The Emergency Room

I ran barefoot to the hospital looking disheveled. I ran down the hospital corridor, the linoleum cold on my feet. The pendant on my neck swung widely.

The ER smelled of hospital bleach and fear. A nurse barely looked up before pointing to Bay 3. I pushed the curtain aside.

Elias sat on the gurney, he was shirtless, a butterfly bandage wrapped on his left eyebrow. A purple bruise is on his ribs.

He looked up at me, tired but alive, and gave me that crooked boyish grin.

“Hey, babe.” His voice was hoarse but steady. 

“I told them not to call you. It’s just a fender bender.” 

My knees nearly gave out. “You are listed as my emergency contact too, remember?” I stepped closer, my eyes raking all over him, checking if he was alright . “Are you sure you are okay?”

“It’s just a minor concussion, and a couple of cracked ribs. Niko’s discharging me in the morning. He said trying to sound casual but the edge in his voice gave him away.

He reached for my hand, then he winced. “Come here.”

I went, carefully, sitting beside him on the bed. His skin was too warm, his pulse thudding under my palm.

“What happened?” I whispered.

“Someone ran a red light,” he said. “I tried to dodge him, then I missed track. The airbag got me good.”

He tried to laugh, but it broke into a cough that made him flinch.

“Dad’s on his way,” he added.

The curtain shifted, and Alaric came in. He was still in his scrubs, his hair disheveled like he had been pulled from surgery.

His eyes went from the bandage on Elias’s forehead to my bare feet, then down to where his fingers were still tangled with mine. 

Something shifted in his expression, it was barely noticeable but I noticed it.

Son.” Alaric’s voice was calm, those doctor-smooth voice. He moved to the monitor, his eyes scanning the vitals. “CT’s clean. You are lucky.”

Elias grinned, “See I told you, it’s just a scratch.” Alaric tightened his jaw. Then he turned to me. Miss. Wren,” he said quietly. “Just a word.”

 Elias hands tightened on mine. “She stays.”

“It’s hospital policy.” Alaric said unflinchingly. Family already on the bay.”

Elias sighed, rolled his eyes but released me. I followed Alaric to the corridor. The fluorescent lights glowing in the hallway.

He didn’t say a word, we were walking quietly till we reached a half open closet. He pushed the door open and drew me inside and shut the door.

The room was small with an antiseptic smell. Metal shelves crowded the space, stacked with gauze and boxes of gloves. He caged me on the door, he was standing very close to me but he wasn’t touching me, he braced his hand on both side of my head.

“Are you hurt?” He asked.

“No.” I said as I shook my head. You came straight from surgery.

“Appendectomy,” he said. “Go to the page.” His eyes were on mine, his gaze steady but tired. 

He’s fine, but don’t let that fool you. He will use this, play the victim, to pull you in tighter.”

“I know.” I said my throat tight. “He already warned me to stay away from you."

Alaric’s jaw tightened. “Good,” he said quietly. “You should. Listen to him.”

I laughed, a sharp crazy laugh. “Make up your mind, Doctor. Last week you were the one slipping me keycards.”

“That was before……….” He stopped talking, drawing his hands on his hair. “Before I understood how deep this was. Elias doesn’t lose Wren. He destroys what he can’t keep.

Footsteps echoed in the hallway, and we both froze. When the footsteps passed, he continued more quieter. “There’s history you don’t know.”

“His mother, Helena, she left when he was sixteen,” Alaric said, his voice low. “ She took half of the hospital board with her. Since that time, he has been proving that he can’t be replaced.

I let the words sink in. “And you?” I asked quietly.

“I stayed,” he said finally. “I tried to fix what she broke. Including him.” His voice caught on the last word, rough with something that sounded too much like guilt. “I won’t let him break you.”

The door handle turned, and we shifted apart. A nurse leaned in, glancing between us. “Dr. Stone? Mr. Stone is asking for pain meds.”

Alaric nodded, his expression switching back to professional. “I’m on my way.”

Then he looked at me like really looked at me one last time. “Go home, Isola,” he said quietly. “Lock your door. I will take care of discharge.”

He left. I stayed in the closet for time, trying to digest everything he told me. Then I slipped out.

Elias was sitting up in bed now, smiling already in place, flirting with the nurse. When he saw me, he waved. “Babe, can you get me my phone? It’s in the locker.”

I found it on the locker, the screen cracked. A new text lit up the display.

Unknown Number: You think a few stitches change anything? She’s still mine.

My blood ran cold. I deleted the text, my heart beating fast, and then I returned to Elias with a smile.

The next morning, the weather was sour with heavy rain and moody clouds. Nikk Voss, tall, blonde, signed the discharge papers. “Take it easy, Elias.” He said.

“No driving, keep the ribs iced.” Then his eyes moved to me, warm but searching. “If you need anything, Isola, call me directly.”

Before I could answer, Elias’s arm slipped around my waist, firm and possessive. He flashed Niko a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Thanks, man. I’ve got her.”

In the cab, Elias dozed on my shoulder, his breath warm and uneven.  I stared out the rain streaked window., replaying Alaric’s warning.

He destroys what he can’t keep.

By the time we reached my apartment , the sky was a dull, bruised gray. Elias insisted on staying. “Just till the pain meds wear off.”  He said already moving past me.

He sprawled on my couch, asking for soup, the remote, my lap. I obeyed him without complaining.

By evening, he was already feeling restless. “Let’s order in and celebrate survival.” He said going through takeout menus.

He then paused. “Dad texted me. He wants to drop by with my prescription.” 

My stomach twisted. “Here?” I asked.

“Family sticks together.” He said his smile not reaching his eyes.

Alaric showed up around eight. The prescription bag in his hand. He looked tired and worn out. His eyes had dark circles, he wore a jean and a  sweatshirt. He was no longer in his scrubs.

“Elias took the bag, kissed my cheek. “Be right back.” He said and went to the bathroom.

The moment Elias was gone, Alaric came closer to me. “Listen to me.” His voice was low and urgent.

“Listen. Niko’s been digging and he found an old file. Your internship, my grant. Fifteen years back. He’s looking for leverage.”

I frowned. “What internship?”

“You were twenty one. Summer programme. I funded it. You present on patient retention. Your voice was shaking then but you are brilliant.”

I stared at him, finally recalling everything. “You knew?”

“Not at first,” he said quietly. “Not until the follow-up. Then that dinner……..” He cut himself off as the bathroom door opened.

Elias came in suspicious. “Is everything okay?”

Alaric handed over the bottle. “Tylenol-3. No refills.” His gaze met my eyes. “Call if there are side effects.”

After that he left and Elias locked the door.

That night, he wouldn’t let me sleep alone in peace . “I need to feel you breathing,” he murmured, pulling me closer to him.

His hands rested possessively on my stomach. I lay awake with my eyes on the ceiling. The pendant somewhere in between my breasts.

What is really happening? I asked no one in particular.