Illuminate

Chapter 12- Colton

After my mom had told us the scary news about Eva's condition, all we could do then was wait. And wait. And wait some more. I was getting a million texts from people, asking what had happened and if everything was okay, but I didn't respond. The answer to their questions scared me. I didn't know if Eva was okay. She may not be. My dad looked at the medical paperwork. My mom read through the notes on Eva's condition. Austin was texting Owen, he was on his way back from the airport, it was good he had not boarded his flight back to California yet. But, I just sat there, thinking of every possible outcome in this situation, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I hated the unknown, it always drove me insane.

"Hey, everyone," a familiar voice said. I turned around and saw my Grandma and Grandpa Simone. They had bags from Subway in their hands. My mom and dad got up right away and hugged them for quite a while. My mom was still very fragile, as were all of us.

"Thank you guys for the food," my mom appreciated.

"No problem, how is she doing?" Gram asked.

"Well, I already told you what happened and what they told me. We really don't know anything past the basics," she replied.

"Josh and Hadley are trying to get here but the traffic is terrible and Clayton and Elle are sending prayers from college," Grandpa explained.

"Good. She needs all the prayers she can get," my dad stated. Gram started passing out the subs, but I politely declined.

"Honey, you need to eat," Gram coaxed.

"I'm not hungry, thank you though," I said kindly but firmly.

"Colt, you didn't eat lunch and you lifted today, of course, you're hungry, please just eat okay?" my mom pleaded.

"Mom, if Eva can't eat, then I don't eat. So, no. I'm not hungry. I don't want to eat, just leave me alone!" I snapped. I got up from my chair and walked off before either of my parents could reprimand me. I walked outside and sat on a bench and just cried. I cried and cried like a little baby. I didn't care that there were a ton of people passing or that I was literally heave crying. My little sister, my only sister, may not make it. Those words were some of the only ones that truly terrified me. If she died, I didn't know what I would do with myself. I would KILL Blake. It's his fault she's in there fighting for her life.

As I continued to cry, I eventually felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up and saw my Dad. He sat down next to me and took me into his arms.

"Colton, look at me," he instructed and I did. "I think we are forgetting this is Eva. She's going to pull through, she's tough and strong and never gives up," my dad encouraged. "She wouldn't want us to be sad, okay?"

"Dad, I just can't imagine life without her," I whispered honestly. "She's my baby sister and I warned her about Blake so many times and I even confronted him about being careful with her. And then this happens and her life is at risk. I swear Dad, we all trusted him."

"I know, but to be honest, we still don't know for sure if it was Blake driving the car. Mom tried called Ms. Heffner but there was no answer. If Eva is awake by the morning, the police will question her and find out the whole story," my dad explained.

"If she wakes up," I mumbled.

"Colton, that's enough of that, okay? She's going to wake up and she's going to push through. Now, take a minute and catch your breath. Then come back inside, Owen is here," he instructed and I nodded. "Good, I'll see you soon." He stood up and started to walk back into the building. I took a few deep breaths and started my way back into the hospital. As I expected, Owen was waiting. I hugged him silently and sat down next to my mom, who wasn't saying anything. I realized she had not eaten anything either, even though she was hounding me about it. Maybe it was my fault, maybe I made her feel bad about eating. I took a sub from the bag, unwrapped it and started taking small bites of it. My dad looked at me and gave me a faint smile and a nod.