Chapter 37
The hospital had a certain stench I hated.
I couldn’t put my finger on it, but it made me feel uneasy.
Not only was the smell horrific, but the sights were too.
People in wheelchairs, an IV pole hooked up to them.
Kids—not because they were kids, but because they were sick.
It was sad to witness. And it was just white everywhere.
If I were injured or dying, I would want to see some actual colors.
Oh, and not to mention the sounds. The snoring. And that one beeping sound. Fortunately, I’d never heard anyone say ‘Code blue.’
I turned my head to see Hero lurking behind some medical equipment. I fought the urge to laugh. Then, composing myself, I said, “Stay out here.”
I returned my gaze to the door before pushing it open and entering the room. Spotting me, Blake switched the TV off and weakly sat up. “Pepperoni.”
I slowly walked closer to the hospital bed. “Don’t call me that, Blake.” The blood from his face had been cleaned. A few bandages covered small cuts on his forehead.
“You’re feistier.” Blake smiled, but it looked like it hurt. “Stronger.”
“What did you expect?” I asked calmly, an accusation lying underneath. “I learned I couldn’t even trust my own blood.”
“You can trust me now.”
I wasn’t just going to take his word for it; I had to decide for myself.
“I heard you want to take me back in,” I said, ignoring his statement.
“I do,” he admitted. “I miss my sister.”
I looked away. “What happened to blaming me for our parents’ deaths?”
“I saw them.” He reached out to me. “Pepper, I saw them while I was in my coma state.”
My eyes widened and I returned my gaze to Blake. “Wha— what did they say?”
I heard a scoff behind me. Hero. He stepped further into the room. “You were dreaming.”
“I told you to stay outside,” I said sternly.
“You really believe this?” he asked incredulously.
“Ro, you literally used a spell for me to speak to them before.” I chuckled in disbelief. “Why is it so hard to believe that he saw them in his coma state?”
“They yelled at me,” Blake chimed in, answering my previous question. “They knew how I’d been treating you, and they were disappointed in me. It really opened my eyes.”
“It took a scolding to realize what you were doing was wrong?” Hero rolled his eyes, scoffing.
“I thought they would’ve understood.” Blake’s lips trembled. “I was grieving, okay?! I did things I shouldn’t have, and I’m sorry.” He paused, looking at me. “I’m sorry, Pepper.”
It was a genuine apology. Maybe not the best apology, but a genuine one at that.
A lump appeared in my throat, tears starting to fall from my eye sockets. Oh, how badly I needed that apology from him.
“Come here,” Blake whispered, gesturing me into a hug. I fell softly into the hug, and Hero didn’t object. Even though he still hated Blake’s guts with his entire fiber of his being, he knew I needed that hug.
“That’s enough now,” Hero finally said after a minute.
I sniffed, pulling away. “Thank you, Blake.”
Hero sucked his teeth, visibly uncomfortable. He hated vulnerability. “Can we go home now?”
“Pepper,” Blake said, smiling. “Once I’m released, we can be a true family again.”
“She’s not going home with you,” Hero said bluntly.
“Hero!” I whisper-shouted. “It doesn’t hurt to be nicer.”
Hero crossed his arms. “I will not be nice to an abuser.”
I swallowed, remembering the situation Blake had put me in.
“I wasn’t that cruel,” Blake said, defensively. “I could’ve acted like we were even more poor. Homeless, even.”
Hero shook his head in disbelief. “You didn’t because you probably didn’t want to be on the streets yourself.”
Blake looked down. “That’s not true. I acted like I didn’t care about her, but I did. I was just… hurting.”
Hero stared at me, hoping I would make the right decision. To stay and continue living with him.
“Maybe I’ll visit,” I choked out. “But Hero’s right, I can’t go back. I’m sorry, Blake.”
Without waiting for a response, I sprinted out of the room. I couldn’t hear him beg. I couldn’t pity him. I refused to be pressured into going back.
“I’m ready to go,” I said to Marina as I passed her, continuing to walk out of the hospital. I couldn’t stay in this hospital any longer.