You're The Only Hope For Me

Hazel thought she was going to cut off the blood circulation in Gerard’s hand as she was grasping it so tightly, but he didn’t seem to notice. He was staring straight ahead of him and gripping her hand equally as tight, if not tighter.
Clara led them through the maze of corridors, each one the same as the last with white walls, ceilings and floors. Everything was spotlessly clean and it all smelt of disinfectant, it made Hazel feel slightly uncomfortable but she put it down to the chemicals irritating her nose.
Clara turned the corner and headed for a door with a sign above it which read ‘Breaks and Fractures (2) (serious)’. Hazel heart was in her mouth and beating so loud she could hear it, unless it was Gerard’s heart she could hear – he looked pretty tense too she reckoned.
When they reached the door Clara held it open for them and the obligingly entered, Hazel looked around wildly but they were only in another white reception area. The three of them headed for the desk and Clara spoke with the man behind it, she then turned to Hazel and Gerard and smiled, “Room 39.” She said.
Hazel’s breaths were rugged and uneven, she knew Frank was alive definitely but she had no idea what kind of state he was in and all sorts of horrible images were entering her head.
Hazel blindly followed Gerard as he led the way into the room through the door which Clara had opened for them and kept her eyes fixed to the floor, she only remembered she’d been holding Gerard’s hand when he released her and stopped still.
Hazel took a deep breath before she looked up, it was a small room, also white, but with pale blue curtains, and there wasn’t any furniture bar four regular chairs, a small table with a cabinet built in and one bed.
In the bed was Frank.
He had multiple bandages on various parts of his body, the biggest being across his chest. He was alive, the steady beeping of the heart monitor he was wired to told them that. Although the beeps were slow and there was a noticeable pause between them, he was barely alive to be honest.
This time it was Gerard who reached for her hand, even though he’d just let go of it moments ago.
Hazel’s heart seemed to stop and her breath caught in her throat, she felt Gerard’s hand tighten on hers and she did her best to give it a comforting squeeze which proved difficult as she was weak with the sudden fear.
Clara had said that Frank had a high chance of survival, Hazel repeated this over and over in her head as she looked at the person she loved the most lying, broken and unconscious, before her.
Clutching onto Gerard’s hand, the two of them stood together and stared at Frank, unable to say anything or do anything other than look.
Clara allowed them a few minutes to themselves before she broke the silence, “I’m honestly so sorry that you have to see him like this.”
“He’ll be alright,” Gerard said fiercely, blinking rapidly as he spoke, “Frankie’s a fighter, and he’s strong. He’ll get through it, I know he will.”
Clara nodded, though Hazel was sure that Gerard had spoken out loud in an attempt to convince himself as well as Hazel and Clara.
“We’re able to press charges,” Clara spoke, “Of course, his parents would have to get a say in it, if they wish to-”
“They won’t.” Gerard said shortly.
“Sorry?” Clara started.
“They won’t press charges, they don’t care about Frank. They kicked him out a few years ago, gave him the essentials and a large amount of money on the condition he would disassociate himself with them. If they found he’d been hit by a car that’d be even worse for him.” Gerard spoke quickly, as if trying to take up as little time as possible.
“Oh, I see.” Clara continued, “In that case, the decision would be entirely his own, or if for whatever reason he is incapable of making it, it would go to whoever was married or likewise to him, which would be Hazel.”
Hazel started at the mention of her name, “What would the charges involve?”
“Well, it could mean that Frank could claim insurance for his injuries or any damaged property, however they would need to know every detail about the circumstances in which the accident happened. This would include who was there, what the weather was, what had taken place beforehand, whether anyone in the company or the vehicle was drunk and how Frank had come to fall onto the road.” Clara kept her eyes focused on Hazel as she spoke, which was probably a good thing as Hazel felt Gerard’s hand tighten upon hers even more at the mention of the word ‘drunk’.
Hazel suddenly realized the amount of power she had, she could decide to press charges and the only person capable of stopping her would be Frank. There was so many types of power in the world, she realised, the power those men had had over her, the power Gerard had had when he’d fired the gun.
She thought about Gerard and what could happen to him if she were to press charges, he could get part of the blame. He had been under the influence of alcohol and that had caused him to push Frank, therefore, wouldn’t he be partly responsible? Gerard had made a mistake, of course she had been angry at him, but it had faded of quickly when she’d seen how he’d reacted. He was very obviously sorry and had tried to make it better, plus, he’d gone out of his way to help her when the men had got her again. Gerard was a good man with a kind heart, and although his drinking problem held him back, he was still one of the most considerate people she’d ever associated with. He didn’t deserve any of the negative consequences that could come of trying to get revenge for Frank’s injuries.
Hazel took a deep breath before saying her decision, “No. No, I don’t care about any of that, all I want is Frank back.”
Her voice trembled at the end of the sentence but she felt Gerard’s grip on her hand lessen slightly, in fact, his entire body relaxed and Hazel felt a bit better, thinking that she’d made the right decision. Suddenly, she felt quite tired, the night had finally caught up with her and now that she had seen Frank for herself all she wanted was to curl up and sleep.
Clara seemed to notice this and asked “Are you alright? Would you like to go home?”
Hazel was unsure what to say but was saved by Clara glancing at her shivering in their hospital robes.
“You don’t have any other clothes with you, by any chance, do you?” She asked.
When Hazel answered they didn’t Clara suggested that they drive home to get some and return afterwards.
“We don’t have a car.” Gerard said, Hazel was barely even paying attention to their conversation.
“How far away do you live from here?” Clara asked them.
Gerard told her where his own house was and where Frank’s house was.
“Well, seeing as my shift is over I need to go home and change, so how about I drive you both with me then we can stop of at your houses to get clothes and stuff?” Clara looked between the two of them and smiled what seemed to be a naturally gorgeous smile.
“Yes!” Gerard beamed back at her, “That would be wonderful! Thank you so much for that, it really does mean a lot. What do you say Hazel?”
“Could I maybe just stay here with Frank?” Hazel asked in a small voice, Gerard looked at Clara for confirmation.
“I don’t see why not to be honest,” Clara said, “We’ll be back soon anyway, so yeah, go for it!”
They all exchanged goodbyes and Clara and Gerard departed, Hazel was left standing in the room by herself.
She took in her surroundings and walked over to an arm chair position in the corner of the room, she grabbed hold of this and used her remaining strength to drag it until it was next to Frank’s bed. She then climbed into and took Frank’s hand.
With tears starting to run down her cheeks she stroked the cool skin and whispered to Frank everything he used to whisper to her in the dark about how much he loved her.
Hazel did this for a while then curled up in the chair, like this, still holding onto Frank’s hand and with tears still running down her face, she fell asleep.

Notes

Whew! Now isn't this cute and all XD
Everybody go 'awwww' *awwws*
Thanks for all your lovely feedback guys, really appreciated c: