Chapter 10: A ray of Hope

I lay next to Kaleth’s hospital bed after my parents had left, their words of comfort still echoing in my mind. My fingers rested lightly on his hand, seeking the warmth that once reassured me. Exhaustion consumed me, and before I knew it, I drifted into a restless sleep, my head leaning against the edge of the bed.

“Heeyy…” A voice, soft yet familiar, broke through the haze of my dreams. A gentle hand rested on my shoulder, rousing me from slumber.

I jolted awake, my first thought Kaleth. My eyes darted to his face, searching for movement, but his expression remained serene, still. Disappointed but hopeful, I turned to the figure standing beside me.

“Jessica,” I sighed, relief softening my voice. “I wasn’t expecting you yet.”

She smiled, her presence always a steady comfort. “I thought I’d come earlier. You need to go home, change out of those clothes, and get some rest.”

I shook my head, brushing sleep from my eyes. “I’m fine here. Really, I don’t need to leave. I want to be here when he wakes up.”

Jessica’s brow furrowed slightly, but her smile didn’t waver. “Celine, I know you want to be here, but you’ve been through a lot. You need a moment to breathe.” Her hand rested firmly on my shoulder, her touch reassuring. “I promise I’ll stay with him. You can trust me.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but the kindness in her eyes silenced me. A deep yawn escaped, betraying my fatigue. Reluctantly, I rose from the chair, wrapping her in a grateful hug. “Thank you, Jess.”

As I stepped onto the bus, my mind couldn’t escape Kaleth. The blood on my shirt—his blood—had dried, a stark reminder of how close I’d come to losing him. Every heartbeat felt like a prayer, every passing street a step closer to hope.

When I arrived home, I found a note pinned to the door. My parents had gone to visit Mrs. Simpson’s grandchildren. I fished my spare key from my pocket and let myself in, the emptiness of the house greeting me.

Kicking off my shoes, I peeled off my blood-soaked clothes and headed straight for the bathroom. The hot water cascaded over me, washing away the physical grime but not the memories. I stared at the faint scars on my thighs, the remnants of that harrowing night. A shiver ran through me, and for a brief moment, I felt the weight of it all pressing down.

But I couldn’t afford to crumble. Not now. My hand instinctively rested on my abdomen. I had more than myself to protect. My whispered prayer of thanks filled the bathroom, gratitude spilling from my lips for the strength I’d found that night—and for the life I still carried within me.

After dressing, I lay down on my bed, intending only a brief rest. The heaviness of the day caught up with me, and sleep pulled me under.

The first ring of my phone went unnoticed, but the second jolted me awake. Fumbling for the device, I saw Jessica’s name on the screen. My heart skipped a beat as I answered.

“Hello?”

“Celine!” Jessica’s voice was laced with excitement, a spark of joy I hadn’t heard in days. “Kaleth is awake. He’s asking for you!”

For a moment, the world stood still. The weight that had pressed down on me since that terrible night lifted, replaced by an overwhelming sense of relief and exhilaration.

“I’m coming,” I managed to say, my voice trembling with emotion. “I’ll be there soon!”

I flew out of bed, adrenaline coursing through me. The house blurred around me as I rushed down the stairs, a grin plastered across my face. As I reached the front door, my parents walked in.

“Mom! Dad!” I exclaimed, barely able to contain myself. “Kaleth’s awake! He wants to see me. Please, can I go? Please?”

They exchanged a look, my excitement clearly contagious. My mother nodded, her smile gentle. “Of course, dear. Just be back before sundown.”

“I promise!” I called over my shoulder, grabbing my jacket and dashing out the door.

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The hospital room felt different this time, less oppressive, less cold. The sterile walls seemed brighter as if reflecting the renewed hope in my heart. I paused at the doorway, taking a deep breath before stepping inside.

Kaleth lay there, his head turned slightly toward the window, his eyes open. Those eyes—so full of life, of stories, of love—were fixed on me the moment I entered.

“Celine,” he said softly, his voice weak but unmistakably his.

Tears blurred my vision as I rushed to his side, taking his hand in mine. “Kaleth,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “You’re awake. You’re really awake.”

A small smile tugged at his lips. “Of course. I couldn’t leave you. Not when you’re stuck with me for the rest of forever.”

I laughed through my tears, his words warming every corner of my heart. “Don’t you dare joke about leaving me again,” I scolded gently, pressing his hand to my cheek. “You scared me.”

“I know,” he said, his expression softening. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—” His voice faltered, and I placed a finger on his lips.

“Don’t. Just focus on getting better.”

Jessica stood by the door, watching the exchange with a small, knowing smile. She gave me a nod, silently promising to give us space, and left the room.

I pulled a chair closer to Kaleth’s bed, refusing to let go of his hand. “You don’t get to scare me like that ever again,” I told him, my tone teasing but firm.

“I’ll try not to,” he replied, his gaze locking with mine.

For a while, we just sat there, the silence between us comforting. Words felt unnecessary, our connection speaking louder than anything else. His presence, his heartbeat, the rise and fall of his chest—it was all I needed.

As the afternoon faded into evening, I found myself whispering stories of the future, of the dreams we’d shared. He listened intently, his grip on my hand tightening ever so slightly.

“I love you, Celine,” he said finally, his voice a little stronger now.

Tears filled my eyes again, but this time they were tears of joy. “I love you too, Kaleth. More than anything.”

The road to recovery would be long, and the scars of that night would linger, but in that moment, nothing else mattered. Kaleth was here. He was alive. And together, we would face whatever came next.