Filling in the Cracks

Chapter 47: Six Feet Under

Zoe's POV

"Water?" I asked for the umpteenth time and for the umpteenth time she rejected.

It was her third and last week here in the hell hole--I mean hospital.

Yeah, no I don't.

When I found out the reason I nearly flipped out, but I remember it as a blur, so I probably did flip out. Dawn, had gone back to her bad habits. She hadn't been eating properly, barely eating at all and got dehydrated. Jillian, (Dawn's mom) had passed a week ago. I cried until I couldn't cry anymore, Jillian was like a mother figure to me ever since my parents had passed. But I shouldn't be complaining, Dawn hadn't even attended to her own mother's funeral.

Dawn had been, distant, and quiet. Whenever she's quiet, it's usually not a good thing. She wouldn't eat or talk. To anyone. Not even Kayden, she wouldn't even let him in the same room as her. Well, what she doesn't know is that he takes care of her while she sleeps which is most of the time. I think it's adorable, but if she knew she's hit me. But that's okay I'd hit her back.

Tough love guys, tough love.

"Miss Hartman, it is Miss Andrew's resting time." The usual nurse came in and I nodded.

"Get some rest and please eat." I said the same thing everyday. It actually is a routine now that I think about it. I say that, smile, kiss her forehead, and tuck her in. Yeah, I like babying her.

~

Dawn's POV

I wanted to turn over on the bed since the sun was blinding me, but my body was still quite weak and sore. I wish I had told Zo to close the blinds.

Did I mention how much I hate hospital beds? And IV? I mean I love working with kids but I hate being in the hospital for my own needs. I thought I was fine. I mean after all I lost one of the very special people in my life; my mom and Gramps is gone too. Not to mention I didn't even get to say a final goodbye! I have my own way of coping and that's to block everyone and everything out.

I heard the door knob turn and footsteps approach, ah thank the Lord! "Zo, can you turn the blinds?" I asked my voice still soft as usual, almost a whisper.

I didn't hear a reply so I just closed my eyes, I had no energy in me to argue. I felt my lids getting softer and the room getting darker. I slowly opened my eyes and saw that the blinds had been turned and still for some odd reason I couldn't sleep. Usually, I'd have to beg for everyone to leave so I could sleep.

I opened my eyes all the way and saw not Zo but the person that I least expected to see here. Well second-to-least.

"Cleo?" I asked lazily, then rubbed my eyes.

"Yeah. Cleo." Cleo said in a flat tone, her once semi long hair was now into a pixie hair cut and it suited her well, if I must say.

"How'd you know-" I was cut off by Cleo putting her hands on her hip, which she had a tendency to do when she was either upset or annoyed.

"I have my ways."

"Derek and Clarissa?" I cocked a brow.

"And your dear friend Zoe. She's a feisty one like you." Cleo had an amused smile on her face.

"I am not feisty!" I argued but it soon made my throat go dry and Cleo seemed to notice, since she quickly handed me a glass of water, looking like it was a life-or-death situation.

"Cleo? I'm fine, just parched." I lightly chuckled into the glass of water as Cleo let out a sigh of relief.

After a while of Cleo and I chatting I felt droopy and my eye-lids were getting heavier, the meds were probably kicking in. Cleo left me to catch up on sleep and told me she'd get my stuff ready since tomorrow was my last day here. Finally.