Chapter 20

The hospital

Kristina felt like she was under water. It was a strange heavy feeling. What was going on? Where was she? Then she heard it. A voice. It sounded far away but she could still hear it. Michael? Was that him? It sounded like he was crying. Why was he crying? "Oh krissy it's all my fault. I should have known you would be at Johnnys. You barely talk to anyone at school anymore. I tried to get hold of you. Why didn't you tell me the truth. You are here because of me." He sobbed.

Kristina didn't understand. Where was she? She tried to think back to where she was before. It was a little foggy but she could remember hanging out with Ethan and Johnny. It was graduation. She then thought harder and remembered the last thing she could. She was in the parking garage talking to Johnny and they were joking around and then a blast of heat. That was the last thing she could remember. What happened?

Kristina tried to fight her way out of the fogginess. She could feel her brother's hand on hers. She told herself to try to squeeze his hand. It felt like dead weight. She focused and suddenly she felt her fingers began to curl around her brothers. "Krissy! Krissy!" he began to shout. It was all she felt she could do before slipping into the dark murky depths.

Ethan arrived at the hospital after receiving a startling text from Molly. He was confused at first as to why the young girl would be texting him at three o clock in the morning. He had just gotten in from dropping Maya off at home when his phone buzzed. You have to come to the hospital. Kristina and Johnny are hurt. Hurry. He couldn't believe it. What had happened to them. He had only left them hours before. Ethan drove at break neck speed and hurried into the emergency room. It was a place he didn't want to be again. It wasn't too long ago he was here bringing Kristina in after the beating she had received from that asshole boyfriend of hers Keifer. Luckily that was all in the past now. Kiefer was gone. He arrived in the E.R. and saw Kristina's family sitting in the waiting area. Molly rushed over to him immediately. "Ethan! I am so glad you came, Kristina is hurt. She's unconscious right now."

Alexis walked over frowning at him and telling Molly to go sit down. "Ethan. I see my daughter informed you as to what happened to Kristina. How long have you known she has been hanging out with Johnny Zacharra?" Alexis looked furious. Ethan swallowed. The woman had always made him nervous. "I- Awhile now. I told her it wasn't a good idea but she wouldn't listen. What happened?" Ethan was terrified for Kristina. He had no clue what was going on. "A car bomb was strapped to Johnny's car. Kristina was with Johnny, Luckily she wasn't inside. I can't believe she was hanging out with him. To be closer to you no doubt." Alexis turned and walked away leaving Ethan in stunned silence.

A car bomb? Pain seized Ethan's chest. Was she going to be ok? He had no way of knowing of course because he wasn't family. What happened to Johnny? Was he ok? Did he walk away? Ethan headed over to the E.R. nurse and asked about Johnny. Considering they had no way of contacting Anthony, the nurse told him the information. "He is in critical condition right now. He is in surgery actually." Ethan was stunned. He was worried for his friend but he was terrified for Kristina. He had no way of knowing what happened to her and he was terrified they wouldn't let him see her. He wished more than anything he could see her beautiful face right now, taunting him and trying to convince him to go out with her. Who would have done this was another question on his mind and one thought came into focus. Sonny. He had found out that Kristina and Johnny were friends. He was furious. Could he have ordered the bomb set under Johnny's car?

Kristina heard another voice and found herself trying to fight to the surface again. It was Sam and her mother Alexis. She tried opening her eyes but felt to weak. She felt someone touching her hand again. She put all her energy into squeezing the hand holding hers. She was sure they barely felt it but a squeal of joy told her all she needed to know. "Kristina can you open your eyes sweetheart?" she heard her mother asking. Kristina tried as she could but could not. "It's ok sweetheart. I know you're here and that is enough for now. You had us worried. Oh Kristina!" Seconds later she could hear the voice of her sister Sam. "Krissy, I know you are going to be just fine. I am so glad you are waking up. I miss you. Mom and molly miss you too. Michael was here. He said you squeezed his hand but I didn't believe it."

Kristina felt sad that she couldn't get up the energy to even open her eyes, let alone talk to her family. She just felt so exhausted. She was also worried about Johnny. Was he ok? Was he even alive? She then began to wonder how the bomb got there. Was it her father trying to attack Johnny or another one of Johnny's enemies. She knew there were many. Why did things have to be so complicated. She wished her father was here. Maybe he would have the answers.

Kristina could then feel herself getting tired and slipping again back into the murky depths where it felt warm and safe.