Epilogue
E verything inside me tingles with unhappiness and worry for my best friend. Ever since I got the call that she’d been admitted to the hospital and was being kept under observation for ‘serious injuries’. Whatever that means.
I don’t believe it was an accident for one second, no matter what Samantha Powischer says. She’s a sneaky conniving bully who has had it out for Edie from day one. She’s also a jealous nasty monkey face and if I ever get to see her in person I might have to break my no-violence rule and punch her in her icky ugly face.
Not that I know what she looks like, or whatever. But anyone that can be this malicious, this… hurtful, deserves a punch or two.
Hmmm. Maybe I can get Daddy to hose her down with one of the fire trucks? The thought has merit, and I file it away for later use. Instead, I take a deep steadying breath as I wait for the elevator to make it to the floor where Edie is being kept.
Both my Daddies are going to be so pissed at me for doing this alone. They want to be here with me, hold my hand and show their support, but I need to do this one thing on my own.
I’ll collapse into their arms after and let them soothe all my booboos. Maybe I can even wiggle my way out of a punishment and into a new onesie or two.
The metallic doors slowly woosh open, and I’m assaulted with the clean clinical smell that all hospitals carry. I can’t help but wonder if a whooshing sound is something that will get Edie going these days. The girl seriously loves her ASMR.
Maybe her two hot professors just need to come on over and make all their sexy noises and Edie will wake up from the coma and all of this can be written off as some kind of scary dream.
Coma .
I hug myself and close my eyes tight as the icky word slithers across my skin. I hate this so much. But I need to see her for myself. I can be a big girl right now. For Edie.
Letting out my breath I open my eyes and hold out my hand to stop the elevator doors from closing and head straight to the nurses station.
“I’m looking for Edith Sommers?” I ask a pretty, young nurse sitting behind a counter. Her eyes fill with a soft empathy as she points me down the corridor and gives me the room number. “Has she had many visitors?” My second question comes too late, as she’s already grabbed a few files and is heading into an office behind the large imposing counter.
Honestly, I’m not really sure who would have visited her by now. Her parents are probably still making their way here, taking their sweet time about it. She hasn’t really spoken of many friends from her new school. Honestly, I just can’t help but wonder if sucky Sam has been by to see her victim in person. It sounds like something she would do.
Suppressing a shudder I walk to Edie’s room and count to ten to keep all my feelings at bay, before I use the door handle to let myself in.
And then I see her.
Her petite frame looks even smaller in the huge, stark white hospital bed. Her curls are a mess around her head and she has some pretty fearsome dark circles around her eyes. She has gashes and bruises on every inch of visible skin. What is safe from the injuries looks paler than her usual creamy complexion. She has bandages and cords, a cast covering her entire left leg, and there is a terrifying-looking tube coming out of her mouth.
Those same tears I tried to keep down not even thirty seconds ago finally make a break for it and roll down my cheeks unchecked.
“Oh Edie,” I gasp out a sob, stumbling closer to my friend. “Please open those pretty green eyes for me. You can’t be here like this. Who’s going to give me a hard time for not getting out enough?”
I can almost hear her quick bark of laughter and her snappy retort that I now have two Daddies to look after me, but it isn’t the same as the real deal. Instead, the only answering sounds are the steady beeps and blips from the various medical machines, working hard to keep my best friend alive.
Another sob escapes my lips. I don't care if it's selfish... I need my Edie back.
A quick glance around the small private room provides little insight, as the entirety is mostly bare except for two large bouquets. However, I guess that answers my questions about visitors.
The large bunch of pink roses are so stunning I want to sink my face into them, and they’re only slightly overshadowed in size by the brilliant red roses in the second vase.
They have to be from Edie’s two professors.
From what she’s told me of them, I can almost guess who sent the pink ones and who opted for the more traditional red bunch. I don’t see any cards at first glance to verify my suspicions and even though there is no one here to see my snooping, I can’t quite bring myself to move closer and look for them.
At least they haven’t forgotten about her. That has to be something right?
“Know what Edie?” I ask my comatose friend. “Let’s pretend you’re fine. Why don’t we play a game where you’re just faking sleep so you don’t have to listen to me blather on about how much of an asshole Brennan was because he wouldn’t let me have a third slice of cake instead of an actual dinner.”
A few more tears escape as I share with my friend, hoping above all else that she can hear me and will wake up just so she can tell me to shut up and be grateful for what I have. However, after what seems like only a short while the same friendly nurse from earlier comes into the room and sends an apologetic smile my way.
“Visiting hours are over now. I’m sorry but you’re going to have to say your goodbyes.”
Vowing that I’d return–and soon–I put down a few of the books I got from the DNF bookstore. After all, it was the place where I met my best friend. And who knows when she’ll wake up and need something to keep her busy?
As I step back into the hallway, I feel a weight lift slightly from my chest. Seeing Edie, even in her fragile state, gives me a strange sense of comfort. She’s still here. She’s still fighting.
The elevator ride back down to the lobby feels even longer than the ride up. My thoughts are a chaotic mess of anger, fear, and hope. Anger at Sam for what she undoubtedly did to my friend. I don't care if she did CPR. I know it was just to save her own skin. Fear for Edie’s condition and hope that my friend will pull through this.
The moment the doors open to the lobby, I see my Daddies waiting for me. I should have expected them there. Of course, they knew I’d come here the first chance I got.
Their concerned faces soften as they see me. Brennan opens his arms, and I run into them, letting out the sobs that have been escaping me in spurts. Kaz strokes my hair, his presence solid and as reassuring as always.
“She’s going to be okay,” I whisper into Brennan’s chest, as much to reassure myself as to tell them. “She has to be.”
“Of course she is,” Kaz says, his voice firm.
And with his edict said out loud, I let them lead me out of the hospital, while a tiny piece of me lays in a bed and fights to hold on.
Keep holding on, Edie.
No matter what, you just keep holding on.
***