The Abnormality Of The Normality

'Hayley?'

I open my eyes and blink a few times to get used to the blinding light above me. I try to move but I can't. I look to my right drastically looking for someone to help. There are tubes all over my body. A thin blue blanket pulled up over me.

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

There is a monitor showing off all my vital signs. I put two and two together and gather I am in hospital. As I look to my left, I am shocked to see someone curled up in a chair. A black hoody laid over them. Long brown hair covers their face as they sleep. Next to the bed is a small cabinet, A vase of blue and yellow tulips sits on top. There's no sign of a card to indicate who they're from. There's a breathing tube going down my throat which is rather uncomfortable. It's rough on my dry throat and I find myself coughing suddenly, waking the stranger up. Within seconds they are by my side holding my hand, smiling whilst trying to calm me down.

After a few seconds a doctor comes in dressed in a long white lab coat. He looks about 40 at least and bears a strange resemblance to my own father. They have the same style of haircut, the same style moustache, the only differences are their eyes. He quickly calls for a nurse who comes in to help him. The nurse holds my head still whilst the doctor pulls out the endotracheal tube out.

As he removes it I find myself coughing from the dryness so the nurse sits me up, passing me a cup of cool water. I sip at the drink in an attempt to relieve the dryness in my throat. The woman just stands at a distance whilst the doctor and nurse check me over.

The doctor explains to me that my left wrist is broken and I have 2 cracked ribs, hence why it was so painful for me to move. He then goes into more detail about some more internal implications. "...You experienced bruising within both of your lungs and you had a ruptured spleen. We had no choice but to remove your spleen, or you would have internally bled out, during a laparoscopic splenectomy. The operation went very smoothly and we were able to remove your spleen with no complications. It was because of the spleen why you passed out. Unfortunately, we also found traces of temazepam within your system, do you have any idea of how that could have happened?"

I just shake my head no, my throat still too dry to speak. The doctor continues to ask me simple yes and no questions. I comply by just nodding and shaking my head. The woman stays in the room but watches on throughout. Once the doctor is satisfied with my answers, him and the nurse leave the room, leaving just me and the woman alone.

"Ahem" The woman clears her throat before walking over to me. She glances at my hand but then appears to change her mind. She appears to be quite hesitant. I break the silence.

"Hayley?" My voice hoarse from the dryness.

"Umm, Hi Al." Why was she so nervous? I look at her, taking in as much detail as possible in an attempt to bring back any memory of her but it is unsuccessful. I watch as she reaches out, holding my hand in hers. I get a strange comforting feeling from her doing this. I close my eyes as she caresses my hand with her thumb, taking in her intoxicating lavender fragrance.

A few minutes pass, neither one of us wanting to break the silence. I open my eyes and begin to tremble as a mans voice cuts through the silence. "So, she's awake then."

Hayley whips around letting go of my hand as she glares at my tormentor. "What the hell do you want?" She growls, hatred clear in her voice. He just smiles at her, "I would like to have a moment with my wife. Please leave or I shall get security to escort you out." He attempts to sound more threatening by standing closer and looking down at her, His smile slowly changing into a similar glare. "You can't do that. You have no right to be here. It's your fault Al is in this hellhole anyways." Agitation clear as day in the tone of her voice. "I am her husband so by law I have the right to speak to my own wife!" His voice has begun to raise in volume, I wouldn't be surprised if one of the doctors or nurses came in to check on the situation. In an attempt to keep the peace, I interrupt their mini squabble. "Hayley," I cough to clear my throat a little, "It's okay. You can leave us alone." She turns around, determination written on her face. "Okay Al, but I'll just be outside" She leans down and kisses my forehead before making her way to the door. As she passes Jack, she leans in and whispers "Don't you dare hurt her again" before leaving me alone with this monster.

"Alex, I am so relieved to see you're okay" He states taking a step closer to me. "I know you probably don't feel up to talking but I really am sorry, baby. I never wanted this to happen. I just wanted you to learn a lesson. You know how I get when I drink..."

I cut him off, "Jack what you did is unforgivable..." He looks at me with sorrow in his eyes, "I know, I know. But you must realize it was the alcohol. It's not my fault." He attempts to argue taking another step towards me. He was almost right next to the bed and he towered high above me. "Jack... It's over." It takes every bit of courage in my body to admit this to him. His facial expression goes from a sorrowful and regretful one to one of anger and hatred. He takes a final step towards me and leans over. His face inches away from mine. "You can't end this. You'll lose everything. You need me to survive." He spits in my face with every syllable. His voice has risen, deathening me before adding "Without me you'll be nobody. You'll have no-one!"

As these words leave his mouth there is a loud bang and we both look towards the door. There stood a very angry Hayley.

Without a word she walks up to Jack, grabs him by the collar and drags him to the door. She's a lot stronger than she looks. Before reaching the door she stops and glares at him before yelling in his face "She has and always will have me so do your worst". And on that note she opens the door and chucks him out of the room.