Chapter 11: Angels in the Darkness
Everything was black, she couldn't see but she felt it, cold hands on her face, dragging her deeper into the black. A push, a pull, a throw, pain exploding in her neck and head. The darkness geting even darker and then more pain at the side of her neck. Pain, pain and a pulling darkness consuming her...No..NO...NOOOOOO!
"CLARK!" Her eyes came open but it was still black. Her breath came in gasps, she didn't know where she was, the fear started to over take her. 'Not the dark, Not the dark!' her mind was a blur, but then...somthing took her hand, a warm, comforting grip that calmed her. She drew strength from it and tried to push the fear back, but all she could manage was a stalemate and then the darkness was gone. A soft light shone above her and what she thought was an Angel came out of the darkness to her.
"How do you feel?" It said reaching out with a large powerful hand to gently brush a stray lock of hair off her forehead. Her eyes darted back and forth trying to recognize something. She turned her head and pain spasmed in her neck. Her eyes squeezing shut she let out a soft whimper.
"Shhhh, its ok, your going to be fine." The Angel said, its fingers calming her as they brushed through her hair.
Her eyes slowly blinked open into the light again and her eyes focused, her sanity returning to her, pushing the fear away.
"Clark?" Chloe said with recognition, her eyes focusing on his face.
"Hey...there you are." He said. A bright, relieved smile coming to his face. His hand trailed lightly down her cheek. The soft touch made the fear evaporate.
"What happened, where am I?" She said, confusion and pain coming to her eyes.
"Your at the hospital." He said. "You were attacked by something in the alleyway, I found you there and drove whatever it was off and then brought you here." He sat down in the chair next to her, one hand encompassing hers protectively the other trailing soft caresses up and down her arm.
"Do you remember anything?" Clark asked gently.
"No, just darkness and pain." Dark, Darkness, pulling, thrown against the wall, cold hands on her throat and face. The darkness crept around her eyes again, her pupils went wide and he could see the fear coming back.
"Chloe, Chloe look at me, look at me!" Clark said. It was forceful but gentle, he had to pull her mind to him and not let her fold into the fear again. He gripped her hand tightly.
It worked. Her eyes blinked rapidly and they slowly turned to look at him. The darkness receding.
"I'm Ok Clark. Thanks." Looking into his eyes she smiled. He stared into them and he could see the strength returning to them. He knew then that she would be alright, eventually.
"Why does my neck and head hurt so bad." Chloe asked licking her lips. Her mouth was dry and sandpapery. Clark picked up a small plastic cup and put it to her lips. She took a small sip, the cool water brought renewed vigor to her mind. Clark set the cup back down and told her what he knew.
"I don't know all the details but I will tell you what I do know. You have a concussion on the back of your head along with some small lacerations. Probably from being thrown into the brick wall. Your neck was...cut. You lost a lot of blood Chloe, you were almost gone, I was so lucky to get you here as fast as I did. But the doctor said your going to be ok now but you will have to be here for a few days." He smiled a small releaved smile and Chloe wondered just how close she actually came to dying.
She reached up and touched the side of her neck and felt where the wound was. The similarities started to come to her but a deep yawn over took her. Clark reached up and took her hand.
"Careful." He said. "The Doctor told me that the stitches are very delicate so don't poke at it." He gently pulled her hand away, the tips of his fingers brushing the bandage taped to her neck. The ends of his fingers tingled and went numb. He rubbed them together but was distracted by another yawn from Chloe.
"Why don't you get some sleep." He reached up to turn the light off. Chloe saw his hand moving towards the light and she reached out quickly and grabbed it.
"Leave...Leave the light on. Please Clark." Her voice was soft and pleading.
"It's ok." He said with understanding. "I'll turn these side ones on and it will be easier for you to sleep." The fear faded, her eyes slowly drooping.
"Will you stay with me Clark?" She asked turning on her side, her hand tightening on his grip.
As her eyes drooped shut one final time she saw the table next to her hospital bed for the first time, softly illuminated by the small light above. On the table rested a small empty Coke bottle with three soft silk tulips inside it. A small smile finally came to her lips. The last thing she heard was Clark's voice, softly floating through the ether.
"Don't worry Chloe. I'll protect you, all through the night."
