Winter's Peril

Chapter 15

Sometimes new beginnings don't bring happy endings. Louis had always looked for the silver linings in any situation he was in. He thought that life wouldn't be able to throw anything worse at him yet here he was, sitting in a hard chair watching Harry lay unconscious on a hospital bed.

The chair had already become uncomfortable but he didn't care anymore. It could never match the pain he felt in his heart. Louis sat curled up in the small seat, resting his head in the palm of his hand. It had been many a few days since they had gotten here. They had already operated on him and managed to get some of the bullet out of him. Luckily, it had avoided his spine by a few centimetres and didn't take long to remove. Unfortunately, his body had gone into shock and he wasn't waking up. He still had a heartbeat and could breathe which was good.

As much as he tried not to, he couldn't stop thinking about the things that had happened. Louis couldn't believe that Verlee would betray him. It made him think of who he could actually trust around him.

Many nurses and doctors walked past the room they were in. It had been two days and he wanted someone to tell him some good news.

However, the two days he had to himself gave him enough time to think about what he wanted to do. Louis didn't know what was left for him in this town. Ever since he arrived, his life had gone downhill.

Louis hadn't properly stopped crying. He hadn't even gone home yet. Luckily, the nurses were kind enough to let him stay. His mind never seemed to stop thinking and it frustrated him.

Louis felt completely drained. The only thing that kept him together was the fact that Harry was still alive. At least one part of his life was okay.

His stomach grumbled for the third time that day but he ignored it. He hadn't eaten once over the two days.

"You should eat something," he heard a voice say.

He lifted his head from where he rested it and turned to look at the bed.

Harry lay with his eyes closed and his left hand over his stomach. The IV line was still connected to his hand. His breathing had evened out and his eyes flickered open to stare at the ceiling above him.

"I don't feel like it," he replied before turning back to his original position. Harry took in an uncomfortable breath, wincing at the pain in his abdomen. He glanced at Harry's shifting body. "Are you okay?"

"I could be better," Harry answered with a groan.

Louis sighed, closing his eyes for a second. Eventually, he got out of his seat and took a seat on Harry's bed. His body ached from being in such a cramped up position.

At first, he couldn't look into his eyes. For some reason, he felt guilty for what happened to Harry.

"I'm sorry," Louis whispered.

Harry's eyebrows furrowed minutely as he stared at Louis. "Why?"

When he met eyes with Harry he took in a deep breath. "For letting this happen to you."

Harry frowned. "It would have been me or you Louis."

Louis hesitantly snaked a hand towards Harry's and gently squeezed it. "It would have been better if it was me."

"Louis!" Harry replied. He sounded surprised by his answer.

"You shouldn't have gotten involved with my problems. You shouldn't be here," Louis muttered.

"No Louis, I don't regret helping you," he sighed.

He glanced over at Harry with guilt in his eyes. No matter what, he would always feel responsible for what happened. "You're hurt because of me."