Chapter 209: A different kind of love
True to his words, the Captain didn’t let Kellen walk to the room where his Mom was waiting. It was only a few rooms away, but was completely different from the room Kellen had woken up in.
It was more like a true waiting room, with a long window that overlooked the room next to it. The room that was being observed looked like a classic hospital room, but had a lot more machines and monitors then what Kellen was used to. The person in the bed had what looked like a gas mask on, and several of the machines were beeping consistently at a steady pace. Nothing sounded like it was an alarm, which made Kellen’s shoulders relax.
It was obvious from the way his Mom was watching the bed like a hawk who was in the room. He just didn’t know why she wasn’t allowed inside. Was it because of the machines? If it had been Kellen, he would have been pressed against the Captain’s side if he was recovering from an injury like that.
"Mom." Kellen called softly after taking note that there was no one else in this waiting room. The several comfortable looking chairs were empty, and only a single coffee cup remained on the small table tucked between two of the chairs. It was narrow, clearly a space that people weren’t supposed to remain for a long time. Kellen wondered if that was even her coffee cup.
She turned slowly, her face pale and gaunt. Her eyes looked dead, the blue faded and dull. The suit she was wearing looked like it was weirdly stiff in a few places, and Kellen had the awful realisation that it was probably stiff with blood. His or his Dad’s, he had no idea.
"Rhys, put me down." Kellen whispered when his Mom didn’t say anything. The Captain only hesitated for a second before he did so, and glanced down at Kellen. Kellen’s expression was hard, and his hands were clenched. Rhys let out a soft sigh before placing him down on his feet.
Kellen hadn’t had to support his legs since he’d been shot and short, stabbing pain radiated from where he had been shot. He hadn’t noticed where it was before, but now that everything had calmed down, it was very noticeable. The spot throbbed painfully, and Kellen exhaled softly through his mouth. He winced, his hand going to the spot that was aching painfully and Rhys stared down at him with concern.
"Are you okay? Do you want me to help you?" He asked, and Kellen felt his chest warm. He shook his head before turning a smile to him. Rhys had his hands on Kellen’s waist to support him as he stood in one spot.
"No, but you can help me in a different way." Kellen whispered, telling Rhys of his plan. Rhys nodded, concern still on his features before he kissed Kellen’s cheek and rushed off to do what he asked.