Auggie finally made it to Annie's room.
And by then Joan had come by to take care of Parker and Jai.
He could leave too, but he wanted to stay. Joan then made arrangements for him. It wasn't much, but he was still grateful.
After seating himself next her bed, he placed his hand out searching for Annie's. Once finding it, he laid his head on the cool railing; remembering what Joan told him.
"The doctor has her sedated. But she came through very well in the surgery. The first few hours are critical, but they expect her to make a recovery."
"Joan, there's something you're not telling me." Auggie looked at her. He knew something was off. There was more. He could feel it. The older woman sighed.
"Auggie…the attack on the camp….it wasn't a coincidence."
"Yeah I know, it was a radical group. I was at the wrong place at the wrong time. And-"
"You weren't there at the wrong time Auggie." She cut him off. What did she mean by that?
"I'm not following you Joan." Auggie tried to look for her. But Joan saved him the trouble. She placed both of her hands on the sides of his face.
"Auggie, it wasn't a political group acting for a cause. It was an assassination group." The gears were starting to turn. Auggie was racing his mind to piece it together.
"You mean Parker was-"
"Parker wasn't the target Auggie."
"Then who-" Then it clicked. The beatings, the fact he was isolated from the others most of the time, everything. Shaking his head he backed away.
"No, Joan, you can't say that Annie's in there because-" a flash of emotions wiped through his face.
Anger. Fear. Sadness. Hate. Frustration. Guilt.
The list was endless. And with a fluid motion and with even greater power and a scream Auggie made a 180 degree turn.
The cement and plastered covered wall stood no chance. It caved into his knuckles, tearing into his skin, causing it to bleed.
Now here he was. Almost an hour later, with his one hand bandaged up, while the other was clasping Annie's hand.
He could heart her heart monitor, its rhythm unchanged. The oxygen mask was on her face. He could hear it pushing air into Annie's lungs.
"Annie…I'm so, so sorry…"
His voice was a hoarse, cracking whisper, his throat dry. His head was still on the railing. Even with his blindness he didn't even want to look at Annie.
"…It's all my fault…it's all my fault you're like this…"
He could feel his eyes sting again. That salty smell coming back. With his bandaged hand he rubbed his eyes. He gasped to hold everything in.
"I shouldn't have left…I should've stayed and listened to you…"
His throat burned as he swallowed a huge lump in it. Again he took a breath to hold it in.
He didn't want to breakdown anymore.
Why was it so hard for him to put up his walls? Each time he tried they would crumble down again.
"Joan told me…she told me things…things that…oh God Annie, you…you should never have came for me…"
he heaved a heavy sigh as he tried to keep himself composed. Only to hear a voice.
"But I did…"
Auggie jerked his head, darting his searching eyes.
"Annie?"
A quiet rustle from the bed, and the sound of the mask being altered as Annie took it away from her face so she could speak.
"And I'd do it again, and again, if it would bring you home safe."
A second later Auggie felt Annie's other hand on his cheek while the one he held squeezed gently. He swallowed hard to get another lump out before he could speak.
"Annie, you almost died because of me and-"
The words started to tumble out of his mouth. But Annie's fingers made it to his lips, silencing him.
"I know, Auggie. Jai told me."
"Jai?"
A confused look passed through his face.
"Mhmm, he found out about it. That's why he came with me. To help put a stop to this. We did more than just rescue you.
Don't worry, Jai's got it covered. And, now, so does Joan. It's over Auggie. You're safe."
Auggie felt a smile emanating from Annie. Her sunshine smile. He couldn't help but kiss the hand he held and smile back. But then a thought struck him.
"Annie…I…"
He let his head droop. He didn't know what to say. But before he could…
"I'll always be where you need me."
Auggie lifted his head again. A moment of confusion and puzzlement hit his face again.
But as the words began to sink in, his cheeks flushed a little. A giggle was heard in his ears.
"I'll never leave you, Auggie. I promise."
Hey everyone! Sorry for this short chapter. But I wanted to separate Annie and Auggie's scene from Jai and Parker's scene. More coming soon! ^_^
