Chapter Twenty Nine
It has been three hours since they arrived at the hospital and Erin is currently seated in a hospital bed while Thomas is undergoing a shoulder examination. During this time, her thoughts wander to various places.
About an hour ago, the brunette underwent her own examination and the doctors informed her that she is fortunate to only have a few broken ribs and bruising on her face and stomach. She expresses concern as they explain that they need to monitor her due to the actions of Jack. Erin bites her lip, attempting to clear her mind of these thoughts.
Now, Erin is anxiously waiting to be discharged from the hospital so she can retrieve Soifon and bring her back home. She plans to reprimand the raven-haired woman for causing worry and distress.
"Rest assured, Soifon, once I am released from this hospital, I will come and get you." Erin whispers, gripping her blankets tightly as she contemplates the idea of attempting to escape from the hospital.
Erin was preparing to rise from the bed when Voight and Justin entered the room carrying a tray of food. Upon seeing them, Erin let out a sigh and reclined back in the bed, crossing her arms over her chest. She demanded, in a stern tone and with a narrowed gaze, 'How much longer must I wait to be released?'
Before anyone had a chance to respond, Voight placed the tray beside her bed, irritating the brunette even further. 'How much longer, Hank?' she demanded of her foster father once again. 'Sit and wait until the doctor gives you permission to leave,' Voight stated as he approached her bed and took a seat at her feet, with Justin occupying the other end.
Erin's frustration grew as Voight simply instructed her to wait. 'I cannot wait for the doctor's approval. Soifon is still out there, and anything could happen while we idly sit around,' she argued, her patience reaching its limit. Justin attempted to intervene, urging her to calm down, but his foster sister cut him off with a stern, green-eyed glare. 'Are you telling me to calm down?'
Erin glanced at Justin, then shifted her gaze to Voight. "Please refrain from telling me to calm down while my girlfriend is in distress," she growled. With frustration, she swung her legs over the bed and placed her feet on the cold, hard floor, attempting to stand up.
However, Voight forcefully pushed her back onto the bed, causing the brunette to turn her head and glare at her foster father. "What on earth is going on?" she hissed. "Didn't you just hear me? I don't have the luxury of sitting here all day."
Voight maintained his stern gaze. "As I previously mentioned, you must wait for the doctor," he ordered. "We will retrieve Soifon once you are discharged, and if the medical staff insists that you stay, you will have no choice but to remain here." Ignoring Erin's glare, he continued, "The team and I will go get Soifon, and I implore you not to argue any further. Furthermore, becoming agitated will not expedite her recovery." Voight's tone softened as he conveyed his message.
Erin looked away, choosing to listen to Voight, though she didn't particularly want to hear his speech. Despite her resistance, she understood that he made a valid point. "But you don't understand," she whispered.
"You do not comprehend the gravity of the situation," she reiterated, her verdant gaze fixed on her trembling hands. "I bear the responsibility for Soifon's absence. I should have pursued her after ensuring Thomas's safety in the woods. I should have dissuaded her from embarking on her solitary expedition." She murmured, burying her face in her palms, tears streaming down her face.
Voight's countenance twisted with concern as he absorbed his foster daughter's words. He understood the weight of her guilt, acknowledging his own failure in locating them earlier. Placing a hand on Erin's lap to capture her attention, he leaned in closer.
"Erin, listen to me," Voight whispered, his grasp on her hand conveying paternal comfort. "It is not your fault. Soifon would not assign blame to you, and you are aware of that," he reassured her in hushed tones.
Erin listened attentively to Voight's words, wearing a slight frown on her face. Deep down, she acknowledged his truth – Soifon may not blame her, but she blamed herself. She whispered to herself, acknowledging her fault, particularly if they were to lay a hand on Soifon. The memory of Jack's touch only intensified her worry.
"I am in urgent need of being released from this place so that I can go out and find her. I know exactly where they are, and even Thomas can lead us there," Erin whispered, her eyes fixed on the wall. "If they refuse to set me free soon, I will break out without their approval or yours," she declared defiantly. "I refuse to sit idly here and await the outcome. Soifon needs me," she asserted firmly.
Voight nodded understandingly, his gaze focused on Erin. "I will do whatever I can to help. If they are unwilling to grant your release, you may have to remain here while the rest of us go and retrieve her," he said as he rose from the bed, gently patting Erin's head.
Erin's frown deepened as she observed Voight and Justin leaving her hospital room to go speak with the nurse about facilitating her departure.
Erin would depart without obtaining permission. Instead, she could have exercised patience by waiting until nightfall to determine Thomas' whereabouts.
Either Thomas could have accompanied her or provided her with the address, as Erin did not have knowledge of the location due to her failure to read any signs or address markers on the hideout.
Erin sighed and reclined on her back, gazing at the ceiling, allowing her thoughts to drift back to the time when she first encountered Soifon.
Flash-back*
A sixteen-year-old Erin sat at a lunch table, enjoying her meal while observing other students entering the cafeteria to get their food. With her focused green eyes, she attentively listened to a few conversations.
She let out a hum while picking up a carrot and dipping it in ranch before placing it in her mouth. As she overheard a conversation about the new girl, her interest was piqued, and a frown appeared on her face.
Erin glanced down at her tray, pretending not to be eavesdropping on the conversation. Until someone addressed her, saying, 'Is this spot taken?' The female voice caused the brunette to look up and see a slender, raven-haired girl with blue eyes standing by her table.
Erin stared at her for a few moments before responding, 'Um, excuse me, is this spot taken?' the raven-haired girl repeated her question. 'Oh, um, no, sorry,' Erin replied, shaking her head to clear her thoughts.
The brunette observed as the girl placed the tray on the table and took a seat opposite her. 'I'm Soifon Gray,' stated the raven-haired girl. Erin responded with a smile, 'Erin Lindsey.' She introduced herself politely. 'It's a pleasure to meet you, Erin,' greeted the Raven-haired girl with a smile. She proceeded to pick up a slice of pizza and take a bite.
'Thank you, likewise,' responded Erin as she also took a bite of her own pizza. The two girls sat in silence, enjoying their lunch, indifferent to the stares and whispers from other students. 'So, tell me about yourself,' Soifon inquired, breaking the prolonged silence.
'What would you like to know?' Erin asked, taking a sip of her Fanta. 'Anything you wish to know, and if you're interested, I can share a bit about myself,' Soifon offered with an enthusiastic smile, her blue eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Flash-back Over*
Upon hearing the door to her room open, Erin's eyes fluttered open. She turned her head to find Voight entering alongside a nurse, and even Thomas was with them, his arm in a sling. With hope shining in her green eyes, the brunette sat up, eager to be released and reunite with her lover.
Approaching Erin, the nurse handed her a clipboard, which she quickly signed with a hurried scribble. After receiving a small nod from the nurse, Erin was left alone in the room with Voight and Thomas.
Erin glanced at Voight before rising from the bed. "Let us depart once I have adorned myself." She stated. "Very well, we shall await your presence outside." Voight replied, exiting the room with Thomas, who closed the door behind him.
Erin observed their departure and proceeded to change into fresh garments, which she intended to express gratitude to Ashley for at work. She donned a black t-shirt and a pair of black jeans, noting her satisfaction. "This is more fitting," she whispered as she secured her boots and fastened the zipper, subsequently styling her hair into a ponytail.
With determination in her green eyes, Erin whispered," Stay strong, my dear, I shall soon join you." Once dressed and satisfied with her appearance, she departed the room and encountered Voight and Thomas awaiting her presence. She gave them a nod, signifying her readiness to retrieve her beloved.
