Page 135 of Muted

“Why do you all keep saying that?” Cooper asks from across the room. “He said the same thing.”

I shake my head slowly, unable to pull away from staring at her, completely rocked by how different she looks. “She… Her eyes have always been sort of an amber or brownish color,” I say, absolutely stunned.

“Ahh, colored contacts maybe,” he mutters to himself, not seeming too concerned by the small bit of information that’s thrown me for a loop.

I don’t understand what Chaz is murmuring to her, unable to focus while she’s staring at me. Taking a step forward, I notice a slight shift in her arms as her muscles tighten up. “Baby,” I coo, taking another step. “I’m so fucking glad to see you. How are you feeling?”

Instead of answering me, she attempts to shift her body away to face the other direction. Chaz follows her, sliding his hand under her body gently to help her roll over. Her eyes close against the ache she must feel in the movement, and I don’t want to lose that beautiful new view of green that’s fast become my favorite color.

Hurrying to the other side of the bed, I grab a chair and pull it next to her head and drop my body lower, so our faces are lined up. I keep some distance between us because it’s clear she’s not receptive, which I don’t blame her for. What she went through today is a lot for someone to handle, let alone process.

I wait her out, hoping she’ll look at me again, but she doesn’t. There’s no telling if she’s asleep or awake as the steady beeping of her heart monitor stays rhythmic, her breathing controlled and slow.

Chaz lays his head on the mattress behind her, his hand resting on the side of her stomach like he can’t bear not to touch her. She doesn’t seem to mind the contact, but what do I know? I didn’t get any read on her for that brief moment and I’m hesitant to try to wake her if sheissleeping. Rest is the most important thing right now.

Playing with a loose, dirty strand of hair hanging off the edge of her pillow, I decide shedoesneed to know about her aunt and uncle.

“Vance flew to Florida last night and met your family. They’re on a plane right now and should be here as soon as they land.” The only sign that she’s heard me is the quickening pace of the monitor.

Sighing softly, I continue to twist that strand of hair around my finger and watch her eyes shift underneath her closed lids. After a while, I believe she’s actually asleep, so I sit back, never letting that strand go.

Cooper is still leaning against the wall as her silent guard, typing out text messages on his phone. The chair creaks under me and I eye my friend worriedly. Miriam has slid down the wall and is sitting in the corner with her face against her knees. Poor girl is probably confused as fuck, not knowing all the players in Susu’s fucked up history.

Chaz is still face down on the mattress, shoulder muscles tight, so I know he’s not asleep. I settle into the chair, prepared to wait for the arrival of her family and Vance.

An hour later, I get a text that they’ve landed with hopeful plans that they should arrive within the next hour. Still, we all wait in silence, Susu remains unmoving in her position on the bed. The only sound is the steadybeep beep beepon the monitor.

Time continues to tick by until we all lift our heads at a commotion outside the room. Cooper tenses before walking to the door and peeking his head out. When his shoulders drop, I know Vance is here with her family. He opens the door and I’ll admit, I’m relieved as fuck to see a haggard-looking Vance walk through the door. His eyes shoot to the bed immediately and he sucks in a quick breath at the sight of her.

Cooper’s muttered, “I’ll wait just outside the door,” goes unanswered as he moves to leave. “Miss Delgado, why don’t you step out, give them some privacy?” She shuffles to her feet quick to obey him.

I’m surprised to see Elaine—I can only assume this is her aunt by their similar look—stop him with a hand on his arm.

“I remember you,” she whispers with tear-filled eyes. “You’re always here when it’s most important.” Her choked voice filled with a multitude of emotions takes me by surprise and my eyes shoot back over to Cooper.

He only pats her hand with a forced smile before stepping out of the room, shutting the door behind him once Miriam slips out. Susu’s uncle is already standing at the foot of the bed, looking down at his niece, gripping the rail.

His eyes are watery, but he doesn’t let them fall. Glancing at me, then where Chaz still has his head on the bed, he asks, “Who’s who?”

Vance moves to his left, fighting himself not to immediately go to Susu, and clears his throat. Pointing at me, he introduces us. “Ronnie, this is Theo Gatlin, and that’s Chester Ahearn. Guys, this is Ronnie and Elaine Fisher, Susu’s aunt and uncle.”

Finally, Chaz lifts his head, escaping his head and coming back into the world. “It’s nice to meet you both. I wish it were under better circumstances.”

We’re all attempting to speak quietly so as not to disturb Susu, but Ronnie’s voice bellows through the room, emotion ripping through his throat as he cries out, “Pumpkin?”

My gaze drops to her face just as her eyes pop open. Without acknowledging me, her eyes dart over to her uncle and she lets out a pained cry.

The first sound I’ve heard escape her lips since I arrived. I suspect it’s the same for Chaz because he shoots to his feet, ready to reach for her. We all freeze the way she moves out of the way of his hand, scrambling with difficulty to reach her family.

“Songbird…” Vance whispers, but still no reaction from Susu. She won’t look at or acknowledge any of us. Her only focus is getting to the two people who’ve always been there for her.

Another pained whine wrecks her voice, and I can feel how tortured she is when she winces against the agony she must feel as her throat closes up on her. Elaine finally circles around all of us to scoop Susu into her arms.

Chaz, Vance and I step back to give them room as they both hug her, murmuring words that they’re here now and she’s safe.

Susu grips Ronnie’s shirt and sobs into his heavy chest as he wraps his arms around both of the women, again looking up to clear the emotion free. Once he’s gained control, he drops his chin and presses a kiss to the side of her head free from bandages. “Thank God you’re alright. Thank you so much.”

I find Chaz’s wide, saddened eyes and jerk my chin to the door. Grabbing Vance by the arm, I pull him with me.

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