Page 68 of Icebound Attraction

“Well, I've been better... But I don't think it's that deep. It's mostly pain, really.”

He tries to stand up and I talk him out of it.

My heart pounds in my ears as I reach for my cell phone and dial the emergency number. Luckily, I'd left it in my jeans pocket and our attacker hasn't stolen it!

The words pass my lips in a rush as I explain the situation.

It's not long before help arrives, followed by a police car, and the tension is replaced by a sense of relief.

As we describe the incident, I feel like I'm not really there. I'm sore, cold and clearly sobering up. Suddenly, the world seems a dangerous place and reality more brutal than ever.

The agents chat amongst themselves while an ambulance takes us away. Then we're driven to the nearest hospital with flashing lights and sirens blaring.

The pain from my screwdriver wounds is stinging, as I lie on the bunk of the vehicle. But I refuse to take anything to relieve the pain for fear of tarnishing my future blood tests. There's no way I'm going to be disqualified for this! I prefer to wait for the approval of the coach, whom I've informed by text. I don't care if it hurts! Chase is lying next to me, his face white.

Soon we arrive in the emergency department, and the nursing staff surround us.

The wounds caused by the screwdriver are not deep, thank God, but the pain is intense. My heartbeat echoes in my head.

The minutes stretch into hours, and the presence of the doctors and nurses reassure us. Franklyn ends up telling me to stop fooling around - basically - and take something to ease the pain. I'm grateful for that.

Chase and I are admitted for observation, because he has an ugly hole in his pectoral, and because of my blow to the head. They want to make sure I don't have a concussion. The monitor that indicates my heart rate is making high-pitched sounds, and that doesn't encourage me to calm down.

I can't help thinking how quickly everything can change. The path we've just taken seems tainted with uncertainty, and I'm beginning to think that all this could have a negative impact on future training sessions, game results and, by extension, our careers.

Holy shit!

As I lay pondering the events of the last few hours, hurried footsteps suddenly echo down the corridor and voices murmur with apprehension. The door to my hospital room opens on Emily, followed by Coach Franklyn.

My heartbeat quickens when I see her, and all my pain seems to fade into the background for a moment. Her face is marked by concern, and I can see the determination in her eyes. Her presence is like a light in the darkness, giving me hope.

“Em!” I exclaim, my voice hoarse.

Without hesitation, she rushes towards me. Tears glisten in her eyes. Her embrace is so warm and comforting that I forget for a moment where I am and what has happened. It's as if the world around us disappears and only the two of us exist.

“I came as quickly as I could after your text. I was so scared for you!” she mutters, hugging me tightly.

I return her embrace; with all the strength I can muster.

“I'm fine. We're both fine.”

The coach stands next to us, his gaze shifting from Chase to me.

“You're both idiots!” he says, shaking his head. “But I'm glad you're safe and alive!”

Chase, lying in bed, smiles.

“We resisted, coach!” he croaks.

Emily detaches herself from me and walks over to him. She puts a hand on his shoulder and gives him an encouraging smile.

“And that's where it got you...” she sighs.

We tell them briefly what happened, and the atmosphere relaxes a little.

She comes back to me and sits on the edge of the bed. Her hand finds mine and her warmth spreads throughout my body. It feels good to know that I have her support.

“I thought my heart would stop when I got your message,” she says softly, her eyes fixed on mine.

---