You're Mine

Chapter Twelve: The Truth

Six hours. Six long hours, I've been pacing the hospital hallway waiting with the others for some news. I look over at Kara who has fallen asleep on her father's shoulder. Her makeup mirroring my own with black streaks going down her face from crying. Everything smudged and ruined from wiping her face with her tears. I sigh as I sit down in a free chair and put my head in my hands. Six hours ago, my brother was shot. Eight hours ago, I was dancing with my friends at a party. I think as I look down at the floor. When is this nightmare going to be over? I wonder as I recall me holding the man at gunpoint. I should have pulled the trigger. I should have taken the shot even if it meant I got a bullet too. I get up to pace again as these thoughts fill my mind. Twisting it with guilt but also showing me how much of a coward I truly am.

Another hour passes by before a nurse and doctor come over to us all seated. "Michealson family?" He asks them as they nod. "We were able to remove the bullet from her torso. She's very lucky that it didn't puncture anything, but it did tear her skin tissue. She will need to take it easy for a while," He tells them. "She's also lucky that it was a good distance from her. You will be able to come back. She may still be out of it from the drugs, so I will advise you don't cause her any needed stress," He says before he takes his leave.

The nurse gives a polite smile. "Only two can come back as of right now. You can switch out if she's up to multiple visits, so the two coming back will follow me I'll take you to her room," She says.

Kara and her father get up and follow her down the hallway. I give a small sigh of relief, but my nerves are still on edge as I await news for my brother. I know I can't keep sitting here because it's going to make it worse. I get up and find myself wandering the hallways. Every time a code is called my heart drops to my stomach. He's going to be okay. I need to get out of here. He's going to be okay. I keep repeating that to myself as I walk out of the front doors. The cold air immediately chills my skin, but I keep walking until I reach an outside garden area. I sit on the bench and lean back on the cool metal. I take a deep breath followed by another one. He's going to be okay. Deep breath. He can't leave me. Deep breath. I still need him; I need to apologize to him. I try to take another inhale, but it comes out as a shuddering breath as the tears begin to fall. Please don't take him from me. You already took my parents. You can't take my brother too! I inwardly plead as I let the hot tears run down my cheeks. I try to stop them but they keep falling. 

"Cas?" I hear my name called, but I make no effort to move. I hear them walk over to me before I'm pulled into a strong embrace. "It's okay, let it out. I've got you." I hear him say. The flood gates open as he says those words. Everything I've been holding back comes forward in chest aching sobs. I grip his shirt as I cry into him finally releasing all the pain I've been holding in.

I don't know how long I cried for, but I know it had to have been awhile from how cold I feel. I lift my head with a sniffle. "I'm sorry Ash," I croak out.

He gently wipes the last of the tears from my face. "Don't ever be sorry for crying Cas. You're human, and can only take so much," He tells me softly. He brushes the stray hair out of my face as I look at him. "I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner," He tells me as he hugs me again.

I sniffle and bury myself in his embrace letting his smell comfort me. He always smells of pine and mint, but it's such a homey smell. I soon feel myself leaving the hug and already missing the warmth. "We should get back. Kara will be worried if she comes back to empty chairs," I softly whisper.

"Andrew already went inside. He brought clothes for them to change into since he doubted they would want to leave," He tells me. "I have yours along with something else. I might hate them, but I feel like if I was in either of your shoes I would want one," He says as he reaches into the bag he brought. He pulls my pack of cigarettes which makes me nearly tear up again.