MAD

~ Chapter 24 ~

Everything happening around was too much. The lights were too bright, the voices to high and the beeping too loud, and yet, the comforting warmth in her hand was enough to make her feel calmer, safe even.
She knew she was in the hospital, if not for the brightness of the walls nor the disinfectant smell, then for what she'd heard before waking up to her full senses.
Looking around, moving the least possible, she found Zach, holding tightly to her hand, as if he were afraid she would disintegrate if he let go.
After her coughing episode, Maddeline had been visited by a doctor, who had kept the information to the very minimum. Shortly after, tired and with an aching body, Maddeline had fallen asleep before being able to ask any more questions. She briefly remembered something about further examination from a nurse, but her mind felt like it had been fragmented and a blank space stood where her memories should. She could not connect the dots between her being in the hospital and what could've had landed her there.
That's when the panic started to set, but somehow, the tight grip Zach had on her helped her to not let herself drown in it.
"Zach," she called, out of breath.
"Yes, love?" He quickly turned his attention from the window to her.
"What happened?" Maddeline enquired quietly, almost afraid of the answer. "I mean, I remember being in Sparkling Red, performing and watching some other perform as well, but then, I can only remember noise, screaming, and after that nothing. Literally nothing, just pure blackness until I woke up here with the six of you staring at me."
Zach looked at her for a few minutes, simply taking in how amazingly beautiful she looked, even in a hospital bed, trying to find the right words to explain what had happened to her.
As the minutes stretched and Zach kept silently staring, Maddeline felt the panic emerge again, the worst thoughts crossing her mind.
"Oh please, tell me I didn't get into another car accident?!" She said, her voice high pitched and her breathing accelerated. "That's why they won't let me stand, isn't it? I really fucked up this time." She rambled, hands snacking violently.
"No, no, no. Calm down love, you did not have a car crash. Breathe with me, calm yourself down and I'll tell you everything." Zach hurried, holding her hands tighter and climbing next to her on the bed.
It was only when Zach deemed Maddeline calm enough that he decided he should explain the situation to her.
"Well, you see, there was an explosion." He started, pulling her closer and rubbing his thumb over her hand soothingly. "You, somehow, got trapped under some debris from a wall. You were unconscious, had been hit in the head with something when it exploded, that's why they want to do some further testing, but the doctor spoke to me and told me there is nothing to worry about, you'll be just as fine as new after a couple of physical therapy sessions. They stitched you up, and nothing is infected, so these exams are just to make sure."
"Okay, okay. Let's back it up a little: explosion? What exploded? Where did it explode?"
"Sparkling Red..." Zach mumbled, hoping it would somehow pass unnoticed by Maddeline.
"Oh God, oh dear, oh fuck. My Sparkling Red?" Maddeline felt rage. "Who would do that to me? Why would they do it?"
"Calm down, love. Everything will be just fine. I'll be here with you, every step of the way." Zach said, kissing her head as he hugged her to his chest.
"What about the people inside? What happened to them?" Tears streamed down Maddeline's face, she felt helpless, stuck in a hospital bed, knowing that her employees, friends and costumers had been subjected to such a terrible, horrible thing.
"Everyone is fine, since most people were closer to either the bar or the stage, and the explosion took place by the door, most made it with a few scratches. You, alongside the guards, were the ones in worst conditions, and all of tou are awake. Everything will be alright." Zach soothed her with his words.

✳️

It was a couple of hours later, when the sun was high and proud in the sky, that a nurse took Maddeline for examination and guaranteed Zach they would try to make it as quick as possible.
When they left, Zach felt the tiredness take over him, all of the adrenaline long gone, and now, Maddeline was safe and in good hands, his body was on the verge of collapsing.
Taking one of the empty couches on the aide of the room, Zach closed his eyes and let darkness take over him, his mind going blank and his body succumbing to relaxation.

✳️

When Maddeline returned to the room, Zach was sleeping soundly, in a weird position that would probably hurt later, but she did not dare wake him up, because the bags under his eyes let her know just how badly he needed it.
The nurse, noticing her staring, couldn't help the smile.
"You know, you have a very dedicated fiancé there, he never left your side.
"The firefighters had a hard time prying you from his arms once he rescued you from the building, and once you got here, he only let us stitch his hands up after making sure you were safe and sound.
"Not everyone can say they have someone like that by their side."
Maddeline stared at the older woman as she fixed the needles on her arm, awestruck at the new information.
"Now rest dear, you need it." The nurse smiled down at her, and then slipped a look at Zach. "And him, keep him!" With that, she left Maddeline to stared at a sleeping Zach.
"He saved me." She mumbled. "He literally saved me."