In Your Time novel Chapter 24

*Phoenix’s POV*

I woke to the sound of beeping. I was confused as I opened my eyes and was met with the makings of a hospital room. I tried to sit up but immediately regretted it as a piercing pain stabbed my side. I wheezed as the beeping sped up.

"Don't try to move. You cracked a few ribs," I heard Braden said as I felt a hand on my shoulder. I tried to relax and the pain eventually started to subside.

"Why am I at the hospital? I thought I asked... not to tell your parents," I wheezed. He sighed before holding my hand in his gently.

"I know, but I couldn't leave you like that. You were having trouble breathing and I couldn't sit back and watch. I want to ask you something, and I know you won't want to answer... but I saw it. I saw you disappear, Phoenix. What's happening to you?" He asked. I felt and heard my heart rate pick up as I looked at Braden. I disappeared in front of him? There wasn't a reasonable explanation for it. My only option was to tell him was the truth.

"I won't tell anyone, but still I couldn't watch you be in this state without doing something," he explained. I took a shallow breath and relaxed against the bed. After a short while, George came into the room with a chart.

"Oh Phoenix, you're awake. You have major bruising centralized around your torso. A few on your extremities, but our main concern is your ribs. They were probably already sensitive from before and this incident was enough to crack a few. You've been in a unconscious for a few days. Do you remember what happened?" He asked as he checked the monitor and brought a stethoscope to my chest. A few days? How much of a toll did that trip take on me?