i'm tired of feeling comatose {raven's song: book two}

twenty six • hellscape

Chris's POV

I hadn't heard from Raven in days. I'd texted her multiple times daily but she never answered.

"What if she's dead, what if Abby's dead?" I stress to the guys, pacing through the kitchen.

"Maybe she's just busy with the baby," Ricky suggested.

"Did you two get in an argument?" Balz asked.

"Yeah, like three weeks before I left!" I retort.

"Maybe she's still salty," Vinny says.

I shake my head. "No, we talked it out."

"I can call her," Ghost offered.

I nod. "Thank you."

•     •     •     •     •

Ghost's POV

I dialed Raven's number and waited. I hoped she answered because we were all worried about her and Abigail.

The guys were all crowded around me in the living room, waiting to see what would happen.

"Hello?"

I breathed a sigh of relief when she picked up. "Why haven't you been answering Chris? He's worried sick!"

I saw Chris smile, but that quickly turned into frustration. I would be mad, too, if my fiancee/baby momma ignored me for days.

"I've been busy, and my minutes got turned off," she said.

"Raven, I know that's a lie. You and Chris have the same plan and his didn't get turned off. Tell me the truth."

"Devin, I don't want to talk about it."

"You need too! Chris has been pacing this bus nonstop for the past four days!" I exclaim.

"Can I talk to her?" Chris whispers.

I nod and hand him the phone.

"Raven, it's me."

He's silent for a moment before saying, "why didn't you tell me that? Or answer my messages?"

Silence for another few moments.

"Okay, Raven, whatever. I'll be home on Tuesday. Yeah, love you too, bye."

"What happened?" Balz questions as soon as he hangs up.

He rolls his eyes. "Says she's been stressed and hasn't been on her phone. I don't buy it, but I'm not gonna sit there and argue with her."

I shrug. "Maybe she's being honest. Kylie and the girls left a week ago, right about the time when Raven stopped texting. She's taking care of a three month old all by herself. Would any of you guys have the time to be on your phones if you were taking care of a child?"

"He has a point," Ricky agrees. "Give her time. Go home on Tuesday, take her out on Wednesday. Jaime and I can watch the baby."

Chris smiles. "Thank you, guys. I don't know where I'd be without you all."

•     •     •     •     •

Raven's POV

"Abby, stop crying!" I groan as I rock her back and forth.

I was trying to make dinner and quiet this baby down at the same time. I looked like one of those overloaded mom's on t.v.

She finally quiets down and grabs onto my hair. I continue stirring my spaghetti sauce as she pulls on my black and white locks.

My phone starts buzzing and I see an incoming FaceTime from Chris. Great; now he can see that I've been telling the truth about being overloaded.

"What's up," I say once I answer it.

"Hey, love. Hey, Abby!"

I smile and face the phone so he can see his daughter better. "Say hi to daddy."

He smiles. "Daddy, hmm?"

"You're nasty, Chris," I reply jokingly.

"I know. How's everything going?"

"Pretty good." I continue stirring my food. "Abigail's been sleeping better and better. She only gets up once or twice in the night."

"How's it going with you?"

"I'm exhausted," I admit. "Between taking care of her at every living and breathing moment and trying to take care of myself ...  I'm so tired."

"I'll be home in five days. I'm sorry I left."

"You had too," I say. "I understand."

"I left you there in a hellscape."

I shrug. "That's the cost at being parents."

Abigail was finally asleep in my arms. I grabbed my phone so Chris could come with us. I walked to the bassinet in the living room and set her in it.

"I'm gonna go eat," I tell Chris. "I'll try to text more."

"No worries. I love you."

"I love you, too."

I press the red button and walk back into the kitchen to make my plate. Chris was right; he did leave me in a hellscape.

Sometimes, it took all of my energy to stay here.

Sometimes, I just wanted to get up and leave, just like I did when I was younger.

My grandma got pissed when she heard I might change my name to Salem.
     - salem ♡

Edited and revised
751 words