I woke up four hours later in my own bed. Obviously, Connor and David had carried me up to bed. I looked at the clock. It was a little after noon. Murphy was supposed to be awake by now. I jumped out of bed and started pulling on clean clothes. I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked like hell. My hair was all matted together and I had huge dark circles under my eyes. I brushed out my hair and threw it up into a bun and dabbed a little concealer under my eyes. As I finished buttoning up my shirt, I ran down the hall to Connor's room. I threw open the door.
He was passed out, still completely clothed. I didn't have the heart to wake him up. I quietly closed the door and walked back into the hall. I smiled to myself and walked downstairs.
"Did you sleep well?" Marie asked.
"I'm heading back to the hospital to pick up Murphy," I replied.
"Don't you want David to drive you?" she asked. I shook my head.
"I'll just take the Jag. If Patri gets back with the Benz, give me a call. I want to know how much we're shelling out for body damage," I fibbed. She nodded.
"You love this boy," she said.
"Yes," I said.
"He's a good man. He reminds me of your father when he was that age," she said. I smiled.
"Really?" I said. She nodded.
"The similarities are striking," she said. "Here are the keys. You'd best get going. I'll have lunch ready by the time you get back." I took the keys from her and went out to the garage. I still didn't have a license, but I'd been driving since I was eleven. My dad let me drive all over the property. Roads were a bit of a different experience, but it wasn't like the traffic was heavy. It was relatively quiet where we were.
I drove back to the hospital and breezed past the nurse's station. I wasn't interested in listening to their red tape. I pushed open the door to his room. It was dark, as most hospital rooms were. I tried to close the door quietly.
"Couldn't stay away, could you?" he said. I smiled.
"Nope," I said. I leaned over and kissed his forehead. "How are you feeling?"
"I dunno what they've got me on, but it's fucking awesome. I can't feel a thing," he replied. I laughed.
"Probably morphine. They gave it to me when I had my appendix out," I said. He smiled up at me.
"Thanks," he said.
"For what?" I asked.
"Saving my life," he replied. I shrugged.
"I'm not done with you yet. I had to save you," I said.
"Good to know," he said. "Have a seat." I pulled up a chair and sat next to him.
"I think they want to keep you the rest of the day, but I'm going to try and get you out of here. The food is atrocious," I said.
"I appreciate it," he said. "Connor didn't want to come?"
"Nah, he was asleep. I decided I'd let him sleep. He needs it," I answered.
"If he's trailing after you, I have no doubt," Murphy said.
"Thanks," I said.
"Only the best, love," he said.
"So did you have any brilliant revelations? Sometimes that happens in near death experiences," I asked. He shook his head.
"Not ones I didn't already know about," he said.
"And what are those?" I asked.
"You know the answer to that," he said slyly. I poked him.
"That I'm fantastically wonderful, talented, and beautiful?" I teased.
"You forgot humble," he said. I laughed.
"Silly me," I said. We sat there for a few minutes in silence. It wasn't one of those lulls in the conversation where people are frantically searching for something to say. It was comfortable. We were both content in the silence. I rested my chin on my hands. He rubbed my hair.
"You're a brave man. I haven't washed my hair in about three days," I said.
"I don't care. I've gone weeks without showering," he said. I wrinkled my nose.
"Ew, really?" I said. He nodded.
"I think my record is two weeks," he said.
"I'd feel grody after two days," I said.
"When you're running for your life, personal hygiene takes a back seat," he said.
"I suppose," I said.
"I like not running," he said.
"Me too," I agreed. We'd have to leave eventually. We couldn't stay out here forever. The castle was practically uninhabitable in the winter. There was also Taylor to consider. I hadn't heard a peep about him for nearly two months. It meant he was still alive. If he'd been killed, Ryan would have found a way to tell me. Taylor would find us eventually. I dreaded that day.
"What you thinking about?" Murphy asked.
"Nothing," I said.
"Pretty spacey for nothing," he said.
"Happens," I replied. "Let me see if I can find a doctor and see if I can take you home."
"Much appreciated," he said. I got up and walked back to the nurses' station.
"May I help you?" one asked.
"I'd like to see the doctor who's taking care of Murphy McManus," I told her. She typed a few things in the computer and then looked back up at me.
"He'll be in in a minute. You can wait in the room," she replied. I nodded and walked back. The doctor had beaten me in there.
"Ah, you must be the famous Erin," he said.
"I am," I said.
"He's doing well. There's really nothing more we can do for him. Infection might still be a problem, but I can prescribe something for him if he needs it," he said.
"So you mean he can come home?" I said.
"I don't see why not. He'll be walking a little funny. I have some pain killers I can give you before you leave," he said.
"Thanks," said Murphy.
"Do you have any extra clothes?" the doctor asked. They had to cut off his pants and his shirt was covered in blood. I hadn't thought about that when I left. Then I remembered something.
"I just might," I said. I ran back out to the car and threw open the trunk. Sure enough, there was a black duffel bag in the back. Inside was a change of clothes. They were my dad's. He always believed in having a change of clothes wherever he went. I thought it was silly, but as I got older I realized why. I looked up at the sky.
"Thank you, Daddy," I went back inside, bag in hand.
"They'll be a little big, but at least they're clothes," I said.
"Excellent, I'll have the nurse bring everything to you before you check out," the doctor said and left the room. I helped Murphy up out of the bed and into the bathroom.
"Sure you don't need any help changing?" I said. He laughed.
"If I do, you'll be the first one I ask," he said. I handed him the bag and closed the door.