The purple-black sky that I could glimpse through glass seemed even darker in contrast to the harsh hospital lighting. Way past visiting hours, most of the patients seemed to be in a sedated slumber, and I was left with the sounds of my thoughts, hushed footsteps and quiet beeps. Ellie's room door was closed, and I could hear conversation in muted tones. I waited politely, assuming she was being attended to by medical personnel. In the reflection of the window I watched as a lanky figure, not a day older than twenty, approached me.
"Who are you?" The voice sounded intentionally gruff, but still trembled. I met it's owners eyes, a childlike blue that mirrored the person I expected to see.
"Chase Devineaux." I introduced. "I'm here to see Ellie."
The blue eyes flickered with recognition, but the tough act continued. "They said immediate family only."
"We both know she doesn't have much of that." ACME still had a penchant for taking in strays.
"Seems like she does after all." he refuted. "Her biological mom flew in as soon as she heard."
I paused, creasing my features deeply and trying to recall what I had read earlier. When it didn't quite add up, I forced the door open, greeted by two tired but still smiling faces.
"Took you long enough." the girl said, waving me in. "Let Lex in here too, I'm sure you just weirded him out with that stunt."