Reborn Heart of Steel

The mechanical sounds of various machines that are used in the hospital were apparent, and occasionally, there was a beeping sound which was a clear warning that we were in a hospital. I found a rather rigid molded chair and arranged it in front of the hospital bed on which Aiden remained motionless. It had been two days since the attack at school, but it felt like it had been two weeks. Chase and Alessandro stood on my right and left, respectively, as if guarding me. Since Aiden was admitted to the hospital, we have only gone out a few times and that is taking turns to relieve each other and sit with him. His parents, stunned and relieved, had embraced our watch. “Any change?” Chase whispered as he came back from getting coffee. I shook my head, and though speech was just now returning to me, my vocal cords had been ruined. Nothing. The doctors say it’s still a delicate balance. ” Alessandro cares for his hair, and he otherwise looks tired and drawn as he then gives a sigh. “He is a robust guy,” he noted, saying that he has confidence in him to survive the ordeal. Part of me wanted to just trust him, to somehow accept what he was saying as the truth, which was crazy, because why would there be any doubt? But the feeling of guilt which lurked within me did not let me cling to hope. That was my fault. Because of me, because of The Raven’s psychopath games, Aiden was struggling for his life. Those were truly magical words that were heard very few times in a day as everyone looked up at the door that was just opened. But it was just another nurse, who came to check on Aiden; to monitor the manner in which the body responded to the new drugs. She worked with such precision and grace that only a well-rehearsed professional could exhibit while attending to her tasks; and I had become well acquainted with those movements over the past forty-eight hours. Before she walked out, I saw the police officer who was posted at the door of the room. Yet another warning that it was still possible, that The Raven’s men were still around. “I think it would be wise for us to go to bed,” Chase said softly, and his hand closed over mine. ‘Well, we cannot help Aiden by tiring ourselves to an extent that we cannot get back on our feet. ‘ Of course, I understood he was right, but I could not stand the mere idea of not being there when something would happen. The rest of the group instinctively looked at me and smiled, knowing that I would never join them because this ‘You chap go,’ was my response. “I will be around for a little longer. They looked at each other and with the glance that passed between them words were said and understood. Finally, Alessandro nodded. “Okay,” she said, “But you tell me if there are any changes as well and please, try to sleep a little. ” I forced myself to laugh, and I believe he realized that I was tired because she let me be. When they went out, the hall seemed vaster, vacuum-emptier. I sat in the chair closer to Aiden’s bed, holding his hand in mine. Tables two and three were filled with young couples on a romantic dinner date. It looked like we were interrupting their intimate conversation. Putting on a fake smile and trying to mask my embarrassment, I apologized to the couple. So sorry,” I said in a very low voice. ‘It’s all my fault that you’re here. You should not be here, and you should not have had to save me. ‘ Recalling that day made my heart race the attack itself, the interference of Aiden I had never thought was possible, and the sight of him collapsing. I still recall having many questions running through my mind, generic and unanswerable. How had Aiden known he was there? Why was it that he had been willing to die for me, when we had hardly any acquaintance? Given my answer, the steady beep of the heart monitor was the only reply that I got in return. I must have drifted off to sleep at some point because the next thing which was obvious to me was that sunlight was flooding the room. I closed my eyes and when I opened them again I was surprised that my neck was so unbearably stiff that I had to blink because it was hurting me. “Brianne?” I went back around to find Aiden’s mother standing at the door with a tray of coffee cups. She was a kind-faced woman with Aiden’s same warm brown eyes, but currently the lines of worry, and loss of sleep, were etched on her face. “I brought coffee,” she said, holding a cup at me. “You’re welcome,” I replied. She handed me over the napkin I gratefully took. Having my cup of the black and strong coffee, I took a pause and Sarah sat beside me. We stood for a few moments, side by side, both watching the flattening and expanding of Aiden’s chest. Finally, Sarah spoke. ‘Speaking of you,’ she continued quietly, ‘he was saying this and that about you. ‘ ‘But he told me he had known you for only a few days and yet was sure that there was something special about you,’ There was an instant ache behind my eyes, guilt and sadness clashing through me. “I am so sorry,” I managed to say. One constant plea that I, the research student, was likely to hear was ‘If it weren’t for me-‘ The same Sarah, this time, placed her hand upon my hand, stopping me in my tracks to say, “You are not to blame for this, Brianne; Aiden made his own decision; he is always the one who has not shunned away from defending others, even if the price is his own life” Her soothing words only made the guilt that was already making a real mess out of him even worse. She could not know all the circumstances, could not know that her son was there, lying in the hospital because of the blood of my ancestors. The moment I could start making an answer, the door opened again. This time Taylor S. , also known as Aiden’s primary physician, Dr. Patel. His face was stone-cold when he got nearer the bed. ‘Good morning,’ he replied in an equally polite tone which did not have a hint of recognition. “If it’s okay I’d like to run a few tests. ” Both Sarah and I agreed, which was then followed by shifting to create some more space for him. When he inspected Aiden’s pupils, the response of the patient’s reflexes, and all the devices that were used to control his condition, we sat tense. “Well?” Sarah asked when Dr. Patel was taking the notes on the chart she didn’t know was there until now. There was a small change in the doctor’s otherwise stony face. ‘There are some positive indications,’ though, the doctor continued, ‘His intracranial pressure has eased up; also, in the most recent scans we have observed enhanced activity in his brain. ‘ ‘But,’ he quickly added when we looked relieved, ‘I must warn you, the next twenty-four hours are possibly going to be a crucial juncture for him. ‘ Looking at Sarah, Aiden’s Mum, nodding at her, Dr. Patel went out of the room and only then Sarah breathed out, nervously. ‘It’s something,’ she said as she looked at me with a tremulous smile. “It’s hope. ”

“But I am not sure if he will make it” he said.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

My heart skipped a beat. If Aiden doesn’t make it, then The Raven is coming for another of my friends, either Chase, Alessandro or Me. Either way, we are all going down.