Delayed by Nathan Kingsly (best manga ereader txt) 📕

were the same things. I watch the life slip away from the man that has stained my last six years with grief, anxiety, and constant paranoia, slip away from his life. I hadn't felt what I thought I would.

There was no peace, no relief. His twisted enraged features are finally relaxing in the only one you're left with. He is simply another lifeless body, with nothing left to offer but another set of dead eyes to haunt me. He's not the only one waiting in the dark I acknowledge before it takes me. Revenge isn't sweet.

A low hum fills my ears, but as my hearing focuses, it’s no longer indistinguishable. Fuck, my throat hurts. Why is it so hard to swallow?

“No, you don’t understand. You need to take those handcuffs off.” Is that Emma?

When I can’t open my eyes, my hand comes up to discover why my limbs are so heavy, like a hundred pounds, but the effort to move them is for naught. Something stops them short. What’s going on? Breathing in, the smell of antiseptic greets me, and I can guess that I’m at a hospital. I’d spent enough time in one when I’d visited my mom.

“... not taking the risk.” That’s someone different, male, not a voice I recognize.

“Either way, he’s not awake yet, so there’s no reason for you to be here.” Hadn't I moved? Pressing down with my fingers, the thin fabric of the sheet, and the nylon underneath dents in making a light crisp rustle that hits my ears.  My fingers freeze when a hand wraps around them, thin but with a strong grip and squeezes. Squeezing back, it’s good to know I wasn’t imagining my efforts.

“I’m just doing my job, ma’am.”

“And what a job you’ve done so far.” Emma’s tone drips with sarcasm.

The guy's heavy feet move away, a draft preceding his exit. Emma sighs, and  I try and turn my head in the direction, but something stops me. Frustration rises when I try to tell her that I’m here, but there is something stuck in my throat, and swallowing around it uncomfortable.

“Do you think he will come back anytime soon?” Mia? Shouldn’t she be in Minnesota with Daniel? How long have I been like this? She must be the one that has my hand.

"They have been circling like vultures. I give them an hour tops before one of them comes back.” Mia breathes out; it sounds like she’s rubbing her face, her reply muffled.

“How’s your head?” Mia asks.

“It’s fine now. Thanks. Most of it was superficial.”

“Yeah, my mom said as much.” Mom’s been here? So many fucking questions.

It’s quiet for so long that the room charges with tension. Whatever they’ve given me is starting to wear off, and the pain is becoming acute. I know it won’t be long before I beg sleep to take me.

Almost back to sleep, Mia clears her throat. "Why’d you leave?"

A weight presses on my chest. Mia grips my hand harder as we both wait for Emma’s answer.

"He saw himself as the villain, a guy that destroys the good and ruins everything in his path. He wasn't able to see the truth.”

“He’s always been self-absorbed.” Even without my sight, I know she’s smiling, and she squeezes my hand again, giving herself away.

Emma laughs. “He’s a guy.” And then they were both laughing at my expense. My eyes rolled behind my eyelids.

Another bout of silence before Emma starts to talk again. “To be honest, we both needed time. I was scared and not ready to face what I felt for him.” My heart stalls at the use of past tense. It’s because I couldn’t keep her safe. I’d let her nearly get raped and killed. I’m not worthy of her, and now she knows it too. I bet she’s only here because of her integrity, and once she discovers I’m alright, she’ll leave again.

“What are your intentions now? Not to be a bitch, but I’m the sole person that’s allowed to jerk this guy around unnecessarily.” I’m not sure how I was going to pay for it later, but right now, my sister is doing this for me.

“No offense ...” Emma stops as the door to the room opens.

“I’m back. Coffee?” My mom says to the room.

Fuck. What timing. An agreement breaks out, and Mia lets my hand go.

“Have the doctors been in since I’ve been gone?” Mom asks.

“Nope,” Mia says.

“Emma, dear, have you taken a break?”

“Not yet.”

“I’m sure your family would like to see you.”

“That’s her way of kicking you out,” Mia says.

Mom gasps, “It isn’t at all.” But Mia and I know better. “Ignore my daughter. I just know if I were your mom, I’d want to see you.”

“My family knows where I am,” Emma says, and the room gets quiet. After another beat, she clears her throat, and the chair under her scrapes against the floor. “A quick visit won’t hurt, though. Will you …?” Her hand is cold as it glides into my hair.

“We’ll call you if anything changes,” Mom says. “We’ve got your number?”

“Mia has it,” Emma says the same time Mia says, “Yep.”

“Alright.” She whispers, and I don’t know how but I feel her gaze on me. There’s a part of me not ready to let her go. I never want to let her go, but if she’s only sticking around to make sure I’m alright, is it selfish of me to hold off?

Emma’s footsteps scuff the floor, her hand gliding down my arm. With my heart in my throat, my hand jerks up. This time, the force of it shakes the bed as I grip her wrist.

She gasps, “Liam?”

The noise coming around what's in my throat is a pitiful attempt to say her name. Even if she's going to leave, I’m done with avoidance. I’m done with wasting my time when I could be moving forward.

“Thank, Christ,” Mom squeaks out.

“On my God, Liam,” Emma says in a disjointed tone.

“I’ll get a nurse,” Mia says, and I hear the door