Broken

Chapter 38

I heard a heart monitor beating. I heard people talking. It smelled like a hospital. I tried moving my arm, but it was so heavy. I managed to move my leg. The talking stopped and I felt presences move next to my bed. Why wouldn't my eyes open? I moved my head and tried to talk, but my mouth was dry.

"Don't worry! We'll get you some water! Just wait here!" It was Charles.

There was some shuffling and soon felt a straw against my lips. I sucked on it greedily, letting the water quench my thirst. I opened my mouth again.

"Where am I?"

"You're in a hospital in Washington, D.C.," said Hank.

"How long have I been out?"

"A week. They drugged you so you would be able to make a full recovery."

"Why can't I open my eyes?"

Silence. I felt a sob catch my throat.

"Did they take my eyes?"

"Yes. But someone donated their eyes so you could still see."

I couldn't say anything. I was so shocked. Charles patted my shoulder.

"I know. I was shocked too. But, the president was some sort of payment for getting shot by our silent guy. So, all of us made a deal and-"

"Where is he?"

"Mystery man? Oh, he's in recovery. You'll be able to talk to him in an hour. I guess I'll let him explain it. They'll take the bandages off your eyes when you two meet again."

I nodded, wishing that time could be now.

"Is C.J. alright?"

"Yes, she's fine."

"We should let her rest," said Hank.

"Okay, fine. We'll be back tonight, Beth, okay?"

"Okay."

They left, and I was alone. I fell back asleep, wondering about Seth, and what had happened to him. Had the president shot him too?!

I woke up to someone leaning over me. I jerked suddenly, and the person yelped.

"Sorry," I apologized quietly.

"It's alright," a lady said cheerfully. "I should have awoken you. I'm going to take you to see your friend."

I still couldn't see, so she helped me into a wheelchair. My legs were very wobbly and uncooperative. I winced and groaned as my side protested. I flopped into the wheelchair, my arms and legs everywhere. But, the nurse readjusted me to a comfortable position, hooked my I.V. bag to the chair, and began wheeling me away. I was on edge, confused, and scared. I heard people talking and little bells ring. We took a right and got on an elevator, I assumed. We waited for a while before moving again. I heard her knock the wall and someone yell for us to come in.

I felt a curtain brush against me as my nurse wheeled me in. I came to a stop and the nurse put the lock on my wheels. She gasped.

"Oh dear! I'm sorry! I forgot to take your bandages off. Here, let me do that now."

I felt the bandaging come off and I immediately opened my eyes. Even the dim lighting hurt, and I shut them again. I slowly opened my eyes back up. It was strange; it felt like I could only see out of one eye. I looked around and saw Seth, lying in a hospital bed, his head bandaged. The nurse left and I quickly wheeled over to him. His long hair covered his face.

"Seth?" I whispered.

He shifted. "Beth?"

I couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, it's me."

"I'm sorry."

"What?"

"I'm sorry I didn't protect you. I'm sorry. I failed."

"Shut up! You couldn't've done anything."

"I did the best I could. I'm sorry you can only see out of one eye."

Realization hit me like a truck I swept his hair out of his face and saw the head bandages wrapped around his eyes. I let out a small gasp.

"You didn't actually..."

"I did. It was the least I could do."

I felt tears in my eyes and burn my stitches.

"Why? Why did you do this for me?"

"Beth, have you not realized anything yet?"

"What do you mean?" I asked him.

Seth reached out his hand and took mine. "I love you, Bethany."

I was full on sobbing now. "I love you too."

"The president took your eyes, but I gave you mine. We can't leave the city, but we can live here and have a normal life. That was the agreement. I hope... I hope you'll take care of me."

I took his hand and I placed it on my head as I cried. He moved his hand down gently and wiped the tears from my new eyes.

"Please don't cry."

I trembled and he ran his fingers through my hair.

"Where's the tough Beth I know?"

"I don't know," I said. "I think she died."

"I hope not, Beth. If she did, you would be dead."

He was right. I wiped the tears from my eyes and took a deep breath.

"I should go. You need rest. I'm somewhere in this place, if you need me."

I began to wheel away.

"Beth."

"Yeah?" I said, turning back around.

"Don't do anything stupid, understand?"

I bit my lip. He knew I was planning something. I kept wheeling out.

"Get better, Seth."

"Beth..."

I didn't listen to him. I left his room and saw my nurse talking to another nurse at the front desk. My nurse saw me and hurried over to me.

"Are you ready to go back to your room?"

I nodded, and she pushed me towards the elevator.

I was determined to make this right. I would not let Seth be blind for the rest of his life. That would not happen. So, I worked on getting better. I made a full recovery and went to physical therapy, which is the worst thing I've ever been to. The doctors were so slow and meticulous with the exercises, and it took a stupid amount of time for me to finally graduate out of physical therapy. They released me into the world of Washington, D.C., gave me an apartment, and expected me to start living a normal life. Well, news flash, normal life died a long time ago.