A/n – (If you didn't submit a guest review you can just ignore this AN and go down to the chapter)

Guest Review: This was an ok chapter. I understand the writers block. I see your potential and I know you're capable of writing good chapters. Lately, your chapters have been so short compared to other fanfictions. Can you try to make the chapters longer the next time you update. Please :-)

I'd just briefly like to talk about this review?
PLEASE don't compare my story with any other fanfictions - I like how this story is going and I do want to see it through to the end (it might just take a little while to get there)
I use short chapters...I like short chapters. Whether they are for dramatic effect or because I haven't had time to write a 3K+ chapter - Most of the time I get an idea and like to write it out straight away, even when it's just 500 words.
I'd really rather you tell me what you actually think of the chapters I post. It sounds like you didn't think the last chapter was 'ok' at all...

I do appreciate that you took time out to read and review what I've posted, please tell me the points you honestly didn't like - maybe I can work on it so you'd enjoy my story a little more?...

Chapter 28: Waiting

(Jared's POV)

5am…

For christ sake, who is calling me at 5am. I grabbed my cell before it fell off of my bedside table from the vibrations and looked at the caller ID.

~IAN~

'waddayouwant?' I tried to clear my throat and speak again but it was no use…I still sounded tired and hoarse.

'Jared. It's me…'

'I know it's you. Do you know that it's 5 in the morning?'

'Yes.'

'…so? What's so important that couldn't wait until us normal people are up?'

'It's Wanda…she's…' I sat up in bed as Ian sighed on the other end.

'She's in the hospital…man I don't know what to do they won't let me stay and she's all alone and it's all because of that dick. You need to tell Mel, she can at least be there and take care of her...she's in the closest hospital to town. God this is so messed up.'

His breathing was heavy once he'd finished…I didn't know what to say, Wanda…in the hospital? Why?

'I'll tell Mel. I'll call you later alright?' I got out of bed in search for some clean clothes while I tried to think of something supportive to say.

'Alright…' jeez he sounds half dead himself.

'I'm sorry Ian…She's going to be alright...' but I didn't know that…I didn't know how bad she was. And by the sound of Ian's voice it must be bad.

The phone went dead. My attempt at comfort stopped short.

I tried to imagine what Ian must be going through…but that would mean I'd have to picture Mel in the hospital and I just couldn't…he must be going out of his mind not being able to be there with her.

I shoved my feet into some jeans and fumbled with the zipper as I went to the contacts list in my phone…I need to tell Mel…she's bound to chop my head off at waking her up… but she'll understand once she knows. If I don't tell her right away I'll be right next to Wanda in the hospital.

I tried calling 3 times, each went to to answer machine straight away…

Great. Looks like I better go round…it'll probably be better to tell her in person anyway. I can then at least take her to the hospital while she processes the news.

(Wanda's POV)

I felt the cold blades of grass between my fingers once more as I struggled forward. I didn't know where I had come from…or even where I was going, I was just here. Again…

I shuffled forward, neither of my legs wanting to work this time, I felt no pain in either leg but I knew they would not do anything, even if I begged.

Safety was becoming harder to reach as I pulled at the grass and mud underneath me – I didn't know my goal; only that I needed to move forward before…before, something?

I felt a presence behind me before I saw his shadow cast over the ground… a shadow I've seen many times but can't seem to place now.

Hands pulled at my shoulders, forcing me to turn, to meet the enemy.

I heard a girl scream as the sunlight danced in my eyes, blinding me for a moment. I worried for the poor girl who continued to cry out. Why was she screaming? Why does the sound seem so close…I'm sure I'm alone, besides the strange man leaning over me…pulling at my arms and shouting. I couldn't hear him, I couldn't feel the pain that I knew should be caused by his strong grip, I could only see the blue of his eyes as his face came closer to mine.

It was different from last time...I knew those eyes. They were supposed to be kind, weren't they?

I suddenly felt light, like I could float away if only I should let go of the grass…

(Mel's POV)

'Wanda? WANDA? WAKE UP?' I leaned over the railings of the hospital bed so I could gently shake her shoulders…the doctor said nothing was wrong with her arms right?

'WANDA?!'

She'd screamed like this a few times, but there was nothing that worked in waking her from her constant nightmare…the nurses didn't know what was happening, 'just bad dreams' they said. Well I know Wanda and I've never heard her sound like that before…

It was a little after 8am, I'd been here for about 2 hours, sitting in the same uncomfortable chair, drinking the stale coffee I'd practically beaten out of one of the nurses…it was either that or drink the machine coffee that tasted like pennies.

I had organized and then re-organized the clothes and home-comforts I had brought from Wanda's room…I'll never forget the moment Jared told me. For the first time I realised what it must have been like for my parents last year…and Wanda isn't even my kid!

{2 and a half hours ago}

I felt groggy as I pulled the cord to open the drapes at my window. I swear I hadn't imagined the tapping for the fifth time...how the hell is someone at my window? It doesn't make sense...am I still dreaming or what?!

'Mel!' I saw Jared mouth my name when he saw me looking down at him. Really...I must be dreaming.

I pulled on my old, stiff window until it opened. Shivering, I pulled my arms through the dressing gown that was thrown over my study chair and moved back to the window.

'What are you doing Jared?'

'I need to talk to you'

'Jesus. It's godknows what time and now you need to talk to me... ugh just stay there I'm coming down.' Did he look scared or was it just me?

I didn't look in my mirror as I walked out of my room, I couldn't do anything to try and fix my bed head so I may as well just leave it. Jeez. This better be worth it...

{Present Time}

I clutched Wanda's hand as I cried again, for what felt like the thousandth time this morning.

I'll never forget the look on Jared's face...as soon as he said Wanda and Burns' name in the same sentence I thought the worst. A part of me was relieved to find out she was at least in the hospital...better than not here at all.

Even though we never went below, or even met, the speed limit, it had still taken us a little over 30 minutes to get here. I didn't even get changed, I grabbed the first clothes I saw from Wanda's room, her favourite stuffed bear from her bed, shoved them in a rucksack and jumped in the car..at least I remembered to leave a message for my parents.

I'm such a mess - I can't stop thinking about everything that could have happened - none of us even know the truth of what did happen. Only Wanda knows that and she's...she's. Ugh why did this have to happen?! Wanda doesn't deserve to be in a hospital right now.

...Poor Ian. He must be going out of his mind. Jared had told me he couldn't stay with her as we drove over here...at least he's with Ian now. Hopefully stopping him doing something stupid.

I tried to clear my mind but nothing worked. If I wasn't thinking about Wanda, then I was thinking about Burns...or Ian...or Jared...or, selfishly, myself.

All we can do now is wait...