Reiner – Silent Helper

A while after, the doctors and the nurses left the room, and I was alone. The room felt so quiet that it felt a little scary and lonely at the same time. Perhaps, it was because I was feeling a little lonely that the room suddenly felt colder than before.

I felt around the bed for the blanket that had been removed from my body when my body was being inspected by the nurses. My hands felt around on the bed, trying to locate the blanket.

Oh, there it is! My fingers finally brushed against the soft fabric of the blanket. I took it in my hand and began pulling it over my chest. I knew that not being able to see would make life difficult; however, I didn’t think that it would be this difficult. I couldn’t find anything because I couldn’t see. I had to rely on my sense of touch instead to fumble around when I searched.

The worst part was that it was so boring when I couldn’t see. I couldn’t watch the television or scroll through social media and random apps on my phone. Come to think of it, I didn’t even know where my phone is anymore.

I heaved a loud sigh as I laid back down on the bed, resting my head on the pillow. This is so boring. I just woke up, but I’m already bored out of my mind…

…

Reiner watched silently as Natalia fumbled around her bed in search for something. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that she was trying to find her blanket. Silently, Reiner pulled the blanket closer to Natalia’s searching hands. She looked quite frustrated when she couldn’t find it at first; however, when her hand touched the blanket, she looked quite happy and relieved. Her smile brought a smile to his lips.

It must be hard, not being able to see. Natalia looked very bored as she sat on top of her bed and looked around at nothing but darkness. Reiner could sense her loneliness and boredom. He began thinking of things that could ease her boredom somewhat. After all, the doctor hasn’t decided when she could leave the hospital yet. It is likely that she’s going to be stuck here for a few more days and that blinding eye patch would still be on for another week or so.

Now that she was conscious, another thing that he could get to work on was getting her to eat more.

Maybe starting off with some dishes and desserts that she liked might be a good plan, he thought.

Hospital food wasn’t exactly famous for its good taste.

…

You can call me crazy but…I think I felt a presence in the room with me. Actually, somewhere quite close to me. I wasn’t sure how I felt it. Maybe this is my sixth sense that had activated because I couldn’t see? I couldn’t hear anything in particular and obviously, I couldn’t see anything, but I was quite certain that someone was close to me.

“Umm…is somebody there?” I asked in a small voice, half convinced that perhaps I really was going crazy.

Silence.

“Excuse me…is somebody there?” I asked, a little louder this time.

Once again there was no reply. The room was completely silent. So silent that all I could hear was the sound of the air coming from the air conditioner.

Ok…I guess I was just imagining things. I sighed loudly. Too many days in the hospital isn’t doing my brain or my spirit any good, is it?

…

I was about to fall asleep again because I was bored out of my mind. I felt like I was rotting away in this room of darkness and perhaps that was precisely what was happening to me.

Suddenly, the door of the room opened quite loudly, and I heard footsteps walking into the room.

“Natalia. We’re here!”

Zak’s voice boomed in the room, and I was thankful that this was the VVIP floor which meant that very likely, I was the only patient here. That level of loudness should never be tolerated in a hospital. I smiled a little to myself, Zak must be excited to see me.

I guess since he used the word ‘we’, that Lucien and Edward are probably with him.

“Don’t be so loud…” Lucien warned sternly.

“Natalia, you’re finally awake,” Edward said with relief.

I felt the presence of the three men approach my bed and I turned my head in their direction, although, I couldn’t see them at all. I curved my lips into what I thought must be a smile based on muscle memory as I tried my best to smile at them.

“It’s great for you all to visit me. Feels like I haven’t seen you all in a long time…” I said truthfully.

Although, I still wasn’t able to see them now.

“I was so excited and relief when I got the call telling me that you had regained consciousness,” Zak said with a small laugh.

“You really worried all of us…” Edward said with a loud sigh.

“How are you feeling?” Lucien asked, his voice full of concern.

“Thank you everyone. Sorry for making you worry so much. I think I’m fine now…” I said, trying to sound brave.

“I’m very sorry that you had to go through that. Everything that happened was my fault…” Zak said slowly and sadly. I could feel the raw pain in his voice.

“Oh…it’s ok. Don’t blame yourself. It was an accident, so no one is at fault, Zak,” I replied as I reached out my hand. I felt the warmth of his hand as he took it in his and I squeezed his hand slightly as I tried to comfort him.

“Actually…” Edward said and then stopping hesitantly.

“Hmm?” I made a questioning sound, not quite sure why he didn’t go on.

“We’re not entirely convinced that it was just an accident. We think some foul play could be involved…”

Lucien said in a low voice.

It took me a while to fully wrap my head around the meaning of his words. Does he mean that someone…set the fire on purpose? I frowned as I considered that possibility.

--To be continued…