Hey everyone who's following the story.
This is the last part :(
of this storyline :D

I put in some subtle and not so subtle romances here and some lighter moments too. Please bear through the whole religion thing near the end. The last part of that particular chapter is pretty interesting

I am more than grateful for your support and for sticking around until the ending and hope you'll stick around for the next one, if ever. :D


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Chapter 17

I woke up with no idea what time it was. There was a bright light right above and there was something cold stuck to my arm. My whole body felt cold as well. I heard a steady beeping noise in the background and the sound of something water dropping steadily. My whole body felt stiff and numb.

"He's waking up..." I heard someone say. They could wait...maybe it was stubbornness or just a wish to prove them wrong but I fell back to sleep.

When I woke up again, I was more aware of my surroundings. This was probably because when I tried to move, a jolt of pain brought me from the just-woken-up daze. I was now also aware that I was completely naked apart from a toga. Upon closer inspection, my keen mind deduced that it was a hospital gown. I was in a hospital. The cold thing stuck to my arm was an IV of something. The bright light was the fluorescent lamps that hospitals should consider dimming a bit. I wore a cast on my left arm where I was slashed, pummeled and clawed. Thank goodness I'm right-handed.

I struggled through the pain and tried to sit up. There was a whirring noise and the head part of the bed followed me. I was partially aware that I wasn't alone in the room.

"Are you truly awake now?" I'd recognize that honey sweet voice and unusual need to elongate sentences with unneeded words anywhere. I tried to say Clara's name to verify but I only managed a croaking sound.

"Here," the voice said as a straw was pushed through my mouth. I sipped down a mouthful or blessed cold water and began a coughing fit.
"More please," I rasped after the coughing ceased. I was really thirsty. The straw reappeared and I sipped more slowly this time. I released it and nodded my thanks. Ouch. Nodding hurt too. She was wearing a simply white tee and jeans.
"Where-"
"St. Lourdes hospital in town," she cut me short.
"I meant, where're the others?" I croaked.
"You have to be more specific than that," Clara chuckled.
"Then don't interrupt," I said managing to hint amusement as well.
"Fine then," she said.
"Okay, where are my Uncle and his partner first; then Dinah, Eric and Alex; and then Henry and Maya and Ruby," I said still croaking. She chuckled again.
"Saving up your croaks?" she said cheerily.
"Alright then, let me see if I can remember," she began circling her fingers on her temples trying to remember. "Your uncle and his partner, Paul, didn't need much medical attention so they managed to get out of the hospital in time to help the other authorities with the crime scene."

My uncle must be pretty mad that they didn't send help when we needed it. Of course, he didn't know Bea was behind it. I wonder...I'll ask her later.

"Dinah and Alex," she continued, "didn't need much either. They should be at your school attending the graduation practices. They were here earlier and the past two days as well but you were still asleep. You almost woke up yesterday when they all were here but you fell back." I remembered that. "Honestly, I don't think you really need it. All you're going to do is walk up the stage and nab your diplomas."

Ah, a woman who shared the same sentiment I did.

"Maya and Henry are healing, though they have a few casts on them. They're at the mansion. You understand, we already have enough publicity given the crime was perpetrated at our property," she said. "And that's about it."

I cocked my head - ouch.
"Ah, yes, Ruby is resting at home as well," she added innocently.

I stared at her.
"What about Eric?" I rasped before coughing again. Clara wore a sad expression. My heart sank.
"He's-"
"Still alive," she corrected my thought. "But he's suffered third degree burns on the right side of his body. He's healing fairly quickly, but more bones are broken than yours. His arm as fully healed from the burns but the right side of his upper torso is healing slowly. The skin is still raw. His depression isn't helping either."

I winced. His parents died trying to protect and warn us. We repaid it suspecting their family of murder and giving the mother a rash. I couldn't help blaming myself. Dinah was probably even more crushed though happy to know that he was innocent after all.