Page 106 of Ravaged Soul

“It’s a little bit funny.”

“Agree to disagree. Come on, let’s go see Tom.”

“Together?” I flash him a look.

“Probably best that we don’t give him a heart attack when he’s just woken up. But we will figure this out, I promise. I meant every word that I said.”

“I’ll hold you to it, Mr Mead.”

“Please do.”

His hand snags mine then clenches tight. I squeeze back, ignoring the tumult raging inside me. It takes great effort to force a few deep breaths in preparation to face my brother.

Back outside his room, we take a moment to collect ourselves before knocking and entering the hospital room. My anxiety soars to the forefront as I sidle in behind Warner, palms slick with sweat.

“Tom?” Warner sounds tentative. “Hey, bud.”

As he steps aside to let me in, trepidation shatters into a million shards, leaving me awash with so much relief I can hardly form a coherent thought. Tom sits upright in bed, tangled in wires and IV lines, but his emerald stare is locked on me.

“E-Em,” he croaks.

“Oh my God.”

My feet carry me over to his hospital bed almost too fast for my shaking body to follow. I hover over the layers of IVs to bury my face in Tom’s neck, sucking in his clinical, antiseptic scent. Unexpected tears burst free in huge, back-heaving sobs.

“You’re okay,” I weep loudly.

“Hi, trouble.” His hand cups the back of my head. “Long time, no see.”

“I… I thought I’d lost you.”

“Never, Em.”

We both bawl in sync, hiccupping and laughing through shared hysteria. His voice is weak and broken, but I don’t care. Nothing can spoil this. My big brother is back, alive and safe.

We fucking did it.

My throat closes up, the entire hospital fading into the background as I run my hands over Tom’s stubbled cheeks, forehead and oil-slick hair. He’s gaunt as anything, paler than snow and visibly shaken, but those love-filled green orbs haven’t changed.

Somewhere behind me, Warner rests a reassuring hand on my shoulder. A quick glance reveals tears in his eyes as he watches us reunite, the first genuine smile in what feels like weeks stretched across his face.

“Hey,” Tom greets in a hush.

“You back with us now?” Warner teases.

“I think so.” He winces in pain.

“Take it slow. You’ve been out of it for a while.”

“So I h-hear.” Tom’s raw voice trembles from the strain of speaking. “Thanks for coming for me.”

“Like we’d ever stop searching for you.” I sob listlessly, unable to halt the tears. “I’m so sorry, Tom. So sorry. I had no idea… I never meant…”

“Hey.” Tom sniffs through his own tears. “I’m okay, Em.”

“You got hurt because of me! They kidnapped you!”

“It was not your fault. Don’t even think that for a second, okay?”