The Choice

Chapter 14: Consequences

Passing back and forth wasn't helping with my nerves. The dim lights of the hallway, the squeaky noise of shoes and the different faces flashing before my eyes made me dizzy. Alec had been in surgery for the past two hours, while I have been making a hole on the floor while I waited for a tiny bit of information from the doctors. Nobody would come to update us and nurses kept avoiding us and looking at us with concern us, which made my stomach tight all the more.

He was terrible injured. Three of his ribs were broken, one of his kidneys damaged beyond repair and there was a huge gash at the back of his head. He had lost a lot of blood by the time he made to the hospital that they thought he was a lost case.

Looking around me I bit my thumb. The room had that awful pale grey on its walls making you depressed on top of everything else and those blue chairs that promised comfort but hadn't the chance to use them yet. Just hurry, I thought to myself. I need some information, any information. Even an ok from a doctor would be fine; something to calm my panicked heart.

A few seats across from me Isabelle was sitting in one of those blue chairs with a shocked Simon next to her. Simon was there when the accident happened. They had managed to come across each other while Alec was getting ready to leave his office. Many companies share his building and one of those happens to be Simon's publisher. Alec agreed to give him a ride home. Alec was pulling up his car from the parking lot when an suv took a sharp turn and smashed into Alec's car. The car was so badly dented they could not get Alec out of the car. It took them over an hour to get him out which by that time he had lost a considerate amount of blood.

Both Simon and Isabelle had tried to call me but I had forgotten that my phone was in silence so that led to Isabelle running into us.

I hadn't really thought if Isabelle actually saw us or not. The look on her face did tell me that but my head hurt so much I didn't want to think about that and what would that mean. I just hoped she wouldn't mention it, not now at least. All that mattered now was for Alec to survive.

In those two long hours in the waiting room, we hadn't exchanged a word. We all sat there waiting. Even Jace sat in a corner with his head in his palms trying to calm his raging breath. He wasn't patient and you could tell by how rude his voice of tone was, when trying to get something out of the nurses. He eventually stormed out of the room at some point without saying anything. He still hadn't returned.

I sighed. How was Alec doing? I rubbed my temples and finally sat down. My legs had gone numb with all the passing back and forth. The chairs were not confortable at all. Across from me Isabelle stirred her head up. She looked like she wanted to tell me something, her face unreadable. She opened her mouth but changed her mind and turned to Simon. I sighed again.

"You know, everything will be fine," Isabelle almost whispered her first words to me, after coming to the hospital. "Soon there is bound to be some information." I didn't have the will to say anything at this point so I just nodded at her and took a look at my watch. Another thirty minutes had passed. That made for a total of two and a half hours since Alec was in there.

Just then a doctor walked through the door. I knew it was about Alec. We were the only ones in this room.

"Alec Lightwood?" he called. I jumped at my feet and almost fell as I rushed at the doctor. He smiled.

"Alec has avoided the danger. It will probably take another half an hour to an hour before we move him to his room. But for the most part he is doing well. He lost one of his kidneys and a lot of blood. We managed to close the wound on his head. Fortunately it was just a small would, so he just needed a few stiches there. As I said we are moving him to his room shortly and I expect you'll be able to see him shortly after that." He nodded and left as quickly as he came.

I just stood there my mind trying to comprehend what he just said. I didn't need to ask him anything. He had answered everything I needed to know and a huge weight lifted out of my chest. I sat down smiling my body finally relaxing, and my eyelids started to close. I didn't realize how tired I was. I let myself drift into sleep. I could still hear Isabelle and Simon's happy voices but didn't have the strength to open my eyes. Alec was safe that's what mattered.

I woke up to the smell of coffee. Somebody was whispering. I looked around me and realized Isabelle and Simon were gone. Instead Jace sat a few seats over with a phone in his hand. I rubbed my eyes and looked at the dingy clock on the wall. It was close to midnight and the buzz of the hospital had died down. I stretched my back and Jace looked over and pointed to the coffee sitting on the chair next to me. I grabbed it and let it warm my hands. Once he was done with his phone call he came and sat next to me.

Suddenly I felt uncomfortable. "Where are Isabelle and Simon? Alec? How is he?" I said without looking at him.

He ran his hand through his messy hair and closed his eyes. He looked exhausted. "They left. After the doctor verified that Alec was in a good state they left. They didn't want to tire Alec. Besides he woke up for a few minutes and then fell asleep again. The doctors suggested to come back tomorrow to see him." He looked at the clock. "It's only been about an hour since they left. We better leave too."

I shot up from my chair. "But I want to see him! I bet he is waiting for us."

"Relax Clary. I spoke to him already during the brief moment he managed to open his eyes. He is exhausted, he couldn't tell who I was. He is taking too many painkillers at the moment. He is not going to able to wake up anytime soon. We better go home. We are both tired. I promise I will bring you here first thing in the morning." I was too tired so I just nodded.

"Isabelle," I said slowly and sat down again. "Did she..."

"No, didn't mention anything." He rose up. "The only thing we have to worry about now is Alec. Let's focus on that, ok?" He gave me his hand. "Here, lets go," he said and finally looked me in the eyes. I grabbed his warm hand and let him lead the way.