Page 56 of Zero
At first everything was blurry. Little by little, I was able to open my eyes. The first face that came into focus was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. Ignoring everything around me, I smiled—at least I hope I did.
“There you are.” Rei whispered, skimming my cheeks with a gentle finger. “Welcome back. Don’t try speaking. Nitro went to get the doctor. He’s going to come in and check on you, okay?”
I blinked twice—hoping he knew that was my reply in the affirmative.
He kissed my forehead then my nose. “You scared me.” He admitted.
“Hey little sister.” Justice sounded strong and I turned my head to look at him.
Aside from a bandage against his neck, he was okay. Tears toppled down my cheek and he rushed to the other side of my bed to caress my cheek.
“Hey!” He whispered. “None of that. You waltz into a room swinging a baseball bat and this makes you cry?”
I love you, you idiot.
But the words wouldn’t come out because of the damn tube in my throat.
The doctor entered and tried clearing the room. I gripped onto Rei’s hand.
“It’s okay, Hoshi.” He kissed my forehead. “We won’t go far.”
I released him but didn’t take my eyes off him until he disappeared out the door. The doctor checked me over before removing the tube.
“What’s your full name?” He asked while staring into my eyes with a pen light.
“Bailey Elianne Smith.” I told him.
“How old are you?”
“Twenty seven.”
“What do you do for a living?” He continued, moving to look down my throat.
I waited until he stopped before I replied. “Chef—I own a restaurant.”
“Well, it seems there is no lasting damage.” He spoke then began scribbling on a chart. “Your brain is firing, no memory loss—your reaction is amazing for someone who’s been in a coma for three days.”
“It’s been three days?” I asked.
“Yes.” He replied while setting my chart down. “You have some very good friends, Ms. Smith. You’re a lucky woman.”’
I smiled at him.
Nitro was the first to enter the room. She sat by my bed and stared down at me for a while before smacking my shoulder.
“Ow!” I exclaimed.
She fell on me to hug me as much as the position would allow and I grunted.
“Don’t you scare me like that again!” She pouted. “How dare you get shot!”
“I didn’t plan on it.” I told her. “It was either that or Rei could have died.”
“Do you know how mad he was at you?” Nitro asked. “He’s been here for three days. He hasn’t left once.”
“What?” I asked. “Where did he sleep?”
“Sleep? Who says he’s slept?”
