Page 44 of Knot Broken
Violet clings to me, burying her face into my neck, her breath hitching as fresh tears fall silently. My heart aches for her—for whatever happened to Odette—and I tighten my arms protectively around her small, trembling frame.
“We’ll get you there, Vi,” I promise softly, pressing a kiss to her temple, desperate to ease even a fraction of her pain. “We’ll make it in time. I swear it.”
Jex pulls the truck sharply into the parking lot of Mercy General, tires squealing slightly as he maneuvers into the closest available spot. Before we’ve even fully stopped, Violet is scrambling upright in my lap, quickly wiping tears from her reddened cheeks with the sleeve of her oversized sweatshirt.
“Boots,” she murmurs, voice rough and thick with anxiety as she reaches for the shoes. She shoves them onto her feet with trembling fingers, taking deep, shuddering breaths to steady herself. Fox is already out of the truck, quickly rounding the vehicle to open Violet’s door.
“Come on, sweetheart. We’ve got you,” Fox says gently, offering his hand.
Violet grips his hand tightly, nearly stumbling out onto the pavement in her rush. Her eyes are wide, glassy with panic as she looks up at the brightly lit hospital looming in front of us. Fox gently squeezes her fingers, grounding her as Jex moves swiftly to her other side, protective as ever.
I step out, joining them as we stride quickly toward the hospital entrance. The automatic doors slide open, and we’re instantly hit by the sterile, antiseptic scent of the hospital lobby, the bright fluorescent lights harsh overhead.
Violet’s gaze darts around anxiously until it lands on Fallon and her pack, already seated in the waiting area. Fallon is curled into Kingston’s side, looking pale and visibly shaken. Her midnight-blue hair is disheveled, eyes red-rimmed, but when she sees Violet, relief floods her features.
“Vi,” Fallon whispers, immediately getting to her feet and rushing forward. Violet pulls away from us, moving just as quickly toward Fallon, and the two women collide in a fierce, desperate hug. Fallon grips Violet tightly, burying her face into her shoulder.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Fallon breathes, voice breaking slightly. “I can’t— They haven’t told us anything new yet.”
Violet holds her friend tightly, clinging to her as fresh tears spill down her cheeks. “I’m here. I’m here now. She’ll be okay. She has to be.”
Jex, Fox, and I exchange a tense glance, silently agreeing to give them space. Kingston gives us a solemn nod of acknowledgment, the worry etched deeply into his usually composed expression. Romano and Jace look equally tense, their jaws clenched tightly. Even Voss stands quietly, a silent storm of barely-contained rage and worry vibrating beneath his stoic exterior.
Whatever happened to Odette is clearly serious, and the weight of uncertainty hangs heavy in the sterile air. I move quietly closer to Violet, gently placing a comforting hand on her lower back, reminding her that she won’t face it alone, no matter what comes next.
She leans slightly into my touch, drawing strength from the support around her, even as the minutes tick painfully by.
Chapter Eleven
Violet
May 30th
4:04 P.M
I sit stiffly in the hard plastic waiting room chair, anxiety twisting my stomach into knots as I glance around the sterile hospital environment. Bright white walls glow harshly beneath cold fluorescent lights, reflecting off the polished, gray linoleum floor. The air smells faintly of disinfectant, mingled with a vague aroma of stale coffee from the vending machines across the hall.
Our packs fill the cramped space around us—Fox, Dare, and Jex positioned protectively near me, their tension palpable. Fallon sits to my right, shoulders hunched, visibly shaken. Her pack surrounds her closely: Kingston’s face carved from stone, Romano nervously adjusting his glasses, Jace pacing restlessly near the window, and Voss looming silently, eyes fixed on the nurses’ station with a terrifying intensity.
My leg bounces rapidly, unable to keep still as I stare blankly at the closed double doors leading to the operating rooms. The endless waiting has drained me, making each passing second stretch into eternity.
My thoughts spiral until I suddenly realize someone crucial is missing. I turn sharply to Fallon, alarm slicing through me. “Wait, where’s Odette’s mom?”
Fallon sighs heavily, lifting her weary gaze to mine. Her usually vibrant blue eyes are dimmed by exhaustion and worry.“She was out of town—some work conference or something. She’s trying to catch a flight back. The hospital called her first, then she called me in a panic. And I called you.”
Guilt prickles at me sharply. Odette’s mom has always treated Fallon and me like her own kids, caring for us with the same fierce protectiveness she shows Odette. It feels wrong that she isn’t here, and the realization makes my stomach churn even harder.
“Do we know anything at all?” I ask quietly, frustration leaking into my voice. It feels like we’ve been sitting here for days rather than just hours.
Fallon swallows hard, visibly gathering her composure before answering softly, “All I know is that when she got here, she was in pretty bad shape. They rushed her straight into surgery. They haven’t told us anything else.”
Her voice breaks slightly on the last word, and my heart squeezes painfully. I immediately reach over, threading my fingers tightly with hers, hoping to offer even a small measure of comfort.
“She’ll be okay,” I whisper firmly, needing to convince myself as much as Fallon. “Odette’s a tough bitch. She won’t let something like this take her down.”
Fallon snorts softly, managing a weak, fragile laugh. “Yeah, she’d probably kick all our asses if we even thought otherwise.”
I squeeze her hand, nodding fiercely, my eyes returning to those maddeningly silent doors. Deep down, beneath the fear and uncertainty, I cling desperately to the belief that Odette will pull through this—she has to. I can’t bear to consider the alternative.
