Silence can be Deadly
Part of me wanted myself to believe Brandon was lying about Dan, but I knew he was speaking the truth.
After having a minor panic attack, which Jason was able to pull me out of, Kali drove Jason and I to the hospital. I was zoned out the whole ride, my mind scrambled with everything that had happened in the last couple of days. Katherine’s in jail. Brandon’s a werewolf. I am mated to Jason. Dan is now in the hospital, condition unknown.
Turns out the fire did a number on my father. He was put on a respirator and is in a coma, due to intense trauma to his brain and extensive burns on his forearms and chest. The burns were only minor, due to his firemen gear protecting the majority of his body.
I have not left the chair sitting beside his bedside, without moving, other than getting up to go to the bathroom. I cried silent tears until there were no more tears left. My eyes were puffy and red. I would cry until I fell asleep mostly. I was not asleep long, maybe twenty minutes at most, before I woke up. It was a continuous cycle.
Jason had contacted my siblings and they were at the hospital with me. Julianna took Lucy back to their house. My brother’s made the decision to have her stay away, since the hospital was no place for a child. I did not bother giving my opinion since I knew they would do the right thing. Besides, I am not in the mood for talking, the only amount of sounds I made were a few sighs here and there. There was nothing I could say to anyone or vice versa that would make this situation in front of me better.
Doctor Bruce Vandell, which Richard told me was prestigious in his field of neuroscience. Doctor Vandell came in and checked on my father multiple times throughout two days Dan’s been here.
“There’s still no change. We should have seen some improvement by now,” Doctor Vandell stated.
I just stared at him, with a tired and blank face. My mind was all over the place, between not getting enough food and sleep my body was running on desperation and hope that Dan was going to be okay.
“Thank you, doc,” Jared replied.
“Yes, thanks,” Danny responded.
“I want to prepare you. The swelling in his brain needs to be the top priority. If not taken care of within the right now your father’s life will be critical. I have scheduled a craniectomy, the surgery staff will be here in a couple of minutes to take him after I leave,” Dr. Vandell explained.
I nodded, absentmindedly as I still stared at Dan’s peaceful face. He looked like he was sleeping. The only sounds I constantly listened to were the beeping of the machines. His upper body was exposed and covered in a gauze and ointment. All of us were gowned in yellow gowns and had on masks so the germs would not affect Dan’s care.
The doctor left and my brother’s were talking to each other at the foot of the bed. I did not even care to listen to them. I blamed myself for not telling Dan sooner about the abuse. If he wasn’t so stressed out he needed a distraction from the real world he would not have been at work. He is in the bed because of me. He works more when he wants to escape the problems at home. I should have remembered that. I should have stopped him from going to work. I should have remembered.
A couple of minutes later, the nurses came in and took Dan away for surgery. I had moved to sitting on the sofa near the window. I watched as he was rolled out of the room. Danny, Jared, and Jason were all in the hallway conversing amongst themselves. I stared at the empty doorway, my cheeks turning wet as silent tears fell.
I leaned my head back, against the back on the couch. My body relaxed, as I started to drift to sleep, my eyes closing willingly. I felt someone touch brush their hand against my cheek. I did not feel the sparks, so I knew it was Jason. I opened my eyes to see Danny kneeling in front of me. His face long with sadness, his hair and clothes were disheveled from sleeping here too, the large circles under his eyes telling me how worried and little sleep he got too.
“Come with me Em,” he said, reaching his hand out for me to take. I took it and he helped me to my feet. I willingly went with him, too exhausted to even fight him to stay. I leaned my head against his shoulder as we walked outside and towards the parking lot.
Danny helped me into his car and then he got in and drove off. I leaned my head against the headrest and dozed to sleep.
I woke up startled by being carried by someone. I looked up to see it was Mitch. I tried to wiggle out of his arms, but he did not let go and my body was too exhausted to fight him. Once inside the entry way and the door was closed, Mitch had ghosted up to the master bathroom.
Julianna was already standing waiting. She was holding a towel and a fresh pair of clothes in her arms. Mitch set me on my feet and then left, walking out, closing the door behind him.
“Emma, my darling child, you need to scrub your body down in the shower and then take a relaxing bath. I put some oils into the bath to help with the stress, all you need to do is fill the tub,” Julianna said, leaving me no room to say no.
I nodded in response, knowing I would not be able to persuade her out of all of this.
“Good, because you stink, child! If you did not do it willingly I was going to hold you down and do it either way,” she smiled and chuckled light-heartedly.
My shoulder dropped in defeat. My face contorted in worry and annoyance. I willingly went with Danny and he led me to a trap. I am going to get him back for this. On second thought, I did need to leave the hospital. Maybe a little relaxation will do my body some good.
“Just call me if you need anything and I am hoping your father pulls through. You kids need him more than you think,” Julianna said, walking to the door and leaving.
I let a heavy sigh out and began to strip off my clothes. I stepped in front of the mirror. I lost some weight within the last couple of days. The outline of my ribs showed more and my hips bones stuck out too. My cheeks were almost hollow and the dark circles under my eyes showed the complete exhaustion I felt. I shuddered at my appearance, knowing that I needed to eat more.
I undid the braid in my hair that was now a knotted mess and needed a good hardcore wash. I stepped into the shower, letting the hot water cascade down my n*de body and soaking my hair. I washed my hair and scrubbed my body from top to bottom until my skin was red all over. I shaved my armpits and legs, before turning the water off and getting out. I then walked over to the tub and turned on the water, filling the tub up with warm water. After scrubbing my whole body, I did feel a bit better, more clean and refreshed.
The bathtub was finally filled full enough to my liking. I stirred the water with my hands, making sure the oils and fragrances were spread evenly. I stepped into the tub leaning against my back against the beck of the tub. My whole body was submerged up to my neck, the smell of lavender filled my nostrils relaxing my mind and body.
I closed my eyes, letting the aroma and warmth of the bath soak into my pores.
I wish my mind had an off switch or a file delete button, so I could just forget the last couple of days. All the numbing pain and the heartache. I knew Jason was keeping a close eye on me. He even tried to get me to eat, finally giving up and started to give me vanilla or chocolate milkshakes that had protein powder in it. I still can taste the differences in the milkshakes from how they would normally taste. I do not blame him, I had been non-communicative and silent crying for two days straight. I would not be surprised if my appearance as I left the hospital would have scared everyone in town.
