Page 12 of West (The Moral Compass 1)
It’s Kara. I try to say yes. My mouth moves, but nothing comes out. I raise my fingers a little to acknowledge her.
Fuck, what is wrong with me? I can’t speak.
I can hear the machine beeping faster and faster.
“Okay, Sutton, we need you to take it easy. You’ve had an accident, and we are making you better. You’re okay, but you’ve been asleep for a long time. Your body is just taking its time waking up. No need to panic. Stay as calm as you can, and we will bring you around slowly, okay?” The voice is calming, and they seem to know what they are talking about.
But… An accident? What accident? Where? When? I don’t remember.
“Keep calm, Sutton. We are doing everything we need to. It won’t be long now, and you’ll be fully awake.”
The beeping slows, and I start to feel steadier. I feel like I’m floating, the pain is going, and I am focusing on Kara. I raise my hand to cover my eyes. The bright lights feel like they are burning my retinas.
Fuck, someone turn the lights out.
“Kara, can you…” I try to speak.
“Yes, I can hear you, Sutton. You’re gonna be just fine. Do what the doctors say, and we’ll be having a coffee in no time.”
I raise my hand to cover my eyes.
“Good, good,” the voice says. “She’s reacting to light.”
“It hurts. Too bright,” I manage.
“Okay, Sutton, we will get the lights dimmed once we know you’re stable and more awake. For now, we need the lights to see what we are doing and to make sure you’re okay. Alright?”
I nod slowly but fall back into the quiet darkness.
Chapter 8
West
Iwasgladitwas the weekend. I was able to spend all night and day at the hospital with no work to interrupt me. I’ve filled June in on what I know, and she is holding down my emails for the weekend. Kara has only left Sutton’s side to get food and use the bathroom. Saying that, neither have I.
I asked June to have some of my casual clothes brought to the hospital and to bring some clothes for Kara. I guessed her size, but I don’t think she’ll be bothered about what she wears as long as she is here.
It’s six on Saturday evening when all hell breaks loose. Kara was telling me about some of the antics she and Sutton have been up to. She wouldn’t tell me much about Jaxon, only that he is a crazy, evil bastard who made Sutton’s life hell for the past five years. He’s still on the run, and it’s been seventy-two hours since the attack, but the police are confident they will get him soon. I’m trying not to waste my energy on him now. My time will come for that prick. I need to concentrate on Sutton.
The machine starts beeping like there is something wrong. Kara screams that Sutton is moving. I can’t see it, but the machines are saying something is happening. Doctors and nurses come running in, pushing us out of the way. And sure enough, like taxes, she is waking up. I could fucking scream with joy.
But why? Come on, West, you don’t even know this girl. You’ve met her once, and you stalked her through a one-way mirror. She’s going to freak if she wakes up and you’re standing over her.
But I can’t move. My legs say, “you’re staying buddy, and that’s that.” It all happens so quickly but not quickly enough. She’s waking up. The lights are bright in the room, and the daylight from outside is coming in through the window. One of the nurses moves, and we get a view of Sutton’s face. It’s been bandaged until now.
Kara looks at me, tears welling in her eyes. I know it’s a mix of happy tears because Sutton is waking up, but also sad tears, because she’s distressed. Her best friend is badly, and I mean badly, bruised. Her eyes are purple, black, and yellow, and they’re swollen as if they are about to split. She still has the remains of blood across her forehead and cheeks. She truly looks like nothing I’ve seen before. But she’s still beautiful. I put my arm around Kara’s shoulder and pull her in. She needs a hug right now; she needs someone to be there for her too.
Sutton is staring at the foot of the bed. I know she knows Kara is here, but she doesn’t recognise me. Why would she?
The doctors pull us to one side and explain that she will probably have no memory of the accident just yet and to be prepared for when the memories come back. I want to grab the fucking dick by the lapels and tell him this was no fucking accident, but this is not the time or place. I just say thanks.
A few hours pass, and Kara sits next to Sutton whilst I act like a stalker in the background. Finally, I ask, “Do you want me to go grab us some coffee or something?”
“Yeah, that would be great, thanks.”
I head out the door for the vending machine.
Chapter 9
