Page 38 of The Secrets We Keep

“I know what you’re thinking. I have friends with connections.”

I nod, “So then what?”

“Sarah tackled Chet from behind, causing him to let go of your neck. That’s when you fell and hit your head. The cops and I barged in just after that and were able to take Chet in without any problem.”

I try to think back again, coming up blank. My sister saved my life. I’m suddenly overcome with emotion. I hiccup as the tears start to fall and I hear Landon make a move towards me so fast.

“Baby, shh… don’t cry. It’s okay. You’re safe. Sarah is safe.” He’s trying to console me, but it does little to help.

The nurse barges in, “Is everything okay in here?”

“Yes, ma’am, Eleanor is just overwhelmed.” Landon tells the nurse for me.

Landon speaks for me and it warms my heart slightly.

The nurse walks over to me and gives me a giant white pill. “Take this and rest. I’ll be back later to check on you.”

She waits for me to swallow it before leaving. Boy does it hurt going down. I take several sips of water before asking where Sarah is. I want to see my sister. I need to tell her how sorry I am but also how thankful I am too.

“She’s at the police station. She needed to fill out some more paperwork. Don’t worry she’ll be by when she is done. She hasn’t left your side except to handle stuff with the detectives.”

“This is all my fault.”

The feeling of guilt takes over. Sarah must be heartbroken over Chet and his admissions.

“Evie,” Landon’s voice is stern. “Don’t you dare feel you are at fault. This was Chet’s doing. You shouldn’t have gone alone but, you did nothing wrong. Do you hear me? You. Did. Nothing. Wrong.” Landon breaks down that last sentence word by word.

I say nothing in return, just a slight nod. I think about what he’s saying and try to let it sink in. It hurts though and I feel the darkness pulling at me to sleep again. I decide to give in and let the darkness take me away from the thoughts currently clouding my mind.

I wake suddenly, drenched in sweat. I take a few deep breaths. It is dark and quiet in my room besides the low light from the monitor and the constant beeping. It takes me a few seconds to register that I am still in the hospital and that I had a nightmare. I look around and know Chet is not here. He can’t hurt me. I reach up to touch my throat, surprised I can. I still have IV’s attached, but the restraints have been removed. The nurse must have done that while I was sleeping. My throat is tender to the touch, but I’m alive. I’m okay and so is Sarah. I glance around the room and make out a silhouette sleeping in the chair. At first I’m slightly alarmed and my breathing picks up, but after focusing a little, I realize it’s just Sarah. She’s here. I want to wake her, though she seems so peaceful sleeping. Afte

r waiting a few minutes and going back and forth over to wake her or not, I decide to wake her.

“Sarah,” I whisper. I don’t want to draw attention to a nurse coming in. I just want my sister. She doesn’t move.

“Sarah wake up,” I say a little louder, as loud as I can manage and still she doesn’t wake.

I wonder if I can get out of bed. I sit up and feel woozy. It almost makes me nauseous. I call out Sarah’s name again, this time earning her to stir.

“Sarah it’s me. Wake up.” I no longer care if the nurse comes in. My patience is shot. I just want to talk to my sister. She stirs a little more and sits up some.

“Hey, you up?”

“Eleanor?” Sarah’s voice is groggy but at least she’s woken up.

“Yes, it’s me.”

Sarah sits straight up and switches on the light immediately. The brightness hits me and hurts like hell.

“Ugh! No light Sarah. Turn it off please.” I cover my face and wait until the light is off.

“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize. Does it hurt?” she asks as she makes her way to be next to me.

“It does, my throat too. Can you pass the water?”

Sarah hands me the water and says nothing. I wonder what she is thinking. I’m dying to know what happened. I need to hear it from her.

“Sarah what happened?” I whisper in between sips of water, ice cold and soothing.

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