Survivor

Chapter 10

We make it my room, and I see my parents still asleep. "Nothing has changed. I'm still in a coma."

"Yes. If you wouldn't, you weren't be standing here next to me."

I look up at him, "Good point." I give him a gentle nudge in the side with my elbow. "I'm glad Vikki seems to be doing well, and is thinking of me."

"Yes, me too. Her parents want to see you, as well. I'm really glad they're thinking of you, too, and don't see too upset."

I look up at him, "Me, too, but upset about what?"

His face changes, "Upset at the situation, that's all. I mean they worry for both of you, and not just for their own."

I squint one eye, 'He's hiding something from me again. I can feel it.' I say to myself. "Yes, that does makes sense, I suppose. I am glad for that."

"Let's go check in on your parents," he says grabbing onto my shoulder. We walk into the room and see my parents still asleep on the bed. Out of the corner of my eye I see something move beside me on my bed. I look over and it moves again.

"Sophia?" My calico kitty is sleeping beside my feet. "When did she get here?"

"You're father brought her here over night. He didn't care what anyone said; he just wanted to make you happy." His eyes begin to tear up, and so do mine.

"He brought my cat here. Can't he get into trouble for that?"

"Probably, but it shows he loves you."

I smile, and see movement coming from the bed. My mom is stirring awake, stretches, and makes a half scream when she sees Sophia on my bed. Dad jumps up, "What? What? What is it, dear?"

She smacks him, "What did you do?"

He shrugs, "What? I wanted her to have a little piece of home. You know it will make her happy when she wakes up."

"Yes, it will. Thank you." She leans in, and gives him a gentle kiss.

"See, you say they didn't love you, but yet here they are trying to make you happy. They brought your cat here just for you. You can't get any more love then that."

My mouth is open in shock; I can't speak. "I know they love me. I just wish they showed it better that's all."

He points to the bed and to my parents, "And this doesn't?! They've brought your cat to you, to a hospital which is against the rules. What more can you want?"

I take in a deep breath, "They are good at putting on a show for others, but for me ... not so much. I go to school, I come home, do chores, help with dinner, and then maybe more chores. It feels like I never have time for my homework; I always did it right before bed. If I forgot something, they would get upset with me. Which made me feel very uncomfortable and not very good about myself."

From the look on his face, I think I made him feel uncomfortable. "That's terrible. I had no idea." He pauses for a moment, thinking. "It couldn't have been that bad? You're growing up, becoming a young lady. Maybe they're thinking it's time to learn simple tasks around the house. So, if one day you do move out you'll know how to do those tasks. Does that make sense?"

I think about that for a moment. "Yes, I suppose you're right. It would be nice to have some help, so it doesn't feel like I'm failing school or struggling to keep up. Trust me, I want to help, but I want to have time for school, too."

"Have you told your parents that?"

I look over at them with sad eyes. "No, I haven't, not yet. We don't talk much."

"Maybe it's time that you do. It has to start somewhere, with someone."

I take a step closer, "You know, you're right. They may not be happy but I have to try."

He smiles and nods, "That's a girl."

Everything begins to darken, "Jake!" I look down at my hands, and they're blurry. I look back at Jake, and he's blurry, too. Everything is getting darker and darker, and becoming more blurrier and blurrier. "Jake! What's happening?" He's disappearing, and it's becoming more dark. I'm breathing real hard until everything is completely pitch black and Jake is completely gone.

I hear beeping close by, and small, low voices all around me. I'm too scared to open my eyes, too, confused at what just happened. Before I have time to open my eyes I hear a female shout, "Go, get the nurse! Hurry!"

Everything is still as my eyes flash wide open, and I fling forward. I shout out one name, "Jake!" Everyone looks at me, and I pass back out.