!” he said, sitting up so fast he gasped in pain.

I ran forward, pushing him gently back down on the bed.  “Don’t move,” I said.  “You’re going to hurt yourself even more than you already are.”

“Lola, I’m so sorry!” he said in a rush.  “I shouldn’t have gone to Alex.  I shouldn’t have left after I saw you go into Owen’s room the other night.  I…”