Edward
"…footage showing a highly influential human businessman shielding a hybrid from a bullet with his own body. Demonstrations in support of hybrids have continued across several cities."
"The leak from the police body camera has sparked a nationwide debate over the way hybrids are treated."
"The question attracting the most attention is why hybrids were never granted the same rights as everyone else. Public discussion continues to gain momentum..."
A woman's voice, with an official, slightly haughty tone, was coming from somewhere nearby.
I did not open my eyes.
I could not find the strength.
A dull pain spread through every part of my body.
Where the hell was I?
What the fuck had happened?
I remembered glancing over my shoulder.
I remembered seeing that bastard pointing his gun at Luka.
I remembered forcing myself to my feet… My knees giving way beneath me… The panic on Luka's face as he stared at me, shouting something.
But I could not remember what he was saying.
Gathering what little strength I had left, I forced my eyes open.
A television hung on the wall, which was still showing the news that had woken me up.
Directly beneath the television, Kazuo sat slumped on a small sofa with his head resting against his chest and his arms folded. Fast asleep.
Michael had made himself comfortable against the wolf's shoulder, quietly snoring into his Hawaiian shirt. Every so often, Michael shifted slightly, searching for an even more comfortable position without waking.
"Hmn…" A quiet sound came from beside me.
I turned my head.
Luka was asleep with his head resting against the edge of my bed.
He was holding my hand.
Every sensation returned in an instant.
I became acutely aware of the warmth of his hand and the gentle weight of it against mine.
A shiver raced across my skin.
Heat flooded my face so suddenly that I was certain I had turned redder than a tomato.
Fortunately, everyone was asleep.
No one had witnessed it.
Because I hadn't blushed that fiercely since I was a child.
I did not move.
I scarcely dared to breathe, afraid I might wake him.
His face looked exhausted.
Dark circles had settled beneath his eyes. His complexion had grown noticeably paler, and His cheeks were slightly sunken.
Had he slept at all?
Had he even been eating properly?
It seemed I had caused him too much worry.
My gaze shifted towards Michael and Kazuo. Irritation flared almost immediately.
What the hell were those two doing sitting here? Should they not have been making sure Luka got some proper sleep and a decent meal instead?
Idiots.
What was the point of wasting their time sitting beside an unconscious man?
My body tensed, and Luka sensed it at once.
His fox ears twitched towards me.
He froze.
Then his eyes flew open.
"Hi," I managed.
My voice came out hoarse, and even that single word took more effort than it should have.
He shot to his feet.
"Ed! Ed! You... you're awake? You woke up?" His words stumbled over one another. "Oh my God, Ed, you're finally awake!"
A confused groan came from the sofa.
Kazuo opened his eyes and squinted in our direction.
"What the fuck's going on?"
His gaze drifted to his shoulder. The moment he noticed Michael resting against it, his eyes widened. Abruptly, he shoved the sleeping nuisance away.
Michael lurched sideways and only just caught himself before falling off the sofa.
"Hey! What the hell?" Michael mumbled, rubbing at his eyes. "Some of us are actually trying to get a bit of sleep here. Don't you think you're being a bit rude?"
Then he noticed Kazuo staring towards us.
He followed his gaze and his eyes widened.
"Bloody hell! Our sleeping beauty!" He threw his arms wide in my direction. "For God's sake, you're awake! Doctor! We need a doctor. Right now!"
He sprang to his feet and hurried towards the door but stopped and looked back at Luka.
"You stay right there," he ordered, pointing a finger at him. "I'll go find a doctor and drag them back here."
With that, he disappeared through the doorway.
I watched the sudden commotion in silence.
Through all of it, Luka never let go of my hand. His fingers stayed tightly wrapped around mine, as though he feared I might disappear the moment he let go.
He looked at me with eyes that glistened in the light. It seemed as though he was on the verge of bursting into tears.
Was he really that worried about me?
Good Lord.
If it meant he would hold my hand that tightly, I might even consider taking another bullet.
Less than a minute later, the door swung open. The doctor hurried into the room with Michael, who had practically dragged him along.
"Come on, Doctor. Hurry up."
The doctor was clearly not impressed by this behaviour, but came over to my bedside without a word.
"Mr Moncler, I'm very pleased to see you've regained consciousness. How are you feeling?"
"Perfectly all right. A little disoriented, perhaps, but otherwise quite well."
"That is entirely to be expected. You were unconscious for several days. Any other symptoms? Any pain?"
He spoke while checking the monitors and making his way through the collection of machines attached to me from every conceivable direction.
"I was unconscious for several days?" I asked.
"Yes. Three, in fact," the doctor corrected himself. "That's quite normal for a patient in your condition."
Three days…
"Very well. I'll ask one of the nurses to prepare everything for a full set of tests. In the meantime, I must ask you not to overexert yourself. No sudden movements, no getting out of bed, and certainly no wandering about. Understood?"
"Of course, Doctor." I nodded, though my eyes continued drifting back to Luka.
"Excellent. We'll be back once everything is ready." The doctor gave a polite nod before leaving the room.