Chapter Thirty-One
A scream tore through the air.
Daniel was immediately by Keira’s side. He tried catching Keira’s flailing arms, afraid she would pull out her IVs. “Go get a nurse!” he yelled to Logan.
Layla tried and failed to reach her. She was too deep in the nightmare that gripped her.
A nurse rushed in and went directly to Keira’s IV, adding a sedative to help calm her. “This will take effect quickly.” She helped to keep Keira from hurting herself. Within minutes, Keira was unconscious. The nurse took her vital signs and recorded everything. “This wasn’t unexpected. She went through something horrible. It might take months or even years for the nightmares to end. Just keep in mind this is normal.” The nurse retaped the tubing leading to the IV that had come loose. Thankfully, it wasn’t pulled from her arm.
Another nurse ran in and started helping get Keira in a comfortable position and the blanket up.
The other three people in the room were in different levels of shock. They all stood around Keira’s bed, getting in the way, but unable to take their eyes off her. Thankfully, the nurses understood and just worked around them.
“She’ll be asleep for hours,” the second nurse said before she left.
“What if she has another nightmare? Can you give her more sedative?” The thought tore at Daniel’s insides.
The nurse looked at the stark fear on the man’s face and tried to reassure him. “She won’t need it. The drug we gave her put her in a deeper level of consciousness. She won’t be able to have thoughts or feel anything. This is the stuff they give a person for minor surgery. She might wake up not remembering any of this.”
“God, I hope so,” Layla breathed out.
The nurse left, leaving the room in silence.
Logan pulled Layla back to the sofa. “Come on, Baby. Let’s get some sleep. She’s going to need us.”
Layla cuddled up against Logan. Daniel could hear the soft sobs and whispers coming from that side of the room. He slowly sat down in the reclining chair beside her bed that he’d been asleep on before Keira’s nightmare. Even with the nerves and concern rushing through his veins, exhaustion pulled at him. He checked Keira one more time before lying back. Between one breath and another, he was asleep.
Soft murmured words and the early morning sunlight coming through the slats in the blinds woke him the next morning. He was instantly alarmed that something had happened while he was asleep. He relaxed when the two nurses turned. One smiled, and the other did a thumbs-up sign indicating everything was good.
He glanced at the sofa to find both Logan and Layla sound asleep. The sofa was so short and thin, Logan’s legs hung off the end, and there was only enough room for one person usually, so Layla was mostly lying on Logan. Daniel cringed. They were both going to feel it this morning.
Daniel stood and stretched. It felt like every muscle and joint was popping and straining. “How is she doing?”
“She’s doing well. We heard about what happened last night. That’s tough to watch.”
“Yeah, that’s one word for it. If I never see her like that again, I’ll be a happy man. But from what the night nurse said, it’s bound to happen several more times.”
“Unfortunately, yes. But most people will slowly stop having them. Just give it time. You might think about counseling for her? It’s helped other traumatized victims in the past.”
“Thanks. When do you think the doctor will be in?”
“Usually, Dr. Paulson doesn’t come in on Wednesday, and it’s usually later in the mornings, but for some reason, he’s taken a special interest in this patient and doesn’t want another man in the room. She’s used to him. Keira usually would have seen at least three different doctors by now.”
“I’ll have to thank him for his insight and care he’s giving Keira. We appreciate everything you all have done for us.”
“That’s our job, but we wanted to take extra care of her after what she’s been through.”
Daniel nodded before turning back to Keira. Within thirty minutes, Logan and Layla started to wake, each groaning as they tried to move.
Layla walked to Keira’s bed and stared down at her. “Have you heard anything?” she asked without taking her eyes from her sister’s sleeping form.
Daniel stared at Layla for a moment. Except for their height difference, the sisters looked so much alike. “Not really. Two nurses were in a while ago and said she’s doing fine and resting comfortably for now.”
Layla reached out and stroked her sister’s arm. “That’s good.”
“They also said the doctor will be in shortly.”
“I wonder if he’s going to want to keep her here another day.”
“I hope not. Her external wounds are healing quickly, but her emotional ones are going to take months if not years to heal, and the best place she can be for that is at home.”
Layla looked up at Daniel. “Your home?”
“Absolutely. If I had my way, she would have already been there, but for now, I will do whatever it takes to make her happy and keep her safe.”
Layla nodded. “That’s good.”
The door opened, letting in Dr. Paulson, a nurse, and Conner. Daniel looked quickly at Conner for any updates, his eyebrows raised in question.
Conner shook his head, frustration stamped on his features.
He turned his attention to the doctor. He was looking at Keira’s chart and having a quiet conversation with the nurse. Several minutes later, he looked up and started checking her pupils. “I heard she had a bad night?”
“Yes, she did.”
“She’ll have more, I expect.” He lifted the sheet out of the way and started examining her arms. “Physically, she’s healing very nicely.”
“Doctor, when will the sedative wear off?” Layla asked.
He looked again at the chart. “It should be wearing off around this time. But remember, she was tired when she got here, and with the trauma, injuries, and blood loss, she’s going to sleep most of the day for a week or so.”
“I would suggest she get counseling. The nurse can give you a few names of counselors that specialize in this sort of thing.”
“I’ve already thought about that, and a nurse last night recommended it also. I would appreciate the names. I also want to thank you for all you’ve done. A nurse told me you’re usually off on Wednesdays and never come in this early.”
The nurse chuckled at the look of displeasure Dr. Paulson sent her.
“Yes, well. There is always some patient who gets under your skin more than most, and she’s one of them.”
“I understand that. She’s special.”