The Stoic And The Beast

Live To Fight Another Day

Jake's  POV

I spent several hours cooling off by hitting some baseballs at the batting cages until the place closed. Then I drove around town in circles until the wee hours of the morning. Eventually pulling into my driveway once my eyes became too heavy to keep driving. I sat there in my car for a while staring at that checklist I had made months ago right after I met Alicia.
While staring down at the barely legible scribble, I realized that I knew all along how much she meant to me right from the beginning. I wasn't prepared to lose her because of some small disagreement. I wanted to go to her and apologize. No matter who was right or who was wrong. I'd gladly take the blame for our fight. If it meant she would take me back. It was around 3:00 AM when I went inside my dark and empty home.

Alicia and Luke were not anywhere to be found. I assumed they would have been sleeping at my house since they couldn't go back to Luke's or Alicia's old house. I knew that by now Luke would have calmed Alicia down and brought her home even if they didn't stay after I left in my car. I felt a little uneasy when I entered my house. I looked around for them even though Alicia's car wasn't parked in the driveway. When I didn't find either of them somewhere in my home, I called Luke. His phone went straight to voicemail. So I ended the call and dialed Alicia's phone. It rang and rang but there was no answer there either.

I poured myself a glass of Crown Royal and perched myself on a stool at my breakfast counter. Drumming my fingers on the wood top and sipping my drink, I thought about where they might be. I decided it was best to go to sleep. They would probably be back in the morning. I would be able to properly apologize to Alicia when she got back. I downed the rest of my Crown and went upstairs. Sleep took hold of me as soon as my head hit the pillow.

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Alicia's POV

I opened my heavy eyes after blinking a few times. I heard the soft beeping of a machine nearby in the darkness surrounding me. I scanned my eyes around trying to find something in the darkness that I could recognize. I realized that I was laying in a hospital bed quickly. It was hard to turn my head. Something was wrapped tightly around my neck. I reached my hands up to loosen its grip on my throat. When I moved I heard Luke mumble before his head shot up from the bed.

"Alicia, your awake." He said with relief in his tone.

"L..."

I tried to speak but it hurt and I produced nothing audible. I shook my head and looked at him with wide eyes. I decided the bandages were too tight preventing me from speaking so I tried to pull them away.

"No. Alicia, don't take them off. They aren't supposed to come off. The doctor told me you may not be able to talk for a few days. Don't worry. Just rest." He explained calmly.

I nodded my head and pointed at the lamp. Silently asking him to turn on the lights. I didn't like the darkness.

"You want the lights on?" He asked.

I nodded yes.

"Okay love." He said as he stood up and pushed the light switch.

When the lights flickered on my eyes were temporarily blinded. I squinted and covered my eyes. Slowly blinking them back open as they adjusted to the brightness.

"How are you feeling? Are you in any pain?"

I nodded yes while pointing at my throat.

"Let me call the nurse," Luke said as he pressed the button next to my bed.

"Nurses station." Somebody answered through the small intercom box.

"Yes hi, Alicia has just woke up and she's indicating that she's in pain from her surgery."