Chapter 37
1954words
Storm had still been uncontentious when the paramedics had loaded her stretcher into the back of the ambulance. While our neighbours gawked shamelessly, despite Adams warning growl for them all to back the fuck up, some had even attempted to take pictures.
Loki, however, had not said a dam word since he’d gotten off the phone with their parents. He’d looked so utterly lost as he’d claimed in beside his sister, clutching her hand as if holding onto the edge of the universe. Which I supposed in some way he was. It was obvious he was still in shock; I think we all were.
Storm was the glue that held us all together, the sunshine in the dark. No matter what was going on in her life, she was always there to pick up the pieces. Yet nobody had been there for her when she needed it. I had been so absorbed in my own drama that I hadn’t recognised the signs that she was was broken, to the point where she would attempt to take her own life. It left me feeling hollow inside. Storm meant everything to me; she was more than just my best friend; she was my soul sister, my family. I had never known unconditional love or friendship before Storm entered my life. Without her, I was nothing.
The world was a cruel dark place if someone so radiant could feel so alone, so utterly worthless.
Shortly after the ambulance had left, Adam drove us to the hospital. When we finally arrived, we were directed to the waiting room. The receptionist had talked down her nose at us, “Only intimidate families were allowed into the urgent care unit.” Had it been any other situation, I would have laughed because we were her family—blood or not. The Morganstars had raised Adam and me as if we were their own children, yet we were not allowed in. Hence why Adam and I were still sat in the waiting side by side, hand in hand.
I didn’t know how much time had passed while we waited to hear news of Storm current condition. Understandably Loki wasn’t picking up his phone, though I couldn’t imagine he was handling this any better than we were. But, at least I had Adam beside me while he was dealing with all this alone.
Adam had started pacing up and down the waiting room well over an hour ago, muttering curses under his breath, much to the receptionist’s dismay. While I sat with my head in my hands, my eyes were red-rimmed and puff, and makeup smugged over my fingers and cheeks. I knew I looked a total mess but honestly, who couldn’t bring myself to care. My best friend was possibly dying, and Loki was dealing with this all alone. It wasn’t right.
“Thank god!” Adam burst out, making me jump. I snapped my head up to witness Karen racing into the hospital; she looked how I felt. “They won’t let us see her!” Adam exclaimed, fresh tears rolling down his cheeks as he rushed to Karen’s side.
“I haven’t been able to get a hold of Loki since I heard... my baby!” She cried out, throwing her around Adam’s neck as she sobbed. Adam supporting her small frame as Karen’s knees give out from under her. Seeing Mrs Morganstar crack like that bough on a wave of fresh tears to my eyes. Karen was the strongest person I knew, yet even she was crumbling. I gasped for air, my body jolting with a fresh wave of sobs I couldn’t control—Karen’s catch my eye, and she extender her hand out to me. I didn’t hesitate before running toward her, my body crashing against theirs.
“Mrs Karen Morganstar?” Asked a male nurse, who couldn’t have been over twenty-five. I hadn’t even noticed his approach.
“That’s me. Is my angel okay?” Karen enquired, forcing herself to be restrained.
“Storm stable, but still uncontentious,” The nurse answered, glancing between us.
“Oh, thank the heavens!” Karen breathed, squeezing my shoulder. “Please, can you take us to see her?”
“Are you all imitate family,” The nurse questioned. But before either Adam or I could reply. Karen answered for us.
“Yes, Adam and Scarlett are my adopted children. Storm’s sister and brother,” She dismissed with such conviction that even I started to dough myself.
“Very well, right this way, please,” The nurse nodded, guiding us deeper into the hospital, down numerous corridors and past several private rooms and wards. Finally, we pass through a gate to what looks like a specialised part of the hospital. “Please, if you could all sign in, Doctor Quinn will be over shortly,” The nurse instructed, gesturing to a clipboard on the reception area. Adam writes both our names down, date and time, sighs his name before passing the pen to me. I sign mine and holding the pen out to Karen. But she’s not paying attention, her gaze drifting off to space.
“Mrs, please can you sign in,” the nurse behind reception directs. Karen blinks back at her, opening and closing her mouth a few times before finally asking the question that’s clearly on her mind.
“Is this ward specialised in depression in young people?” She squeaks.
“It is one of the wards primary functions, yes. However, if you could wait for Dr Quinn, he would be best suited to answer all your questions,” The nurse deflects, gesturing for her to sign in once again.
“Is Loki my other son with Storm?” Karen presses, clearly concerned.
“Your daughter is... Miss Morganstar?” The nurse guesses. Karen nods. “She was transferred in about twenty minutes ago with....” the nurse considers looked through the clipboard, before pointing to Loki signature two above Adams “Loki Morganstar,” She confirms.
“Thank you,” She smiles weakly at the nurse before finally signing in. A handsome male Doctor with blond hair approaches the desk, wearing a white lab coat over blue scrubs. He says something to the nurse who points in our direction.
“Mrs Morganstar,” He greats, holding out his hand to us, “I’m Dr Quinn; Storms has been transferred over to my care for the duration of her stay here,” He smiles reassuringly at Karen, his eyes kind. “I’m sure you are anxious to see your daughter, so I promise you I won’t take up to much of your time. But If we could phrase talk privately once she’s settled, to discuss further her condition and treatment,” Dr Quinn requests gently.
“Of course, Doctor, once I’ve seen my baby,” she agrees.
“Absolutely. Please, if I could just ask, we limit the room to two people at a time,” He recommends, looking between us. We all nod in understanding. “Right this way,” Dr Quinn guides us toward the second room to the left of the reception area. The door was closed, but a wall of windows lined the wall, the curtain left open allowing us to peer into the room. Storm lay asleep in the hospital bed, an IV in her arm and tubes in her nose; her skin was ghostly pale. The sight was enough to bring fresh tears to my eyes; she looked so broken so... cold. Loki was slumped in a chair beside her, one hand intertwined with Storms. His head was cast down, and his hair dishevelled. I couldn’t see his face; I didn’t need to. He looked defeated, his shoulders slumped.
Adam pulled me into an embrace, letting me push my face into his shoulder. I didn’t see Karen entered the room; I didn’t want to witness the devastation as she beheld her sweet loving daughter in a state of rowan. Nobody should have to go through that. It was too much for any person to bear. I squeezed my eyes shut pressing myself into Adam, before taking a shaky breath. I didn’t know how long we stood like that—not saying anything—holding each other for support. But, again, it was just too much. Storm was the best of us, and yet she was the one in the hospital. It should have been me; I’d give anything to trade places with her.
“Scarlett,” Loki’s gruff voice called, pulling me back to reality. I pull away from Adam, finding a puffy-eyed, red-nosed Loki standing in the doorway with his hands in his pockets. Adam looked conflicted as he glanced between us. I knew he didn’t want to leave me alone with Loki, but only Loki understood my pain right now. I wiped my face on the back of my sleeve before looking back at my brother.
“It’s okay,” I reassured him. Adam sighed, looking me over before nodding to his friend.
“I’ll go check on Karen,” He suggested, reluctantly stepping aside and into Storms room, the door closing behind him. Loki crossed the distance between us in one long stride. Pulling me into his chest. I don’t hesitate, before hugging him back hard, my arms around his shoulders. Loki presses his face into my hair, breathing my scent in deeply. “I’m so sorry,” he breathed, voice breaking. “It’s all my fault.”
“Don’t say that, don’t even think it,” I dismiss, my voice sounding so unlike my own. I grasp onto his tee in an attempt to offer him some of my streghth. “You saved her, Loki. I thought she was dead. I did nothing..” I sniffle. Loki shook his head, pulling me closer to him. But he didn’t say more, his breathing jagged as if he was crying.
The event of that morning repeating in my head. I had almost stumbled into Barbie on my way into the house. Why had she even been there? Had she done this? No, she wasn’t that fucked up. Was she? I didn’t know the answer. I couldn’t dwell on it. Not when my best friend was unconscious, and Loki was falling apart in my arms. I needed to be strong; that was a mystery for another time.
“Scarlett?” Loki asked, pulling away slightly to look into my eyes.
“Yes?” I ask, studying him. He didn’t speak right away, his mouth opening and closing like there was something he wanted to say. I could tell something that was eating him up inside. But Loki only sighed, shaking his head.
“What is it?” I press, catching his eyes. He leans forward pressing his forehead against mine, his eyes closing. “I know I’m far from perfect. I’m the first to admit I’ve done some really stupid shit that I’m not proud of. I just need you to know, you’re really important to me,” He confesses.
I freeze. Not quite believing what I had just heard. Perhaps he means like a sister or that the situation had just made him say something he didn’t mean. Time passes, and I say nothing. Do nothing. I wasn’t even sure I was breathing. He didn’t look at me, didn’t pull away. As if I had imagined the whole thing.
“Scarlett,” Adam calls from the doorway, interrupting us. I pull away from Loki, clearing my throat awkwardly, before stepping past Adam to go to my best friend. I didn’t look back at them, knowing full well Adam had seen our embrace. Instead, I put it to the back of my mind and take the seat on the other side of Storm, catching her hand in mine. I could feel Karen’s eyes on me, but I couldn’t bring myself to meet her gaze, no dough she had seen us to. I didn’t want to see the judgment I knew would be there. How could I have gotten involved with Loki without even thinking about what this might do to Storm? Or maybe she already knew...
“Hello, Storm”, I whisper, my voice cracking.
