Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

Mikaela:

Just as I was about to utter the next word, the nurse interrupted.

“It seems you need some time to think about it more. You should eat. Please sit upright. The doctor would detach some of these machines from you today or tomorrow so you need some strength to function independently.”

I gulped, shaking my head as I pushed myself to sit up. “I'd rather he gets me fast food.”

My eyes darted to Kevin, and he smiled, the corners of his lips spreading.

“Fries?” He asked.

I nodded.

The nurse stared at us in disbelief, her face pale. “But you have to eat now.”

“I can wait.” I grinned. “Thank you.”.

Her brows relaxed in defeat as she mouthed inaudible words.

Kevin stepped closer, placing a hand on my head. My muscles went stiff timidly at the feel of his touch.

“You'll be fine.” He mumbled before leaning in to press a kiss on my head.

Oh, someone fuck his cologne in the face.

His fingertips scratched my scalp gently before he pulled away and turned.

I watched him exit and shut the door while the nurse remained immobile, the atmosphere heavy.

“You don't trust me? It's just a meal and it's only for your own good. You could collapse at any moment. You need to eat!”

Just mind your own business before I choke you with this IV line.

“I will as soon as he returns.”

“I insist!”

“Why?” I scoffed, looking right into her eyes.

She looked away.

“Look at my face.” I commanded. “Unless you're about to tell a lie.” I challenged her.

She squinted her eyes, looking back at me. “What?-”.

“Look at me and tell me why without folding.” I nodded.

“I wasn't folding” She denied.

I let out a sigh. “Of course. Then…”

I lowered my body gently, wincing as I explored the ground with my fingertips, trying to trace the file.

Once I felt a thin material, I slipped my index under it, trapping it with my middle finger and raising my body.

I raised the file but it slipped away from my grasp, landing right before her. She didn't need to pick it up since the bold words in front of the file were staring right at her.

CONFIDENTIAL – AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY.

Her neck tilted down, and as soon as her gaze met the file, her eyes widened. She tried to hide the shock but it was too late. I already spotted it before it faded.

She forced a smile that obviously didn't reach her eyes.

I gasped, my hand flying to cup my mouth.

“It isn't what you think.” She reassured, her smile cracking.

“You know!” I exclaimed.

“I don't understand what this means. I swear.”

“You liar! I saw it. I saw your face. You drugged the food, didn't you?” My grip tightened on the edge of the bed, my nails almost snapping from the pressure I applied.

“Is that what you're going to believe?”

“Because it's the truth!” I spat back, but little did I know that I shouldn't have done that.

“Please. Just listen to me.” She smiled, placing the tray of food on the stool.

She then turned to me, approaching slowly with a creeping smile on her face.

“Don't come near me!” I screamed, raising my hands as if they would protect me from whatever she was about to do.

Her right hand crawled to her breast pocket and pulled out a pen. Quickly, she clicked the bottom to pop out the nib.

My heart hammered against my ribcage like a bird trying to escape its cage.

She placed her index on her lips to command silence.

“No.” I whispered. “No, no, no!!” I screamed.

“It seems you want us to do this the hard way, huh?” She scoffed.

“Please, don't.”

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!!

Where do I run to for fuck’s sake. I was cornered. And it would take fucking eternity to detach these tubes from myself.

She took a step.

My eyes darted to her legs, calculating the distance between us.

Just three steps.

My eyes scanned everywhere, trying to find an escape route, but it seemed almost impossible.

Almost? Who am I kidding? It was fucking impossible!!

Another step!

The best option that also felt like the worst was to scream out my lungs with every strength I could muster until someone would come to my aid.

“Help!!” I screamed. “He–”

Swiftly, she took the last step and cupped my mouth, her weight pushing my body back.

Her hand pressed against my nose and mouth, seizing my breath.

“You bitch!” She spat, her voice heavy with hatred as she raised her other hand to stab my stomach.

I blocked the attack with my hand, and the pen tip went directly into my palm.

A scream tore from the walls of my throat as my body yearned for oxygen to withstand the pain but again, my nose was being held captive.

I felt a click in my chest, like bone to bone, making me remain stiff. Each muscle I moved sent a striking pain to my ribs.

She raised her hand again to attack but I was unable to move, squeezing my eyes shut as I struggled to breath yet her fingers latched tightly on my jaw, refusing to detach.

Just as the pen lunged at me once again, a hand appeared behind her, grabbing her neck tightly and dragging her away from me.

I gasped for air greedily as I squeezed my chest with my hand.

Breathe. Mikaela, Breathe! Breathe!!

My eyes remained wide open and refused to blink, a tear slipping down from the corner.

My chest rose and fell as I heaved, my chest muscles tightening.

“Are you okay?” I felt a soft touch on my arm.

Kevin.

I grabbed his hand, squeezing it tightly.

Silence reigned for a moment, and all I could hear was my racing heart and a million whispers floating in my mind.

“Sit her up to ease breathing and guide her.” Another strange masculine voice commanded as footsteps approached.

“Alright, doc.” Another feminine voice responded.