Dark Hearts

by P. L. Midnight

  “Better, thank you, Sebastian, but are my eyes okay? That is your name, right?”

  “Yes, you’ve got a good memory, Emma. I’m Dr. Sebastian Colyear. As I told you, I’m a friend of Vince, Raven, and Alex. Vince is here, too. Your eyelids have healed nicely. We’ll find out more when I remove the bandages in a little while.”

  “Hello, Vince. Where am I? It smells like flowers in here.” What I didn’t say was that he smelled like clothes fresh from the dryer, too. It was a most pleasant scent like a fresh day. I even liked it better than the sweet smell of the flowers that surrounded me. I could also vaguely smell the fragrance of a fresh, cool, wintery day, which meant that Vince was probably not too close to me.

  “Hello, Emma. It’s nice to hear your voice. I’ll come and talk to you after the doctor finishes with you.”

  “I’ll be finished shortly, Emma. As for the floral fragrance, I’m sure it does smell like flowers. You’ve gotten numerous flowers among other things while you’ve been recovering. You probably don’t know where you are, do you?” I shook my head no and he continued, “Alex brought you to Raven’s house. You were burned pretty badly from the intense heat, sweetness.” I heard a groan across the room and knew Vince had heard the doctor call me sweetness. Sebastian continued undaunted, “You’re fortunate that Alex was able to reach you when he did or you might not be here. It looks like you won’t have any scars to speak of. We should know about your eyesight soon.”

  I could hear the censure in his voice. What he didn’t say was more telling than what he had, but I ignored his comments. I had something more important even than my eyesight at that moment that I wanted to know. I immediately asked, “Where is my mother? Is she okay? Have you been treating her injuries too?”

  It was a good thing that I couldn’t see Sebastian’s face. He wasn’t a particularly good liar, as I’d find out later. “She’s fine and receiving proper care. Unfortunately, you aren’t well enough to visit her just yet.”

  “Is she at the local hospital in Urbana?”

  I noticed that Vince made no comments during our conversation.

  “She’s safe. She wasn’t injured as bad as you were, Emma. You can see her when you’re able to travel. Now would you please sit up for me? Here, let me give you a hand. I’d like to remove your bandages to check your eyes now, lass. When we’re finished, Vince and your friends will be able to visit with you. I’m sure you have a lot of questions and much catching up to do.”

  His warm hand surrounded my forearm while he placed the other at the small of my back. His touch was comforting and his hands gentle as he helped me sit up. When his hand touched mine, I was reminded of how long and gentle his fingers were as he checked each of mine for any lingering injuries. He had the skilled hands of a surgeon or a pianist. It was my good fortune that he was a doctor. I had a feeling he might be the only reason I was still breathing, well, Alex and him.

  “Do you feel okay, Emma? You’re not dizzy or anything, are you? Your mouth is probably dry from the medicine. I have some water for you if you’d like it.” He put a glass to my mouth as soon as I nodded. I drank my fill in small sips as per his instructions. It tasted wonderful even though my throat was still a bit tender. He was right. My mouth had felt as dry as a burning desert in the summertime.

  He pulled the glass from my lips as he spoke with that lovely lilt that I’d grown to associate with him. “I’ll give you some more water later, Emma. You must take it slow. You’ve ingested very little water or food for the last fourteen days. As you probably remember, you were sustained by an IV.”

  “Your skin may still be a bit tender, so I will remove the bandages slowly, so be patient, okay?” Sebastian said as I felt his hands gently removing the bandages from around my eyes. I was so anxious to see again. It was horrible not being able to see anything. I couldn’t imagine a world of constant darkness.

  I was also curious about so much, my doctor, Sebastian, for starters. I wondered what he looked like. I imagined that he was handsome with his gentle hands and Scottish lilt. He spoke softly with a calming tone while he worked. “Please keep your eyes closed for a while after I finish removing the gauze. After I’m finished removing it I’ll lower the lights for you. I don’t want the bright light to bother your eyes. Remember what I told you, that you may not be able to see right away, so don’t panic if there is still darkness.”

  I prayed that my vision would return. I didn’t know how I could keep up a brave front much longer if it didn’t. “Sebastian, thanks for everything. It’ll be wonderful to see again. I’ll try to be patient, but waking up to darkness isn't something I want to do again. I’ll do whatever you ask me to do, but can you please hurry?” I promise not to panic if it’s still dark for a while after the bandages are removed.”

  “I know you’re anxious, but I am going as fast as I can. Just one more layer, Emma, that’s a girl, be patient. You are a brave and obedient patient. What more could a doctor ask for? There,” he said as he snipped the last of the bandages, “that’s the last of the bandages. Please don’t open your eyes yet. I’ll be right back after I lower the lights.”

  I heard a soft click and then he was back beside me. Sebastian took my hand in his large one. I believe he meant to offer comfort as I slowly opened my eyes for the first time. I was so anxious to see again. It was hard to open them slowly as he’d instructed. I was anxious to see the room, my friend Vince, him, anything, and everything. I’d been in the dark too long.

  “Okay now, Emma, open your eyes the rest of the way very slowly. Remember it may be dark for the first few moments. I hope it won’t be much longer before your vision returns. I’m sorry, I’m just not sure what to expect with you. Don’t be frightened. That’s my brave lass, you’re doing well. Are you alright?”

  “Yes, I think so.”

  I finished opening my eyes, just as he’d asked, nice and slow. What I saw frightened me more than my lack of sight while I was bandaged. I saw nothing. Only absolute darkness greeted me. I tried to be patient as he’d said. It was difficult. I was becoming nervous. What if my sight didn’t return? He hadn’t said it could be permanent, but he hadn’t said it couldn’t, either. I’m not sure he really knew at this point. Sebastian had warned me that I might not see anything right away, so I had to be patient while the clock ticked away.

  As the minutes passed, there was still no change. I saw only blackness. I was beginning to fear the worst. He waited a few more minutes to let my eyes adjust before he finally spoke. He still hadn’t removed his hand from mine. He gently squeezed my hand as he spoke. Then he began to run his fingers up and down my wrist trying to calm me. “Can you see anything yet, Emma, perhaps a little light or some blurry colors?”

  “No, I can’t see anything, Sebastian. How much longer will it be until I can at least see some light?” I was trying hard not to panic. I had no idea how bad the injuries to my eyes had been, but it hadn’t sounded good. Shouldn’t I be seeing something by now, I wondered. It had been at least ten minutes. It had felt like an eternity.

  “I’d like to check your eyes again, Emma. Would that be okay? It won’t hurt.”

  I nodded. I was too upset to speak at that moment. I could feel the doctor’s gentle hands as they touched the tender area around my eyes. As he’d said, nothing hurt, but there was still only darkness. I waited for him to finish. When he took my hand between both of his and began to talk, I was more frightened than I’d ever been in my entire life.

  “Emma, I’m going to have to run some more tests on your eyes. I’m sorry, from what I can see without running any actual exams, you should be able to see. There may have been more damage to your retinas than I first thought. Your eyelashes were singed and your lids were slightly burned, so it was impossible to do any extensive testing when you were first brought here. I was hoping your vision would return shortly after the removal of the bandages. Don’t give up hope, Emma. It may take longer for your vision to return than I originally anticipated. I’m sorr
y, Emma. Please try to be patient. Your vision may still return. Sometimes, in certain instances it just takes longer.”

  “It’s not your fault, Sebastian. I know you’ve done all you could do from here. Will you take me to the hospital now? I don’t like being in the dark. Maybe there is something they can do.”

  “Emma, I promise you, I can do as much here as I could at a hospital. Unfortunately, it isn’t possible to take you to a hospital right now. You aren’t well enough to travel yet. Don’t worry, I assure you I have all the same equipment that the hospital does.”

  I was trying to be brave, but I was terrified of facing a world of darkness for the rest of my life. Why couldn’t they take me to the hospital? I didn’t feel sick anymore. Surely, there was more equipment there and they'd be able to do more to restore my vision. Was there something Sebastian wasn’t telling me? I wondered if there were other things wrong with me that he didn’t want me to know about. My hand went to my hair and it was all in tack. It even felt clean. I knew my arms and legs were intact, but what about the rest of me. Had he lied about my scarring?

  I felt a tear slide down my cheek as I faced towards his voice and asked in a quiet tone, “Sebastian, is there something you’re not telling me? Are all my parts intact?” I wanted to ask Vince, but he’d remained so quiet I wasn’t sure if he was still in the room. After all that Sebastian had done for me, I didn’t want him to think I didn’t trust him.

  I could hear the smile in Sebastian’s voice as he said, “Yes, I assure you that all your parts are in the correct place and quite fine, actually.” Again, a throat clearing or was that another grunt from Vince, but he said nothing as the doctor continued. “I’m just not sure about the extent of damage done to your eyesight, as I said earlier. I promise we’ll run every possible test on you. I’ll personally do all I can to help you regain your sight. Do you trust me, Emma?” he asked as his finger gently captured the tear that had slid down my cheek.

  “Yes, you have been nothing but kind to me.” I’d ask Vincent about him as soon as I had a chance. Sebastian had been both kind and caring. He seemed to be thorough with his examinations, too. As soon as I could, I’d ask Vince why I couldn’t go to the hospital for more extensive treatment. I didn’t want to remain blind. I was terrified of that prospect. I couldn’t help my mother if I remained in the dark, because I had a feeling that Sebastian knew more about her than he was telling, too.

  “Can I get you a cup of tea and some biscuits or something else? I can give you something to help you relax, too, if you’d like.”

  “I’m not hungry, but some tea might be nice. Sebastian, I’m scared. I don’t want to be blind. I don’t need any more drugs either. I need to remain alert so I know when my sight returns.”

  Although it wasn’t customary bedside manner, Sebastian sat next to me. I felt his arms go around me in a gentle hug. I didn’t know this man. I didn’t even know what he looked like, but it felt right to be in his arms somehow. I’d started forming a bond with him. I just didn’t realize it yet.

  Tears ran unchecked down my face as I started sobbing at his gentle, caring touch, his arms kneading the tense muscles in my back. Sebastian continued to hold me as I wept. His hands began gliding up and down my back in a gentle comforting pattern as he held me. I heard a door slam as Vince curtly said, “I’ll get her tea.”

  I liked being in his arms. I just hoped I hadn’t hurt Vince. I needed his friendship now more than ever.

  Sebastian and I sat that way on the edge of my bed for some time before a gentle knock at the door interrupted us.

  “Come in,” Sebastian answered the inquiry.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt, but we’d like to see her now that she’s awake.”

  I figured they’d heard my crying, which had finally subsided for the moment, thanks to Sebastian’s comforting presence.

  “I don’t think Emma is…”

  I interrupted, anxious to assure myself that my friends were okay. I recognized Raven’s slight Italian accent as the one asking to come in.

  “It’s okay, Sebastian. I’d like to see…” I started to say and then amended on a sob, “talk to my friends, if it’s okay.”

  “Of course, it’s fine, Emma, as long as you feel well enough for visitors, because there are five guys downstairs that are anxious to see you. They’ve been waiting more or less patiently for you to awaken, princess.” Again, I could hear the smile in Sebastian’s voice. He was kindness personified as he spoke, even though I still wasn’t sure I totally trusted him yet. It was okay, Vince would be back soon. I’d wait until everyone left and I’d ask him. Vince would never lie to me. He was one of my besties.

  Raven walked towards me. I knew, because I could hear his footfalls as he crossed the room. I wanted to talk to Raven, but I wasn’t sure if I was ready to talk to the rest of the guys. I needed time alone with Vince as soon as possible, too.

  It was strange, since my eyes weren’t functioning, I was already learning to use my other senses a little more. I knew the instant that Raven sat in the chair next to me. I could hear his slightest movement and his breathing. The scent of damp stone mountains and the clean earth, which was distinctly Raven, filled my senses, offering some familiarity in my dark world.

  Raven instantly took my hand in his as he began talking. “It’s so nice to see you sitting up with your ey…” he started to say with your eyes opened, but caught himself just in time and amended it to awake. “I’m so glad you’re getting better, Emma. Vince has been a real bear. He’s been so worried about you. I have, too, my dear girl. We’ve all been crazy with worry about you.”

  “I’d say it’s nice to see you, Raven, but as you know, I can’t. It’s nice to hear your voice. It’s good to know that you’re here. How did I get here?” I was trying to be as calm as possible so as not to worry my friends any more than I already had. I also had questions that needed answers that would only come if I weren’t hysterical or drugged to calm me down.

  I wondered if Alex had flown here with me. I recalled seeing wings, big golden ones attached to Alex’s back as he’d lifted me from the ground. Then everything had gone dark and remained that way, but I did remember those wings. I wondered if Raven would tell me the truth. I might be crazy for the guy, but I didn’t know him as well as I did Vince.

  “Actually, my house was much closer than the hospital, therefore, Alex brought you here. You were in bad shape, honey. He also knew we had all kinds of medical equipment here.” What he didn’t say was that his dad had a medical lab in the basement where he was attempting to revive hundreds of gargoyles. “Emma, you were in pretty bad shape. Thankfully, Sebastian happened to be visiting my father. He’s one of the best doctors in the world. We decided it would be better for you to stay here. You are comfortable here, aren’t you, Emma?”

  “Yes, the bed is really comfortable. I thank you, Raven. Sebastian has been attentive and most caring with me, too. He seems like a competent physician.”

  “Glad you like the bed. I’ve always thought it was pretty comfortable, too.” What Raven didn’t say was that he wasn’t surprised that the good doctor had been attentive and caring. Sebastian hadn’t taken his eyes off Emma since Raven had entered the room. He feared they were becoming like moths to a flame where Emma was concerned.

  “Am I in your bed, Raven?” I asked and he mumbled a yes. I remembered smelling that damp, earthy, stone-mountain scent when I’d woken earlier. I should’ve realized that I was sleeping in his bed. I wasn’t sure how I felt about putting him out of his bed, but I liked his scent near my skin. It was familiar and comforting in its own way.

  I voiced my concern, “I’m sorry to have put you out of your bed.”

  “No worries, Emma. I’m glad to share my bed with you. I’m just sorry it was because of injuries.”

  Hhmm, I wondered what he meant by that, but it was nice of him to have tried to take such good care of me.

  “I don’t know how I can ever thank you, Raven.”

/>   “Oh, I can think of some ways, but we’ll save that for when you’re all better.” I could hear the slight chuckle in his voice and pictured the handsome smile that likely lit up his face as he continued, “Seriously, I was just trying to get a smile from you. No thanks are necessary, piccola dolce. I do have one question that I must ask. Why did you get so close to the fire? Didn’t you realize how dangerous your position was? You could’ve been killed if Alex hadn’t gotten to you in time. I know you thought your mother was inside, but did you really think you’d have been able to get through the flames to reach her, even if she’d been inside?”

  I turned my face away from the sound of his voice. I knew that he was right. It had been a foolish thing to do. Anyway, it sounded like Mom had escaped the flames before I even tried to go inside.

  “I know it was foolish. I wasn’t thinking. Mom’s my only family, Raven. You know what it’s like with just one parent and no siblings. I was terrified of being left alone without anyone.”

  He squeezed my hand and I felt his other hand stroking a curl away from my face. “I’m not scolding you, Emma. I don’t think you realize how important you are to me or how close to dying you were when Alex brought you here. It’s going to be okay, now. You’ll never be left alone again, Emma. We’re your family now, Vince; Sebastian; Julian; Miles; and even Alex and, of course, me. Don’t worry, your sight will be back soon, too, I just know it. Now, are you ready to meet my cousins? They’ve been taking turns staying with you, too. They’re anxious to talk to you now that you’re awake. They’re good guys, Emma. You’re safe with them, too.”

  “I’m sure they are. I want to thank them all, but I’m not sure I’m up to meeting them all right now. I’m just not handling the lack of my eyesight too well. I know Sebastian says it should be okay, but the blackness…”