Her Escape, His Safe Haven

Chapter 43- I Can't...

Eli's POV

"She squeezed my hand!" Dad and I shot our heads up to the girls just in time to see Athena's eyes roll back as she collapsed to the ground.

"Athena!" I shot out of my seat to grab her. Dad raced on his crutches to press the nurse call button.

"Deliah?" He called. No reply. I looked up and saw him caress her beautiful face. 

After just a moment a few nurses and a doctor rushes into the room. "What happened?" One of them asked crouching down to examine my girl.

"I don't know. She was sitting there talking to Deliah when she jumped up saying that D squeezed her hand. I look up and she just fell." I recounted frantically. 

"We need a gurney please." Another nurse shouted out into the hall. Quickly two more people rushed in, bringing a gurney with them. I carefully picked Athena up and laid her gently on the bed. They wheeled her out to another room. 

"Is she awake?" I asked dad who just shook his head with a sad look in his eyes. He's just as torn as I am. "You stay. I'll go." I answered and he nodded with a small smile. 

Our girls. 

I ran after the team of people that took Athena. I found them as the entered a different room just outside of the ICU. 

I walked into the room as they examined her. I watched as they hooked her up to a heart monitor and put an oxygen mask over her beautiful face. I watched as they drew blood from her pale arm. I watched as took her blood pressure. I watched as their movements blurred in front of me until they all left the room. I looked over at Athena to see they took of the oxygen mask and replaced it with the little tube thing that goes in your nose. She had also been changed into a hospital gown.

My heart was pounding in my ears as I flashed back to the other times I've seen her in a hospital bed. 

What is going on? Why is all of this happening? I can't lose them. 

I can't even grab the only source of comfort I've had in the last couple weeks. She's been so incredible with me and dad lately. She's been so supportive. Always making sure we eat and take care of ourselves.

Oh god. 

I didn't do the same for her. I figured if she was making us eat and sleep, she was doing it herself.

I pulled out my phone and called dad who was just down the hall. He didn't answer instead he showed up right next to me hobbling a little unsteadily with the use of the crutches.

"Did you check to see if she's been eating or anything?" I asked with tears in my eyes.

A look of realization crossed his face and he shook his head "No." He whispered and I feel like I could literally see the moment his heart broke. He's blaming himself, just as I am blaming myself. 

"We didn't take care of her. She's been so strong and we didn't take care of her dad." I fell into his chest as large tears made their tracks down my face. 

"What did the doctor say?" He asked as he held me.

"They are running some tests. I don't know." I looked up "How's D?" 

"Better actually." He said with a real smile. "She started breathing over the tube so they extubated her. She's still not awake, but that's a really good sign. She could wake up anytime now." I smiled for my sister, as my heart was breaking for the girl I love.

"Go back. She can't wake up alone." He nodded.

"Keep me updated." I nodded and he left the room.