~Book 1 of the Natalie King Series~
Natalie King was no one special.
She didn't believe she was in any way important. But then, something incredible happened that changed her world. She become something more, something impossible. With her power, s...
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One week later...
"You should get some sleep."
Joe jumped, glancing over his shoulder. He sighed when he saw it was just me. "I'm fine, Natalie."
"No, you're not," I scoffed. I walked over to the other side of Barry's bed. "You're starving, sleep deprived, and stressed to the max. Joe, you're wearing yourself thin trying to be here for Barry, take care of Iris, and keep your job. You can't do everything."
"I have to," He said, taking a sip of his coffee. Hospital coffee is disgusting, I don't know how he can drink that.
I shook my head, saying, "No, you don't. Look, I know that you're worried. So am I."
Joe looked up at me. "Thank you for being here."
"Always," I promised him. "But you need to start taking care of yourself. So that you can take care of them."
"I can't leave him here. What if something happens? What if his heart stops again, but doesn't come back?" Joe rambled, choking up.
"Hey," I interrupted him. "Being here doesn't make it any less likely to happen. You can't predict the future, Joe. But how about this? You go home, take a shower, get a few hours sleep, and do some work. If anything happens to Barry while you are gone, I will call you. I promise he is in good hands. I won't let anything happen to him."
Joe sighed deeply, rubbing a hand down his face. "You're right. If there's anyone in the world I'd trust to watch over Barry, it would be you." I smiled when I heard him say that. "I am exhausted, I could do with some sleep. Iris is back at her place, taking a shower and changing into some new clothes. She was here all night."
"I know."
"You do?" Joe asked, raising an eyebrow.
I paused. "I had a shift last night. I saw her."
"Natalie, why are you taking so many shifts? You're only a volunteer."
"Because..." I trailed off. "I'm... worried about Barry too."
At his curious look, I decided to tell him.
"I met Barry the day of the explosion."
"What?" Joe's face filled with shock.
I nodded, tugging my hair behind my ear. "It was before I brought you your coffee. He bumped into me on his way somewhere. Said he was late and his boss was going to kill him."
Joe laughed and shook his head, saying, "Yeah, that sounds like Barry. He can usually get under Captain Singh's skin with his awkwardness."
"Oh, I bet," I chuckled. "He helped me pick my stuff up and we talked for like a minute before he had to run off. But, even within that short timeframe, I could tell that there was something about him. Something spec--"
