Chapter 11: Waking up

As Elijah sits by Ava's bedside, he knows he can't just wait around for her to wake up. He has to take action to stop her father and protect the Eclipse. But it's hard for him to leave her side, especially when she's so vulnerable.

One day, while Elijah is sitting with Ava, he receives a visit from an unexpected ally. It's someone who has been watching him from the shadows, someone who knows more about Ava's father's plans than they're letting on. This person offers to help Elijah stop Ava's father, but at a steep price.

Elijah looked up at the mysterious figure, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What do you want in return for your help?" he asked, his voice cautious.

The figure smiled, their eyes glinting in the dim hospital light. "I want something that only you can provide, Elijah," they said, their voice low and husky. "I want you to retrieve something for me from the Eclipse's hiding place."

Elijah's eyes widened in surprise. "How do you know about the Eclipse's hiding place?" he demanded.

The figure chuckled. "Let's just say I have my ways. But I'm willing to help you stop Ava's father if you're willing to do this one task for me."

Elijah hesitated, weighing his options. He desperately needed help to stop Ava's father, but he didn't know if he could trust this mysterious figure.

Elijah's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the mysterious figure. "What is it that you want me to retrieve?" he asked, his voice cautious.

The figure smiled again, seeming to enjoy the cat-and-mouse game. "I want you to retrieve a small, leather-bound book," they said. "It's hidden in the Eclipse's hiding place, and I have reason to believe it contains information that could change the course of...everything."

Elijah raised an eyebrow. "What kind of information?" he pressed.

The figure leaned forward, their voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Let's just say that the book contains secrets about the Eclipse, about Ava's family, and about the true nature of the world we live in."

Elijah's curiosity was piqued. He wanted to know more about the book and its secrets.

Elijah's eyes locked onto the mysterious figure, his mind racing with questions. "I'll do it," he said finally. "I'll retrieve the book. But I need to know more about what I'm getting myself into."

The figure smiled again, seeming to enjoy Elijah's eagerness. "I've told you all I can," they said. "The rest you'll have to discover for yourself."

Elijah's eyes narrowed in frustration. "That's not good enough," he pressed. "I need to know what I'm up against."

The figure stood up, their movements sudden and fluid. "I've given you all the information I'm willing to share," they said. "If you want to retrieve the book, you'll have to do it on your own terms."

With that, the figure turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Elijah feeling frustrated and confused.

Elijah sat back in his chair, his mind racing with questions. What was in the book? Why was it so important? And what was the mysterious figure's true motive?

As he sat there, lost in thought, Elijah heard a faint rustling sound coming from the direction the figure had disappeared. He turned to see a small piece of paper on the floor, with a single sentence scrawled on it:

"Trust no one."

Elijah picked up the paper, his eyes scanning the cryptic message. "Trust no one," he muttered to himself. Who was behind this message? And what did they mean?

He looked around the hospital room, but there was no one in sight. The mysterious figure had vanished into thin air.

Elijah decided to investigate further. He folded the paper and tucked it into his pocket, then pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

"Marcus, it's Elijah," he said, when his friend answered. "I need your help. I've got a situation here."

Marcus, a skilled hacker and Elijah's trusted ally, listened intently as Elijah filled him in on the mysterious figure and the cryptic message.

"I'll see what I can dig up," Marcus promised. "But Elijah, be careful. This sounds like it could be big."

Elijah nodded, even though Marcus couldn't see him. "I will," he said. "Thanks, Marcus."

As he hung up the phone, Elijah felt a sense of determination wash over him. He was going to get to the bottom of this mystery, no matter what it took.

Elijah made his way back to Ava's hospital room, his mind still reeling from the mysterious figure's warning. As he entered the room, he was relieved to see that Ava was still sleeping peacefully.

He sat down in the chair beside her bed, taking her hand in his. As he looked at her, he felt a surge of determination. He was going to protect her, no matter what.

Just then, Elijah noticed something strange. Ava's chart, which had been hanging at the end of her bed, was now missing. He frowned, wondering who could have taken it.

Suddenly, he heard a faint noise coming from the bathroom. Elijah's heart skipped a beat as he realized that someone might be hiding in there.

Elijah slowly got up from the chair, his eyes fixed on the bathroom door. He approached the door cautiously, his heart pounding in his chest.

As he reached the door, he slowly turned the handle and pushed it open. The bathroom was dimly lit, but Elijah could make out a figure huddled in the corner.

The figure slowly stood up, revealing a young woman with a look of fear in her eyes. Elijah recognized her as one of the hospital nurses.

"Who are you?" Elijah demanded, trying to keep his voice steady.

The nurse looked around nervously before answering in a whisper. "I'm Nurse Jenkins. I've been taking care of Ava. But I have to tell you something. Ava's chart... it's been altered."

Elijah's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

Nurse Jenkins glanced around the room nervously again before answering. "I mean that someone has been changing Ava's medication, trying to keep her sedated. I don't know who it is, but I think it's connected to her father."

Elijah's eyes widened in shock. He knew that Ava's father was capable of terrible things, but this was a new level of evil.

Elijah's mind was racing with thoughts of Ava's safety. He knew that he had to act fast to protect her. "Nurse Jenkins, I need your help," he said, his voice low and urgent. "I need to get Ava out of here, to a safe place where her father can't find her."

Nurse Jenkins nodded, her eyes wide with understanding. "I can help you with that," she said. "But we have to be careful. If her father finds out, he'll stop at nothing to get to her."

Elijah nodded, his jaw clenched in determination. "I know," he said. "But I'm not going to let him hurt her again."

Together, Elijah and Nurse Jenkins quickly came up with a plan to move Ava to a different hospital room, one that was more secure and harder for her father to access.

As they made their way to the new room, Elijah couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. He kept looking over his shoulder, expecting to see Ava's father lurking in the shadows.

But they made it to the new room without incident, and Elijah breathed a sigh of relief as he saw Ava settled safely into her new bed.

Elijah sat down in the chair beside Ava's bed, his eyes fixed on her peaceful face. He felt a sense of relief wash over him now that she was safe, but he knew that he couldn't let his guard down.

As he sat there, he noticed that Ava's eyes were starting to flicker open. He leaned forward, his heart racing with excitement.

"Ava, can you hear me?" he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion.

Ava's eyes slowly focused on Elijah's face, and she smiled weakly. "Elijah," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Elijah's eyes welled up with tears as he took Ava's hand in his. "I'm here, Ava," he said. "I'm not going anywhere."

Ava's smile grew stronger, and she squeezed Elijah's hand. "I know," she whispered. "I trust you."

As Elijah looked into Ava's eyes, he felt a sense of determination wash over him. He was going to protect her, no matter what it took.

Elijah took Ava's hand in his, trying to calm her down. "Ava, there's no one here," he said softly. "Jaxon's gone. He can't hurt you anymore."

Ava's eyes were wild with fear, and she looked at Elijah like she didn't believe him. "But I see him," she whispered. "I see him standing right there."

Elijah followed her gaze, but there was no one in sight. He turned back to Ava, trying to reassure her. "Ava, you're safe. I'm here with you. There's no one else in the room."

Ava's grip on his hand tightened, and she looked up at him with pleading eyes. "Make him go away, Elijah," she whispered. "Please."

Elijah's heart went out to her. He knew that Ava had been through a lot, and it was no wonder that she was still haunted by Jaxon's ghost. He pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly.

"I'm here, Ava," he whispered. "I'll always be here to protect you. You're safe."

As he held her, Elijah felt Ava's body slowly relax. Her breathing slowed, and her grip on his hand loosened. He looked down at her, and saw that her eyes were closed.

Elijah held Ava tightly, feeling her relax into his arms. He stroked her hair, whispering softly into her ear. "You're safe, Ava. I've got you."

As he held her, Elijah felt a sense of calm wash over him. He knew that Ava was still fragile, still haunted by the memories of Jaxon's abuse. But he was determined to be there for her, to support her and protect her.

After a few moments, Ava's eyes flickered open. She looked up at Elijah, her expression soft and vulnerable. "Thank you," she whispered.

Elijah smiled, feeling his heart swell with love for her. "Anytime, Ava," he said. "I'll always be here for you."

As they sat there, holding each other, Elijah felt a sense of peace settle over them. He knew that they still had a long way to go, that Ava still had to confront her demons and heal from her past. But for now, in this moment, they were safe, and they were together.

As they sat there, holding each other, Ava's eyes began to glaze over. Elijah thought she was just relaxing, but then he noticed that her gaze was fixed on something across the room.

Ava's eyes were wide with a mixture of fear and wonder, and Elijah followed her gaze, but he didn't see anything out of the ordinary.

Suddenly, Ava's mom appeared in front of them. Elijah didn't see her, but Ava's reaction told him that something was going on.

Ava's mom smiled warmly at her daughter. "Ava, sweetie, I'm so proud of you," she said. "You're growing stronger every day."

Ava's eyes were fixed on her mom's ghost, and she looked like she was listening intently. Elijah had no idea what was going on, but he could sense that Ava was communicating with her mom's spirit.

"Ava, you have a gift," her mom's ghost continued. "You can see us now, the ones who have passed on. It's a beautiful thing, but it can also be overwhelming."

Ava nodded, still looking at her mom's ghost. Elijah could see the wonder in her eyes, but he could also sense her fear.

Elijah remained still, watching as Ava communicated with her mom's ghost. He could sense the emotions flowing between them, and he didn't want to interrupt.

Ava's mom's ghost continued to talk to her, explaining more about her gift and how to control it. Ava listened intently, asking questions and seeking guidance.

As they communicated, Elijah noticed that Ava seemed to be growing more confident. She was embracing her gift, and her mom's ghost was helping her to understand it.

After a few moments, Ava's mom's ghost vanished. Ava turned to Elijah, a look of wonder still on her face.

"Elijah, I can see ghosts," she whispered. "My mom's ghost just talked to me."

Elijah's eyes widened in surprise. He had suspected that something strange was going on, but he hadn't expected this.

Elijah took Ava's hand, trying to offer her reassurance. "Ava, this is a lot to take in," he said. "But I'm here for you, and I'll help you through it."

Ava nodded, looking up at him with tears in her eyes. "I don't understand what's happening to me," she whispered.

Elijah pulled her into a hug. "We'll figure it out together," he said. "But first, let's get you out of here. You need to rest and process everything."

Ava nodded, and Elijah helped her out of the hospital bed. As they made their way out of the hospital, Elijah couldn't help but wonder what other secrets Ava's gift held.

Once they were back at Ava's house, Elijah sat down with her and started asking questions. "Ava, can you tell me more about what you saw?" he asked. "What did your mom's ghost say to you?"

Ava took a deep breath, trying to process everything. "She said that I have a gift," she explained. "That I can see ghosts and communicate with them."

Elijah's eyes widened in amazement. "That's incredible," he said. "But also a little scary. Are you okay with this?"

Ava nodded, looking determined. "I'll be okay," she said. "I just need to learn how to

control it."