Trigger - Part 2

CHAPTER 16 - Is that a dare

I gather my cup and place it under the coffee machine and wait for it to fill. I open the microwave, insert my pasta and press the button to start. Turning around, I lean against the counter while flipping through last month's magazine from W.

With a loud and sudden bang, I drop to the floor.

"What the!? Sage are you okay?" Thomas grabs the fire extinguisher next to the pot plant and sprays behind me.
"Sage!" Tess grabs onto my arm and helps me up.

I look behind me and see flames busting from the microwave.

"Tess, take Sage and get out!" Thomas demands while spraying the fire. Tess obeyes and leads me into the big open area. I look around and see all the females gather with shocked expressions while a couple of guys went in to help Thomas.

"What is taking so long Thomas?" Jess shouts. "What is taking him so long?" She squeezes against me tighter with a look of worry.

"Oh thank goodness!" She exclaims as a round of applause bursts into the air as Thomas and the rest step out of the kitchen.

He lifts his hand and silence follows. "Okay everyone thank you! Let's all go back to work. Mia, Call maintenance."

I look over at Mia as she nods and back at Thomas making his way towards me.
"Are you okay?" His eyes hinting at compassion.

I nod. He gently lifts my chin and moves my face side to side.
"Tess, call the paramedics immediately. I'll call Wyatt."

Unable to focus with the loud ringing in my ears, Thomas leads me to Wyatts office and sits me on the chair and hurries back to close the door.

"Wyatt... There has been an accident... it's Sage- she is in shock, looks like slight bleeding from her right ear. The paramedics are on their way.
Yes.
Will do."
He pushes his phone in his pants pocket and hunches in front of me.

"Hey Sage... what day is it?"
"It's Wednesday. I am okay."

He nods, stands and walks around the desk.
"Babe, bring some water." The intercom phone button beeps.

"Wyatt is on his way." He walks back to me and sits next to me while taking my wrist in his hand and watching his watch.

"I am okay Thomas. Didn't have to phone Wyatt."
"And risk having him skin me? Nah."
He continues to hold while looking at his watch again.

"Hm."
"What?" He lets go.

"Sorry it took so long." Tess walks in and hands me a glass of water.
"Thank you." I take the glass from her and feel my finger numb. The glass drops.

"Shit I am sorry!" I reach and feel my whole world spin around me.
"Woah, hold on, I got you."
"Here, place her on the sofa." Tess's voice sounds firm.

Feeling out of control I feel myself lift and again being placed down on what I can guess is the sofa Tess told Thomas to use.

"Sage... can you open your eyes for me?"
"Hm-mm." 
"Then open them."

I take a deep breath and feel my head not as fuzzy as before but weighing like a ton of bricks.

"Wyatt- Sir. She started slumping. She isn't opening her eyes but is still responsive."
"And the paramedics?"
"They are still on their way." I hear Tess confirm.

I feel a sudden pressure on the side of me and a warm touch against my cheek. 
"Sage, can you look at me?"

I slowly nod my head. "Just... just give me a minute." I request.
I open my eyes and look straight into Wyatts.
"Are you okay?"
I nod again.
"The paramedics are here." I hear Mia's voice.
"What took you so long?"
"Apologies sir."

I look at me left at a sudden silhouette and see two paramedics both with dark hair. Wyatt gets up and one paramedic lunges next to me and opens a big bag.
"Hi ma'am. Can you tell me your name?"
"Ah, it's Sage."

"Hi Sage. I am Derrick and this is Kyle. How are you feeling? Do you have any pain?" He wraps something around my bicep and I feel the pressure build.
"I am fine." I flinch at the small light he shines directly in my eyes.
"And pain?" The Kyle asks while fiddling in the bag as Derrick takes the blood pressure band off and feels at my neck.

"Ah, that's sore." I finch again as he moves up towards my ears.
He moves my head to the side and back.

"And?" I look at Wyatt standing next to us.
"Blood pressure is slightly elevated. Looks like trauma to the eardrum and possible concussion. We'll take her in for further observation."

"No! I am fine. I just need to rest." I push myself up and Wyatt quickly leans in and helps me.
"Sage, it is best if you are seen by a doctor." Derrick says as he stands.
"No. It's okay. I feel fine. Really."

"I'll take her. Thank you for coming." Wyatt holds his hand out and shakes both the paramedic's hands.
"Are you sure sir? We have the ambulance out front."

"I insist. Thank you."

They both nod while gathering the bag.
"Hope you feel better." Kyle says and they both walk out the door.

"Mr Whitner. I am okay. No need for the hospital." I stay seated feeling a faint ring growing louder.
"No, you are going to go to the hospital to get checked." He holds his hand out in front of me.

Not making a move he retracts his hand and rubs it over his mouth.

"You are not going to make this easy are you?"
"No, I just don't see the point."

His eyebrows arched and his eyes grow big. "The point!? You nearly died, Sage. Or do you not see that? Do you even know what happened?"

Did he just call me by my name?

"Sorry Sir. May I speak to you quickly." I see Thomas peek in behind the door.

Woah... when did he and Tess leave the office?

Wyatt walks closer and whispers something in Wyatts ear. Hile Wyatt still keeps his gaze fixed on me.

"Are you sure?" Wyatt looks at Thomas. Thomas nods and as he leaves the room Wyatt walks over to me.

"Are you trying to kill yourself?"
"I am sorry, what?"

"Why did you warm up your food with a fork inside it?"
"What? I did not!"

"They found a fork."
"But I didn't put a fork in the pasta. And besides that would have caused sparks or something. And I am sure I would have noticed it. Maybe the microwave was faulty?"

Wyatt's eyebrows narrow.
"It is a new microwave. And how do you explain the fork?"
"I promise I did not put the fork in the pasta Wyatt - I mean sir. Either the thing was faulty or someone-"

"Someone?" He takes a few steps closer slowly.
"Maybe someone forgot it in the microwave."

"And who would that someone be?"

I know exactly who that someone is.

I shrug my shoulders.

"We can figure that out later then, but for now we are going to the hospital."
"Sir, really... I am fine."

"I will throw you over my shoulder if I have to Miss Adley." Seeing his eyes turn to a more serious glare.

"You wouldn't..."
He takes another few steps, towering over me.
"Is that a dare?"