The Only Exception

Part #10

It's already almost dusk and I'm sitting on the windowsill watching the sunset. I hear stirring from the bed and whip my head back hoping to see Nai's open eyes and his smiling face. Instead I find Mitzi and Bridget fixing their "bed" on the floor to go to sleep. I turn back to the window and stare blankly trying not to cry again. Mitzi mumbles a goodnight before burying herself and Bridget in the blankets.

I jolt awake from my nightmare and realize I fell asleep on the windowsill. I drowsily get up and climb into the bed next to Nai. I pull him close and nuzzle my face into his hair. 'He's so cold.' I think to myself and pull him closer. My eyes snap open when I feel him weakly wrap his skinny arms around me. "Nai!" I pull back enough to study his face. His face looks still and peaceful but his breathing is ragged and he is twitching slightly. "Mitzi!" I gently remove Nai from me and shake Mitzi awake. "What is wrong with you?!" Mitzi screams at me. "Nai is starting to be awake he's twitching and his breathing is weird but his face is totally calm like he's still sleeping!" Mitzi jumps up and rushes to the side of the bed. She studies Nai for a moment and smiles the biggest smile I've ever seen. "He's going to be okay!" We both start crying tears of joy and jump up and down in pure joy.

Me and Mitzi take turns sitting vigil and watching over Nai throughout the night. Finally morning rays stream through the window and warm up the whole place. Nai hasn't stirred since last night and just as I'm about to go back to sleep he stirs again. He reaches out and makes a strange face. His mouth moves like he's trying to form words but nothing comes out. His eyebrows furrow and he starts to shake. I take his hand and pull him into my lap. He grasps onto my shirt for dear life and buries his head into the crook of my neck. I rest my chin on the top of his head and rub tiny meaningless shapes on his back with my finger. I can tell he's not fully awake because he goes limp again and his face goes back to the still peaceful expression after a minute or so. Maybe this means he'll wake up for good soon.