Summer's Berceuse

04: The Aftermath

I lay there quietly keeping my eyes closed as my breathing matched the beeping of the heart monitor. As curiosity got the better of me, I opened my eyes. I caught the sight of a white ceiling and I stared at blankly, the lights glared intensely as my eyes adjusted to the room, and the scent of antiseptics flooded my nose.

“I guess I’m in the hospital.” I voiced inside my head.

I let out a small groan. My body felt like it was hit by a huge truck at full speed and to top it all off, I felt sore all over. I tried to recall what happened but instead I was met with a huge headache, and that's when it hit me. The events flowed in my head clearly, from the moment the child's body laid coldly on the cobblestone, the conversation of the demons, the fall of the crates, the surge of pain when my arm snapped, the demon’s eye stabbed with a shard of glass, and lastly, to the feeling of being cradled warmly in someone's arms.

I tried to move my arm but instead, a jolt of pain shot up. I let out a yelp wincing, and looked to my right to see my arm in a cast.

“Right, my arm is broken.” I sighed in disappointment.

I looked around the room I was in. There was a TV in front of me, and at the right side of the room had get-well soon cards on the table and balloons tied to the chair beside it, I smiled at that. To the side of my bed was a heart monitor and my hand had an IV.

I felt movement on my left and it caught my attention. It was Ethan who was sleeping, resting his head on the hospital bed just around my knees. I stared at his face for a moment which was a bit pale and had flawless features, and it made me reminisce of the days where I would catch him doze off as I read a book under the tree back in our aunt and uncle's house. I looked behind him to see Aunt Emma and Uncle Norman who were on a beige colored couch sleeping, their heads leaning on top of each other.

His eyes groggily opened, revealing his emerald eyes, and shot wide open when he saw me.

“Bella!” He exclaimed. “You're finally awake! I was so anxious that you wouldn't and then—” I pressed my index finger onto his lips.

“I'm now awake so there's no need for you to worry.” I let out a silent laugh.

“Yeah, I'm glad you are.” He smiled with eyes that glinted contentment, placing my hand down and turned his head. “Mom! Bella is awake!”

Aunt Emma’s and Uncle Norman's eyes fluttered open. Aunt Emma stood up from the couch and approached me while Uncle Norman remained seated.

“How are you feeling?” She asked.

“I'm fine, I guess. I do feel better.”

“Thank goodness.” She sighed in relief. “I was so worried when Ethan called me on the phone informing me that you were brought to the hospital. Norman and I then rushed to the hospital to see you in the emergency room, unconscious.”

“You were then brought to the operating room. I immediately called your father about what happened.” She continued and glanced at Ethan. “Ethan's hand was also bleeding. Thankfully, the cut on his hand wasn't that deep.” I took notice of his left hand that was wrapped in gauze. “There was also that purple haired boy whose shirt was drenched in blood. We thanked him for bringing you to the hospital. Norman offered saying he'll buy him a new shirt but he declined.”

“Where is he?” I asked.

“He said he'll head home. I hope that boy made it home safely.” Aunt Emma answered. “You should rest easy. You’ve been unconscious for around 3 hours.”

“Your father and mother are on their way and will arrive at any moment now.” Uncle Norman informed and stood up from the couch. Just after he finished, the door of the hospital room swung open showing a man who stood tall with somewhat messy black hair covering one of his eyes. The man was joined by a woman who reached the man's shoulders, with wavy light auburn hair.