Chapter 31

(Wanda's POV)

I struggled in and out of consciousness for what felt like forever after Ian's visit, I still didn't have any energy to even open my eye lids, so I just lay there, underneath the scratchy hospital blanket...listening. Whenever I did come to, there'd always be someone there. Mostly Mel, constantly talking to me like her life depended on it; mostly she told me about school, either gossip about who's dating who, or generally just how she's getting on in classes – although she doesn't seem too happy to have to leave me here during the day, I'm glad she's back to her old self, no longer being a truant and skipping out.

Yesterday, I think it was yesterday, was the first time I felt like I was myself again, like I could walk and talk if I tried. But I didn't push it too far. I opened my eyes and looked around my small section of the hospital I currently inhabited, a nurse was changing the drip that fed something into my arm and smiled at me… but all too soon I was asleep again. But stirring now I feel better still, only the first thing I noticed this time is a hand on top of mine, I hoped it would be Ian, to talk to him, even to see him again would help me right now – but I opened my eyes to Jared instead. He looked shocked to see me awake, and removed his hand sheepishly, but I just smiled – glad to see a familiar face.

'Hi' I tried to speak but my throat was so sore it was like it was lined with razor blades. Jared reached for a bottle of water by my bed, unscrewed the cap and handed it over.

'I'll go grab a nurse okay?' Jared made for the curtain separating my bed from the rest of the ward, all I could do was nod but it didn't make a difference, he was already gone. I bought the water to my lips and sipped slowly, immediately I felt relief in my throat, even my tongue felt better for the liquid – after that the bottle didn't last long, I was just tipping it back as far as I could to get the last few drops when Jared returned with a nurse. He checked my monitors and spoke in soothing-hospital-tones to see how I was.

'Thirsty' was all I could muster, still not trusting my throat. He smiled sympathetically and told me a doctor would just need to check my injuries before he'd get me some more water. Jared stepped outside to give me privacy as I wondered what injuries I actually had – although I didn't need to wonder for long as suddenly I could feel them. It was like the pain barrier had come down and suddenly my side and ankle were throbbing, as well my head and chest. I took a few deep breaths, which the nurse noticed, 'don't worry,' he said, 'everything seems fine at the moment, it's just the healing process, sit tight I'll go and get a doctor.'

The doctor seemed kind as she walked towards the side of my bed. She introduced herself as Dr Langley and asked me if I could remember anything that happened before I wound up in here. What did I remember?My head was still aching, and just seemed to get worse the more I concentrated, so for now I just shook my head, 'maybe after you've been awake a while, had some food, then you'll remember' the doctor said as she started to lift the blanket off of me.

I was surprised at my own body as Doctor Langley examined me; my whole left side was the deep purple colour of bruising - spreading so far back I couldn't see where it ended. The image of Bernard tackling me to the ground flashed across my vision, I squeezed my eyelids shut to try to be rid of the memory, which faded as Doctor Langley moved to my ankle. The same colour was smeared across my skin there too, but must have only been a twisted ankle, not broken as I hoped it wasn't as I was running from the warehouse. The other foot was completely bandaged… acid. Doctor Langley questioned me for this injury and I answered as best I could, re-living the horrible time at school was okay for the moment, and I just didn't want to go past that. I knew I'd have to eventually, maybe even talk to a therapist about it, but not right now, right now I just want to feel better.

After the examination the nurse brought me a jug of water and some bland hospital sandwich which I could barely look at without my stomach turning over, but I ate anyway, and I was awarded with a smile from the nurse before he left. Jared must have been given the okay to come back in because he was sitting by my side again in an instant.

'Mel asked me to come today, I don't know why, she just said she had a feeling... weird huh?' Jared's smile looked forced, but I didn't question it - I know what looking at a friend in the hospital must feel like. But all the same, I'm glad he's here. Although when I looked down at the sandwich in front of me I wish he'd brought some good food from the diner, even thinking about my usual burger made my mouth water.

'Have you told Mel I'm awake?' I was torn, I wanted her to know so I could see her and talk to her again, but I know she'd ditch school in a second, without hesitation…and she's just gotten back on track.

'No, not yet, I figured I'd tell her when school finishes so she can come right over, it's nearly 3 o'clock anyways. It's Thursday by the way, you've been pretty much out of it for the past two days, ever since Ian came.' I grimace at the thought of me screaming at Ian, and Jared smiled apologetically.

'Has… he been…?' I didn't know how to ask without sounding like a needy girlfriend.

'Are you crazy? He's been here non-stop, I'm surprised he's not here right now – he's been starting late and finishing early at work just so he can come and see you in the morning and be with here for a few hours before visiting hours stops in the afternoon. He's going to be so glad you're awake.' I beamed as he told me; I couldn't wait to see him – and the thought that he'd be here soon made it so much better.

For now though, I continue to eat as Jared catches me up on what's been happening, which is apparently not a lot which seems odd… though I'm grateful he's not bringing up any news on Burns or that night, I'd rather Ian be here before I hear any news about that monster.

(Ian's POV)

I watch the clock as it slowly gets closer to 3. I've been leaving earlier and earlier each day…but each day gets worse. I feel totally helpless as I just watch her unconscious, surely this can't be right - she needs to wake up.

Mel said she felt 'today would be the day', but I'm not sure – the doctors have already told Mel the longer she's unconscious the worse she might be getting, even though they saw nothing in the brain scan they're still wanting her to wake up soon. And I am too, just to hear her voice or see her face light up again… I still can't get the image of her screaming out of my head. The fear in her eyes as soon as she saw me… I felt like the monster. I don't even know what he must have done to make her react like that; my blood boils just thinking about it.

10 minutes to 3… that's close enough – I grab my keys and look through the glass into my boss's office, he sees me and just nods in goodbye, his daughter's been in and out of hospital her whole life so he knows this isn't where I need to be…if anything he's been grateful I've come in at all these past few days. But either I sit next to Wanda in the hospital and feel helpless, or I sit here and have something to distract me for a few hours a day. I walk through the parking lot and jump in my truck – I hope today's the day.

By the time I get to the hospital I see Mel near the front doors, she waves as she spots me pulling into the parking lot and waits for me before she goes in.

'How was work?' she asks as we navigate the halls leading to Wanda's ward. She seems pretty happy today all things considering, guessing she's still sticking to her 'today's the day' ideal.

'Okay, I guess' I shrug, not really knowing what to say, 'how was school?'

'Good, the usual... I heard some news about him today…' I sighed, people have been tip-toeing around the subject whenever I was in the room, never saying his name or going into theories on what happened… I was partly grateful, every time I thought about what happened to Wanda I wanted to punch something… but the other part of me was annoyed that they didn't talk to me about it, they seemed to be treating me like a child.

'What did you hear?' I tried to play it cool but I really wanted to know, hopefully he'll be out of town now if he knows what's good for him.

'Some people saw him walking through town in the middle of the night, talking to himself… they said he looked deranged' she almost whispered as we were getting closer to where Wanda was. I stayed silent once she'd told me…one thought kept circling in my head…I wonder if he's looking for her.