Page 229 of The Storm Boys Series Collection

She talked about entry points and exit points and the affected organs, but I couldn’t quite grasp what she was sayin’ because what I saw almost killed me. He was lying there, half a dozen machines beeping beside him, connecting wires to his torso. But he had a bandage wrapped around his head, covering his eyes.

His beautiful eyes.

“It’s precautionary,” the doctor said, and I realised that my hand was touching my own face, my eyes. “Eyes and ears are susceptible to damage in lightning strikes.”

Yeah, of course.

“His pupils were dilating, and he was following movement. We don’t believe he sustained retina damage.”

I took his hand, but he didn’t react. “Hey,” I whispered. “It’s me. I’m here. I’m right here.”

Machines beeped and his lips cracked open. But his hand... his hand squeezed mine.

My knees almost gave out and I had to lean on the bed. I lifted his hand to my face and I sobbed. “You’re gonna be okay,” I said through my tears. “I’ll be right here. You get some sleep. I’m not going anywhere.”

Very slowly, he squeezed my fingers.

I’d never felt a more precious touch.

I leaned in and kissed his temple. “I love you,” I whispered. The heart monitor beeped and I barked out a laugh. Then I kissed his bandaged eye. “Get some sleep, baby. I’ll be right here.”

The doctor walked me out and Ellis put me back in the chair. He fell into the seat beside me and rubbed my back. “Mum and Dad are on their way in,” he mumbled, holding his phone. “I told them where we were.”

I nodded, feeling better now that I’d seen him, but my god, I couldn’t stop the tears.

“Mr Overton,” Doctor Jillick said. “I’d still like you to get checked over.”

I shook my head. “I’m fine, honestly, doc. I’ve just had a rough day.” I scrubbed my hands over my face. “Thank you for letting me see him.”

“No headaches?”

I shook my head.

“Difficulty breathing? Did you lose consciousness?”

“No.”

“Blurred vision?”

“Only when I cry,” I said, tryin’ to be funny, but it didn’t help that I was on the verge of more tears.

Ellis snorted, his hand on my knee.

The doc pursed her lips but gave a nod. “I would suggest perhaps going home for a few hours, but I—”

“I’m not leavin’ him.”

“I assumed you’d say that.”

Just then, Mum and Dad pushed through the doors, Mum leading the charge. She stopped when she saw us, and god, it just started me crying all over again. I stood up and she collected me in a fierce hug.

“He’s okay,” Ellis said behind me. “Well, he will be.”

“He’s not out of the woods yet,” Doctor Jillick corrected him. “He can expect to be here for forty-eight hours, minimum. He was very lucky.”

“Oh, love,” Mum said. She pulled back and cupped my face, only to drag me back in for another hug. “Of course he’ll be okay.”

The doctor cleared her throat, and Mum let go of me. “Can I suggest a visit to the cafeteria,” the doc said. “You can see him again in an hour or so. If there are any changes, I’ll let you know.”

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