Crowned (Santa Catalina University)

Chapter 23

The first thing I notice as I come to, is the sterile smell of antiseptic and the faint beeping of machines. My eyelids feel heavy, and it takes all my effort to open them. The light is blinding at first, but as my vision adjusts, I realise I’m in a hospital room.

Panic flares throughout my chest, shooting to my fingers and toes like lightning.

Me and hospitals don’t have a good track record.

I try to sit up, but my body feels like it’s weighed down by lead. A small noise escapes my lips, and immediately I hear a chair scrape back and hurried footsteps approach.

“Malia?” A familiar voice, tinged with shock and relief, calls my name.

Tears prick at my eyes and I blink a few times and turn my head to see Bhodi standing at my bedside, his eyes wide with disbelief. Behind him, Cove and Reef are staring at me as if they’ve seen a ghost.

“What…what happened?” I manage to croak out, my throat dry and scratchy.

“You’re awake,” Bhodi breathes, his face breaking into a smile. “We didn’t think…You’ve been in a coma.”

“A coma?” I echo, the word feeling foreign and unreal. That isn’t right. I was on an island with Vance. We met the queen. Everything felt so real, but it all sounds so surreal now, that I wonder if I dreamed the whole thing.

“Yes,” Cove chimes in, stepping closer. “It’s been weeks. We thought we’d lost you.”

My mind races, trying to piece together the fragmented memories. The last thing I remember is Yemaya, the courtyard, and…Vance. “Where’s the professor?” I ask, looking around the room as if he might suddenly appear.

“He’s not here,” Reef answers, his voice steady but concerned.

“Where is he?” I insist, firmer this time, panic bleeding into my tone.

“He’s…His body…He’s in the morgue, Malia. When you’re well enough we can take you to see his body…if that’s what you want.”

Disbelief churns in my gut. This can’t be right. Vance isn’t dead.

“No.” Tears well in my eyes as I shake my head. “He’s not. He can’t be.”

“We’re sorry, Malia.”

I refuse to accept what they’re telling me. They can keep their apologies. I don’t want their condolences. I want Vance. My rock. He can’t be gone.

“Malia—”

I flinch away from Bhodi’s touch. “Don’t.”

I feel guilty but I don’t want any of them to touch me. I just want Vance. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Returning was meant to be a good thing. The five of us should be reunited. It’s meant to be a happy occasion.

Instead, my heart is breaking all over again.

I didn’t die and fight my way back just to lose Vance.

I refuse.

I close my eyes for a moment, trying to process everything. Should I mention Yemaya and the prophecy? I don’t want to sound crazy…and she said there was a traitor.

My gut knows it’s not one of these three though. But is it even safe to talk here?

I struggle to sit up again, and this time Bhodi helps me, propping up the pillows behind me. “How long have I been out?” I ask, dreading the answer.

“About eight weeks,” Cove says softly, his eyes filled with concern. “We’ve been taking turns staying with you since we found out, hoping you’d wake up.”

I look at each of them in turn, feeling a swell of gratitude and determination. “I’ve missed you all so much.” It’s not their fault Vance is…absent. They deserve to know how much I’ve longed for them.

Immediately, they shower me with love and attention. Bhodi gently squeezes my hand, his eyes brimming with emotion. This time I don’t pull away. Bhodi’s touch was the first to ever bring me comfort and it works again now.

“We missed you too, Malia. More than you can imagine.”

Cove leans in and brushes a strand of hair from my face, his touch warm and comforting. “We were so worried about you. It’s such a relief to see you awake.”

Reef, normally so stoic, has a rare smile on his face. “We’re not letting you out of our sight again.”

Their affection and concern wrap around me like a warm blanket, easing some of the lingering fear. “Thank you,” I whisper, my heart swelling with love for them.

After a moment, I shift slightly, feeling the discomfort of lying in bed for so long. “I feel so grimy. Can I have a shower?”

Cove shakes his head gently. “The doctor needs to check you out first, make sure everything’s alright.”

I sigh, knowing he’s right but still longing for the simple comfort of hot water. “Alright, but as soon as I get the all-clear, I’m heading straight for the shower.”

Bhodi chuckles. “We’ll make sure it’s ready for you.”

As they continue to fuss over me, I realise just how lucky I am to have them. Despite the confusion and the pain, their love and support give me the strength to face whatever comes next.

The queen’s words ring in my ears, but the danger, the threat, has to take a backseat. I’m not doing this without Vance by my side. I don’t believe he’s any more dead than I was. And my priority is to find him and bring him back to us.

The door opens quietly, and a middle-aged doctor enters, her expression a mix of professionalism and relief. She checks my vitals, asks me a series of questions to assess my cognitive function, and eventually pronounces me stable.

“You seem to be recovering well,” she says with a reassuring smile. “I’ll schedule a few more tests just to be thorough, but you’re out of immediate danger.”

I nod gratefully, eager to get moving. “Can I take a shower now?”

The doctor hesitates for a moment, exchanging a glance with Bhodi, Cove, and Reef. “Yes, but take it easy. Don’t overexert yourself.”

As she leaves, Bhodi, Cove, and Reef immediately spring into action, helping me out of bed and steadying me as I stand. My legs feel like jelly, weak from so much immobility. Cove wraps an arm around my waist, his touch steady and supportive, but Bhodi barges him out of the way and sweeps me up into his strong arms instead.

“Hey!” Cove protests, but Bhodi levels him with a glare.

“She died. Came back to life. Was in a coma for weeks and you’re just letting her walk?” He growls. “Over my dead body!”

“I can walk,” I protest but Reef shakes his head.

“Easy does it, Malia,” he murmurs, leading the way towards the en-suite bathroom.

Inside, Cove adjusts the water temperature, making sure it’s just right. “We’ve got you,” he assures me, his voice soft with concern.

Reef stands by the door, keeping watch like a silent sentinel. His presence is as reassuring as when he was my ‘doctor’, a reminder that I’m not alone in this craziness. I just need to find the right time to confide in them.

Bhodi carefully places me down onto the plastic seat that Cove’s moved under the shower spray and my hospital gown is immediately soaked through, the material clinging to my skin and making me cringe.

“What’s wrong?” Reef asks, noticing my discomfort immediately.

“The gown. I need it off.”

With their help, the sodden gown is removed and thrown into the corners of the wet room, and I sigh, feeling the warm water cascade over me, washing away the hospital smell and the lingering fear. Bhodi stays close, handing me shampoo and soap, while Cove adjusts the showerhead to my liking.

“You’re doing great,” Bhodi murmurs, his hands gentle as he helps me wash my hair. I expected it to be a knotted bird’s nest, but it isn’t. Someone has been taking care of me while I’ve been unconscious.

“Thank you,” I whisper, overwhelmed by their care.

After what feels like both an eternity and a fleeting moment, I emerge from the shower, feeling cleaner and more refreshed than I have in weeks. Cove wraps a fluffy towel around me, and Bhodi carries me back to bed, tucking me in with the same tenderness they’ve shown since I woke up.

As I settle back into bed, warmth and fatigue wash over me, Bhodi, Cove, and Reef gather around. A nurse brings a tray of food – soup, sandwiches, and fresh fruit – carefully placing it on the bedside table.

I just want to sleep.

“You need to eat,” Bhodi insists gently, passing me a bowl of soup.

Cove hands me a glass of water, his eyes soft with concern. “It’s important to regain your strength.”

Reef stays quiet but nods in agreement, his expression showing relief that I’m awake and recovering.

I manage a small smile, touched by their thoughtfulness. I guess I can manage some soup. Not the fruit though. I’m so sick of fruit and olives and nuts.

“Thank you,” I say sincerely, accepting the food and taking a few careful mouthfuls. The taste is comforting, and each swallow feels like a step towards reclaiming my strength.

They sit around me, their presence reassuring as I eat. After a while, fatigue creeps in again, my eyelids growing heavy.

“I think I need to rest,” I murmur, setting the bowl aside.

“Of course,” Bhodi says softly, taking my towel and helping me into a fresh, clean hospital gown before adjusting the blankets around me. “We’ll be right here.”

Cove and Reef exchange a look, silently agreeing to keep watch over me. They settle into chairs beside the bed, vowing to stay with me as sleep pulls me back into its embrace.