Chapter 30: Awake

(Jared's POV)

'Finally' I heard Mel whisper as me and Ian rounded the corner in the hospital.

We've been wandering around on every floor of this damn place before a nurse finally pointed us in the right direction. Neither of us could remember where to go. Half an hour we've been traipsing around. Hospital's have always freaked me out, they smell more like death than healing.
For every minute we couldn't find Wanda and Mel I could feel Ian getting tenser and tenser beside me...there was nothing I could say or do, I knew that much. He'll only be okay when Wanda is.

Mel pulled her robe tighter around her waist as she walked forward to meet us in the corridor. Ian didn't even bother to say 'hello', he just marched straight through the flimsy curtains that cut off Wanda from the rest of the room, apparently the insurance didn't stretch for a room of her own. Typical.

I smiled meekly at Mel as I noticed the dark circles under her eyes, the smile she had forced onto her face, and way her hands shook as she reached out to wrap her arms around me.
For a moment I felt relief that Mel wasn't the one hurt, but it was short lived as guilt washed through me at being happy. I shouldn't be happy. I'm not happy about what's happened. but god...if that was Mel. I don't even know how Ian's waited this long away from the hospital. He even seemed calm when I picked him up.

'How is she?' I knew what the answer would be, Mel had been texting me all morning, but I had to ask...just in case.

'...the same.' Mel whispered into my shoulder, I sighed and pulled her closer to me...we were probably too close and people were probably staring, but I didn't care. This was a hospital...people need all the comfort they can get.

'I bought you some clothes...your mom gave them to me to bring. They're going to visit around midday when they can get away from work.' I had only met Mel's parents a few times, but they were nice, trusting people. They always seemed to notice how much I cared about Mel, I think that's mainly why they've been kind to me...they know I'd keep her safe no matter what she got herself into.

'mmhmm.' Mel didn't move away, and neither did I.

(Wanda's POV)

'Wanda?...'

I heard my name being called from far away, and footsteps getting louder as they drew closer - But I couldn't answer.

I thought I knew what was going to come next, what normally happens - someone grabbing my arms and making me face the sunlight as my back presses into the cold, soft mud. But this didn't feel like before...I wasn't cold...I wasn't afraid anymore.

My hand had started to grow warmer as I thought about how different this feels...could something be resting on it? But I wasn't sure, I couldn't seem to move my hand to check...I don't even have the energy to open my eyes or move my head. It was as though I was trapped inside my own body, unable to control it.

'...please wake up. Please be okay...' There was that voice again. So familiar...it was as though my body was drawn to it. Every word they said made me feel more awake, more alive.

There was a pressure now on my hand. Uncomfortable almost. I drew on the energy I had gained to try and lift it...all I could manage was to move my fingertips, but that was enough to remove some of the pressure - I sighed inwardly, feeling a slight tingling in my now free hand.

'Wanda?!' The voice was clear now, as though it had brought me back from being trapped inside, helpless. I could feel my whole body now, aching and sore, but I could at least move it.

The pressure moved from my hand completely, and now resting on each side of my face, I realised, were hands. Big hands. I inhaled the scent I had only recently grown to love...but that also brought back memories. Of being lifted into someone's arms roughly, my head resting against their chest as my whole body hurt and the cold had set into my bones.
My mind flooded suddenly of memories from the warehouse. From being hunched on a mat on the floor, up to when I raked the broken key across my captors face. Bernard.

'Open your eyes, please Wanda'

And I did.

My eyes met those that had plagued my dreams; crystal blue...ones that I knew should be kind but somehow they weren't. The eyes of the person who grabbed me, who wanted to hurt me and take me away from everyone I loved. But that wasn't right was it?

I was always confused about which poor girl screamed in my nightmares, but now I know it was me all along. I couldn't help it, as soon as my brain linked those eyes to my nightmares my mouth opened instantly.

I could barely hear him over my screams, I just wanted him away from me so I could think. I couldn't let him take me like in those dreams, I just couldn't...but this isn't the same... he isn't grabbing me...he was giving me space...even trying to calm me...this isn't the person I should be afraid of. 'Wanda? It's me, It's Ian, you're safe, it's okay'

He brushed the hair from my forehead once I had caught my breath back. I remembered how I had once dreamed of seeing Bernard's eyes when I looked up into Ian's face...now I had dreamed the opposite, over and over. But those dreams felt so real.
I slumped back down into what looked like a hospital bed, my eyelids already beginning to droop - I had used up what little energy I had regained from shouting. I just don't want to dream of him again...the monster with Ian's eyes.

'Sshh, it's okay...don't cry, please don't cry' I hadn't even realised I was. As Ian's hand reached up to wipe a tear from my cheek I caught it in mine, I saw him smile slightly as he threaded our fingers...he's really here. I don't even know where 'here' is, but he's with me...he'll keep me safe.

'I-I'm sorry..' Was all I could croak out of my sore throat, I tried to squeeze Ian's hand but I don't think he even felt it...my energy almost all gone.

'Don't. You have nothing to apologize for...I'm just glad you're here...' I heard him sigh deeply as he saw my eyelids almost close over and over, 'Get some rest Wanda, I'll be right here when you wake up.' He leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead as my eyelids fluttered closed, I thought I heard him say something else too...but the darkness was invading too quickly to make out the words...

A/n - Don't worry 'Unexplainable Awesomness', as if Wanda could ever forget Ian!

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