“Mia?” A doctor announced, walking through the electric sliding door with her information in the palms of his hands.
I was the first to appear before him as the other two surrounded me. “She’s okay?”
“She pulled through,” the doctor said and exhales let go like a domino effect between the three of us. “Now … ” his eyes darted between the three of us, “Who’s family?”
“I am,” Lynch and I said in unison. “I need to see her,” I added through gritted teeth.
“She’s being transferred to a room now, but the pain meds have her out cold at the moment. She probably won’t wake for another hour or so. In the meantime, I have a few officers coming to take statements.”
“Of course,” Lynch breathed, dropping his tense shoulders and relief visible in his expression. Me? Not yet. Not until I saw her with my own eyes.
“What room?” I demanded.
The doctor looked up from Mia’s file. “Excuse me?”
“What room is she in?”
For the first time, the doctor examined my wardrobe. His eyes fell to Jinx’s shoes on my feet, up to the blood smeared across my arms, then down the front of the white tee hanging loosely around me.
I cleared my throat.
“It’s best you stay here for the police to take your statement.”
I narrowed my eyes and took a step forward. “I’m not doing shit until I see Mia.”
“Oliver,” Lynch warned with a hand over my shoulder. “What room?” he asked the doctor from behind me.
“Nine-sixty-four.”
My shoulder bumped the doctors as I moved past him and jogged down the hall. The numbers beside each door declined, falling into the eight hundreds, and I whipped around to run back the other way. Each step felt like a thousand-pound weight had been anchored around each ankle, not able to get there fast enough.
I’d reached the room and didn’t slow down until I was face to face with Mia.
Tangled hair. Perfect lips. Twelve freckles.
My hand eagerly laced in hers by her side, and it was cold to the touch. Though the monitor showed a steady heartbeat, I dropped my head over her chest, needing to be reassured. The steady rhythm allowed me to breathe, and the moment that one long breath escaped, so did the tears. I held them for far too long, imprisoned and undeserving to relieve my heavy heart. “I’m so sorry … ” I cried, kissing her cheek, her temple, her forehead, her nose. My thumb smoothed across her forehead. “Open your eyes, love. I need to see your eyes.”
“Oh, she’ll be out for a while,” a nasally voice said, closing in from behind. I didn’t bother turning around, knowing the casual tone could only come from someone who dealt with situations like this on an everyday basis. My entire being stayed focus on Mia, taking notice in the way her lashes fluttered under a dream coursing through her beautiful mind.
“How is her condition?” I finally asked now that I was able to feel, breathe, see Mia.
“Who are you to her?” the brave nurse asked, appearing at Mia’s other side and looked over the information from the monitor. I gave her a hard look, trying to decide for myself how to answer. What answer would be good enough to reveal information? “Let me guess … ” she continued, “boyfriend?” I turned my gaze back to Mia, emotions having a tight grip around my throat, and the burn returned behind my eyes. “She’s in good hands,” she finally said, trying to relieve the noticeable pressure.
I sucked in a breath and wet my lip. “Her condition?”
“Stable.” The nurse’s eyes wandered to the blood smeared over my ink. “You found her,” she concluded with a nod, “You know she’s lucky you found her when you did. She could have easily bled out. You did the right thing by stopping the blood flow.”
Air blew out of my nose as I shook my head, rubbing my thumb over Mia’s.
“She could wake up at any moment now. I’ll be back in about an hour to check on her.”
The nurse left as Lynch and Scott appeared in the doorway.
“I’m not leaving,” I said without turning back to face them. “I have to be here when Mia wakes.”
“The police are waiting for your statement,” Lynch said as he drew nearer.
“Bring them in then. I’m not leaving her side.”
Two sets of footsteps sounded. My eyes stayed locked on Mia.
The impatient click of a pen sounded.
Click. Click. Click.
I dragged a nearby chair closer to Mia’s bedside, pulled her hand into my lap, and faced the men in uniform as my knee bounced.
“Name?” the older officer asked.
“Oliver Masters.”
“Mr. Masters, can you tell us the events of this morning leading up to the time you found Ms. Jett.”
My teeth clenched. “Mia always takes a shower as soon as the doors unlock at six. I felt something was off—
“You felt?”
“Yes. I felt,” I annunciated. I looked over at Mia, still sleeping soundlessly beside me. I squeezed her hand, pushing and pulling strength between us. “I went to check on her and … ” My head dropped back, and I needed a second, “And the lights were out with the water still running. I flipped on the lights and found her.”
“Was there anyone else in the bathroom?”
“No. She was alone.” I should have been there.
“How would you describe your and Mia’s relationship?”
I kept my eyes trained on the officer asking the question, but four sets of eyes burned a hole into me as both officers tried figuring me out, profiling me. “This is ridiculous. I could never hurt her. I love her.”
“You attend Dolor Reformatory, for what crime?”
“Is this about me, or Mia?”
“It’s a simple question.”
“It’s an irrelevant question.” I looked over at Scott. “Did you ask him?” I asked with a head nudge. “Where were you when Mia was attacked?”
“We’ve already questioned Officer Scott,” the officer stated, redirecting focus back onto me. “Have you ever physically hurt Mia?”
“Fuck no,” I shook my head, unable to believe this was happening. “I’d never fucking hurt her.”
“It was reported Mia had bruises?”
My eyes jerked to Scott for the second time as my jaw clenched, a headache building.
“Ollie,” Mia suddenly spoke at my side.
Jumping to my feet, I scanned over her and quickly said, “I’m right here.” Mia’s eyes flitted open, and I used my hand as a shield over her eyes to adjust to the light. “Hi, love.”
“Hi,” she whispered.
Again, that single word engulfed me then broke me into a million pieces like it did every other time. I dropped my head into her neck, and her fingers combed through my hair.
I pulled away, and my blurry vision found her beautiful face. Mia’s tiny hand brushed over my wet cheek, and she smiled. But then the smile faded, and she pinched her eyes together as pain carved into her features.
“Mia, if you’re up for it, we’d like to ask you some questions,” the officer stated.
I dropped my chin into my chest. “No. No more bloody questions.”
Her hand squeezed mine and a misery-filled moan shot up her throat. “Ollie, it hurts.”
My chin hit my shoulder as I looked back at the officers. “You two need to leave.”
The controller for the bed fumbled in my hands before I pressed the button numerous times, ringing the nurse as their heavy boots descended from the room. Scott and Lynch walked outside the door to join them. Their small talk not so small, but the only thing I could focus on was freeing Mia from the pain. “I’m so sorry,” I repeated over and over, wishing I could trade places with her. Wishing I had a way to make the pain disappear. I’d never felt so helpless and useless in my bloody life.
&n
bsp; The same nurse returned and shot something into her IV.
“Don’t go,” Mia said to me, her brown eyes sliding between mine.
Shaking my head, I grabbed her hand and sucked in a breath. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
Seconds later, she was out.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“There’s a thin line between a win and loss,
the line being how you respond to it.”
—Oliver Masters
mia.
I THREW MY HEAD back into the pillow. “I didn’t like that one.”
Ollie looked up from the last chapter with a smirk. “And why not?”
I’d been at the hospital for four days now, and Lynch brought Ollie during each visit. Today was my last day here, and I’d talked to the cops this morning, told them what I knew. Also, confirmed Ollie had nothing to do with it.
The stab wound to my right thigh scraped an artery. After an operation, a blood transfusion, and the four days of being looked after, I was given the okay to head back to Dolor. The doctor had said I should have a full recovery, just needed to be on the lookout for infection.
“You know why,” I said through an exhale. It wasn’t the fact I didn’t like unhappily ever after’s in books, but it was because of this particular story. “It’s stupid. If they are soulmates, why can’t they be together?”
Ollie chuckled, dug his elbow into the mattress at my side, and dropped his head into the palm of his hand. “Do you believe in soulmates, Mia?” His brow quirked up, and his smile deepened. “Because from your reaction, it sounds like this book got to you, yeah?”
“In the story,” I made clear, “If they were soulmates, then they should be together. Isn’t it … like … a law or something?”
“There are no laws in love. In this particular story, they were not meant to be together in this lifetime. Their sole purpose in this story was self-discovery. To accomplish a journey apart from each other and grow as individuals. When the time is right, possibly even lifetimes away, they will reunite and become one again for eternity. But first, they have to find themselves.”
“They were lost.”
“Yes, but only because they aren’t together.”
“You’re confusing me.”
Ollie made a fist with his hand. “Think of it like this. When we’re created, we’re a single entity, all inside the infinite light. Most call the infinite light, ‘God,’ yeah?”
“Yup.”
“Okay, so the spark is the first time the soul splits from the infinite light,” Ollie’s fist changed into his pointer and middle finger crossed together, “A soul on a mission to seek experience outside of the infinite light. Then, to continue its growth, this single spark divided into two,” he uncrossed his fingers, “The birth of soulmates, each wanting to explore human delight.
“This process is in need to heal the planet. To keep the infinite light’s creation thriving and alive. We live on for many lifetimes, growing as individuals, providing balance and peace. Once we’re done with our journey, we must equally be filled, each having done our individual work. It is only then we can merge once again with our soulmate. When we do, the combined energy heals the earth, offering completion on the way back to the infinite light to spend eternity together as one again.”
“Why can’t soulmates go on the journey together?”
“When the souls are together, in their minds, they are already complete, not needing anything other than one another. When they are separated, a part of them is missing, which forces them to continue to learn and grow without knowing the reasons why. They must first know pain and heartache, learn to overcome trials and tribulations. Grow strong apart so they can be even stronger together once reunited.”
He spoke passionately about this. I was unsure if this was something he believed in, or if he was retelling the story of A Thousand Years Apart. “If this is all true, then there is no way we are soulmates.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because … ” we were both broken before we found each other. We weren’t complete, healed, or filled, as Ollie called it. “I was a mess before you came along. And I’m pretty sure I’m still a little fucked up.”
“You’re missing the point, love. It’s not about seeking perfection. There is no way one soul will ever reach perfection without the other. It’s about finding the best version of yourself, and perhaps we met sooner to push each other in the right direction because, as I said, love also has no laws. It’s not a coincidence we’re here.”
“Will Harry and Nora get their happily ever after?” I asked, returning to the characters in the story.
Ollie returned his attention to the hardcover book laying over the mattress between us. “Harry and Nora knew it wasn’t their time. They met, the instant connection undeniable. There is no question they’re soulmates, but they gained what they needed in the little time they had together to be reminded and push each other to complete their journeys so one day they can live happily ever after.”
“Moral of the story, not all books will have a happily ever after.”
Ollie shook his head. “The story is about doing what’s best for the one you love. Harry had a purpose in this lifetime. Despite what Harry wanted, Nora would have only held him back from accomplishing it. She knew this and understood the only way to love him, was to love him unselfishly.”
“You’re all set to go,” Lynch stated as he walked into the room with a wheelchair. I rolled my eyes as Lynch parked it at the end of the bed. “It’s necessary, Miss Jett. Unless you’d like to walk all the way to the car.”
“You don’t want to overdo it, love,” Ollie added as he stood and tucked the book under his arm.
He held out his other hand as I moved to the edge of the hospital bed. “I got it.”
Ollie chuckled and gestured over to the chair with a raised brow. “Alright. Have at it.”
Both of my sock-covered feet hit the ground, and my right leg buckled, sending me hopping on my left foot and using the bed for support. “So bloody stubborn,” Ollie muttered with a shake of the head.
I fell into the wheelchair and lifted my feet onto the pegs with a smirk on my face. “Now which one of you is wheeling me out of here?”
Two weeks had passed, and I’d made a full recovery. In the mess hall, the students of Dolor had come around and shown forgiveness toward me, but everyone remained on high alert, knowing there was a predator within the walls of the school.
It was December. The air was crisp, and we were days away before the staff would leave for holiday. Though, this year was different.
This year, security remained in full force.
“Trust no one, love,” Ollie had reminded me each time we parted ways. Ollie didn’t trust Ethan, and he never had to say it. I saw the way Ollie took notice in Ethan’s every movement in every room we stepped foot in.
Ollie and I disagreed on very little, but we were on two different pages of the same book when it came down to Ethan. When Ollie had a feeling, usually his hunches were correct, but I was sure Ethan would never hurt me.
On the last day of classes before holiday, I dropped my completed essay inside the bin over Ms. Chandler’s desk before taking my seat beside Tyler. I pulled my arms through the sleeves of the hoodie and stretched out my numbing leg.
“All healed up?” Tyler asked.
“Yeah, got the stitches removed yesterday by the new nurse. My leg still cramps up from time to time, but I think maybe it’s all in my head.”
“Understandable. Your body’s been through the wringer. You got a proper scar?”
I turned in my chair and showed her my thigh. “This big,” I said, using my thumb and pointer and pressed both fingers against my black jeans.
“It’ll fade.”
“I’m not worried about it.” At this point, I
was a walking scar. Down to nothing, I’d looked like I’d been put through a wood chipper.
Ms. Chandler advised the class to complete the lessons on the board and work quietly, and as soon as she sat in her desk and pulled out her phone, light chatter picked up around the room. Ms. Chandler never cared, as long as she wasn’t bothered.
“You can come tomorrow,” Tyler continued in a low whisper after she scooted her desk closer and her blonde hair rolled off her shoulders shielding her face. “The woods. We got a bottle.” Her brows wiggled, and her smile turned wicked. Bria had a bad influence on her. “Bring Ollie, too.”
“I don’t know … I’ll talk to him.” I’d finally regained their forgiveness. Although, Bria’s I was still working on, but at least they were talking to me again.
“It’ll be fine. We’re all cool. Bria was the one who wanted me to invite you.”
I raised a brow. “No shit?” Maybe I didn’t have to work as hard as I thought.
“Seriously.”
“Whose all going?”
“Bria, Jude, Jake, umm … Gwen and maybe Maddie, I’m not sure.”
An involuntary groan left me.
“Maddie isn’t so bad once you accept the fact she’s an attention whore,” Tyler explained.
“Yeah, Okay.” Ollie would smash the idea ten-fold, but if I were going, he’d go.
Tyler’s grin beamed back at me before she faced forward again, returning to the lesson at hand.
There were no bells at Dolor. The teacher dismissed you, and once Ms. Chandler did, we collected our things and bee-lined for the door—Tyler not straying far from my side.
“You still in a three-way-relationship?” I asked, caring too much about the two girls who quickly shoved me to the side when things turned for the worst. Perhaps Sociopath Mia had turned into a softy. After everything the two girls had been through, the last thing I wanted for them was heartache. Another rip into their already fragile organ.
Even When I'm Gone (Stay With Me series Book 2) Page 25