Feelings and friendship

Chapter fourteen

The last thing I heard was a big bang and the last thing I felt was Buddy shiver. When I came to, I was laying in the hospital. At least, the beeps sounded very hospital-ish as I tried to refocus my sight. When I could see clearly, I saw officer Maxwell sitting in the chair next to my bed. He smiled at me. His smile was the most beautiful and above all, sincere thing I've seen in what felt like ages. There was a genuine hint of concern in his eyes to match that sincerity.

"Hi, glad you're up. I was afraid for a moment, you've been through a lot. How are you feeling?" he said with the most compassionate voice.
"Hi, uhm, not sure. Where is Buddy? What happened? Where am I?" I said panicking while looking down, unsure if I was dressed or not. I realized I was dressed in regular hospital gear and let out a sigh of relief because I was butt naked before and didn't want to converse while my tits were out.
"Easy, miss..." he said as it registered to him that he didn't know my name.
"Aria" I said.
"Miss Aria" he repeated. "Just Aria, is fine" I said. "Okay, just Aria" he said and I chuckled. He smiled and looked at me with what I thought were pitiful eyes. It kinda rubbed me the wrong way.
"You don't have to pity me, you know. I'm fine." I said slightly irritated. "I don't pity you at all. I don't know how you did it but being an object of obsession for so long and still make it out alive is actually admirable. Now, I don't know the details and even though it's my job to ask, I didn't want to pressure you into talking about it because it must've been hard. That's what that look was. But I apologize if I made you feel some type of way" he said. The way he talks to me is like hearing a familiar melody to the beating of my heart for the first time but I shrugged it off. Not putting myself in another Buddy situation any time soon. "I'm okay talking about it" I finally said. I gave him a quick rundown of the events leading to a couple of hours ago and the backstory provided by Buddy.

"I can't imagine what was going through your mind. He was your best friend." He said with shock and a hint of anger in his voice. "Yes, he was... as a matter of fact, where is he now? What happened after I blacked out?" I asked.
"Well, we took Buddy into custody and his mother is in intensive care a couple of floors down" I sat up immediately. "She's cuffed and there are two of the finest police officers guarding her door. You don't have to be worried. Besides, I'm here. She's not going to hurt you, neither is Buddy." I relaxed a little. "You can't stay here forever and even your 'fine officers' need a break... What if she tricks them into thinking that she has to pee and runs off to finish me off?" I said in slight panic mode. "She won't, we are in a secluded area in the hospital and I'll be here as long as it takes for you to feel safe." he said calmly. "With all due respect, I think you have more important things to do than babysitting a grown woman" I said fidgeting with my blanket and avoiding eye contact. He stayed quiet. I hesitantly looked at him. "Are you done panicking? I'll stay here as long as it takes." He said while crossing his legs and positioning himself more comfortably in his chair. "Why? And don't say 'its your job' because I find it hard to believe" I said. "No, I'll be here because I want to" "But why... You don't know me and I'm not a charity case, I can take care of myself" I said. "You're not a charity case Miss Aria..." "Its just Aria" I interrupted "Aria, but I'm one to follow my intuition. That's what made me the police officer I am today, so that's what I'll do. My intuition says to not leave you alone... So here I am. Unless you want me to leave. I would... Just say the word" he said as he stood up. "No, I guess you can stay" I whispered. "I'm sorry? Couldn't hear your whispers over the bleeping" he said with a sly smile. "You can stay" I said while rolling my eyes. He grabbed a magazine as I turned on the TV. The news was on and I heard them talk about Buddy and Amina. "The young man and his mother remain in custody as the only surviving victim is hospitalized after being tortured for a couple of days straight. Our prayers are with her as she recovers and with the family of the victims who weren't so lucky. Mike, from in front of the hospital back to you."
Really? I'm lucky? What a fucking insensitive bitch. "What a twat!" He said as if he read my mind.

At that moment, he got a phone call. "Maxwell here... Yes, I'm here at the hospital. Wait... Hold up, what?! I'll step outside for a second" I saw a second of concern, which he tried to mask with a smile holding up a finger, letting me know he'll be right back. I saw from his body language that he was mad about something he's being told. I stepped off my bed to get closer and eaves drop on him, this must be about me or Buddy. I didn't anticipate how weak I would be getting up, my knees buckled and I sat back down just in time. I heard the door open and I was about to ask Maxwell what the hell was going on and demand him to be honest with me. "Hi, sweet Aria" The familiar voice made the hair on the back my neck stand up. I was paralyzed by fear. Is my mind playing tricks on me? Maxwell promised he would be here to protect me. I gripped the side bars of the hospital bed and looked around for weapons to defend myself without looking back. "Dearest Aria, turn around and look at me." The voice made my every muscle in my body tense up. "LOOK AT ME" it yelled. I turned around to see Maxwell lying unconscious on the floor and to face my worst nightmare. I knew she would find me. Fuck.