Page 34 of In Too Deep

I pull over to the curb and switch off my engine.

“Why did you switch it off? There’s no need. I’m leaving.”

“I’m walking you up, that’s why.”

Shaking her head, she says, “No, you’re n….” She doesn’t end the sentence because suddenly, her eyes widen as she looks behind me, and a loud scream sounds. Instantly, everything turns quiet.

Chapter Ten

COLE

Beeping sounds…

Please stop!

My head hurts.

My eyes want to open.

They can’t.

But I want to try.

After a few more attempts, I finally open them.

Blinking a few times, I look around at my surroundings.Where am I?

I’m lying in a bed and staring at a white ceiling with very bright lights.

Attempting to look to my left, a jolt of pain surges through my skull.

“Don’t move,” a familiar voice says.

The person moves closer, and I see Belle is here with me.

“Where… where am I?” I croak out.

“I’m going to get the nurse. You’re in hospital. You were shot.”

My memory is blurred, and I don’t remember getting shot. What is the last thing I remember?

A car? Headlights? Bright lights. Kissing Belle. I remember kissing Belle.

“Mr. Brennan, I’m Nurse Fleur. How is your pain at the moment?”

“Nurse Fleur? So Iamin a hospital?”

“Yes, that’s correct. You’ve been shot in the head, an injury that is normally fatal. God must have been watching over you that night,” Fleur answers, shining a bright light into each of my eyes.

Wait, what did she call me?I don’t hear part of her next sentence because all I am thinking about is the name she called me.

“Mr. Brennan? Are you listening to me? You have severe swelling on the brain. Dr. Felix will be coming to see you shortly. I’ve already called him and let him know you’ve woken up. Tell me, on a scale of one to ten, how strong is your pain?”

“Wait, did you say Mr. Brennan?” My voice is barely audible as it’s as dry as the desert.

“Yes, that is your name, isn’t it? Or is it Seth Hawkins? We’re not exactly sure, considering you had two forms of ID in your wallet with two different names on them.” She looks up at Belle. “This young lady here was as surprised as I was to see two IDs. She’s under the impression your name is Seth.”

“Can you explain that,Mr. Brennan?” Belle adds with sarcasm in her voice.

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