The Silent Soldiers

inch of her skin was bruised, especially the face and neck areas. I noticed the fang marks on the right side of her neck. Her face was so badly swollen and bruised that I couldn’t even make out her facial features. We slowed down as we pulled into the elevator and rode down to headquarters. Grandpa screeched to a halt outside of the make shift emergency room and I scooped up my mother from the floor of the hummer. I jumped out and raced into the room as Grandpa opened the back door. Dr. Blevins was already waiting with an IV and a bag of blood. She went to work on my mother as I layed her on one of the hospital beds.

  “Is she going to be alright?” I ask the doctor as a tear ran down my cheek. I felt Ava put her arm around my waist as Dr. Blevins said,

  “I will do everything in my power to make sure that she is.” I started to cry as Ava turned me toward the door and walked me out into the main room of headquarters.

  “I can’t lose her. I just got her back,” I said.

  “Dr. Blevins is amazing, Luke. I know she will take good care of your mom,” said Ava. Grandpa walked up to us then and told us we should go and try to get some rest. I didn’t know how I would ever be able to sleep with my mom laying down in the hospital ward barely alive. All I wanted was to stay by her side until she was better. I didn’t want her out of my sight. I allowed Ava to walk me to my room, mainly so I could change into something more comfortable. She brushed my lips with hers before turning to go to her room.

  I changed clothes and gave everyone time to get in bed before I slipped out and headed back to be with my mother. Dr. Blevins was gone when I made it back to the hospital ward. All of the lights were off except for a lamp on the table beside the bed my mother was in. I made it nearly to her bedside before a voice across the room startled me asking,

  “Can I help you?”

  “I came to sit with my mother,” I replied.

  “She isn’t supposed to have any visitors tonight. Mr. Carrington ordered me to ensure she gets plenty of rest,” said the woman’s voice. I was staying regardless to what my grandfather ordered. I didn’t intend to bother her, but I wanted to be at her side.

  “I just want to be with her,” I told the woman I would not disturb her. I told her I just wanted to sit with her. I pleaded with her but I knew I was staying regardless of what she or my grandfather wanted. She finally agreed. I pulled up a chair at the side of her bed, and stared over at her badly battered upper body. I watched the little drops of blood drip through the clear tube running to a vein in her arm.

  I knew Nhados had ordered the vampires to attack her, and they had already been dealt with. I absolutely couldn’t wait to get my hands on Nhados. I’m not a violent person, but I would enjoy being able to choke the life out of him with my bare hands.

  “Luke,” came my mothers voice in such a whisper that a normal person may not have even heard her speak at all.

  “Mom, you need your rest. Don’t try to talk tonight. We will have plenty of time for that when you are better,” I told her.

  “Luke, I need to tell you about your father,” she said. I could hear the pain in her voice as she spoke.

  “Mom, I am sure it can wait at least until tomorrow. We have been through more than enough trauma for one night. I am going to go to bed so you can get some rest. I just wanted to come down and check on you,” I said.

  “Luke, please don’t go, at least until I fall asleep,” she pleaded.

  “Of course, Mom, if that’s what you want,” I said.

  “Stay with me, and I promise I want talk about anything tonight. I just want you close to me,” she said. I scooted the chair close to her bed and took her hand in mine. I tried to be as careful as possible because every inch of her body seemed to be bruised. I definitely didn’t want to cause her anymore pain. She smiled at me and slowly closed her eyes. I feared the worst about my father, but I was not going to let her go through the pain of telling me about him in her current state. I continued to watch as she drifted off to sleep. It wasn’t long before I too was asleep as I continued to hold her hand.