Chapter 10 – Just to clarify. You're not dead?

My eyes opened to a bright, white light. I was in an unfamiliar room, a white room. The wall beside me was covered in long vertical blinds; over my head, the glaring lights blinded me. I was propped up on a hard, uneven bed — a bed with rails. The pillows were flat and lumpy. There was an annoying beeping sound somewhere close by. I hoped that meant I was still alive. Death shouldn't be this uncomfortable.

My mouth couldn't close thanks to something plastic being shoved in there pressing my tongue down and I tried moving my hand to touch it but a deep blue soft cast had it immobilized. I couldn't move my left hand either but looking down I saw that was thanks to mom's head using it as a pillow.

Only then I registered two harsh snoring sounds creating a horrible symphony. Dad and Phil were both propped on chairs by my feet and sleeping soundly. Looking around the room again trying to figure out how I ended up in the hospital I met a pair of dark brown eyes.

I closed my eyes tightly and when I re-opened them the eyes were there still. Instead of panicked they were dancing with mirth.

"Who in their minds go out all alone to meet with a freaking cold one?"

he exclaimed looking tired. I stared at him. The beeping sound became faster in tempo.

"I told you, you shouldn't have popped in front of her man. She's freaked out now"

an exasperated voice came from behind Kol. It belonged to someone with equally dark hair and eyes but older than Kol. I raised an eyebrow in a silent question.

"Get out Eli"

Kol grumbled and came to sit by my bed. My breathing became faster. The beeping followed suit.

"hi baby"

at the feeling of his warm hand touching mine my eyes felt ready to pop out of their sockets. The beeping sound was so fast that could be mistaken for one long beep and roused all adults in the room who acted fast. Phil, in all his slightly drooling glory, grabbed Kol by the throat and all but kicked him out. Mom dove in my arms after patting me down and me wincing in pain. Dad mimicking her from the other side but gently.

they were both pulled back by a doctor. He made me blink once for 'yes' and twice for 'no' and after determining I was okay he pulled the nasty tube off my throat and I was able to ask for a bit of water.

"Oh baby"

mom exclaimed again before hugging me. Charlie rubbed my upper right arm tenderly, his eyes reddened.

"What happened?"

I croaked.

"You don't remember?"

I shook my head and almost cried out at the pain. Mom winced with me.

"bits and pieces"

I said remembering perfectly the scene in the desert.

"you got to the house and called the cops because it was broken in"

Phil started sitting by the foot of my bed again. I nodded remembering that part.

"the burglars were still inside baby. they heard you"

dad began

"they did?"

I scratched my eyebrows. mom nodded.

"they attacked you sweetie. the sirens must have scared them off and when the police got there they found you just outside your car. you were pretty banged up"

I blinked. Nice story.

"I don't remember that"

"the doctors said it's normal. you hit your head pretty hard baby girl"

phil said patting my leg softly.

"We pulled in at the house just as you were taken away baby. I was so scared"

Mom whispered holding my left hand tightly.

"I'm sorry mom. Why did you come back?"

"I called her"

dad said with an accusatory tone. I think I blushed a bit. Everyone was quiet for a while.

"I want a coffee and you too are coming with"

Mom announced and ushered both dad and Phil out before winking at me and followed them. I put my head back to the uncomfortable pillows. How did I get from the desert to the house? Did Herbie bring me? Where is he?

"knock knock"

Kol was once again in the room.

"you're dead"

I breathed as he shuffled his feet.

"For a very long time"

he agreed. I glared for a moment

"I'm in too much pain to be dreaming. Am I hallucinating?"

I asked flat out. he chuckled blushing and shook his head

"no?"

someone chuckled outside the room and I looked up to see money being exchanged between a pretty blond girl, a blond older guy and the brunette that made fun of Kol before. Kol looked at them too and sighed.

"Being observed while I'm trying to make amends. Smooth guys"

he said low enough for only me to hear.

"are you really here? Alive I mean"

I asked for clarification.

"yes"

he nodded. Pursing my lips, I hit the back of his head with my left hand.

"hey!"

"You made me think you were dead. I mourned you!"

I shouted hitting him again with both hands as hot tears slid down my cheeks. More money was exchanged by the trio outside the door. Kol hugged me close letting me cry out.

"I'm sorry baby. I thought it would be better than me leaving you"

"You were going to leave me?"

I exclaimed. More snickers and money exchanged.

"I'm not explaining this very well, am I?"

"not at all"

I declared still nested in his arms.

"who are they?"

"my siblings"

Kol didn't even look up as he replied

"I thought you were an only child"

"I wish!"

I blinked sleepily

"You're going to tell me everything when I wake up"

I informed him and fell asleep again.

Have you spent a weekend trapped in a tiny car with your father who feels guilty over you getting hurt while you were encased in plastic?

Not very fun, I assure you.

Spring break was almost over and despite mom's best efforts I was in no hurry to move in in Florida with her and Phil so I was returning home to Forks with dad. Since I had driven Herbie out here, we were taking him back as well. Kol had spent all week explaining to me what had happened last year.

He had been asked by his older brother (the blond one, I think he was called Klaus) to follow the kid brother of a doppelganger to Phoenix when the former was compelled to leave this town for a while. Or something like that, I fell asleep during the details. He kept an eye over Jeremy, I had a journalism class with him, and met me. Six months later Jeremy was snatched up by the doppelganger and one of her vampire boyfriends and returned home. Kol would leave me after the race but the accident sped things up. Especially when the redhead cold one girlfriend of the other driver died. He thought it would be better if I was under the impression he died so the red eyed cold one would never come after me.

Well, THAT didn't work.

He returned home where he helped his brothers kill their mother for a while, helped Klaus compel the doppelganger to live a human life, and ironically enough was on his way back to phoenix to find me and try to explain.

I forgave him and promised to be friends. I still love him but need a moment away to clear my head a bit. He understood and let me leave.

"Did you find whoever trashed my room?"

I asked Charlie forcing myself to the present.

"the La Push boys did. He tried to sell your school bracelet at a fair there"

"okay"

"don't worry baby. He's dead, some sort of explosion. He had the strangest red eyes I've seen"

I hid my smile.