Sketch

Chapter 7

"You got lucky," the doctor smiled, "The bullet just grazed you."

I heard Devon let out a sigh from beside me and I held back a laugh. The doctor wrapped up the wound and I hopped down from my hospital bed.

"You were very brave," The nurse smiled at me.

"Nah. I just didn't feel like handing over my microwave," I joked half-heartedly. I still felt awful about the man. The words he had said had echoed through my skull all night.

I just wanted to feed my daughter.

Where was the poor little girl? Was she all alone now because of me? What if she was sick?

"Nat?" Devon called through my thoughts, resting his hand gently on my elbow. "Are you alright?"

"Huh? Yeah," I answered quietly. Devon frowned, obviously unconvinced, but didn't say another word. He lead me out to his car and helped me in, sliding into the drivers side after closing my door. He pulled out of the parking lot and turned left, driving down a narrow street. I looked back and frowned.

"You're aware that you needed to turn right, right? You passed my street," I said.

"I know," Devon said quietly.

"So... where does this mean you're taking me?" I inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"My house of course," He smirked.

"And why?" I asked, still confused.

"There's no way I'm letting you out of my sight," He said plainly.

"Shouldn't you consult me about this?" I sighed.

"I probably should," He pointed, "But I won't. You're staying at my house tonight. You get no say."

"Great," I huffed. "Thanks for letting me know."

"You're welcome," Devon smirked.

"You're very demanding, you know that?" I sighed and looked out the passenger side window.

"So I've been told," He smiled as he pulled into his driveway. He opened my door for me and held his hand out to me, which I declined.

"Devon, I was only grazed. I'm not crippled," I snorted.

"Yeah. Only grazed," He sighed.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I snapped.

"I heard you're voice over the phone," He frowned down at me, "I know you're upset."

"I am not upset," I snarled.

"Oh, yes you are," Devon stated matter-of-factly.

"Whatever," I groaned. "Can we go inside now? I just want to sleep."

"Sure," Devon said lightly. I followed him into the house, walking on my tip toes. Devon had said that his mom was asleep. I listened to my surroundings and a if on cue, the living room light clicked on.

"Devon Santino Foster! Where on Earth have you been?" Ms. Foster shouted.

"Ma, I had to go pick up Natalia," He sighed.

"Without telling me?" She frowned.

"Yes," He huffed, "It was urgent."

"What was so urgent that you could't tell me where you were going?" She snapped.

"Natalia was shot," He shrugged.

"What!?" Ms. Foster gasped, jumping to her feet and running over to me. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," I smiled, shooting a glare at Devon. "It was just a graze."

"What happened?" She asked. She led me over to the couch and I sat down beside her, clasping and unclasping my hands in my lap. I told her the whole story, leaving out a few parts that I hadn't left out for Devon. When I was finished, she wrapped her arms around me and patted my back.

"You can stay here any time you need," She smiled.

"Thank you Ms. Foster," I smiled back.

"Please dear," She laughed, "Call me Liliana."

I gave her a quick nod and she opened her mouth to speak again but quickly closed it, obviously wanting to ask me something. Devon tapped me on the shoulder and pointed towards his room and Liliana and I exchanged good nights.

"You take the bed, I'll take the floor," Devon said, pulling some pillows of his bed.

"No way!" I protested.

"You think sleeping on the floor is gonna help your arm?" He asked.

"Oh please. It's no big deal! I told you I was fine!" I huffed.

"You're arm may be okay but you're not fine," He sighed, "That much is obvious."

I bite the inside of my lip and frowned. "I told you Devon. I'm okay."

"Yeah," He snorted. "Sure."

He threw his pillows and a blanket down on the floor and made himself a hasty pallet while I curled up in his bed; my only wish in the world was to sleep for days. But every time I closed my eyes I saw the image of a little girl, all alone on the streets, waiting for her daddy to come home. Not only was it my fault that she was in this position, but I had found myself in the same position before and I knew how it felt. I would never wish that upon anyone.

I clutched my fists and dug my nails into my palm, trying to use the pain to distract myself from the little girl. I dug my nails in harder every time I thought of the girl, eventually resulting in my palm bleeding. I let out a quiet whimper then quickly covered my mouth with my hand.

"Nat?" Devon called quietly. I closed my eyes and took slow breathes, pretending to be asleep.

"I know you're awake Natalia," He sighed.

"What about it?" I growled, my voice wavering. I heard the sheets on the floor rustle and a weight lay down beside me. Devon turned me to face him and wrapped his arm around my side.

"It's okay," He said quietly.

"It's all my fault," I whispered, my voice cracking.

"No, It's not," He reassured and pulled my closer to him. I balled my fists in his shirt and buried my face in his chest, crying softly. I very, very rarely cried, let alone let anyone see me cry but I couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Shhh," Devon cooed, running his hand down my back. "It's okay."

"She's all alone," I choked. "Just like I was."

"Well," Devon said quietly, "You're not alone anymore."

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I'm trying to update as much as possible. School is making it difficult but I'm dealing.

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