Chapter 11 - aftermath

That night, I got it all out of my system, crying into the pillow, then I fell into bed and nearly ceased existing. My mind was ravaged, my body was numb and I must have been inside a mixture of sleep and a coma that night. When I woke, I was un-pleasantly groggy and grumpy, even more so when yesterday's events reminded themselves to me.
Then that day I gingerly drove to Damien's house and peered at the window. I waited for a sign of movement for a while and when there was none, I got out and decided it would be smart to go inside.
Luckily, I had left my car door open, as I encountered him nurturing his head and multiple wounds. we both kind of stood there dumbly until I bolted for all I was worth and screeched away in my car before he could even get his bearings.
A tiny bit of my worry washed off me as I realized I hadn't killed a man that day. I wasn't a murderer. I wasn't going to prison. But nevertheless, I had still brutally wounded one.
And given that he was alive, that meant low-profile for me. He would be on the constant look out now. I had to keep my head low and stay out of sight, given he didn't report me.
Now I slouched on the couch, discouraged from doing anything, when I felt my phone vibrating. Sarah.
An excitement and flare I hadn't felt for a while ignited in me and again as I nervously picked up the phone. 'Hello?'
She seemed more lively now, than yesterday, her voice bearing a flare again. 'John! I rang, just like you asked.'
'I'm glad you did.'
'So... they've been giving me these pain killers for my arm while I wait for it to be fixed. They were decent, but still, weed dominates all as you know.'
'Haha, it does! When will you be let out of the hospital?' I asked.
'Well, they take me into surgery tomorrow. Then I think I have to wait a few days before I'm allowed to leave with my parents.'
'That's not too long. What's it like in the hospital? Is it boring? Or is there stuff to do?'
'It isn't as bad as I thought actually. There's lots of channels, books to read, stuff like that. And there's so much good food! Like, so much. And the nurses are kind too.'
'Good, good. I suppose they have to be kind really.'
'It's a good thing they are as well, 'cos there are some really grumpy old sick ladies who would get heaps mad if there was a dodgy nurse. So anyway, after I'm out of the hospital, we should see each other again.'
'Yes,' I said a little too eagerly, 'definitely. Just give me a call and we'll meet up sometime where-ever.'
'Sure thing John.'
'Ok, see you then.'
'Bye!' I heard her giggle as she fare welled me, just before the line cut off. Her voice was so sweet.
By the sound of her, she must have re-gathered herself since yesterday. But then again, I noticed that even I sounded cheery for the current situation. Maybe we just had that effect on each other. After all, the very thought of her made me feel like I had purpose.
Love, is what they call it, I'd just been denying it all this time.