Page 92 of Bound By Secrets

I nod, glancing at her motionless body once more before rushing out of the house on shaky legs.

Chapter Forty-Two

Nate

As soon as my mother comes back to Kat’s hospital room with her coffee in hand, I’m on my feet and kissing them both goodbye before running out.

Brad messaged me about ten minutes ago, telling me that they had just arrived at the hospital and Callie was being rushed into surgery. Connor’s apparently spiralling and has walked out of the waiting room, so it’s just Callum, Brad, and Ryker.

I push past people, apologising as I go, and quickly make my way to the next floor of the hospital.

I feel terrible for leaving Kat, even though she told me to leave her so that I could check on Callie. She’s been patched up, and she has my mother at her bedside, so I know she’ll be okay if I’m gone for a few hours.

When I reach the waiting room, I spot Brad instantly, sitting in an uncomfortable blue plastic chair with a shell-shocked expression on his face. Beside him is Callum whose legs are bouncing up and down rapidly whilst his hands fumble with his phone, likely trying to contact Connor.

My gaze moves to Ryker, and all of my breath leaves my body when I see him covered with blood. His hands, his clothes, and even his face is smeared with the dark substance.

I slowly walk towards them and when Brad spots me, he stands up, engulfing me in a tight hug.

“I’m so scared, Nate.”

“Have the doctors said anything yet? Is she doing okay?”

He pulls back and shakes his head.

“Nothing yet.” He glances at Ryker and Callum before turning back to me. “There was so much blood. S-she was so pale and so still,” he whispers.

Callum stands from the chair, placing his hand on Brad’s shoulder and leaning towards us.

“Why don’t you two go get a drink or something, then you can fill him in.” He motions to where Ryker’s sitting. “He’s not dealing with this well, I don’t think he needs to overhear your recollection.”

I look past him, focusing on Ryker. His head is bowed, and his body is trembling as he scratches at the dried blood on his hands.

“Yeah, we’ll go for a walk. Do you want anything?”

“Could you try and find Connor for me whilst I talk to Ryker? He wouldn’t have gone far. I know he’ll still be around here somewhere.”

“Yeah, sure. Message us if you hear anything, okay?”

He agrees before walking back over to sit with Ryker.

I loop my arm around Brad’s tense shoulders and steer him away from them.

“Tell me everything that happened after I left.”

After Brad informs me of everything that was said and done in the video that they were watching and then described how they found Callie, my stomach is in knots and I understand Ryker’s catatonic state.

We found Connor pacing around the outside of the hospital and after he assured us both that he was fine and that he’d come back in when he had calmed down, we walked back towards the waiting room.

On the way, we stopped off at Kat’s room to check on her and for Brad to see for himself that she was okay. She badgered us with questions about Callie, most of which we couldn’t answer because there were still no updates. Brad managed to give her a rundown of everything that happened, but when his eyes filled with tears, Mum put a stop to it and told him not to worry about explaining everything again.

Now, we’re back in the waiting room with Callum and Ryker.

They must’ve gone to a bathroom at some point because Ryker’s hands and face are now clear of any blood. His clothes are still soaked in them, but I don’t think he cares.

He hasn’t said a single word since I’ve been here. Even when I asked him if he wants a drink, he didn’t answer; he just continued staring at the floor.

Whenever a nurse walks into the room, Callum stands up, expecting them to be here for us with some information, but they always end up walking over to someone else.

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