Jariel sat at the end of the hospital bed while Dawn slept soundly. They had told the doctor that she had been hit by a hit and run driver, but they weren’t going to press charges. The doctors seemed to believe it. They said that she was beat up pretty bad, with broken ribs and that she would most likely have bruises all over her body. She was also bleeding internally as well. They were able to fix it though, and she was going to be fine in a couple of days.
Jariel thought back to Gabriel and Leo’s offer. Sure, it would have been nice to go back home, but he just didn’t feel like he belonged there anymore. Call him crazy, but that was how he felt. He felt like he belonged here more than there. He couldn’t really begin to imagine leaving Dawn’s side. She had taught him how to be more open with people, more accepting. She showed him that there were people in this world that cared enough to help others. Just thinking about her made him smile.
Dawn wasn’t going to wake up any time soon. The doctors had her on heavy sedatives to help with the pain. He couldn’t help but feel like it was his fault though. That the reason for Dawn being here, being in the condition that she was in, was his entire fault. Maybe, just maybe, if he had never gotten involved in her life, never had met her, this would have never had happen. Though some may say that it was fate, Jariel really couldn’t decide. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. Jariel wasn’t the type to believe in fate though. He believed everyone created their own destiny. He somehow created this destiny. Maybe it was the second part of his punishment, having to watch the person he loved suffer. He looked over at Dawn, who looked like an angel there, sleeping on the bed, and silently hoped that, when she waked, she wouldn’t be angry at him.
Jariel went to go get something to eat from the cafeteria. He didn’t want to leave Dawn’s side, but he figured she would be safe enough here with Annette, who was also sleeping on the chair next to the bed. Plus, Jariel was starving. The hallways of New York CitySuburbanHospital for Adults and Children were crowded with doctors in white lab coats and patients up and about doing what they needed to do in order to get better. Jariel had already decided that he officially hated hospitals. The smell of them disgusted him, and he just didn’t like being around sick people.
He managed to find the cafeteria with no problem. They didn’t have the best food in the world, but at least it was food. He ended up ordering a turkey sandwich with potato chips and a bottle of water. He brought them back up to the room with him, not wanting to be away from Dawn for too long, incase she woke up. He walked in to the room, not all that surprised to see Dawn still asleep. He went over to the small desk that they had and began to eat his lunch, enjoying the silence around him. Dawn wasn’t sharing a room with anyone, which was nice because they could talk about what had happened without anyone listening in. That is, when Dawn woke up.
Jariel was relieved that this whole ordeal was over though. He was glad that Elise was caught and that she was going to get what she deserved. No longer did he have to worry, or look over his shoulder, afraid that Elise was going to jump out from the shadows and end him. He could relax now, completely, well mostly, stress free. Maybe now he could really live his life freely. Alongside Dawn, that is, if she wanted him. After what had happened, she may decide that she hated him and want nothing to do with him. Jariel desperately hoped that wasn’t the case, and that she would forgive him. However, he couldn’t be completely sure.
“So, I save your sorry ass and I don’t get lunch?” Annette said, letting out a yawn and stretching before sitting up straighter in her chair.
Jariel smiled. “Well, you were asleep and I don’t know what kind of food that you like.”
“I’m just messing with you Jariel.” Annette laughed, cracking her knuckles, a habit that made Jariel cringe at the sound. “So, what did the doctors say? I think I was asleep when they came in.”
“That she’s going to be fine.” Jariel smiled, taking a bite out of his sandwich.
“Man, that was a pretty intense night.” She said, looking as though she was concentrating on something very hard. “I thought fallen angels were just in stories that I bought at the bookstore, and then all this happens.” She shook her head in disbelief. “Man, you must have really ticked off Elise.”
“In a way, I guess.” Jariel shrugged, not really caring anymore, now that Elise was old news. “She just liked to be the center of attention, the favorite, and she was upset when I was and she wasn’t.”
“If she was human, I could see her being on Bridezillas.” Annette let out a quiet laugh.
“What?” Jariel asked, not sure what Bridezillas were.
“It’s a show. Trust me; you don’t really wanna know though.” Annette smiled. “I made the mistake of watching it once. I wanted to hit them all with shovels.” Jariel laughed, making a mental note not to watch that horrible show. Jariel didn’t laugh for long though, his worrisome thoughts about Dawn hating him coming back in to his mind. Annette must have notices, for she asked, “Hey, are you okay?”
“I don’t know.” He lied.
“Don’t lie to me.” Annette ordered. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m just worried.” Jariel confessed. “I’m worried that when Dawn wakes up, she’ll have come to her senses and that she will hate me.”
“Why would she hate you?” Annette questioned, the concern clear in her voice.
“For what I did to her!” he nearly yelled, remembering at the last minute that Dawn was sleeping. “The reason she is lying here in this hospital is all because of me. Maybe if I had never wandered in to her life, than she wouldn’t be here.”
“Now that’s not true and you know it.” Annette stated, crossing her arms over her chest. “What happened to her was because of Elise. It was Elise’s fault Jariel, not yours. Elise was insane and she stole Dawn. Stop blaming yourself for something that isn’t even your fault. I highly doubt that Dawn will wake up hating you. She loves you, Jariel. It’s pretty obvious. You always seem to make her smile. Plus, I happened to stumble upon her latest painting, which just confirms what I am saying right now.”
“What did she paint?” Jariel asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
“That’s something I will let Dawn tell you. It’s not really my place to say.” Annette said, making Jariel think that the only reason she had brought up the painting was to tease her, which was probably the case.
Jariel was beginning to come to terms with what had happened. Maybe Annette was right, and Dawn wouldn’t hate him for what had happened. However, he still couldn’t help but feel as if it was his fault. Maybe time would help him feel less guilty but, as the humans liked to say, only time would tell.
* * * *
Dawn was running down a long, dark, hallway. At least, she thought it was a hallway, it was too dark to really tell. Evil laughs coming from who she assumed to be Elise echoed around her, taunting her, letting her know that she would never be rid of her. Her whole body ached. Wait, how could that be? If this was a dream then she shouldn’t be able to feel anything, should she? She wasn’t sure what was reality anymore.
She kept running, unsure where her destination was, but running nonetheless. She just felt as though she had to get out of there, and away from the mocking laughter, as quickly as she could. She came upon a single light bulb hanging from what could only be a ceiling. It gave off just enough light for Dawn to faintly see what was in front of her.
She was standing in a frost covered meadow, her breaths coming out in short, misty, clouds in front of her. She didn’t know what a meadow was doing here, in what looked like it was supposed to be a living room. She looked upon the walls, and let out a scream of horror. The walls were covered in blood, which was running down the walls, making it look like the walls were crying red tears. She didn’t know what this meant, nor did she want to know. She turned around, to try and flee from the horrendous scene, only to discover that she was trapped.
Dawn’s heart started to beat faster in her chest as she tried to find a means of escape, all the while Elise’s laughs grew closer and closer. Tears started to run down her face as she began to realize that she may never be able to leave this room alive. Jariel, Annette, and other loved ones began to flood her memory and she wondered if she would ever see them again, and what they would do when they heard the news that she was gone. Would they cry? Would they be sad? Would they even care? She knew that these were silly questions to be thinking about, that of course they would be sad, but it was what her mind was coming up with at the moment, and she couldn’t stop it.
Elise finally entered Dawn’s field of view, dressed purely in black, blending in with the darkness around her. The same wicked smile was plastered on her flawless face and she slowly stepped closer to Dawn, cornering her. This was it, Dawn thought. It was the end. She wished that she could see Jariel one more time, tell him how much she loved him, but she knew that she was never going to get that chance now.
Elise raised her arm and brought it down on Dawn.
Dawn woke up screaming, causing Jariel and Annette to bounce up and rush over to her side. They probably thought that it was because of the pain, and that the medication had worn off, but it wasn’t that. The nightmare had just felt so real, she didn’t even want to think about it.
“Are you okay?” Jariel asked, concern clear in his voice.
“It was just a nightmare.” Dawn said, still breathing as heavily as she could without hurting. Jariel placed a hand lightly on her shoulder, and Dawn smiled.
“Do you want us to call the doctor? Get you more pain medication?” Annette asked, hovering in the back.
“So they can knock me out again, and I get another nightmare?” Dawn asked, annoyance clear in her hoarse voice. “No thank you.”
“You shouldn’t be in pain though.” Jariel stated calmly.
“I don’t want to have another nightmare. The last one was scary enough.” Dawn protested.
“Was it about Elise?” he asked.
“Yes.” She answered simply.
“She’s gone now Dawn, you don’t have to worry about her any longer.” Jariel said, doing his best to comfort her.
Just hearing how Elise was no longer around, how she wouldn’t be bothering them any longer, just sent relief throughout her. She was so happy, so joyful, that she was gone and hopefully receiving the punishment that she deserved. Dawn couldn’t help but smile as she realized that Elise wasn’t going to be coming back any time soon. She wouldn’t have to fear about Elise coming back and finishing what she had started, she was gone for good.
“I think that is the best news I have heard all day.” Dawn said, causing Annette to laugh and Jariel to smile.
“Glad to hear it.” Jariel said, lightly brushing his hand through her hair.
“So, when do I get to go home?” She asked, more than ready to leave this place.
“As soon as you’re better.” Annette answered. Dawn stuck her tongue out at her, making both Annette and Jariel laugh.
“Everything will be there when you get better. It’s not going anywhere.” Jariel reassured her.
“How about you?” She asked, worried that he would suddenly change his mind and leave. “Will you be there?”
“Unless you wish otherwise,” Jariel answered, looking upon Dawn with such love and admiration that Dawn couldn’t help but smile, “I’ll be there. I’ll be there until the day you no longer wish me to be.”
“You know, that will never happen. I’ll always want you.” She said, sounding a bit cliché, but she didn’t care.
“I’m counting on that, I hope you know.” Jariel winked.
“Okay, it is getting a bit too lovey dovey in here, so I think I will excuse myself to the cafeteria seeing how somebody,” Annette looked at Jariel, “didn’t bother to buy me lunch. See ya.” Annette waved and made her way down to the cafeteria. Jariel shook his head and Dawn smiled after trying to laugh, but failing at it because it hurt too much.
“Promise me that you’ll never leave me.” Dawn whispered, the lingering fear that he would leave frightened her.
“I promise.” Jariel said, meaning it, at least, Dawn hoped he did.
Dawn didn’t know what tomorrow was going to bring. A part of her was afraid, but the other part of her was eager to see. Curiosity killed the cat, she knew, but it wasn’t always bad. She would continue on with her paintings, waiting to get her big break. She didn’t know if she ever would, but it couldn’t hurt to try, could it? She knew that life was a rollercoaster, full of twists and turns that she couldn’t control. Honestly though, that made life a little bit exciting. At least, in Dawn’s eyes it did. Also, she knew that she could survive with Jariel by her side. He believed in her after all. That’s all it really took, wasn’t it? A single person believing in someone. It gave that person power, belief in themselves. Sometimes all it took was a single person. They could make a difference just by standing up and helping others. It was people like them who were going to change the world.
Just being around Jariel lifted Dawn’s mood, as well as her spirit. The talked about what was going to happen as soon as she got out of this place. She wanted to give Jariel her painting, as a gift. He really did deserve it and all. Dawn figured that they would have to find a bigger place. Jariel couldn’t just sleep on the couch forever, and she didn’t believe in sleeping with a man until marriage. It was the right thing to do and it showed that she respected herself. Dawn didn’t know how they were going to afford it, but she figured that if they all chipped in they could do it.
“What are you thinking about?” Jariel asked, a smile playing on his face.
“The future. Life. Nothing special.” She smiled back.
“Sure you are.” He winked.
“I am, Mr. I-think-I-know-it-all-just-because-I’m-a-fallen-angel.” She laughed.
“ I don’t think that!” he protested, acting offended.
“Keep telling yourself that.” She laughed.
“I love you.” He said, smiling and leaning in closer.
“I love you too.” She smiled back.
Dawn had been kissed more than once. She’s had boyfriends before, but they didn’t kiss as nearly as good as Jariel could. He was ever so gently, in fear of hurting her more, but Dawn admired that, how he thought about her. She kissed him back, completely happy in this moment. As of right now, she couldn’t be any more happier.