Disclaimer: I don't own the OC, thank you for the comments, more soon!
Sandy sighed in happiness, this time. "Seth, wake up!" he said, shaking his other son. Ryan moved his head to the side to look at Seth. "Dude! You're awake! That is so cool!"said Seth, making Ryan smile. He reached up to the oxygen mask and tried to pull it off. Kirsten put a tender hand on his and shook her head. "No, sweetie, you can't take that off." He let go and quietly complied. "How are you feeling?" asked Sandy, once again choking back tears. "A little tired." said Ryan. "Well, that's understandable, Ryan. You've been through a lot." said Kirsten. "We were so worried." she said, quieter that time. "I know." said Ryan. "You guys are really quiet. You gotta be loud, like me!" said Seth, making them all smile. Ryan seemed to notice for the first time Seth's sling. He raised his hand up slowly to point to it. "What happened to your arm?" Seth's chest swelled with pride. "That, my friend, is a very good story." Sandy rolled his eyes. "One that I think Ryan doesn't need to hear right now. You should be getting some sleep." Ryan agreed, not wanting to fight with his dad. He smiled at the speculation. He had thought of Mr. Cohen as his dad. Maybe he should tell him. But before he could contemplate more on the idea, he fell asleep.
"Now he looks peaceful." said Sandy, grinning at Kirsten. Dr. Thompson walked in to check on Ryan. "How is he doing? Has he responded in any way at all?" They were all grinning now. "I'm assuming that's a yes!" she said happily. They all nodded. She grabbed a doctor's flashlight to shine in his eyes, and gently pried his eyes open. "Ryan? This is Dr. Thompson. Can you hear me?" Ryan didn't like the light shining in his eyes. He groaned. "I hear ya" he whispered, trying to swat her hand away. She laughed. "Glad to see you're awake." he smiled. "Glad to be awake." She said something he didn't hear to the Cohens and got out of the room, taking Seth and Sandy with her.
Ryan frowned. He started remembering everything that happened. The heart monitor sped up, and Kirsten got worried, squeezing his hand a little harder. "Did he hurt you?" he asked, his voice almost breaking. "No, sweetie, he didn't hurt me. He hurt you, though. That's why you're here." Ryan looked around. It had just dawned on him that he was in a hospital. "Where is he?" he asked, half expecting A.J. to jump out from behind the couch. He shivered. "He's gone, sweetie. He ran away." Ryan's breath came out in gasps, and he coughed. Kirsten touched his forehead. "Are you ok?" He shook his head. "Mom..." he whispered. Kirsten looked away guiltily. "We don't know where she is, sweetie. But we'll find her, don't worry. I'm sure she's ok." She met his stare. "I meant you..." said Ryan. Her eyes welled up with tears. Ryan was getting stronger by the minute. His voice was no longer a hoarse whisper, and he gripped Kirsten's hand with a bit of force. "I'm so glad you're ok, sweetie..." she said, smiling.
The two Cohen men walked in with a police officer and Dr. Thompson, interrupting the heartfelt speech between Ryan and Kirsten. As the doctor told Ryan that he could have the oxygen mask removed, Seth started his ravings once again. "Bro, I am so glad you're awake, now I can actually get responses when I talk! Oh, dude, when you bust outta here, we need to go shopping for some more towels. My prized X-Men one is now, unfortunately, well, uh, ruined." Ryan's gaze switched from Seth to Kirsten, and he gave her a half smile. He tried to move, but his leg wouldn't allow him to. "What happened?" he asked, not fully remembering what had actually occurred. "Your leg is broken, among other things, buddy." said Sandy, ruffling his hair playfully.
"Ryan, this is Officer Jenkins." Ryan's smile faltered. "Don't worry, Mr. Atwood, you're not in any trouble. I just needed to talk to you." said the officer, noting Ryan's change of attitude. "No, no she didn't mean it, I know she didn't." he whimpered. Kirsten was struck with sudden shock. Had he just said she? Ryan knew he had made a mistake the moment the words came out of his mouth. He didn't want to get his mother into trouble. He feigned unconsciousness, his eyes closing slowly. Sandy looked convinced, as did the officer, but Kirsten wasn't that easy to persuade. She stared at him suspiciously. Perhaps his mother had played a bigger role in the harming of her son than she had thought. Sandy put a heavy hand on her shoulder. He saw her purse in a compartment from one of the cabinets, but forgot to tell her about it. "I think we should let him rest. Let's go." Kirsten gave him a kiss on the forehead and whispered: "I know you're faking, honey." in his ear. He couldn't help but smile. She knew him too well.
*
Dawn was on the side of the road, smoking her last cigarette, thumb up. Halfway to Mexico, A.J. and her had had a fight, and he kicked her out of the truck, sans cash. All she had was the couple hundred she had taken when he wasn't looking. She was going back to Newport, HOAG more precisely. A cop had passed and didn't care she was there. That was good. They didn't stop to arrest her or anything. That meant her kid hadn't ratted her out. She finally hitched a ride. "Where you goin', sweet cakes?" asked the fat tub of lard beside her. "Newport." she said, avoiding his stare.
*
Dr. Thompson was talking to Seth, Sandy, and Kirsten about Ryan. "He should be released in a couple of days if all goes well. He's doing great, and after he's released he can start physiotherapy for his leg. I have some great suggestions." she said, writing down some names on a piece of paper. The Cohens said happy "Thank you's" and left to go home. "Why can't I stay here with Ryan?" asked Seth, giving Kirsten puppy eyes. "Nope! You haven't slept since Ryan was unconscious, and you look tired." Seth gave up, raising his hands up exateratedly. "Fine, but you both owe me big time!" They started driving, Seth in the back seat, babbling on about something or other.
Dawn snuck into Ryan's room. His eyes were closed, and she thought for sure he was sleeping. She started rummaging around, thinking that there would be something in there she could pawn off or sell. "Kirsten, is that-" said Ryan, stopping short when he opened his eyes. "Mom? What the hell are you doing here? I thought you'd be in Mexico by now..." he said, reaching for the call button slowly, so as not to attract her attention. "Get away from that thing, you little prick." was her reply, and she slapped his hand away from the call button. It fell to the ground and broke. Ryan flinched. He couldn't move in the bed, so he was stuck there, his lunatic mother hovering over him.
He opened his mouth to scream, or say something, anything, but she covered it quickly, so his scream came out stifled. "Listen you fuck, A.J. dumped me and I need a fix. So your little pals, they were here, I know they were. Did they leave anything?" she asked, her blue eyes evilly staring back at him. He couldn't speak, but he knew he said enough with a look, and narrowed his eyes at her. She ripped out the IV from the back of his hand, and heard another muffled cry. Ryan's eyes watered slightly, but he stayed strong. He didn't shake his head or nod. He just looked at his mother, eyes filled with hate. She smirked at him. "How's your stomach?" she asked. A.J. had started bragging halfway through the trip about how he shot Ryan in the stomach.
Ryan's face suddenly filled with fear as his mother punched him as hard as she could in the stomach. Another muffled cry came from the teenager. He couldn't handle anymore pain. He slowly pointed his now bloodied hand in the direction of the cabinet that had Kirsten's purse in it. Not moving her hand from his mouth, she reached for the cabinet and took the purse. "Good boy." she said, ruffling his hair, but it lacked the affection that Sandy's had. He writhed and struggled, trying to get out of her grasp, but she had picked the perfect time to take advantage of her son. He was at his weakest. She grabbed him and hit his head against the wall. That was all it took to knock him unconscious.
"Sandy, stop the car." said Kirsten suddenly. He pulled over, looking at her with a very confused look on his face. "I forgot my purse at the hospital." Sandy hit his head. "I knew I had seen it somewhere!" he said, turning the car in a U-Turn. They sped to the hospital, and arrived in no time. Kirsten jumped out of the car and ran into the hospital. She had already memorized Ryan's room number, so she headed straight for it, greeting nurses and doctors as she went. She heard something topple and fall, and a woman scream. "Get the fuck away from me! I'm fine! Christ, everyone acts like they care around here!" Kirsten recognized the voice, as well as the blonde, curly, and very product-covered hair immediately. "Dawn?" she asked, only a bit happy. "Fuck." was Dawn's reply. Kirsten was a little taken aback. "Hey, that looks like...my purse..." she ended quietly. "Yeah, well, maybe I got some money and bought one, now get outta my way!" she said, pushing Kirsten aside.
Kirsten felt nauseous. She felt a sudden urge to check on Ryan. She didn't know why, but she did. She saw someone call the police, since Dawn was causing another scene. She ran even faster than before until she arrived at Ryan's room. She covered her mouth to stop a scream. "Somebody help!!" she yelled, running to Ryan's side. His hospital gown had blood over the stomach area, and he was unconscious. "Sweetie? Ryan, it's Kirsten, can you hear me? Please answer me..." Ryan opened his eyes. "She took your purse...I didn't know where...she was...I'm sorry" she "shh'd" him, as though he were a small boy, and took his hand.
"SOMEBODY HELP HIM!" she screamed, louder than before. Ryan cringed at the loudness of her words. She took his face in her hands and made him look at her. "Who did this to you?" she asked, her voice flat. Ryan decided it was time for his mother to face the consequences of her actions, instead of him facing them for her. "Dawn..." he whispered. Kirsten embraced him, and the hug felt like it lasted forever, before she was pulled away from him by one of the nurses. Within seconds, she was pushed out of the room and the blinds were closed. She fell to her knees, crying like she had never cried before.
Sandy sighed in happiness, this time. "Seth, wake up!" he said, shaking his other son. Ryan moved his head to the side to look at Seth. "Dude! You're awake! That is so cool!"said Seth, making Ryan smile. He reached up to the oxygen mask and tried to pull it off. Kirsten put a tender hand on his and shook her head. "No, sweetie, you can't take that off." He let go and quietly complied. "How are you feeling?" asked Sandy, once again choking back tears. "A little tired." said Ryan. "Well, that's understandable, Ryan. You've been through a lot." said Kirsten. "We were so worried." she said, quieter that time. "I know." said Ryan. "You guys are really quiet. You gotta be loud, like me!" said Seth, making them all smile. Ryan seemed to notice for the first time Seth's sling. He raised his hand up slowly to point to it. "What happened to your arm?" Seth's chest swelled with pride. "That, my friend, is a very good story." Sandy rolled his eyes. "One that I think Ryan doesn't need to hear right now. You should be getting some sleep." Ryan agreed, not wanting to fight with his dad. He smiled at the speculation. He had thought of Mr. Cohen as his dad. Maybe he should tell him. But before he could contemplate more on the idea, he fell asleep.
"Now he looks peaceful." said Sandy, grinning at Kirsten. Dr. Thompson walked in to check on Ryan. "How is he doing? Has he responded in any way at all?" They were all grinning now. "I'm assuming that's a yes!" she said happily. They all nodded. She grabbed a doctor's flashlight to shine in his eyes, and gently pried his eyes open. "Ryan? This is Dr. Thompson. Can you hear me?" Ryan didn't like the light shining in his eyes. He groaned. "I hear ya" he whispered, trying to swat her hand away. She laughed. "Glad to see you're awake." he smiled. "Glad to be awake." She said something he didn't hear to the Cohens and got out of the room, taking Seth and Sandy with her.
Ryan frowned. He started remembering everything that happened. The heart monitor sped up, and Kirsten got worried, squeezing his hand a little harder. "Did he hurt you?" he asked, his voice almost breaking. "No, sweetie, he didn't hurt me. He hurt you, though. That's why you're here." Ryan looked around. It had just dawned on him that he was in a hospital. "Where is he?" he asked, half expecting A.J. to jump out from behind the couch. He shivered. "He's gone, sweetie. He ran away." Ryan's breath came out in gasps, and he coughed. Kirsten touched his forehead. "Are you ok?" He shook his head. "Mom..." he whispered. Kirsten looked away guiltily. "We don't know where she is, sweetie. But we'll find her, don't worry. I'm sure she's ok." She met his stare. "I meant you..." said Ryan. Her eyes welled up with tears. Ryan was getting stronger by the minute. His voice was no longer a hoarse whisper, and he gripped Kirsten's hand with a bit of force. "I'm so glad you're ok, sweetie..." she said, smiling.
The two Cohen men walked in with a police officer and Dr. Thompson, interrupting the heartfelt speech between Ryan and Kirsten. As the doctor told Ryan that he could have the oxygen mask removed, Seth started his ravings once again. "Bro, I am so glad you're awake, now I can actually get responses when I talk! Oh, dude, when you bust outta here, we need to go shopping for some more towels. My prized X-Men one is now, unfortunately, well, uh, ruined." Ryan's gaze switched from Seth to Kirsten, and he gave her a half smile. He tried to move, but his leg wouldn't allow him to. "What happened?" he asked, not fully remembering what had actually occurred. "Your leg is broken, among other things, buddy." said Sandy, ruffling his hair playfully.
"Ryan, this is Officer Jenkins." Ryan's smile faltered. "Don't worry, Mr. Atwood, you're not in any trouble. I just needed to talk to you." said the officer, noting Ryan's change of attitude. "No, no she didn't mean it, I know she didn't." he whimpered. Kirsten was struck with sudden shock. Had he just said she? Ryan knew he had made a mistake the moment the words came out of his mouth. He didn't want to get his mother into trouble. He feigned unconsciousness, his eyes closing slowly. Sandy looked convinced, as did the officer, but Kirsten wasn't that easy to persuade. She stared at him suspiciously. Perhaps his mother had played a bigger role in the harming of her son than she had thought. Sandy put a heavy hand on her shoulder. He saw her purse in a compartment from one of the cabinets, but forgot to tell her about it. "I think we should let him rest. Let's go." Kirsten gave him a kiss on the forehead and whispered: "I know you're faking, honey." in his ear. He couldn't help but smile. She knew him too well.
*
Dawn was on the side of the road, smoking her last cigarette, thumb up. Halfway to Mexico, A.J. and her had had a fight, and he kicked her out of the truck, sans cash. All she had was the couple hundred she had taken when he wasn't looking. She was going back to Newport, HOAG more precisely. A cop had passed and didn't care she was there. That was good. They didn't stop to arrest her or anything. That meant her kid hadn't ratted her out. She finally hitched a ride. "Where you goin', sweet cakes?" asked the fat tub of lard beside her. "Newport." she said, avoiding his stare.
*
Dr. Thompson was talking to Seth, Sandy, and Kirsten about Ryan. "He should be released in a couple of days if all goes well. He's doing great, and after he's released he can start physiotherapy for his leg. I have some great suggestions." she said, writing down some names on a piece of paper. The Cohens said happy "Thank you's" and left to go home. "Why can't I stay here with Ryan?" asked Seth, giving Kirsten puppy eyes. "Nope! You haven't slept since Ryan was unconscious, and you look tired." Seth gave up, raising his hands up exateratedly. "Fine, but you both owe me big time!" They started driving, Seth in the back seat, babbling on about something or other.
Dawn snuck into Ryan's room. His eyes were closed, and she thought for sure he was sleeping. She started rummaging around, thinking that there would be something in there she could pawn off or sell. "Kirsten, is that-" said Ryan, stopping short when he opened his eyes. "Mom? What the hell are you doing here? I thought you'd be in Mexico by now..." he said, reaching for the call button slowly, so as not to attract her attention. "Get away from that thing, you little prick." was her reply, and she slapped his hand away from the call button. It fell to the ground and broke. Ryan flinched. He couldn't move in the bed, so he was stuck there, his lunatic mother hovering over him.
He opened his mouth to scream, or say something, anything, but she covered it quickly, so his scream came out stifled. "Listen you fuck, A.J. dumped me and I need a fix. So your little pals, they were here, I know they were. Did they leave anything?" she asked, her blue eyes evilly staring back at him. He couldn't speak, but he knew he said enough with a look, and narrowed his eyes at her. She ripped out the IV from the back of his hand, and heard another muffled cry. Ryan's eyes watered slightly, but he stayed strong. He didn't shake his head or nod. He just looked at his mother, eyes filled with hate. She smirked at him. "How's your stomach?" she asked. A.J. had started bragging halfway through the trip about how he shot Ryan in the stomach.
Ryan's face suddenly filled with fear as his mother punched him as hard as she could in the stomach. Another muffled cry came from the teenager. He couldn't handle anymore pain. He slowly pointed his now bloodied hand in the direction of the cabinet that had Kirsten's purse in it. Not moving her hand from his mouth, she reached for the cabinet and took the purse. "Good boy." she said, ruffling his hair, but it lacked the affection that Sandy's had. He writhed and struggled, trying to get out of her grasp, but she had picked the perfect time to take advantage of her son. He was at his weakest. She grabbed him and hit his head against the wall. That was all it took to knock him unconscious.
"Sandy, stop the car." said Kirsten suddenly. He pulled over, looking at her with a very confused look on his face. "I forgot my purse at the hospital." Sandy hit his head. "I knew I had seen it somewhere!" he said, turning the car in a U-Turn. They sped to the hospital, and arrived in no time. Kirsten jumped out of the car and ran into the hospital. She had already memorized Ryan's room number, so she headed straight for it, greeting nurses and doctors as she went. She heard something topple and fall, and a woman scream. "Get the fuck away from me! I'm fine! Christ, everyone acts like they care around here!" Kirsten recognized the voice, as well as the blonde, curly, and very product-covered hair immediately. "Dawn?" she asked, only a bit happy. "Fuck." was Dawn's reply. Kirsten was a little taken aback. "Hey, that looks like...my purse..." she ended quietly. "Yeah, well, maybe I got some money and bought one, now get outta my way!" she said, pushing Kirsten aside.
Kirsten felt nauseous. She felt a sudden urge to check on Ryan. She didn't know why, but she did. She saw someone call the police, since Dawn was causing another scene. She ran even faster than before until she arrived at Ryan's room. She covered her mouth to stop a scream. "Somebody help!!" she yelled, running to Ryan's side. His hospital gown had blood over the stomach area, and he was unconscious. "Sweetie? Ryan, it's Kirsten, can you hear me? Please answer me..." Ryan opened his eyes. "She took your purse...I didn't know where...she was...I'm sorry" she "shh'd" him, as though he were a small boy, and took his hand.
"SOMEBODY HELP HIM!" she screamed, louder than before. Ryan cringed at the loudness of her words. She took his face in her hands and made him look at her. "Who did this to you?" she asked, her voice flat. Ryan decided it was time for his mother to face the consequences of her actions, instead of him facing them for her. "Dawn..." he whispered. Kirsten embraced him, and the hug felt like it lasted forever, before she was pulled away from him by one of the nurses. Within seconds, she was pushed out of the room and the blinds were closed. She fell to her knees, crying like she had never cried before.
