Chapter 96: Waiting

Landon and I sit in that cold little waiting room for what feels like an eternity. I hate it when people overreact or completely exaggerate but time really does feel like it is going on forever right now.

Landon's jacket is around my shoulders, and my head is resting on his arm. I drift in and out of consciousness as we wait.

Sometime later, Lauren enters the waiting room, and we both jump to our feet.

"Are you okay?" Landon asks immediately. "Is dad okay?"

The sight of Lauren so dishevelled is not one I ever want to see again. There are tears in her eyes, and her cheeks are red. Her hair isn't its usual perfect self. She looks older than I've seen her.

"He's okay. He's asleep. He woke for a few moments." Her words are gentle. She places a hand on her son's face. "He asked after you... And Ayden. Where's Ayden?"

"I sent him home," Landon explains.

"Such a good boy," Lauren smiles sadly, "looking after us all. You should go too. I'm going to stay. They said I can stay."