Gosh! Thanks so much for the kind reviews! I'm really grateful for the thoughts you put into them. =D I wasn't planning on putting up a chapter so quickly, but I can't help myself. I'm excited!
So now, this is sort of more a filler chapter. Sorry if any of the hospital stuff is un-accurate. I have a good amount of experiences working in medical settings, but not enough for diagnosis and the likes. Don't attack me over them, cuz I tried not to add any! Now, onward! =) Please review, leave your opinions! Thanks!
Disclaimer: Nope, don't own anything.
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His eyes were met with a bright light that sent another surge of pain through his body. Henry blinked quickly as his eyes began to adjust to the sudden light. He tried to look around, but his eyes still saw only brightness that obstructed his view. Shifting slightly, Henry found himself tumbling to the floor with a thud.
"Owww." he muttered, sitting up. At last he could see where he was. He lay in his hammock, back in Jasper's room. Well, did lay is more accurate. Now, he sat on the floor, having fallen right out of the material. Glancing down, he noted his ankle wrapped tightly in bandages. The pain had subsided into a constant throb, from the painful stabbing it felt like before.
Before? What time was it? Where was Jasper? More importantly, where was Maggie? Henry listened, the faint beat of footsteps was just notable from somewhere downstairs. He lifted himself up off the floor, swaying a tab as he steadied himself. With a sigh, he stepped towards the door, opened it, and headed down the stairs.
"Jasper? Uncle Bryan?" he called through the house, but there was no reply. Henry could still hear footsteps from inside the house, and turned into the living room. From somewhere close, he heard a muffled bang. Henry nearly tripped as he limped into the kitchen and towards the door. Looking out the window, he caught sight of something, or someone, leaving the house quickly.
"What are you doing?" Henry whirled around, to see Jasper standing at the other side of the kitchen, an odd expression on his face. Henry let out a relieved sigh.
"I saw someone outside. I heard footsteps, inside. Someone must have broke in." he explained, and soon Jasper was laughing. "What are you laughing at?" Henry spat, angered.
"Henry, I've been walking around the house. And the door is closed, see?" Jasper said, pointing to the indeed securely closed door. Henry glanced up at him, still unsure. "I know I saw something." he muttered under his breath, limping away from the door.
Suddenly he stopped, turning back to Jasper. "Where's Maggie?" he asked urgently.
"Hospital. They sai-" Jasper was cut off by Henry already heading through the living room towards the door.
"Can you drive us there?" he asked, grabbing Jasper's keys from the table and throwing them at him. Jasper nearly caught them, but they went tumbling to the floor. He smiled, embarrassed, and quickly picked them up.
"You might want to rest, Henry. You were knocked out cold." Jasper began, but Henry cut him off quickly, holding up a hand and grabbing his jacket from the closet.
"Who are you, my mother? Let's go." he demanded, already out the door before Jasper could protest. With a sigh and a roll of his eyes, he followed, slamming the door behind him.
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They got to the hospital quickly, and Henry found himself hopping out of the car before Jasper could even stop it. Henry had limped towards the entrance and was already antagonizing the poor receptionist when Jasper walked in. He quickly pushed Henry away and asked if they could see Margaret Winnock, to which the receptionist seemed relived to get rid of their presences in her office. She waved them off to the 3rd floor, telling them Margaret was in room 353. They headed for the elevator in silence.
"Is she okay?" Henry found himself asking. He must have been asleep for a while, because Maggie had already been admitted to the hospital for a few days.
"She wasn't really responsive when I saw her yesterday, she's been asleep. But the doctors say she should be okay." Jasper explained. The elevator dinged, signaling their stop at the 3rd floor. The doors opened soon after, and the pair walked down the long, clean aisle slowly.
Henry was glancing around, clearly nervous and worried about Maggie. At last, room 353 was before them, and the two boys glanced at each other before pushing open the door and entering one at a time.
Maggie lay on her back, in the single hospital bed in the room. The many machines and tubes around made Henry feel dizzy. An IV was stuck in her arm, and a heart monitor was in place on her chest, the wires running down her arm to the machine. She lay quietly on the bed, not moving, her chest rising and falling rhythmically.
The two moved towards her, each taking a seat in a chair on either side of her bed. Without thinking, Henry took hold of her soft, pale hand, stroking it gently. She didn't stir, and they sat for a while, just watching her.
After about half an hour, Jasper stood up. "I'm gonna go down to get something to eat. Want anything?" he asked on his way out.
"No thanks." Henry called, and the door shut with a click as Jasper left. Henry turned his attention back to Maggie, who still hadn't made a sound. Glancing over his shoulder once more to be sure Jasper wasn't coming back, he sighed.
"Mags. I'm so sorry I wasn't able to protect you." he began, stroking her hair away from her face. "I wish I could change what happened. Then you wouldn't be laying here, hurt." Henry sighed, squeezing her hand tightly.
"I wish I was in your place. I hate to see you so, broken." he continued, for the first time in years, his voice grew shaking. He turned away, his eyes watering. He blinked away the tears quickly. As he did, he could feel a gentle squeeze in return. Henry looked up, just as Maggie's eyes fluttered open.
"I hate to hear you talk like this." she whispered, her voice barley audible. Henry found himself grinning at her, a sigh of relief escaping his lips.
"Mags. Gosh, I was so worried about you. How do you feel?" he asked. Maggie shifted under the covers, trying to sit up. Henry quickly moved to help her, placing another pillow behind her back. She smiled gratefully as she fell back agents them.
"Honestly? Like I was hit by a truck. But what about you?" she asked, reaching for his hand once more. Henry had let go of her own when he was helping her with the pillows. Now he held onto her hand tightly.
"Fine. Don't worry about me." he said quickly. Henry was sure no one had informed her of his own bullet to the leg, and he didn't plan on telling her. Henry sat down, Maggie leaning towards him slightly. Before Henry realized it, they were only inches apart, and he was overwhelmed with emotion. Henry began to lean forward, closing the gap between them.
"Hey Henry- Maggie! Your awake!" the two jumped apart, awkwardly glancing around the room. Henry shifted uncomfortably in his chair, scratching the back of his head. Had Jasper seem what they almost did? By the excited look on his face, the answer seemed negative. Henry let out a relieved sigh, glancing at Maggie.
"Yep, I'm awake!" Maggie sang. Jasper smiled, plopping down in his chair at Maggie's left.
"So, any plans on solving this mystery?" Jasper wondered out load, glancing between the two.
"Actually, I've got some ideas. . ." Henry said, a sly grin plastered on his face. The trio's voices faded to hushed whispers, already preparing for their mission. Things were only just beginning.
