Mattie curled up on one of the chairs after the staff moved a sleeping Jordan to a room. It hadn't taken them long to determine he was suffering the side effects to poisoning nor that had he been exposed longer his airway would have been compromised.
Wrapped in a blanket Mattie sat on her laptop reading the latest reports that Aiden sent over pertaining to the fires including todays most recent ones. Mattie studied one photo in particular when a copy of another note appeared .Same words same distinctive scrawl the only difference was that there were no streets listed and beside coward the word dead appeared in large red block letters beside another crooked crown
Jordan could hear the faint beeping but couldn't figure out what or where it was. He slowly opened his eyes to discover it was several machines next to him beeping. His eyes followed the lines from the machine to his chest where they were connected by small electrodes. Jordan glanced around, confused as he wondered where he was. His throat was dry scratchy and sore and his chest hurt when he took a deep breath.
"What the fuck? Where am I and why am I here?" Jordan demanded hoarsely attempting to get up but his body felt incredibly heavy.
Mattie heard Jordan's movements as he spoke. Picking up the pitcher of water and a cup off the tray Mattie poured him some , opened the straw beside it and slipped it into the cup before getting out of the chair and walking to stand beside the hospital bed.
Pressing the straw to his lips Mattie waited for Jordan to take a sip before speaking
"You're in the hospital. Don't talk too much they said your throat would be sore "
"What the fuck happened?" Jordan asked as he took a big gulp of the ice cold water.
"The fertilizer and poison ivy fumes got into your lungs. From the ally and botanical garden fire. That's why they kept you and why you were having a hard time breathing" Mattie explained quietly
"Did anyone get hurt? Did we prevent that?" He asked desperate to know if they had made a difference. The events were in scattered pieces in his mind that he was trying to figure out and put together.
"They're still working through everything and they're still onscene .So far there have been no reports of fatalities. Several fireman and first responders were treated for breathing issues on scene but nothing significant "Matte explained hoping it would be enough to get Jordan to settle down and rest
Did the crew find anything?"
"Nothing that Aiden can't handle.You're supposed to be resting " Mattie explained as she decided not to tell Jordan about the second note until he was feeling better. He still looked pale and his lips still showed a slight blue tinge .She refused to upset him fearing it would delay his recovery.
Do you have the note with you? I'd like to study it"
"What note?" Mattie replied confused.
"The note that had all the street names on it. Please don't tell me it burned at the park fire"
"Aiden has it for comparison of any others that may show up" Mattie told him honestly
"Has another one come in?" Jordan asked as he shifted himself more comfortably on the bed
"No " Mattie replied softly as she offered him more ice water
Jordan took the water and drank a little before sitting it on the table. "I-I... I want to thank you Mattie. You didn't have to stay here with me. You're free to go home if you want." Jordan stammered shyly
Mattie absently pulled the covers up higher over Jordan's chest before answering .Looking up at the monitors Jordan was still hooked up to Mattie answered softly
"You asked me earlier to not leave your side, As long as you need and want me here with you I'm here "
Jordan took her hand in his softly. He slowly brought it to his lips and kissed the top of it. He looked up at her face with a slight grin on his face the revealed the slight indentation of his dimples. "I really appreciate everything you've done for me. For last night and for everything since you've started working for my company. I'll send in the paperwork to make sure you become a full time employee with full benefits."
Unable to make eye contact Mattie stared at their joined hands "Th-th-thank you. I-I n-ned to st-step out for a minute if that's okay?"
Not waiting for Jordan's answer Mattie gently pulled her hand free and was out the door within seconds, almost tripping over Lisa as she entered Jordan's room
"How are you feeling Mr Knight ? "Lisa asked cheerily
"Look Lisa you need to chill out with that happy shit. I've got too much on my mind to deal with that." Jordan snapped before going into a coughing fit.
"Fine Mr Grumpy How's your pain level ? Any at all is that just your sparkling personality ?
"My chest hurts but I think it's from coughing and I'd appreciate if you'd call me by my name, Mr. Knight
Lisa rolled her eyes "Anything else you need MR Knight ? If not I'll be back in a little while to change out your bag "
"I don't need anything else. Send Mattie back in if she's outside"
Lisa motioned to Mattie as she stood at the computer notating Jordan's chart
"Mrs Knight I think your husband is looking for you "
YOU ARE READING
Rise(COMPLETED )
FanfictionMoving to a large city from a small midwestern town Matilda (Mattie) Leman is away from her overprotective family for the first time with the paid internship of a lifetime that is until she meets her elusive and obnoxious boss Not sure if she can...
