Nice Shot (John Luke Robertson Book 2)

Chapter 1

Another picture flashes through my mind. John Luke, blood, bullet. The gun shot rings through my ears again and again and again.
A scream tumbles from my lips, and I cover my ears and clench my eyes tight.
"Hey, hey, hey," Reed's soft voice follows after my scream as he sits raise me once again, wrapping his arms around me. He left a few minutes ago to get me some coffee, even after my refusal to drink or eat anything. I haven't slept in two days, but I don't feel it. I don't feel anything. I don't feel Reed's arms around me, or the cold floor I'm seated on, or the wall behind me. I'm numb, completely unfeeling. My eyes are fluttering open and closed, my arms wound around my knees which are pulled to my chest.
"He's gonna be okay," Reed assures me quietly, but I don't react. I've heard that over and over, but it's been two day since John Luke was shot, and there has even no sign of recovering.
"John Luke Robertson?" A nurse suddenly calls. I am immediately on my feet, waiting. "He's in a coma, and he can't move. He's in critical condition. But, we can allow one visitor at a time, so..." The nurse finishes and steps back into John Luke's room. I look around to each member here for JL. Sadie, Cole, Reed, Korie, Willie, Jase, Missy, Jep, Jessica, Will, and the rest of the little kids who are occupied with their coloring books, not sure what is happening.
"I just want to see him for a second, please. Then, Kaysie...you can go. I promise," Korie cries, and I nod. It's her son, it's only expected and I hold nothing against her. She trudges into her son's room, closing the door. Poor Korie. Her light blue sweater is wrinkled and covered in coffee, her jeans are stained with mascara where she cried her eyes out, her make up is all worn off, and her hair is matted and pulled into a messy bun atop her head. I've never seen her this distraught.
I lean my back against the wall, wiping my tear stained face, but not feeling it. For all I know, I could be wiping the wall behind me and my know it. My cheeks are numb, my neck is numb, my arms are numb. Everything is unfeeling. I watch as nurses slide through the hallways without a care in the world. The children messily drag the crayons across the feathery papers. Doors open and close throughout the hospital. Everything seems so normal, when peoples lives are beginning to disappear.
The door to John Luke's room opens again and I watch as Korie wraps her arms tightly around Willie's neck. He takes her in his arms as she cries into his chest. Willie looks up at me, jerking his thumb towards the door. I take this as my signal to walk into JL's room. I close the door behind me and hesitantly step farther into the room. Tears flow quickly as I see John Luke, the love of my life. His body is limp, unconscious. His skin is paler than his usual tan color. His eyes are closed, and his hair is sweaty and matted. His hands lay over his stomach, and a dark blue blanket covers him.
I step up to him, taking his hand. It's cold, but not completely lifeless. The nurse finishes up her checking and smiles at me.
"He can hear you," she says before escaping. I stare down at the ground for a moment before taking a seat in the plastic chair. I hold John Luke's hand in my lap, stroking it softly. Taking a deep breath, I look up at my boyfriend. The steady beep of his heartbeat is ringing in my ear.
"Hi, JL," my voice is raspy. I haven't spoken in days. My throat is hoarse and soar with a large lump. My tongue feels swollen, my eyes puffy. "I miss you, and I'm so sorry. I know if I never would've came here, then you would be fine. You would be loving your life." I pause to let out a sob. Suddenly, the eart monitor beeps long and loud, and my eyes widen. Nurses rush in pulling me away from my boyfriend. His fingers slip from mine, and I scream.
"John Luke, don't leave! I need you!" I yell over the chaos. Nurses begin to drag me from the room when the heart monitor picks up again, beating at a fast rate. I watch through the gaps of the nurses as John Luke's chest rises and falls quickly before his eyes snap open and a shout fills the air. A heart-wrenching, toe-curdling scream.
"Kaysie!" One simple word, and the nurses are shocked, dropping my arms. My feet move faster than ever before. In a second, I'm in front of John Luke with his face between my hands. John Luke's warm brown eyes stare into mine as his hands fly up to my neck, pulling me down to kiss him. His lips are the same smoothe texture that I love, and I cry. In joy.
"I love you," I tell him softly, breaking the kiss.
"I love you, too. And I'm glad you moved here. You have me a reason to believe in love again," he says, pulling my chest to his. I rest one knee on the bed to stay upright. He pulls my lips to his again and I sigh of relief. He's here. He's alive.