In the Blink of an Eye

Chapter 39: Surprise!

"Hayden!"

I run up to him and I kneel beside him. He is clutching his bleeding shoulder and his eyes are closed tight from the pain.

"Twenty-four, there was a man up in the trees. He was going to shoot Twelve, but Hayden took the bullet," Landon tells me and I look around. I see Twelve standing by a tree, looking down.

"I need someone to drive me to the hospital with Hayden. Then, I want everyone to get ready. Get all the needed weapons. The enemies brought the war to us. No more practice," I tell Landon and he nods. Liel comes up to me and he stares at Hayden in sorrow. "I need you to take over, Lee. Hayden needs to get to the hospital and I can't let him go alone."

"I understand. Andy has the car ready already." I nod. "Alright, men! I need some of you to carry Hayden to the car! Let's go!"

"Hayden, it's going to be alright. You're going to be alright," I whisper to Hayden and he gives me a weak smile. I stand up as some men lift him off the ground and they start walking to the car. I turn to Liel with wide eyes and he gives me a reassuring smile. "Be careful."

"I will. Stay with Hayden. That way you can be safe instead of being on a battlefield," Liel says and I nod. I give him a big hug and I sniffle. He hugs me tightly before he releases me. I turn away from him and I head to where the car is waiting.

I see Rafael on the way there and I walk up to him.

"Inform me when Vito shows up. He is mine and only mine," I say and Rafale nods. I give him a hug and I walk away. 

I make it to the car and I climb in the back with Hayden. I lay his head on my lap and I play with his hair. His breathing is shallow and irregular.

"We need to get to the hospital quick. Drive as fast as you can," I say and Andy immediately drives off. As I play with Hayden's hair, I look out the windows to make sure no one is following us.

"S-Si... I'm sorry..." Hayden whispers and I look down at him.

"Don't talk. You can apologize when you're better. Just stay awake," I say hoarsely as a tear rolls down my cheek. Hayden nods the best he can and I sigh. 

We make it the hospital and Andy runs in the building to get help. He then comes out with a team of nurses and doctors who are rolling a gurney to the car. I open the door and I get out. I help a doctor pull Hayden out then I help him put Hayden on the portable bed.

Hayden groans and I wince. We rush him in and I try to follow all the way through but they stop me. Before Hayden is out of my sight, I see him throw me his phone. I catch it and I try to follow again but the nurse stops me.

"Ma'am, you can't go back there," she says and I glare at her.

"He is my brother!"

"He is going through surgery! Let the doctors do their jobs," the nurse say and I glare at her some more before I turn and I sit on one of the chairs in the waiting room. Some people send me sympathetic looks and I scowl before I look down at Hayden's phone.

I turn it on and I see a picture of me and him on his lock screen. I smile as I remember we took it the first day I moved in with him and his family.

I swipe the screen, wondering if he still has the same password as when we were younger and living together. I type in the code and I hold my breath, hoping it works. It does. I smile a small smile. He forced me to come up with a code for his phone. I did and I guess he kept it all this time.

I stare at his phone screen, trying to think of why he gave it to me. Just as I am about to shut it off, he gets a text message.

Hey, son. I miss you. And yes, I know we just saw each other this morning but you know how I am. Anyway, when you're finished with whatever you're doing, tonight is game night. I am thinking of ordering pizza. How does that sound? ~ Dad