Page 17 of Rescuer

CHAPTER8

It Was So Bright

I wokewhat felt like hours later. There is a hand gripping mine tightly, and it took me a moment to realize where I was and who I was with. I squeezed Halt's hand to let him know that I was awake.

The same darkness still surrounded me. I was scared that maybe the surgery wasn't a success, and I got my hopes up, along with everybody else's, for nothing.

"How are you feeling?" Halt asked.

"I'm not sure. Did it work?" My question hung in the air, and for these few seconds, I held my breath, unsure if I really wanted the answer.

"Yes." This sudden feeling of excitement raced through me. My heart started beating a little faster, and my stomach tightened with nervousness. His hold on my hand remained.

"I can't see anything?" It was more of a question than a statement.

"There are bandages covering your eyes. They will come off tomorrow."

I sagged a little in relief. "I'm so tired." The sudden thought escaped my mouth, and he laughed.

He ran his hand over my hair. "Go to sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."

"If you say so." I slowly drifted off, and I dreamed of my family, of what they would look like, and I hoped that I was somewhat right—that the people who were closest to me were what I had imagined for so long.

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I was shaken awake sometime later. I assumed it was morning, and they wanted to take the bandages off, and I was right.

"Noah, it's time." Halt's voice was groggy. I imagined that he had just woken up like me.

"What do I have to do?" My voice was shaky. The fear that had built up within me was evident. Halt sensed this, and his grip on my hand tightened.

He never let go.

"Relax," he whispered and kissed my cheek before moving away.

There was a sudden, bright light assaulting my eyelids, and I shied away from it, turning my head into the pillow, shocked at how bright it was.

“We are going to gently open your eyes now,” a soft voice spoke.

“Halt?” My voice was a silent whisper, but it shook, and Halt instantly had both of his hands on mine in a second.

“It won’t hurt.” He was being so strong. All for me.

“Just relax. It won’t hurt; I promise,” the same soft voice spoke again.

I relaxed my tensed muscles and let her open my eyes.

It was so bright.

Everything was unclear at first, and then, it all slowly focused. There was a young man holding my hand with eyes so green that I felt hypnotized. His hair was a dirty-blonde color, shaved short on the sides and gelled up on top, so it was spiked. He looked tired, relieved, and scared all at once. Above all those emotions, there was love shining in his eyes.

Halt.

Everyone had been right. He was utterly beautiful in a manly way.

“Halt, I can see you.” There was only Halt. I could hear my family going crazy in the background. I felt someone grab me and hug me, but I was totally entranced.

“Your eyes—they’re blue,” he rasped, sounding extremely emotional.

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