Page 7 of Chaotic Curse
“It doesn’t matter,” Hawk interrupts.“I need to see my brother.”
She nods with a sympathetic smile.“Come with me, please.”
Hawk and I walk behind the double doors and follow the nurse to a private room in the ICU.
Oh God…
Eagle is hooked up to every machine imaginable.There’s a breathing tube rammed down his throat, an IV drip in his wrist, a pulse oximeter on his finger, a heart monitor and automated blood pressure cuff around his wrist, plus a bunch of other wires I can’t identify.His complexion is unnaturally pale, his usually vibrant eyes closed.
Hawk stops in his tracks, staring at his brother.I can’t imagine what he must be feeling seeing his brother in this fragile state.
The heart monitor beeps.
Beeps.
Beeps.
It’s a cruel reminder of Eagle’s current reality.
At least it isn’t silent.
Hawk tightens his grip on my hand.
A chair sits next to Eagle’s bed.Hawk heads straight for it.I follow, squeezing his hand in silent support.
“Hey, buddy…” Hawk’s voice is hoarse, barely above a whisper.He reaches out and lays a hand on Eagle’s lifeless one.
My heart cracks.
Hawk is so tall, so strong.And here he is, brought to his knees by the sight of his little brother in such precarious condition.
I don’t know what to say, what to do.
So I simply stand by Hawk’s side.
I hope my presence is comfort to him.But inside I know it isn’t.
Eagle’s chest raises and falls in a steady rhythm.The monotonous beep of the heart monitor is the only sound that breaks the oppressive silence in the room.
Hawk pushes back the unruly curls from Eagle’s forehead.
“Come on, E,” Hawk whispers, his voice choked with emotion.“You’ve got to come back.You can’t leave us like this.”He swallows hard, shaking his head.
This is breaking Hawk.I feel it.
And I hate it.
I kneel next to Hawk and take his other hand.His gaze remains glued to his brother.
I can only imagine the turmoil he’s going through.I squeeze his hand a little tighter, wanting to ground him, to reassure him that he’s not alone in this.
“The doctors say you’ve got a fifty-fifty chance, Eagle.That means you’ve got to fight.Do you hear me?”Hawk’s voice cracks, and he quickly clears his throat.“We’re all here.Your family.We’re not going anywhere.”
He’s silent a moment, his eyes squeezed shut.Until?—
“Eagle, listen to me,” Hawk says, opening his eyes.“The family needs you.Mom needs you.Ineed you.”His voice breaks on the last words, and he takes a deep, shuddering breath.
Then he looks at me.The raw pain in his eyes is almost too much to bear.
