Sorry for the seriously long wait. This chapter had to be forced out of me which in unusual. And my other stories can't get done if I am stumped on another. So hopefully the rest wll be updated quickly. Also if you love/hate this chapter let me know. (People have been pming me to make this a Mpreg. Let me know.) L. Kerr...RxR
Chapter 4: Frailty
He was frail beyond compare. His golden hair had lost its sheen and was matted with dirt. His body was thinner than I remembered mainly due to the poor living conditions, I assumed he lived in. I grabbed a chair and slid it next to his bed. I saw that his arms were wrapped in bandages and blood could be seen seeping through the gauze. And no matter how bad I felt, I couldn't cry. I was being stronger than I thought possible. Thoughts paraded inside my head, driving me crazy. I was wondering about this weird chemical that they had injected into Ryan and more importantly what effects it would have on him. His body looked weak and shaded like he had lost his internal glow. The bruising and cuts that decorated his body worried me and was the only thing that kept me from taking my boyfriend into my arms. I lightly touched his hand and was taken aback by how warm his hands were. I almost expected to feel an icy touch, which I know would have devastated me.
The door swung open and Sharpay entered with a doctor trailing behind. The doctor checked Ryan's vitals and told us that we could take him home as soon as he woke up. Ryan had already given his statement to the police at the scene and if any additional information was necessary they would be in contact, we were assured.
Sharpay took a seat next to me and rambled off the information that the doctors had told her. Ryan was one of the least critical of the victims that had been saved. I glanced at my boyfriend again and found it hard to believe that there were guys out there worse off than him. She also told me that about ten of them had died prior to the police arriving because of the chemical injection. Some had allergic reactions and others dead later of apparent toxic poisoning. I was terrified now. There was a possibility that I could lose the man who made me happy. I could feel the rage surge through each vein and fill every bit of my body with undeniable wrath. I refused to have Ryan see me like this so I stormed out of the hospital room and left the confines of its sanitized walls. I thought about driving my truck but it was no use. My hands were shaking too badly to drive without causing an accident. I stuffed my hands in the pockets of my jeans and traveled the now desolate roads. The sidewalk was rough and bumpy and seemed to signify how my life was right now. I glanced at the people passing me by in their cars and thought about their lives in hope of forgetting mine. Here I was an eighteen year old, on the verge of life and facing the possibility of death right in its face. A part of me felt brave and wise beyond my years and another part just wanted to curl in a ball and cry to my dad. The confliction in my head was numbing. These thoughts were racing inside my head and yet my exterior was cold and stone faced. The wind whipped at my body causing me to squeeze my body closer together.
I glanced at my cell phone and saw that I had been walking for about fifteen minutes. I turned the corner and saw that I had made it to the park where I had spent so much time over the past four years. I walked over the gray cracked asphalt of the basketball courts remembering the countless times that Chad, Jason, Zeke and I would come for some two on two. I sat on the swings and remembered when I was here with Ryan. I sat exactly where he had and I could see me pushing him on the swings. It was one of our more innocent and youthful dates. We often enjoyed those times where we could forget how old we were and just have some fun like we did when we were kids. One time we sat in my bedroom and played board games. I beat him at Sorry and Life and he kicked my butt in Clue and Jenga. We ate hamburgers and French fries for dinner and made sundaes for dessert. We took turns spraying each other with the whipped cream. We made such a mess that night but it didn't matter because we ended up in each other's arms.
The tears rolled down my face, remembering the times we had spent together. The wind chilled my face and wiping away those tears. I held on to the metal links that held the swing up and kicked off the ground. I propelled myself further and further from the ground as I swung on the children's swing set. The motion was helpful in pulling me out of my thoughts and just enjoying life for a moment. My stomach was doing flips in excitement as I reach all new heights. And that was when it hit me. Here I was being selfish. I had left the one person who meant the most to me to take care of myself. I would never forgive myself if something happened to him and I wasn't there. What if he woke up and he asked for me? I wouldn't be there and he might think I don't care about him which is entirely untrue. I leapt from the swing in midair and landed on my feet. A sense of urgency filled my body as I broke into a run heading straight for the hospital. I knew the walk had taken me fifteen minutes and I was hoping that a run would get me there in about ten. The sky began darkening and rain drops pelted me in the face. I could feel the water seep through my clothes and chill my body. My lungs were pumping hard and I could feel a familiar pain in my side. The cold air exposed my breaths to me as my legs pounded against the pavement moving ever closer to my destination. I could see the large white building come into focus, my feet pounded harder against the pavement and my body came alive with newfound energy. I raced into the front door of the hospital and leapt into the nearest elevator. I punched the button taking me to the third floor. Once again returning to the room that held my sleeping prince. I saw Sharpay sleeping silently in the chair and Ryan stirring awake.
I walked over to the bed and kneeled down next to it. I saw his eyes flutter open, a look of fright showing in his eyes. I took his hand and began to calm him down. I rubbed his hands, forcing him to look at me which would let him know that he was going to be okay. I lightly kissed his forehead, noticing him initially pull away.
"Sorry." I said hoping to get him to relax and not focus on recent events so much.
"T…Tr..Troy. Is that really you?" he said reaching his other hand out towards me. I took this hand and intertwined it with mine own.
"Yeah babe. It's me. I've been looking for you."
"I'm sorry for everything. I can't take it back but I wish I could." He said tears flowing from his eyes like a waterfall. His normally clear light blue eyes were showing streaks of a stormy gray. It tore my heart to see him so sad.
"None of this is your fault. Whoever those people were that took you, they're to blame. Baby, we just need to focus on getting you better. Then we work on getting life back to normal."
"I'll try, but Troy. I've gotten to know these guys and to see them get sick and die. It was horrible. Every time I close my eyes, I see them." His tears flowed at a higher rate and his voice was shaking uncontrollably.
"Get some sleep, babe. The doctors said I could take you home tomorrow.
Now get some rest."
"Will you stay with me, Troy…please."
"Sure." I said watching his sleep laden eyes close.
