It had already been a week since Jared had been attacked. A vampire hunter had tracked him down and after a serious fight had left him in a coma. Narraine could still remember when the officer had shown up to give her the news. She had been listed as his emergency contact, which is what led the officer to her apartment in the first place. he had informed her that there had been an incident and that her boyfriend had been hurt rather badly. Her heart had dropped at the news, and she had rushed to see him. At the time the hospitals were packed with people, all with various symptoms from whatever virus was sweeping across the island, but it was of no concern to her as she pushed past nurses and security personnel alike to get to Jared's room.
Since then she had visited every day. Today was no different. She arrived around noon as she had every time thus far, and after signing in proceeded to his room, to visit him. he hadn't woken up yet, and according to the nurses, hadn't given any signs of waking up yet. Still, It had only been a week, and she was hopeful. Sure he was hurt bad, but he was a Vampire. That had to count for something. The extent of his injuries had been rather severe as well. The doctors had told her, that he had severe silver poisoning, and they had to surgically remove the silver bullets he had been shot with. She had kept those. He had also suffered blunt trauma to the head and lost an arm in the fight. They had told her that even if he woke up, they were still unsure as to how his body would cope with the amount of damage done.
Narraine sighed as she opened the door to his darkened room and entered silently shutting it behind her. "Hey sweetie. I'm here." Her voice was small and frail, lacking confidence or conviction. She hadn't slept much this week, and it was starting to show in her appearance and mannerisms. She didn't know why she greeted him like this, the doctors had told her that he wasn't able to hear her. That when he was like this he was cut off from the outside world and entirely unaware of anything. still, It somehow felt right... In its own way comforting. She wanted to believe he could hear her, that wherever he was, he was smiling now that she was here.
She didn't say anything else for a few moments. She just positioned herself by the door, waiting in the dark, hoping that today she would hear him respond. But after several minutes she had gone answered. Another sigh escaped her lips as she moved silently through the room. A single beam of light crept into the room from a nearby window, stretching across his bed. her first stop was the window, to tighten the blinds, and snuff out the light. She did so easily, using her memory of the room, to navigate it in it's darkened state, and when she got to the window she pulled the curtains a bit to look outside before firmly closing them. casting the room into darkness.
"There. That's a little better, right? don't need you getting a sunburn on top of everything eh?" Again she waited, listening to the sound of the machines that would beep every so often as they monitored his condition. Still no response, not even a weak chuckle, instead the room remained silent. "You know. You're going to have to make sure you remind the nurses that light isn't your friend." She said forcing a smile as she turned around and slithered up to the side of his bed.
The Lamia took a few moments to straighten out his blankets and tidy up the table by his bed. There were some flowers on it. Someone had brought them while she wasn't there. Lillies or something with a little smiley balloon that said "Get Well Soon!" on it. There was also a picture of herself sitting in a small frame next to his bed. She had brought it on the second day, in case she wasn't there when he woke up. She didn't want him to be afraid and think she had left. There was also a letter tucked into the side of the frame. She had written it for him, and while it was drawn out and sappy, the gist of it was that if she wasn't there, not to worry, and she would be back soon. it was silly, but it made her feel better to think he might not feel so alone.
With everything tidied up, she coiled up her tail and sat herself down next to the bed, taking his hand in hers. His skin was still cool to the touch, Which was somehow comforting. He had always been a little cool. Never to the point of being uncomfortable, but just a few degrees cooler than a normal person. "Your looking good hun. much better than yesterday. Maybe you want to wake up soon yeah? I mean I miss you and this is ok and all but I kinda want to hear your voice again." Her own voice wavered a bit, as she struggled to keep herself together. it was stupid that she was hurting like this, he was the one struggling now. She needed to be strong for him.
She sighed again and steadied herself. It took a few moments before she spoke again. It was easier now to just sit in silence, to listen and wait. She continued to hold his hand, though, wishing she could feel his grip tighten, just for a second. She had begun to fear that she might not get that chance again.
"So things are going ok. You know school is tough still. I've been loaded down with course work every night. Oh.. Wait..." She smiled and released his hand for a moment, before taking off her book bag, and rifling through it for a moment. "That big exam I had today... I aced it." She said as she pulled out a small stack of papers and help them up to show him. the papers were written in a messier than normal handwriting, but at the top of the page was a large red 98% that had been circled with a smiley face drawn next to it. "It was tough, but I totally nailed it. Just like you always say I will. So you gotta wake up so we can celebrate." She placed the small stack of papers on the table next to his bed. "If you wake up and I'm not here you can read it while you wait for me so you're not bored."
She tried to smile now, forcing it to her lips while she took his hand again. She missed him so much, and it just wasn't getting easier. "At home things are going well too. Iesha is settling well. We started a massive puzzle. fifteen thousand pieces. It's insane. She is such a smart girl." Narraine laughed gently, remembering how she herself had accidentally dropped the puzzle box and they had spent twenty minutes cleaning up the pieces. "And neither one of us are sick. I don't know if you know, but there is something going around the island, some sort of bug. But I think Lamia are immune. Aylin is fine too."
Narraine fell back into silence for a moment again. She began to pet Jared's arm while she held his hand. She was feeling depressed talking to him like this. she shouldn't have to be telling him how things are going, he should be awake, experiencing them. He should be seeing the world and living through these things with her. That's how these things were supposed to work, right?
"Yer dumb Jared. Sometimes yer just so... I don't know. You shouldn't have even been there. You should have been at school. You should have met me for lunch. you should be with me now. And your not." Her voice had lost the optimism she had previously had. Strangely enough, she was upset, With Jared, with the vampire hunter's, with Stefan, and even with herself. Her emotions had become more than sadness over the course of the week, and now anger had begun to make itself know. Had Stefan not convinced Jared to skip school, then this wouldn't have happened. Had the hunters not been Dbags, then Jared wouldn't have been hurt. Had Jared Not acted like a dumb kid and skipped out he wouldn't have been there. And, had she been better she would have been invited to skip with him, and maybe she could have protected him. She was so angry at everyone for this.
"Just like... Why? Why did you have to do that? Why did you act like such... Why did you have to be so stupid?" She was still holding his hand, but her tone had changed to be a little harsher. She was expressing her anger now. Something she hadn't done yet. Lord knows she had spent many hours being sweet, and soft. She had spent even more, sad and begging him to wake up. But for the first time, she was lashing out. "LIKE DAMNIT YOU COULD HAVE CALLED ME... YOU COULD HAVE LET ME KNOW... AND NOW YOU GET TO LAY HERE WHILE I HAVE TO FALL APART." Her voice cracked and a fresh stream of tears began to pour from her eyes, smearing her makeup.
"It's not fair... None of this is fair. I just found you. I just got you in my life. What Was I not good enough? Were you trying to leave me? Is that what this is?" She knew that wasn't the case, but her emotions had gotten the better of her, breaking the logical part of her brain, and sending her spiraling down a path of negativity. She tightened her grip on his hand. Her own pale skin whitening even more as she tightened. "I don't want to lose you. I don't want you to go. Stop being so fucking stupid and come back. Can you even hear me in there?" She sniffled and wiped at her eyes smearing her makeup a little more.
"I just don't understand why." She began to cry a little harder, burying her face into his lap while she sobbed. She had not felt so powerless before. She couldn't do anything to help this or make it better. She couldn't go back in time, she couldn't keep this from happening. All she could do was wait. Wait and try not to fall apart. She had to be strong now. for herself and Iesha. She had to be strong for Jared too. She needed to keep telling herself that he was going to wake up. He was going to come back. when he did she was going to tell him off really good, after she told him how much she loved him. Still, though, there was little to help the hurt right now in the moment. There was little to keep the fear at bay. Just these visits. that's why no matter what she would come here. She would keep coming here, keep showing him that the world was waiting for him. She would still share her triumphs with him. She would still cry and wait at his side.
Slowly Narraine Inched her body up onto the bed. She wasn't about to pull her full tail up, but just enough of her so that she could lay next to him. She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest. His scent would stick to her now, and that would comfort her. Being like this and holding him helped too. She could close her eyes and pretend everything was ok. Escape the harsh reality for just a few moments and slip into her memories of the many times she would wake up with him. How he would pet her hair, and hold her tight. He couldn't do that now, but. this was close.
She pulled his hand up to her lips and kissed it gently, before pressing it to her heart. Even when her voice failed her heart would beat, and maybe that was enough. "I hope you can hear me. I hope you know I'm here. I'm not giving up so you can't either. You promised me you'd be there for me. I need you to keep that promise. ok?" She was still crying, but nowhere near as hard. She was just going to stay like this now, hold him for a while. If it was all she could do then she would do it for as long as she could. Narraine didn't even notice that she was falling asleep.
When she finally awoke it was nearly an hour later. At first, she had been disoriented and confused, but she quickly realized where she was and slipped out of the bed. "Jared.. I can't believe you let me sleep like that. I have to go home and get ready for Iesha." She checked her phone while she spoke, confirming that the young Lamia would be done school soon. She took a minute moving to the rooms sink, and mirror to fix her smeared makeup before going back to Jared's side.
"I have to go now... I promise I'll be back tomorrow. So If you wake up don't worry. And... If you want... you can wake up to give me a kiss goodbye?" She waited a moment again, listening to the sound of his machines beeping in the darkness before speaking again. "No? That's ok. Next time then right?" She said while forcing a small laugh. She hadn't expected him to actually wake up there, but just in case.
Narraine took a few extra seconds to straighten out his blankets again, fixing the ruffles she had made from climbing up onto the bed with him. She also adjusted her own clothes making sure she still looked ok and not like the mess that she was on the inside. As one final act, she picked up the picture and letter she had written him, and placed them on his stomach, and put his hand over them. "there. Now I will be close even if I'm not here." She had to fight back a few more tears as she spoke, not wanting to smear her makeup any further.
After giving him a gentle kiss on the cheek she picked up her bag, and slowly slithered to the door. She waited for another second or two, before opening it. Before she could slip out, something tugged at her. It was faint, and far off. It sounded like a whisper from miles away. It was so barely there that she thought she might have imagined it. She waited again, looking over her shoulder at Jared when she heard it again, clearer this time, but still so far away. "I Love you." It was in her mind, and in her heart. it was him. He was telepathic after all, and maybe, just maybe he had found a way to reach her. Somewhere. Where ever he was he had heard her voice, felt her touch, and had reached out the only way he could.
She smiled, not sure if it was real or not. Maybe her mind was just playing tricks on her now. But, believing it was him was enough to make her feel better. It replenished her hope and lifted her spirit. She smiled at him, leaning on the door frame for support. She felt as though at this very second she might have passed out had she tried to move anyways. Instead, Narraine would wait, just a second or two longer and listen, one more time. "Jared... If... If you are there... If you can hear me, where ever you are. I love you. Hurry up and finish what you're doing, and come home to me." Her voice trembled again as she smiled watching his lifeless body for signs of movement. Still, nothing else happened and the voice she had heard had quieted down. Maybe she needed to get some more rest.
"Jared... One more thing. It's not very polite to keep a lady waiting." She said giving him a little wink before finally slipping out the door and closing it behind herself.
Since then she had visited every day. Today was no different. She arrived around noon as she had every time thus far, and after signing in proceeded to his room, to visit him. he hadn't woken up yet, and according to the nurses, hadn't given any signs of waking up yet. Still, It had only been a week, and she was hopeful. Sure he was hurt bad, but he was a Vampire. That had to count for something. The extent of his injuries had been rather severe as well. The doctors had told her, that he had severe silver poisoning, and they had to surgically remove the silver bullets he had been shot with. She had kept those. He had also suffered blunt trauma to the head and lost an arm in the fight. They had told her that even if he woke up, they were still unsure as to how his body would cope with the amount of damage done.
Narraine sighed as she opened the door to his darkened room and entered silently shutting it behind her. "Hey sweetie. I'm here." Her voice was small and frail, lacking confidence or conviction. She hadn't slept much this week, and it was starting to show in her appearance and mannerisms. She didn't know why she greeted him like this, the doctors had told her that he wasn't able to hear her. That when he was like this he was cut off from the outside world and entirely unaware of anything. still, It somehow felt right... In its own way comforting. She wanted to believe he could hear her, that wherever he was, he was smiling now that she was here.
She didn't say anything else for a few moments. She just positioned herself by the door, waiting in the dark, hoping that today she would hear him respond. But after several minutes she had gone answered. Another sigh escaped her lips as she moved silently through the room. A single beam of light crept into the room from a nearby window, stretching across his bed. her first stop was the window, to tighten the blinds, and snuff out the light. She did so easily, using her memory of the room, to navigate it in it's darkened state, and when she got to the window she pulled the curtains a bit to look outside before firmly closing them. casting the room into darkness.
"There. That's a little better, right? don't need you getting a sunburn on top of everything eh?" Again she waited, listening to the sound of the machines that would beep every so often as they monitored his condition. Still no response, not even a weak chuckle, instead the room remained silent. "You know. You're going to have to make sure you remind the nurses that light isn't your friend." She said forcing a smile as she turned around and slithered up to the side of his bed.
The Lamia took a few moments to straighten out his blankets and tidy up the table by his bed. There were some flowers on it. Someone had brought them while she wasn't there. Lillies or something with a little smiley balloon that said "Get Well Soon!" on it. There was also a picture of herself sitting in a small frame next to his bed. She had brought it on the second day, in case she wasn't there when he woke up. She didn't want him to be afraid and think she had left. There was also a letter tucked into the side of the frame. She had written it for him, and while it was drawn out and sappy, the gist of it was that if she wasn't there, not to worry, and she would be back soon. it was silly, but it made her feel better to think he might not feel so alone.
With everything tidied up, she coiled up her tail and sat herself down next to the bed, taking his hand in hers. His skin was still cool to the touch, Which was somehow comforting. He had always been a little cool. Never to the point of being uncomfortable, but just a few degrees cooler than a normal person. "Your looking good hun. much better than yesterday. Maybe you want to wake up soon yeah? I mean I miss you and this is ok and all but I kinda want to hear your voice again." Her own voice wavered a bit, as she struggled to keep herself together. it was stupid that she was hurting like this, he was the one struggling now. She needed to be strong for him.
She sighed again and steadied herself. It took a few moments before she spoke again. It was easier now to just sit in silence, to listen and wait. She continued to hold his hand, though, wishing she could feel his grip tighten, just for a second. She had begun to fear that she might not get that chance again.
"So things are going ok. You know school is tough still. I've been loaded down with course work every night. Oh.. Wait..." She smiled and released his hand for a moment, before taking off her book bag, and rifling through it for a moment. "That big exam I had today... I aced it." She said as she pulled out a small stack of papers and help them up to show him. the papers were written in a messier than normal handwriting, but at the top of the page was a large red 98% that had been circled with a smiley face drawn next to it. "It was tough, but I totally nailed it. Just like you always say I will. So you gotta wake up so we can celebrate." She placed the small stack of papers on the table next to his bed. "If you wake up and I'm not here you can read it while you wait for me so you're not bored."
She tried to smile now, forcing it to her lips while she took his hand again. She missed him so much, and it just wasn't getting easier. "At home things are going well too. Iesha is settling well. We started a massive puzzle. fifteen thousand pieces. It's insane. She is such a smart girl." Narraine laughed gently, remembering how she herself had accidentally dropped the puzzle box and they had spent twenty minutes cleaning up the pieces. "And neither one of us are sick. I don't know if you know, but there is something going around the island, some sort of bug. But I think Lamia are immune. Aylin is fine too."
Narraine fell back into silence for a moment again. She began to pet Jared's arm while she held his hand. She was feeling depressed talking to him like this. she shouldn't have to be telling him how things are going, he should be awake, experiencing them. He should be seeing the world and living through these things with her. That's how these things were supposed to work, right?
"Yer dumb Jared. Sometimes yer just so... I don't know. You shouldn't have even been there. You should have been at school. You should have met me for lunch. you should be with me now. And your not." Her voice had lost the optimism she had previously had. Strangely enough, she was upset, With Jared, with the vampire hunter's, with Stefan, and even with herself. Her emotions had become more than sadness over the course of the week, and now anger had begun to make itself know. Had Stefan not convinced Jared to skip school, then this wouldn't have happened. Had the hunters not been Dbags, then Jared wouldn't have been hurt. Had Jared Not acted like a dumb kid and skipped out he wouldn't have been there. And, had she been better she would have been invited to skip with him, and maybe she could have protected him. She was so angry at everyone for this.
"Just like... Why? Why did you have to do that? Why did you act like such... Why did you have to be so stupid?" She was still holding his hand, but her tone had changed to be a little harsher. She was expressing her anger now. Something she hadn't done yet. Lord knows she had spent many hours being sweet, and soft. She had spent even more, sad and begging him to wake up. But for the first time, she was lashing out. "LIKE DAMNIT YOU COULD HAVE CALLED ME... YOU COULD HAVE LET ME KNOW... AND NOW YOU GET TO LAY HERE WHILE I HAVE TO FALL APART." Her voice cracked and a fresh stream of tears began to pour from her eyes, smearing her makeup.
"It's not fair... None of this is fair. I just found you. I just got you in my life. What Was I not good enough? Were you trying to leave me? Is that what this is?" She knew that wasn't the case, but her emotions had gotten the better of her, breaking the logical part of her brain, and sending her spiraling down a path of negativity. She tightened her grip on his hand. Her own pale skin whitening even more as she tightened. "I don't want to lose you. I don't want you to go. Stop being so fucking stupid and come back. Can you even hear me in there?" She sniffled and wiped at her eyes smearing her makeup a little more.
"I just don't understand why." She began to cry a little harder, burying her face into his lap while she sobbed. She had not felt so powerless before. She couldn't do anything to help this or make it better. She couldn't go back in time, she couldn't keep this from happening. All she could do was wait. Wait and try not to fall apart. She had to be strong now. for herself and Iesha. She had to be strong for Jared too. She needed to keep telling herself that he was going to wake up. He was going to come back. when he did she was going to tell him off really good, after she told him how much she loved him. Still, though, there was little to help the hurt right now in the moment. There was little to keep the fear at bay. Just these visits. that's why no matter what she would come here. She would keep coming here, keep showing him that the world was waiting for him. She would still share her triumphs with him. She would still cry and wait at his side.
Slowly Narraine Inched her body up onto the bed. She wasn't about to pull her full tail up, but just enough of her so that she could lay next to him. She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest. His scent would stick to her now, and that would comfort her. Being like this and holding him helped too. She could close her eyes and pretend everything was ok. Escape the harsh reality for just a few moments and slip into her memories of the many times she would wake up with him. How he would pet her hair, and hold her tight. He couldn't do that now, but. this was close.
She pulled his hand up to her lips and kissed it gently, before pressing it to her heart. Even when her voice failed her heart would beat, and maybe that was enough. "I hope you can hear me. I hope you know I'm here. I'm not giving up so you can't either. You promised me you'd be there for me. I need you to keep that promise. ok?" She was still crying, but nowhere near as hard. She was just going to stay like this now, hold him for a while. If it was all she could do then she would do it for as long as she could. Narraine didn't even notice that she was falling asleep.
When she finally awoke it was nearly an hour later. At first, she had been disoriented and confused, but she quickly realized where she was and slipped out of the bed. "Jared.. I can't believe you let me sleep like that. I have to go home and get ready for Iesha." She checked her phone while she spoke, confirming that the young Lamia would be done school soon. She took a minute moving to the rooms sink, and mirror to fix her smeared makeup before going back to Jared's side.
"I have to go now... I promise I'll be back tomorrow. So If you wake up don't worry. And... If you want... you can wake up to give me a kiss goodbye?" She waited a moment again, listening to the sound of his machines beeping in the darkness before speaking again. "No? That's ok. Next time then right?" She said while forcing a small laugh. She hadn't expected him to actually wake up there, but just in case.
Narraine took a few extra seconds to straighten out his blankets again, fixing the ruffles she had made from climbing up onto the bed with him. She also adjusted her own clothes making sure she still looked ok and not like the mess that she was on the inside. As one final act, she picked up the picture and letter she had written him, and placed them on his stomach, and put his hand over them. "there. Now I will be close even if I'm not here." She had to fight back a few more tears as she spoke, not wanting to smear her makeup any further.
After giving him a gentle kiss on the cheek she picked up her bag, and slowly slithered to the door. She waited for another second or two, before opening it. Before she could slip out, something tugged at her. It was faint, and far off. It sounded like a whisper from miles away. It was so barely there that she thought she might have imagined it. She waited again, looking over her shoulder at Jared when she heard it again, clearer this time, but still so far away. "I Love you." It was in her mind, and in her heart. it was him. He was telepathic after all, and maybe, just maybe he had found a way to reach her. Somewhere. Where ever he was he had heard her voice, felt her touch, and had reached out the only way he could.
She smiled, not sure if it was real or not. Maybe her mind was just playing tricks on her now. But, believing it was him was enough to make her feel better. It replenished her hope and lifted her spirit. She smiled at him, leaning on the door frame for support. She felt as though at this very second she might have passed out had she tried to move anyways. Instead, Narraine would wait, just a second or two longer and listen, one more time. "Jared... If... If you are there... If you can hear me, where ever you are. I love you. Hurry up and finish what you're doing, and come home to me." Her voice trembled again as she smiled watching his lifeless body for signs of movement. Still, nothing else happened and the voice she had heard had quieted down. Maybe she needed to get some more rest.
"Jared... One more thing. It's not very polite to keep a lady waiting." She said giving him a little wink before finally slipping out the door and closing it behind herself.