Chapter 9

“Hope! Fuck, bring around one of the cars now!” it’s so dark, why can’t I open my eyes?

“How the fuck did you miss him? You called out the all clear! Do another sweep!” hands on me, pushing on my chest. What the fuck are you people doing?

“She is losing too much blood, we gotta go now!” movement, god please stop moving. Who the fuck is bleeding?

“Hope, please open your eyes. Look at me.” oh thank god…Marco.

“Hi.” what the fuck? Is that my voice? “What…why is it so fucking hard to talk?

“No, no…don’t talk. We will be at the hospital soon. Just hold on, please fucking hold on.” hospital? What the fuck it happening?!

“Why?” oh lord, I sound like a ghost.

“Baby, you got shot.” why are you crying? I don’t feel like I got shot. I must just be in shock. It would hurt if I got shot, wouldn’t it?

“Just hold on, we are almost there. Keep looking at me.” why am I so tired?

“We are here, hold on, Hope.” holy fuck, turn the damn lights off! Why is it so bright?

“Female, gunshot wound to the chest, massive blood loss. Prep the O.R.!” Sweet darkness…I just need to sleep.

*beep* *beep* Seriously? Shut that off!

“Hope? Baby, it’s mommy. Her eyes are open!” mom? Why can’t I move?

“Hello, I am Dr. Isaak. Can you please step out of the room for a moment?” why do they have to leave?

“Hope, I want you to try to squeeze my hand.” god damn, please tell me you feel that.

“Good, now with your other hand. Good! Let me get respiratory in here so we can remove that breathing tube!” Is that why I can’t talk?

“She seems to be doing well. Respiratory is on their way up and we will see how she does without the breathing tube.” could you people hurry up?

“Thank you doctor.” no…NO! I can’t fall asleep now! Where’s Marc….

“Hope? Are you awake?” how long was I out for?

“Mom?” holy shit…finally!

“Baby?! Oh my god you had me scared to death!” oh calm down woman.

“What…happened?” That took too much effort.

“You were shot. You…you died in the O.R. baby.” well shit!

“Marco?” please say he is here.

“He is out in the waiting room. He has been here the whole time.” wait….what?

“How…long?” I died?

“You have been here for 2 weeks baby.” oh hell.

“You stay with her, I will go get Marco.” thank you Slade!

“Hope?!”

“Marco. I’m…sorry.” god I missed your smell.

“Sorry? Why are you sorry? You have nothing to be sorry for.” come on, we can do this.

“Date.” how the fuck am I tired already?

“I think I can forgive you this time, but you owe me one.” no, please don’t cry…plea….

*beep* *beep*

“Somebody shut that fucking thing off?” how are you supposed to rest in a hospital with all the constant noise?!

“Hope?” thank god…

“Mom?” these lights are too fucking bright!

“I’m here baby. How are you feeling?” is that a trick question?

“I-I don’t know. Where is Marco?” god I missed your smile.

“He is on the phone in the waiting room. Do you want me to get him?” wow, even nodding is difficult.

“Please.” deep breaths, Hope…deep breaths.

“Hope!” he looks upset…is…is he mad?

“What’s wrong?” something isn’t right…

“Nothing, I am just so glad to see your beautiful eyes. How are you feeling?” liar…

“Like I got shot and slept for 2 weeks. You…you are upset about something.” what the hell is going on?

“It’s nothing. I need to talk to Slade, but I will be back in a few minutes.” and he is gone….what the fuck is going on?!