Chapter Seventeen: Hospital Beds

There's nothing to do here, just lie and complain
In bed at the hospital, coming and going
Asleep and awake in bed at the hospital
I've got one friend laying across from me
I did not choose him and he did not choose me
We have no chance of recovering
Laying in hospitals, joy and misery
~Florence & the Machine

The ride had been quiet, Nilin wasn't up for talking and Bonnie had passed out a while ago. The sun was just starting to peek up from the horizon as Nilin cracked the windows of the car, let in the cool fresh air. She had been driving straight through the night only stopping for gas once. They were almost there now, she had seen the Lee County sign a few miles back. Meaning they were in the very end of Virgin, right where Kentucky and Tennessee boarder, many long hours away from Mystic Falls.

They were heading for a town called Hopesville, ironic right? She and her dad had lived there for four years now. He had decided to move a few years after her mother died— thinking it was the best for Nilly, when really it was the best for him. Everything in Mystic Falls had reminded him of her mother. But he took with him one thing that reminded him the most of this late wife… Nilin.

That caused some tension between them over the years. A Nilin had always been bitter about the move, though she'd never admit it to her father. It turned her into somewhat of a rebel without a cause.

Hopesville wasn't as small a town as Mystic Falls. It was much bigger with several school campuses and large shopping malls. The people there were nicer, many were sweet to her. They didn't really know about her story, other than she was a new girl from a small town. She could have liked it here if things hadn't gone bad last summer.

"Are we there yet?" Bonnie mumbled as she cracked an eye open and picked her head up off the window.

"Almost," Nilin smiled, returning to the present. "I'm going to go straight to the hospital, though. Mil should be there with my dad still," she said. Bonnie nodded and stretched her arms out in the passenger seat.

"Do you sleep at all?" she asked, yawning.

"Nope," Nilin answered, still smiling at her. "I'm a creature of the night."

Bonnie rolled her eyes as she laid her head on the head rest. Nilly turned off the highway onto the next exit and followed it to Mercy Hospital. When they got there they went over to the front desk of the giant white building. Nilly asked which room Jack Gilbert was in and they were led to the recovery wing.

Nilly always hated the smell of hospitals, it brought back bad memories. The nurse led them to a room that looked a lot like the one Nilin had been in a few days ago.

She stepped into the room. In all his glory, there laid her dad staring up at the baseball game, cursing when the batter struck out. His dark blond hair hung scattered over his wrinkling forehead. She could see where he must have gashed his head open. Right above his eyebrow was stitched and bandaged now.

His misty green eyes flashed towards the doorway. They were the same color as Elena's father's had been. A smile came to his face, "Nilly," he said.

She smiled at the sound of his voice, realizing how much she had missed him. Nilin went over to the bed and hugged him, his strong arms going around her the way that made her feel safe. His cheek was rough against hers. "You need to shave, Dad," she said as she pulled away and sat down on the side of the bed.
"What, you don't like it? I think it gives me that manly western look," he chuckled, rubbing his chin.

Nilly shook her head and laughed. "Shave it," she said again, getting off the hospital bed and walking to the door. That was their hello, it summed up their relationship. They never wasted time on the mushy stuff, seemingly working on a professional level. At least that would be what it looked like to anyone on the outside. She grabbed Bonnie's arm. "Someone came with me to check on you," Nilly said, walking back over to the bed.

"Bonnie Bennett? Well, look at you," he grinned.

Bonnie smiled and hugged him, "Hi, Mr. Gilbert."

"God, it's been years. How is everyone back home?" he asked.

"They're good, Mr. Gilbert," she answered. "Everyone's missed you and this one too," Bonnie said, bumping Nilin's hip.

"You don't know how good Mystic Falls is until you get back there." Nilly said.

"That's good, that's real good, Nilin." He paused and then looked up at her. He had his lawyer look on his face, the one he use to use in the court room when he made a final decision. She hadn't seen that look in a very long time. "I want you to stay up there for a while, I think it's better if you do."

Her eyes widened, well that was a surprise. "Dad, how can I stay in Mystic Falls when you can't even take care of yourself here?" she asked him, crossing her arms.

He sat up in the bed. "I'll get better, I always do. This was all just a slip up," he promised her, tugging on her earlobe like he use to do when she was little.

"Yeah, a slip up that landed you into the hospital, Dad," Nilin snapped, smacking his had away. Her parents and hospitals didn't tend to mix well.

"Listen, I know you worry about me. You got that from your mother," he side noted, "but Mildred's been helping me a lot. I want you to be with the family, Nilin. It's good for you," he continued. "Look you even got color in your cheeks again."

Nilly shook her head, she didn't feel like having this conversation at the moment. "Where is Mil?" she asked, changing the subject.

"She went to get coffee, that woman hasn't left my side," he explained with a grin.

"Because the moment I do, I find you passed out in the living room," Nilly heard Mildred's voice, thick with a southern accent, in the doorway. She smiled at the aging woman. "Well, well isn't it my Nilin," she smiled, setting the coffee down.

Nilly hugged her tight, "Hey Mil."

Mildred was a small lady, with a big voice. Her dark skin made her grey eyes stand out. Along with her grey hair which was pulled back into a bun, neat and slicked back. She had on black slacks and floral linen top, the long chain golden necklace hung around her neck like always and of course she was smiling.

Mildred was always a part of the family, even when her mother was alive. She used to come to Mystic Falls during the summer to visit them ever since Nilly was a baby. Her mother saw Mil like a mother and Nilin saw her like a grandmother. Nilly was so grateful to have someone like Mil around after they moved here. She helped Nilly out of more pickles than she'd like to admit and was one of the reason's her dad was almost functioning again. Nilin could probably thank Mildred for the fact that she was still alive.

"And you must be Ms. Bonnie Bennett." Mildred said looking at the girl behind Nilly. She walked over to Bonnie and shook her hand, Bonnie gasped slightly as they stared at each other. Nilin knew they were making some sort of magical connection because of the way they were smiling at each other.

Nilin turned back to her dad, who had his attention on the TV again. She sat back down on the bed. "Dad," she said softly. "What happened?"

He looked down at her, his eyes looking so much older than he was. Her father hated this part but he knew if he didn't tell Nilin there would be a fight sure to ensue. "I was coming home from work and I passed a bar. I've passed that bar every day, but never really gave any thought to it. But, for some reason I went in and…" he paused, shrugging a little. "You know the rest by now, I suppose."

Nilly shook her head, getting a little frustrated with him. "I think you need to figure out another way of getting home without passing a bar," she bit out.

He sighed and placed his hands on hers. "I'm sorry, Nilin," he said.

She gave him a sad smile. "You say that all the time," she told him, looking down at their hands. "I don't know how much longer it's going to cut it."

"You're right, I'm trying," replaying his lines as if this wasn't a performance they put on all the time.

"I know you are," she said to him.

Just then there was a knock at the door. Nilin turned to see a doctor standing there, a man in his early fifties with greying black hair. He had thick framed glasses on his nose and was smiling at them. "Good morning Mr. Gilbert, I see you have company," The doctor said, walking over to them.

"Yeah, this is my daughter, Nilin. Nilly this is Dr. Sulez," he father introduced.

Nilly stood up and shook his hand, "Nice to meet you," he said.

"You too," she replied.

"Would I be able to speak to you in private?" he asked her. Nilin looked behind her, Bonnie and Mildred were sitting in chairs in the corner of the room talking, and her dad's eyes were on the game again.

"Of course, yeah," she said turning back to the doctor. Nilly followed him out into the hallway, she closed the door behind her.

"I'm glad you came down here," Dr. Sulez began. "I've been talking to your father since he got here and he's mostly talked about you, so I thought you'd be able to set him straight." Nilly nodded her head, terrified where this conversation was going. "When he was brought in the first thing we check was his blood alcohol levels," the doctor continued. "They were extremely high, lethally high." Nilin's heart dropped. "It took a toll on his body. We are going to run some test today to see how much of a toll it had taken. But from what I learn of your father's past history is that if this happens again, next time there might not be a chance he'll recover from it."

Nilin stared at him, understanding what he was saying but not wanting to comprehend what it meant for her and her father. She knew for a while now that this day would come. She knew it herself that her father's drinking would put him here, but it's a whole other thing hearing someone else say it out loud. Nilly took a few deep breaths, as she leaned on the hallway wall.

"It's rough, I mean I know adults who have been put in this situation and they don't know what to do, and I'm just a kid. I'm floundering, but I'm trying," Nilly said looking at Dr. Sulez, he nodded at her. "He's the only parent I have left, so believe me I've been trying."

"I'm not saying you haven't been, I just think it's time to try harder," he said to her. She stood up straight and nodded, though she was pissed that that was all the doctor had to offer her. Try harder, as if this was some school science project. "We're ready to take him to start the test if that's alright," he said, opening the hospital room door for her.

Nilin didn't say anything, she just wrapped her arms around herself and went into the room, taking her place by her father's side again.

"You ready, Mr. Gilbert?" the doctor asked.

Her father looked away from the TV and smiled. "All ready Doc," he said.

Nilly hugged him and said, "I'll be here when you get back." He nodded at her and kissed her on the cheek. Then he was gone.

Nilin sat down on the hospital bed. Mildred came over and rubbed her back. "He's going to be just fine, peaches," she said. "He's strong, you get that from him. He just misses your mother." Nilly looked at her.

"I do too, but you don't see me slurping down a bottle of whiskey." Nilly said. Mildred put a warm gentle hand on Nilly's and flattened out her clenched fist.
"You have a right to be bitter," she said. "But that doesn't mean you have to be."

Wise Mildred, always know exactly what to say. Mil had that gift, she seemed to be able to comfort anyone she came across. It allowed Nilin to relax a little, taking in a deep breath before she spoke up, "I know, it's just what the doctor said."

"Yeah, doctors and their fancy equipment, thinking they can predict peoples futures. But they can't and you very well know that." Nilly laughed as Mil stood up, shaking her bony finger and walking over to Bonnie. "You know that too, don't you?" Bonnie grinned a little and nodded. Mil turned back to Nilin with a bigger smile on her face. "Our friend here is pretty impressive. I haven't seen a young witch as pure and strong as her in a long while," she admitted.

Nilly smiled at Bonnie, "I've known that all along."

Bonnie just rolled her eyes, knowing Nilin enough to pick up on the sarcasm in her voice. "Why thank you, but I still can't figure out how to conjure up food. So I'm going to the cafeteria to get some breakfast. I'll bring you something back," Bonnie said, winking at her.

Nilly let out a small chuckle as she rested back on the bed. She didn't realize how tired she was until her head hit the hospital pillow. The slight smell of her dad's cologne stuck to it, which only pushed the need for her to close her eyes. Mildred came over and sat next to her, "How are you, sugar?"

She looked up at her and smiled softly. "I'm good. Mystic Falls and I have a love-hate relationship, but it's a lot better than here."

Mildred combed her fingers through Nilly's hair soothingly. "And that's why you have to leave as soon as possible," she urged. "I know why you had to come back here, but wish you didn't. You have to be very careful, Nilly. He's still in town, I haven't seen him in a few days but I doubt he's left."

"I know, I know," she said, rubbing her sore eyes with her knuckles. "I just want to stop at the house and grab some things and then we'll leave."

Mildred gave her a stern, worried look, "You need to be careful, please."

"I will Mil. I'll go to the house by myself if you're willing to stay with Bonnie. I don't want to put her in danger," she said.

Mildred sighed, "Of course, peaches."

"Thank you." Nilly said, yawing.

Mildred tapped the silver chain on Nilly's wrist. "How'd that bracelet I made for you work?" she asked.

"It's worked, not that he's tried to compel me since he's figured out I have vervain on me, but it worked." Nilin explained, feeling shivers run down her spine in response to the memory.

"It's some protection though," Mildred said. "Now why don't you take a nap?" She got up and pulled the hospital sheets over Nilin, tucking her in. "You'll be safe here, you got two witches in the room with you," she said, winking at Nilly.

With one final nod and a yawn, Nilin shut her eyes and soon enough she was asleep.

The sunlight made her squint. She shielded her eyes with her hand as she looked around. A frown came to her lips as she realized where she was. Nilin was back in the meadow again, sitting in the long scratchy grass.

This time though, it was daylight out and very clear that she was dreaming. The air was warm and Nilin could almost smell the summer sun warming the grass. There were white fluff balls floating everywhere, they tickled her nose, and the birds sounded as if they were chirping to a song she knew. The whole setting was somewhat trippy.

Nilin heard movement behind her that made her jump. She turned around slowly, terrified of what might be lurking there, but what she saw was unexpected. A woman with long soft copper hair and a flowing white dress was picking something from the tree she stood under.

She stood up from the grass and started towards the woman. Then she turned around. Nilly saw the aqua eyes as the lady stared at her, looking stunned.
"Mom?" Nilin asked, confused. "Mom!" she yelled again and then she began running towards her. She slammed in to her mother, almost falling to the ground as she hugged her. Her mother's arms were around her, holding them together.

"My Nilin," she whispered against Nilly's hair. "My sweet, sweet Nilin." She pulled away to look at Nilly, framing her face with her hands. "You are so beautiful," she said. Nilly half sobbed, half laughed. Her mother wiped the tears off Nilin's cheeks. "Oh don't do that, we don't have time to do that."

"What do you mean?" Nilly asked. She was confused and happy and sad and a hundred other emotions at them moment, but Nilin could ignore the sense of dread she was beginning to feel. It was lingering there, above them.

Her mother looked at her. "I'm here for a reason," she said her voice soft and calming. "You have to be very cautious, Nil. You have a job to do, and it's going to take a lot to do it. You're going to lose a lot, as well. More than you already have. You're a very special girl," she paused as she leaned her head on Nilly's. "And I'm so proud of you, so very proud."

Nilly stared at her, her eyebrows pulled together in confusion. "Mom?"

"You're not going to understand this yet, but you will in the end," her mother continued. "You have so much love at home that no evil can destroy that, though many are going to try. They all care about you deeply, all of them. Don't give up on him, especially. He's on a blind mission, but you're the only one he sees."

Her confusion grew as she stared at her mother. "Who? Who are you talking about?" Nilin asked.

Her mother smiled. "You'll figure it out soon enough, I promise."

Nilin shook her head, "None of this makes sense, you know that, right?"
"I know, but there's one more thing. Before I see you again, you're going to find things out. You're going to dig up secrets that were only ever kept from you for protection. You can't be angry, remember what I'm telling you. They were never meant to be kept from you this long, so don' let your emotions get a hold of you when the truth comes out."

Nilly was lost. She was almost following what her mother was saying, but still it seemed scattered and vague. "Okay, Mom. I won't," she said, not wanting to suck up this dream with nonsense.

Her mother stroked Nilin's cheek and she kissed her on the forehead. "Stay strong, Nil, and one last thing."

"Yeah?" Nilin asked, tears starting to run down her cheek again. She could feel them slide down her face and drip off her chin like an open faucet.

Her mother smiled at her, making Nilly feel warm inside. She stroked her cheek again and said, "I love you so much, baby girl."

Nilin let out a sob again as she hugged her mother, holding on for as long as she could. She knew the dream was falling apart around them. "I love you." Nilly said.

Then the meadow suddenly went dark and her arms were empty. She was grapping at air. Nilin looked around, her mother was gone. The birds stop singing and the air became chilling. She sunk to her knees, and furiously wiped the tears out of her eyes but they kept coming.

Breathing heavy, Nilin looked across the meadow. That's when she saw his dark silhouette standing there. The air escaped her lungs as chills ran down her spine.

He laughed, the sound echoing through the tress and suddenly she was in her father's hospital room again, gasping. She sat up quickly and looked around the room. Bonnie and Mildred were staring at her with worrisome looks.

Nilly tried to smile at them, but slunk back down on the bed and covered her face with the hospital pillow.

A few hours later, her dad was back with testing done, and they were all eating pizza Nilin had smuggled into the hospital. She had called Elena a while ago, informing her on what had happen and how they were planning to leave soon. The only thing she needed to do was stop at the house to pick some things up. She left Bonnie with Mildred, who was happy to talk with her and then she said goodbye to her dad.

"I love you, Dad." Nilly said hugging him. The doctors were keeping him in the hospital until certain test came back, so he was still in his patient gown with sweatpants on underneath and sitting on the hospital bed.

"I love you too, Nilly," he said. "I'm glad you decided to stay with Elena and Jeremy for a little. I want you to be happy, and they've always kept you smiling. Don't worry about me, okay? It's my job to worry about you, not the other way around."

"Yeah, you make that kind of hard though," she said, hugging him again.

He kissed her cheek. "Don't get into to any trouble," he laughed. "Just be a normal kid for once and enjoy your summer."

"I will if you will, and promise me no more drinking. None." Nilly said sternly.

He smiled at her. "Yes ma'am," he said. She gave him a pointed look, narrowing her eyes. "Would you like a legal agreement draw up and ready to sign?" he asked her.

Nilin shot him a look, "Yeah, I would actually. Get on that, will you?"

"Will do," he agreed, smiling.

She laughed and blew him a kiss as she left the hospital room. It was kind of bitter sweet leaving her dad. She'd miss him, but she could only miss him if she was out of Hopesville, which she desperately wanted to be by now.

Nilin got in the elevator to go down to the underground parking area the hospital had, where her Jeep was parked. She pressed the button and leaned her back on the elevator wall as it began to drop. It stopped and the doors opened with a ding. She stepped into the dim parking area.

There were florescent lights hanging from the ceiling, evenly placed along the rows of cars that made it able to see. But the light threw shadows everywhere, making Nilin's eyes think she saw movement when the parking lot was absolutely desolate. Or so Nilly thought. Off in the distance, she kept hearing footsteps behind her as she walked, but every time she'd turn around there was no one there.

She started walking a little fast to her car, trying to keep as quiet as possible, but the footsteps kept pace with her. Nilly turned around quick, looking behind her. "Hello?" she called, but all she could hear was the echo of her voice. Then she heard that bone chilling laughter, Nilin whipped her head around, scanning the dark parking area. She wasn't alone.

Author's Notes:
So first off, sorry for the really late update. I was super busy, but here is the next part guys! Thanks for waiting. So, left it on a major cliffhanger and I'm just gonna leave it there until Friday. What do you thinks going to happen? Let me know.

Favorite, Follow & Review.

See you guys Friday,
RLS

Check Out the Outfits:
Go to Polyvore DOT com and attached the following to the end of the url

Mildred:

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Nilin's Mother in her dream:

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