Mercy

Chapter 28

{Liam’s POV}

The emergency vehicle lights flashed all over the alley as I watched them load her into the back of the ambulance. My mind was racing as they refused to let me get in the ambulance with her; I ran both hands through my hair as I stood there and watched it pull away. I wanted to run after them but I just stood there stuck in my spot on the now dark street. There were no sounds coming from my mouth, like my brain couldn’t formulate words. I could see Lacy’s mouth moving but I couldn’t hear anything she was saying; I could feel her tugging my arm, pulling me to the front of the building and away from the alley where it all took place. Halfway through the car ride I realized I was seated in the back seat of my car with Lacy staring at me nervously.  “Liam?” She asked, calmly. I didn’t answer, not because I didn’t want to but because I couldn’t. There was an ache in my chest that I couldn’t explain as the images from earlier replayed through my head on repeat. I was overwhelmed with so many different emotions; guilt, anger and maybe even heartache. Why did I take my eyes off of her? If I had just done what I came there to do then I could have stopped her from going out that door with him. Did I make it in enough time? What had happened in those short few minutes before I got there? Questions ravaged my mind at such a rate I hadn’t even noticed that we had pulled up to the hospital.

As we climbed out of the car and I started towards the hospital in a rushed fashion - Lacy stopped me by placing both of her hands firmly to my chest. “Listen, why don’t you all stay here, they aren’t going to let you back there. I’ll tell them I am her sister and see if I can get back there to be with her when she wakes up….” Her eyes moved down to the spot between her hands, a sick feeling flooded my stomach as I saw the smeared blood on my chest. My hands quickly went back to running nervously through my hair tugging hard on the hand full of hair as I tried to make sense of everything that had happened every once and awhile glancing down at the stain on my shirt. This was all my fault.

By the time Lacy texted us letting us know that Sam was now awake the sun was already coming up and the sky was a dusty blue with soft pink clouds on the horizon. We had sat on the bench outside the hospital in silence, chain smoking. Alex didn’t try to talk to me, he spent most of the time texting Lacy from what I can assume. My mind had time to clear a little and I was able to speak and comprehend the things that were going on around me. There had come a point in the early hours that I had decided that even though I didn’t get to her in time I was going to do anything in my power to protect her from now on. “Come on let’s go see what’s going on…” I spoked as I tossed the half-smoked cigarette into the parking lot.

We made our way down the long white hallway leading us to a room that read 377 in black letters. The door was shut and we could hear talking on the other side of the door. We leaned against the wall outside knowing that it probably wasn’t a good idea just to barge in, especially because of the state of our relationship right now. After a few minutes Lacy stepped out of the room, quietly shutting the door behind her. She gave us a weak smile, glancing at the door before she walked slowly over to where we were standing. Part of me wanted to grab her and demand all the information my mind needed to know but I didn’t I stood there with a blank look on my face trying to brace myself for the news she might be sharing.

“Well…she’s awake and the doctor is in there now with her…” She let out a long sigh as she glanced over her shoulder as the door opened and the doctor started back down the hall. “Liam, she said she wanted to talk to you….” My heart felt like it fell to the floor as I glanced at the door; at this point I wasn’t sure if I could contain myself if I saw her. Lacy gave me a small smile and a comforting pat on the arm which gave me enough courage to enter her hospital room. My heart broke into a million pieces at what I saw laying on the hospital bed. Her once curled hair was now disheveled, her makeup from the night out had been washed away; most likely to clean the wounds that now covered her gorgeous face. My heart ached, as I looked her over from the scratches, bruises and the IV in her arm. She hadn’t noticed me enter and I wasn’t sure what to do or say so I stood awkwardly by the door, finally clearing my throat after I got enough nerve.

{Sam’s POV}

After the doctor had left I closed my eyes, resting my aching head against the pillow on my bed. I must have dozed off slightly because I jolted up out of my bed when I heard someone clear their throat. I froze in my spot as I opened my eyes and saw Liam standing there. The expression on his face was hard to read and I had this ping of worry in the pit of my stomach; what did he think of me?

“Sam…?’ His deep voice was like a soothing blanket; wrapping around me in the most comforting way. Even after what had happened he was always able to bring me to a level of calmness I hadn’t experienced with anyone else. “Hi...” I started, my voice scratchy and tired. I wanted to badly for him to wrap me up in his arms but I didn’t want him to see me like this. “I wanted to say thank you…” My eyes drifted back down to my hands that were resting in my lap; part of me afraid to look at him. “Sam…I am sorry I didn’t get there sooner…” His voice trailed off like he was unsure just how late he was. “You stopped him from…” My voice cracked as I stopped, afraid if I kept talking I wouldn’t be able to control the tears. Then out of nowhere I felt the warmth of his arms wrap around me and I’d do anything to never have to leave them again. My body reacted to his touch by nuzzling into his chest. “So he didn’t…” Liam whispered, the sound of relief coating each of his words. “No, he didn’t. The doctor says I have a concussion and the cuts on my face and legs…. but other than that, I should be fine…” I am sure my voice did not sound convincing because physically all the bruises and scratches would heal but it’s the invisible injuries that seem to last the longest.

“Hey Liam…” I whispered against his chest, my face still buried into his shirt. “Yes?” His voice rang through my ears. I took a deep breath, working up the nerve to ask him, “I know this is a lot to ask…but will you stay with me? I don’t want to be alone…” I could instantly feel his arms wrap tightly around my body as he slid into the bed beside me, my body now resting firmly against his. “Sam, we have a lot to talk about later but there is no chance in hell I would leave you here, even if you told me to leave.” Those simple words made my insides melt, I could feel the prick of warm tears in the back of my eyes but I quickly blinked them away and snuggled into him. Even if it was just for a while I needed his touch, I needed to know he was there. My breathing slowly started to even out and I could feel myself drifting off into a warm and comforting sleep.