1
Chapter 9
Ben paced and paced around the waiting room. Abigail sat in a chair drinking coffee.
"Ben sit down. You're going to go through the floor," Abigail finally spoke.
"I can't. I can't stop thinking about Riley," Ben told her, "you should have seen his face. He thought we were dead."
"I know Ben. I know. But he is in safe hands now, he'll be okay," Abigail reassured.
Ben didn't respond. He looked at the clock. It was now four o' clock. It had been four hours since they brought Riley in. Ben finally sat down next to his wife and she fell asleep against his shoulder. Twenty minutes later, a doctor came out and walked over to them.
"How is he?" Ben asked getting up.
"You might want to sit back down," the doctor told him.
Ben sat back down and woke Abigail as the doctor sat in front of them.
"My name is Dr. Whitley and I treated your friend Riley. Riley is not doing very well. The cut near his right eye wasn't too bad, but he won't see very well out of that eye for awhile. The various scars on his body didn't require stitches. His ribs got most damage. A few are bruised and two are fractured and one is pushing against his lung. His back had multiple scars. It seems he whipped with some kind of whip. A few of them were really deep. We bandaged them as much as we could, but he is laying on his back because of the machines we have him on. Which brings me to my next point. He is in a coma," Dr. Whitley explained, "he did wake up at one point. He started, in ligament terms 'freaking out.' we tried to get him to calm down, but he kept on fighting us saying he needed to get away. We finally had to restrain him and give him a light sedative. With the way he is now, he might not make it through the week."
Abigail was now crying as Ben held her close. Ben's face was completely pale. It happened. He was too late to save Riley.
"Can we see him?" Ben asked.
"I'm afraid not. Visiting hours are over and I think it would be best you come by tomorrow," Dr. Whitley stated.
He walked away. Ben told himself he wouldn't leave here until he knew Riley was okay.
"We have to see Riley," Ben whispered, "come on."
Ben and Abigail went up to the ICU and quietly snuck around to find Riley. They finally found him in the sixth room down. Ben stepped inside and his heart skipped a beat. Riley lay as pale as the sheets in the bed. He had wrappings around his ribs and a heart monitor on his chest. A breathing tube was in his nose and two IV's went into his left hand. There was a blanket that covered his waist and legs, but Ben knew he had a pair of hospital pants on him. His chest was exposed for the wrappings and heart monitor. Ben also noticed that Riley had a restraint strapped tightly around each wrist, one on his chest, and one on his knees. Ben realized that the doctors had taken precaution in case he woke up and started to fight again. Ben went over and quickly took off the restraints. He was sure that now he was here, Riley wouldn't fight any more. Ben and Abigail sat down next to the bed. Ben grabbed Riley's hand.
"Riley, it's Ben. I'm here now and you're safe. You just have to wake up," Ben whispered.
"Don't worry Ben. He'll be okay," Abigail assured placing a hand on Ben's shoulder.
Ben and Abigail looked up when the door opened. Dr. Whitley walked in.
"I told you two to come back tomorrow. And why did you take off the restraints?" he asked.
Dr. Whitley went over and started putting the restraints back on, but Ben stopped him.
"Were not leaving until we know he's okay," Abigail stated.
"And the restraints are not necessary any more," Ben informed.
"I'm calling security," Dr. Whitley informed going down the hall.
"I'll take care of him," Abigail assured.
Ben watched her go. He turned back to Riley.
"I wish you were awake now Riley. That way you could watch Abigail blow up at someone," Ben smiled weakly.
Ben could hear Abigail yelling at the doctor down the hall.
"I don't care if you think it's impossible! The minute Ben took Riley's hand and started talking to him, Riley became stronger. He knows Ben is there. I mean you're a doctor! You should know these things!" Abigail yelled, "if you don't believe me, just go look at Riley now."
Ben watched as the doctor came in and checked Riley. He walked back out and Abigail met him.
"Impossible," the doctor whispered.
"I told you. If Ben stays with Riley, it's possible Riley will live," Abigail stated.
"Fine. I'll allow you to stay," Dr. Whitley told Ben, "but I can only allow you. Just stay out of the nurses way."
"I will. Thank you," Ben thanked.
The doctor walked off still shaking his head.
"Well, Ben I'm going to get going," Abigail stated.
"Okay, I'll call you if something comes up," Ben promised.
Abigail came over and kissed Ben goodbye.
"I love you Ben," Abigail smiled.
"I love you too," Ben mumbled.
Abigail then went to the other side of the bed and gently placed a kiss on top of Riley's forehead.
"Get better soon Riley. I love you," Abigail whispered smoothing back his hair, "I'll come by tomorrow."
Ben watched Abigail leave. He turned back to Riley.
"She's right Riley. You need to get better, and I will be here until you do. I promise," Ben whispered.
Ben sat there all night waiting for Riley to wake up. He fell asleep listening to the soft beep of the heart monitor.