Page 33 of Crowned

“Thank you,” I say sincerely, accepting the food and taking a few careful mouthfuls. The taste is comforting, and each swallow feels like a step towards reclaiming my strength.

They sit around me, their presence reassuring as I eat. After a while, fatigue creeps in again, my eyelids growing heavy.

“I think I need to rest,” I murmur, setting the bowl aside.

“Of course,” Bhodi says softly, taking my towel and helping me into a fresh, clean hospital gown before adjusting the blankets around me. “We’ll be right here.”

Cove and Reef exchange a look, silently agreeing to keep watch over me. They settle into chairs beside the bed, vowing to stay with me as sleep pulls me back into its embrace.

I’ve always been a pretty easy going guy, not one to get worked up about much. But as I sit in this stiff hospital chair, watching Malia sleep, my nerves are tighter than a bowstring. Every slow rise and fall of her chest reassures me that she’s here, alive, and breathing. But it’s not enough to ease the tension twisting my insides.

Weeks. She’s been in a coma for weeks.

I can hardly wrap my head around it. We’ve seen some crazy things, but this? Watching her just waste away, trapped in her own mind, has been a nightmare I never want to relive.

The door clicks softly, and I glance up to see Reef slipping into the room. He moves with that quiet, deliberate grace he’s known for, like a cat stalking through shadows. His green eyes meet mine, and I can see the exhaustion etched into his features. He’s been taking the night shifts, standing guard while Bhodi and I try to rest, but none of us have really been sleeping much. How could we?

“She’s still out?” Reef asks, his voice a low rumble that barely disturbs the quiet.

I nod, running a hand through my hair. “Yeah. The doc says it’s normal after waking from a coma. Her body needs time to adjust.”

Reef crosses the room in a few strides, his gaze softening as he looks at Malia. For a moment, the room is silent except for the faint beeping of the machines. It’s almost peaceful. But I can’t shake the feeling that it’s the calm before the storm.

I stand up, stretching my stiff limbs. “You should get some rest, man. I can handle the next few hours.”

He shakes his head, that stubborn glint in his eyes. “I’m good. Besides, I need to check in with the guards outside. Make sure everything’s secure.”

I nod, knowing better than to argue with Reef when he’s in protective mode. “Yeah, alright. Just…be careful. Something feels off tonight.”

Reef gives me a sharp look, but he doesn’t dismiss my worry. “I’ll be back soon,” he says before slipping out of the room like a shadow.

I watch the door for a few moments after he’s gone, trying to shake off the unease gnawing at my gut. I sit back down next to Malia’s bed, leaning forward to take her hand in mine. Her skin is warm, and the pulse I feel beneath my fingers is steady. But the longer I sit there, the more my anxiety builds.

Glancing at Bhodi curled up on the pull-out bed, I can’t help but notice the tension still etched across his face even in sleep. His brow is furrowed, the lines of worry etched deep into his skin, telling the story of the past few harrowing weeks. Despite the peaceful rise and fall of his chest, I can see that even in rest, he’s not entirely at ease. The weight of everything we’ve been through is pressing down on him, lingering in his subconscious, refusing to let go.

But at least he’s sleeping deeply now, his body finally giving in to the exhaustion that’s been threatening to overtake him. He needs this. More than any of us. The attack has taken its toll on him, revealing cracks in his usually impenetrable armour.

Watching him now, I feel a wave of gratitude and protectiveness. He’s been a rock for all of us, always putting our needs before his own, and now, seeing him finally getting some much-needed rest, I can only hope it’s enough to recharge him for whatever comes next. He deserves this moment of peace, even if it’s fleeting.

A sudden noise in the hallway jolts me from my thoughts. It’s faint, barely more than a whisper of sound, but enough to set me on edge. I stand up, instinctively moving to place myself between Malia, Bhodi, and the door. My heart pounds, each beat echoing the primal urge to protect them both.

The door creaks open and Reef appears again. He steps inside, his expression grim, the usual warmth in his eyes replaced by something harder, sharper. “I think we need to move.”

I don’t question him. The urgency in his voice tells me everything I need to know. “What’s happening?” I ask as I grab my jacket and ready for whatever’s coming.

“There’s been a breach,” he says, his voice tight. “I spotted a group of men trying to force their way into the hospital. I think they’re after Malia.”

My blood runs cold, but I force myself to focus. “Is she safe here?”

“Not for long. Wake Bhodi, we need to get her out of here.”

Hushed but urgent voices pull me from my slumber. As consciousness slowly returns, I find myself in a state of confusion, caught between the remnants of a dream and the reality of the hospital room. Blinking away sleep, I realise Bhodi, Cove, and Reef are gathered around my bed, their expressions a mixture of concern and tension.

“What’s happening?” I manage to whisper, my voice still thick with sleep.

Bhodi looks at me, his normally calm and easy going, playful demeanour strained. “There’s been an incident. Someone tried to attack the hospital.”

My heart skips a beat, adrenaline snapping me awake. “What?” I sit up, ignoring the protests of my strained muscles. “Who?”

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