When Worlds Collide

Chapter 15

*ELI'S POV*

     I awoke in a hospital bed. Again. I heard the familiar beeping of a heart monitor in my ear. For a minute, I wondered if I'd just dreamed everything. But then I saw Anna mext to me, sitting in a chair, wide awake and clutching my hand. She perked up when I squeezed her hand gently. She smiled, which was something I'd never seen her do before, and it made me happy to witness. "Hey," I croaked out.
     "You're awake. I'm glad. I... I thought you might not get up... That you would flatline..." I smiled softly.
     "Don't worry, that won't happen. You won't lose me, I promise. I'm staying."
     "Eli?"
     "Yeah?"
     "What happened to your reputation? You know, the player, the bad boy, the rebel? What happened?" I took a deep breath, hesitant to explain.
     "Well, you kind of got rid of it. In a good way, though," I interjected upon seeing the scared look on her face. "When Alex was... attacking you... I didn't think anyone else would jump in. People generally walk by someone in that situation. They don't want to get involved. I saw you, and didn't think. I had to help you. Because I wanted someone to do that for my sister, but... nobody did... and she's gone now..." I trailed off, my mind drifting to thoughts of Scarlet.
     "Eli, stop worrying!" She brushed me off, walking through the mall. I jogged to catch up.
     "I'm your brother. It's my job to worry." She laughed.
     "You're doing an amazing job of it. But I already told you, I fell down the stairs at school."
     "Twelve times? Scarlet, those bruises and cuts don't come from falling down stairs. They come from abuse or fights. Are you getting into fights?!" She stopped suddenly, turning to face me.
     "What the hell, Eli? No, I'm not getting into fights! What makes you think that?"
     "Then are you going through abuse? Because that's the only other thing that could explain this."
     "Just drop it."
     "But Scar-"
     "I SAID DROP IT!"
     I looked down at my hands, guilty that I couldn't help my sister. Anna laced her fingers through mine. "Eli, I'm so sorry for your loss. But I know she would be proud of you for helping me many times.