Chapter 43—Raine

I can hear conversation around me. I can’t manage to get my eyes open though. They are heavy. My whole body feels heavy. I can hear Jade talking. The sound of her voice is all I needed. I have no idea what happened after I passed out. It’s all just kind of a blur in my head right now. I know I was shot. But I don’t really feel it. Maybe this is a dream. I feel someone squeeze my hand. I can’t do it back though. Am I paralyzed? Maybe just on some really heavy drugs. I'm definitely in a bed. So, I'm not on the hard cement any more. I hear Jade again. “I think I felt his hand move a little.” She says. Then there is commotion and a few other voices. Mom, I hear her. Thank goodness. I try again to open my eyes. Still not working. I feel a soft hand on my face. I can smell her. I'm sure its Jade. Then a soft breath at my ear. “I'm here Raine. Come back to me please.” That’s the most beautiful sound. I try again to open my eyes. They are just too heavy. I try to close my hand around hers again. I think I moved a little. “That’s it, I feel you, squeeze my hand Raine.” She whispers. I can’t stay awake though. I'm fighting it. But I can’t hold on to the threads of reality.

Sometime later I hear voices again. Is that my Dad? I hope so. Mom is talking too. “He was so brave. You should have seen him, Zack.” I try again to open my eyes. I feel her hand still in mine. I try to hold it tight again. “He’s awake!” I hear Jades excited voice. I guess she felt that. I need to see her. I try harder to open my eyes. I start to see bright light. Ouch, too bright. I can do this. Then I see shapes. Jades grip on me increases. She leans into my ear again. “I love you Raine.” I hear. Finally, my eyes fully open. The first thing I see is her beautiful face. She’s here and she’s okay. Then Moms face comes into focus in front of me. She’s on the opposite side of my bed. Her hand touches my face. “Oh Baby, I'm so glad you are alive. I was so worried. Everything is okay now.” I try to smile. I don’t know if it works. I definitely can’t figure out how to talk. Then I see Jonah. “Son, you saved them. You did it! Thank you so much. I owe you my life.” I just blink my eyes in acknowledgement.

As I lay there, everyone is talking to me. I still can’t respond, but I feel more coherent. My grandfather is here too. Zack and Dani are here. He is talking to me now about how he can’t wait to bring me to his house when I get better. I can nod my head now in agreement. Everyone looks so relieved. I see that Jade has a bandage on her shoulder. I hope she’s okay. A nurse comes in and takes my vitals. Then she tells everyone that I need to rest for a while. I grip Jades hand. She leans in closer. I try to speak. “I love…” I manage in a faint garbled voice. “Shh,” says putting her finger on my lips. “I love you too. Save your strength. We will be here when you wake up.” Then she places a soft kiss on my lips. Well, I guess everyone acknowledges our relationship now. I can sleep for a while with that knowledge.