Dusk & Dawn

Chapter 18

The door reverberated with a forceful bang, causing it to burst open, splintering the hinges and knocking out the men standing behind it. Through blurry eyes, I witnessed a chaotic scene unfold, a kaleidoscope of people being tossed around the room.

"You're a fucking dead man Chris!" Mason's voice growled with seething anger, an intensity that seemed to possess him.
"Oh my God! Quinn, we need to get you out of here, quick!" Lexi's voice rang out, filled with urgency. The men restraining my arms had abandoned me to engage in the brawl. Lexi swiftly cut through the tape binding my legs with a set of keys, supporting my weight as she pulled my arm over her shoulder. My weakened knees buckled under me; I couldn't stand.

Amidst the shattering of glass and the hurling of wooden furniture, fragments of glass whizzed past my face, and a body thudded behind me.

"Guys, I need help. She can't stand," Lexi's voice quivered with worry.

"Quick, let's reach the car before they catch up," Zach's voice came from my left. I was exhausted from the fight, my eyelids too heavy to keep open. My energy had been completely drained.

I could hear everything, but I kept my eyes shut, desperately wishing it was all just a terrible dream. Suddenly, Lexi's presence vanished from under my arm, and I found myself cloaked in a strong, warm embrace. The touch of his skin and his intoxicating scent told me it was Mason. He cradled my back with one arm, while the other supported my knees. I wrapped my arms around his neck, resting my head on his shoulder as he dashed through the rain. The sound of wet gravel crunching beneath us and heavy breathing filled my ears until we reached the car. Mason settled into the backseat, still holding me close. Lexi and Zach swiftly closed their doors, and the car started rolling down the hill before Zach even inserted the key. He floored the accelerator, kicking up rocks behind us, gaining traction as we left the driveway and hit the road.

"Is she okay? Why is she shaking?" Lexi's worried voice rushed from the front seat.

"It's alright, babe. Mason will check her temperature and vitals. The first aid kit is in the glove compartment," Zach's calm voice reassured her. I heard the glove compartment open and shut abruptly. Zach comforted Lexi with soothing words as Mason unzipped the kit and began tearing open plastic packets.

"Thank you," I managed to whisper, leaning against his shoulder. He ran his hand through my hair and gently kissed my forehead.

"I'll always find you," he whispered, his warm breath caressing my wet hair.

With great effort, I opened my tired eyes, meeting Mason's pained gaze. He warned me to be careful, and I had failed him. The pain of disappointing him was almost unbearable. I felt weak and pathetic, and I blamed myself.

I looked down at his chest, unable to meet his eyes, and another tear escaped, cascading down my face.

"I'm... so... sorry," I hoarsely choked out. Mason wiped away my tear with his thumb and shook his head.

"It's not your fault. I should have been there to protect you," he frowned, anger flashing across his beautiful face. I started shaking my head, refusing to let him shoulder the blame. No, he shouldn't blame himself. I was the one who didn't heed his warning. Punish me, not yourself.

He gently pressed his finger against my lips.

"Shh, we can talk later. Right now, you need to rest," he guided my head back to rest on his shoulder, his arms holding me tighter. Placing a thermometer in my mouth, he simultaneously checked my pulse with his index and middle finger pressed against my neck. His hands moved with precision.

My teeth began to chatter uncontrollably, and the tremors spread throughout my body. It felt as if every nerve ending was being electrocuted, and I couldn't stop trembling.

"We need to get her to a hospital, Zach. I think she's been given Flunitrazepam," Mason said, trying to shield my ear.

"What the hell is that? And how do you know?" Zach asked, skepticism lacing his voice.

"They're roofies, idiot. Chris' cousin smuggles them into the country," Mason tightened his hold around my body, rubbing my back to keep me warm.

"Mason... I'm so cold," I whispered, unable to feel my hands or feet, my body continuing to shake in a desperate attempt to generate warmth. With my eyes closed, I heard the sound of a zipper being pulled and sensed Mason shifting beside me. Through slits in my eyes, I saw him taking off his shirt.

"C'mere, baby," he urged, pulling my body close, wrapping me in his embrace. His hands moved up and down my back, while I wound my hand around his waist. I rested my chilled cheek against his bare chest, attuned to the rapid rhythm of his heartbeat.

The car abruptly came to a halt, and everyone swiftly exited as if their lives depended on it. Mason ran with me in his arms through the emergency room doors, with Zach and Lexi jogging close behind.

"We need help. I believe she ingested Flunitrazepam, and her tremors started about ten minutes ago," Mason spoke firmly to the nurse at the reception desk.

"Quick, let's place her on a bed and get her to the doctors immediately," the nurse hurriedly responded, emerging from behind the desk. Mason gently laid me down on the bed, squeezing my hand. They all followed as the nurse wheeled me through the long, fluorescent-lit hallways.

"Let's get you out of these wet clothes, darling," the nurse said, tugging at my glove.

"No, no, no! Lexi?! Don't let him see. Don't let Mason see!" I cried, flailing my arms about. The nurse halted the wheelchair, allowing Lexi to calm me down.

"Don't worry, Quinnie. I won't," Lexi assured, placing her hand reassuringly on my shoulder.

"Can we do this once she's with the doctor? She's uncomfortable with certain parts of her body being exposed," Lexi explained in a hushed tone to the nurse. We resumed our hurried pace down the hallway. I clutched my hands to my chest, trembling profusely.

"As you wish. Now, are all of you family?" the nurse inquired, her voice rushed. Zach put his hands in his pockets and shook his head.

"Well, uh, no, but we're... her friends," Mason tried to reason with her. The nurse waved her hand dismissively.

"Sorry, only family members can accompany patients in critical condition. You'll have to wait out here," she quickly replied, pushing the bed through the doors toward the doctors.

"Wait! I'm her sister, I'm coming!" Lexi called out, running to catch up. Though not related by blood, I would gladly accept Lexi as my family. At that moment, lying on the stiff hospital bed, gazing up at the bright lights, shivering uncontrollably, I felt grateful for Lexi—for all my friends.

As I was wheeled through the emergency doors, the last thing I saw were Mason's eyes filled with worry and, perhaps, tears? I reached out my arm toward him, the room swirling with colours and spinning in my vision.

Large tears streamed down my face, dampening the hospital linen as I whispered Mason's name. Clutching my dog tag tightly around my neck, the bed continued to roll down the corridor, its metal wheels clacking over every imperfection in the linoleum.

Suddenly, a warm hand grasped mine, and soft lips brushed against mine.

"Hold on... You're going to make it..."