Chapter 2 Sleeping beauty

Chapter two:    (Current day)   In a dimly lit hospital room, Anna lay still on the bed, her chest rising and falling with the rhythm of the oxygen machine. Her mother, seated beside her, held her hand tightly, her eyes filled with worry, fear and tear. The door to their ward opens up as Margaret steps in. Her curvy, full figure, moved with grace and determination, she was voluptuous but agile. Dressed in simple, comfortable clothing, her blonde locks gathered in a messy bun, framing her baby face that exuded kindness and warmth. Amelia turns around to give a swift look “How’s Ryan?” She asks after she scanned to see he wasn’t with Margaret “His fast asleep…how’s her condition?” Margaret inquired. Amelia looks at Anna as she laid their repeating the same movements, Amelia couldn’t contain her tears “she hasn’t said a word or moved since I got here…what should I do? We had an argument earlier today, I was so harsh on her, if anything happens to her…”. Margaret quickly places a hand over her mouth and enveloped her now crying sister in a comforting embrace "Stay strong, Anna needs strength not tears, she’s still alive, isn’t she? You can apologize when she’s up…for now, please go home; I'll handle it from here," Margaret whispered, her voice a soothing balm to Amelia's frazzled nerves. “How could I ever leave her this way, she’s still unconscious” Amelia uttered but Margaret insisted “Just trust me”. After some playful bantering, Amelia finally agreed to take a much-needed break, she stood up and walked out of the room, trusting Margaret to watch over their beloved Anna.   *** In the bustling hospital wards, Mrs. Montclair sat tenderly petting her son, enveloping him in a cocoon of love and care. Her son, perfectly conscious, basked in her affectionate embrace, finding solace in the warmth of her presence.   Suddenly, the ward's door swung open, and Jake’s expression quickly shifted to one of fear as his father, Mr. Montclair, entered the room. With determined steps, he strode towards Jake, his imposing figure casting a shadow over the room. Ignoring the hospital setting, he delivered a harsh slap across Jake's face, the sound echoing in the tense silence of the ward. Jake recoiled, stunned by the unexpected blow, as the gravity of the situation hung heavy in the air.    “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Mrs. Montclair sprang into action, attempting to halt her husband's escalating anger and soothe the turbulent situation. She never anticipated such a confrontation to unfold in the hospital setting, especially with their son at the receiving end of his father's harsh reprimand.   "You bring too much drama to the family, and it's never good! Why did you run away? Look at all the commotion you have caused! Oh, you better pray she wakes up or ELSE..." Mr. Montclair's voice boomed, his words laced with a foreboding threat that sent a chill down jakes spine.   Reacting swiftly, Mrs. Montclair interjected, her voice firm and resolute, "You're causing a lot of commotion yourself. I command you relax this minute until we get home." Her words cut through the tension like a sharp blade, momentarily diffusing the mounting conflict.   Mr. Montclair, wise in the ways of navigating family dynamics, understood the delicate balance within his own household. Avoiding any actions that could provoke a reaction from his formidable father-in-law he chose his battles carefully, steering clear of confrontations that could ignite a storm he might not weather.   With an icy calmness, Mr. Montclair composed himself and without another word, strode out of the ward, leaving a palpable sense of unease in his wake.   **** Mrs. Montclair, driven by gratitude and curiosity, eager to express her appreciation to the girl who had saved her son's life, approached Anna's ward with a mix of gratitude and intrigue swirling within her. The weight of her son's near brush with death hung heavy in the air, propelling her towards the girl who had unknowingly become a guardian angel to her family.   As she reached for the door, a voice sliced through the silence, halting her in her tracks. "Excuse me?" The voice belonged to Amelia, Anna's mother, her tone laced with a subtle blend of curiosity and caution. Mrs. Montclair turned, her gaze meeting the inquisitive eyes of the woman standing before her.   Amelia, observing Mrs. Montclair's distinguished appearance, couldn't help but notice the contrast in their social standing. “How may I help you?” Amelia asked unmoved. “Call me Claire” Mrs Montclair responded with her head high as she continued “…I’ve been informed that my son was saved by your daughter, I’ve come to extend my gesture of gratitude”   ‘Ooh so my daughter is in this situation now because of this woman’s son’  Amelia thought,  obviously displeased she walks up to the wards door, her back against Mrs Montclair  “I must go in now, my daughter is still unconscious… thanks for stopping by, anyway” with a polite yet firm tone, she excused herself, disappearing into the ward, the door closing behind her with a soft click.   Left standing in the hallway, Mrs. Montclair found herself enveloped in a whirlwind of emotions – gratitude, curiosity, and a newfound sense of connection to the mysterious girl who had altered the course of her family's fate. As she lingered outside the closed door, the echo of unspoken words lingered in the air.   Amelia, stepping into the ward, was greeted by the sight of Anna awake, her presence accompanied by Anna’s best friend Evan and Margaret. A wave of relief washed over her as she saw the trio together, a symbol of life and hope amidst the sterile hospital surroundings, reigniting a spark of joy in her heart.   “I’ll get the doctor right away” she said in a hurry “I already did that” Margaret announced.   Surprised by Margaret's proactive approach, Amelia felt a sense of gratitude for the support surrounding Anna in her time of need.   Amidst the flurry of emotions and conversations, a cluster of vibrant flowers caught Amelia's eye, perched delicately on the desk.    “Whom are these from?” Amelia asked, intrigued by the presence of the flowers. “Oh, I didn’t notice those were there, weren’t they always just their?” Margaret puzzled. “muum” Anna’s voice breaks the impeding silence, shifting everyone’s focus to her “I’m right here darling” Amelia said in a second.   Epilogue: Earlier in the hospital   Jake, feeling the weight of loneliness in his ward, made a bold decision to step out for a walk. As he emerged from his room, he was met by the watchful eyes of the heavily guarded ward. With a tone that conveyed both authority and respect, he expressed his desire, "I would like to take a walk, now." The response from the guards was simple yet compliant, "Yes young master, lead the way."   Throughout his 13 years of life, Jake had been accustomed to this level of protection, a constant presence since his very first breath.   Their journey led them to the hospital's garden, where Jake's hand delicately plucked a flower, a small act of connection to the natural world outside the confines of the hospital walls. With the flower in hand, he proceeded towards Anna's ward, a mix of determination and apprehension in his steps.   Standing at the threshold of Anna's room, Jake paused “I’ll like to go alone” a silent request hanging in the air. “I’m afraid you can’t go alone, young master” they said. He gives just one look with his fisted hands “I insist” he said, the guards exchanged glances before they let out a nod of approval, he took a deep breath and entered.   Jake, taking each step with a mixture of nerves and anticipation, approached Anna's bedside where she lay in a state of unconsciousness. The rhythm of his heart seemed to quicken with each passing moment, a subtle reminder of the emotions swirling within him. Placing the flower delicately on the table, he then moved closer, his gaze fixed on her serene face, a hint of blush coloring his cheeks as he softly murmured, "Sleeping beauty."   Caught in the moment, Jake's eyes shifted to her hand, and without hesitation, he reached out to hold it gently, a gesture of connection and reassurance. As his hand met hers, a subtle movement stirred through Anna's fingers, a sign of life returning to her as she began to awaken from her slumber.   "What are you doing?" a voice called from behind Jake. Startled, he turned around to find a boy standing there, wearing a puzzled expression. Jake gazed at him, silently urging the boy to introduce himself, a sense of curiosity lingering in the air.   Unbeknownst to Jake, the boy standing before him was actually Anna's best friend.   Evan quickly approached with determined steps on getting to the side of the bed he pulls jakes hand away from Anna’s confidently, almost as if marking his territory.    A silent tension filled the room as Jake and Evan locked eyes, each displaying a mix of emotions and unspoken intentions in the intensity of their gaze.