Chapter 101: Asher
The last thing I remember is staring at the floor.
That blank, speckled linoleum. A dull patch near the baseboard. The shadow of my own knee bouncing in place. I kept watching it like the rhythm might hypnotize me into not feeling anything at all.
Now, there’s a hand on my shoulder. Gentle. Careful. Like whoever it is knows better than to startle me.
My eyes snap open anyway.
I sit up fast–too fast. The room blurs, and my hand flies to my lower back, a dull ache stretching from hip to spine like a warning. I blink. The lights are lower now. The room quieter. My jacket’s half–off my lap.
Across from me, Penny’s mom gives me a small, startled smile. “Sorry, sweetheart. Didn’t mean to wake you like that.”
Her father stands just behind her, holding two paper coffee cups. His shirt’s wrinkled now, sleeves pushed up to his elbows. He looks like he hasn’t slept in years. “Didn’t know you were still out here,” he says.
I clear my throat. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
Her mom waves that off. “You’ve been out here the whole time?”
I nod, rubbing my eyes with the heel of my hand. “Yeah.”
They exchange a look. A long one. I see it, even if I pretend not to.
Her dad says gently, “But we’ve been in with her for three hours.”
Ishrug. “Still felt right to wait.”
Her mom blinks. Her voice’s soft now. “You didn’t have to do that, honey.”
“Of course I did.”
Another pause. Her dad sits beside me, offering a cup. “Decaf. It’s lukewarm, but it’s something.”
“Thanks.” I take it, fingers curling around the cardboard sleeve like it might anchor me. I glance up. “Did she wake up again?”
Her mom sits too. Close. Closer than most people would. Like I’m something trusted. Known. Most people see me and assume I’m someone dangerous. They’re not exactly wrong. But her parents don’t seem to think that at all. “A few times. She’s been drifting in and out. The doctors say that’s normal.”
I nod.
There’s a silence. Then–her dad asks the question I’ve been bracing for.
“Why didn’t your brother come?”
I tense. “He’s at our parents‘ place. Said he was in shock. I think… I think he saw the whole thing happen.”
“That’s not an excuse,” her dad snaps, jaw tight. “He’s her boyfriend.”
“David,” her mom murmurs. But she doesn’t disagree.
I open my mouth. Close it. What am I supposed to say? You’re right?
Because they are. He should be here. I’m sure seeing her fall must’ve been hard, but wouldn’t you want to be there when she wakes up? What I don’t say is that he’s been saying that this is all his fault, and I still don’t know why.
1/3
Chapter 101: Asher
Then her mom looks at me again really looks. “But… she didn’t say his name.”
I freeze. “…What do you mean?”
“When she first came to,” her mom continues softly, “the panicked. Thought she lost her role in the Gafa. It was the first thing the shed. Then de ware asking for water. For her phone. For her planner, of all things.” She smiles faintly. “Still Penny.”
I nod, heart thudding.
“But the only name she said out loud?” Her mom’s voice thins to a whisper. “Yours,”
The bloodflow in my entire body stops for a beat. I stare at her. “You’re sure?”
“She said it twice,” her dad confirms. “Soft. Mostly when she was unconscious.”
My chest contracts. I want to ask what she sounded like. How she said it. If she looked scared, or safe, or something else I’ve only imagined in the dark, is she saying my name because I’m the source of all her nightmares? Of her anxiety? Of her anger? Or… or is she saying my name because maybe some part of her, deep down, misses me even half as much as I miss her?
But I can’t ask any of that. I just grip the coffee tighter and whisper, “Can I see her?”
Her mom nods without hesitation. “Of course. But only if you’re not too tired, sweetheart. We can drive you home if you need-*
“No.” It comes out too fast. I soften it. “Thank you. But… no. I’ll stay. I’ll make sure she doesn’t spend the night alone.”
They exchange another look. This one even longer.
Her dad stands again, pulling a folded paper from his pocket. He hands it to me. “Room 216. East Wing. She’s asleep now, but… she’ll know you were there.
Her mom gets to her feet too. She squeezes my arm gently. “She’ll be so glad you came.”
“Thanks,” I say, low.
They gather their things–coats, purse, phone charger–and turn to go. I stand too, grabbing my jacket from the chair beside me.
As I do, I hear them whispering just past the hallway corner.
“I can’t believe he stayed all night,” her mother murmurs.
“He hasn’t left this hospital since she was brought in.”
“He’s what she needs,” her mom says.
“I know,” her dad replies. “I think she knows, too.”
I pause, jacket halfway on.
The words hit like a gut punch and a balm at the same time. I don’t let them see me react. Just pull the sleeves up, breathe in, and slip the room number into my pocket.
The walk to 216 feels longer than it should, Each hallway a stretch of echo and antiseptic and memory I don’t want.
But when I reach the door, I stop.
My hand rests on the knob. I don’t turn it yet.
She’s in there. Sleeping. Bruised. Quiet.
And I’m about to see her for the first time since everything broke. Hell, for the first time in over a week. How I spent 23 years of life without her before? I
2/3
Chapter 101: Asher
My heart panda ono Then gain
1 draw in a breath.
And then-
Chapter Comments
凸 3
POST COMMENT NOW
