Love Unspoken

"Why are we heading to the hospital?" Sebastian asked, a note of confusion in his voice.

Preston replied with a pragmatic tone, "It's about money, dude. I covered her medical expenses and I need to recoup that. What else are we supposed to survive on?" Sebastian found himself unable to counter Preston's logic and simply nodded in agreement.

The car veered abruptly, taking a sharp turn onto a different road.

Upon their arrival at the hospital, they found that Quinn was still unconscious. Her face was hidden behind an oxygen mask, a thin layer of condensation fogging the clear plastic.

Preston leaned over her, his gaze lingering on her obscured face, but he could discern nothing.

After a seemingly interminable half-hour, Quinn began to stir.

She inhaled deeply, her eyes fluttering open to reveal a profound exhaustion. She attempted to move her fingers, but found her strength had abandoned her.

"Bro, she's awake!" Sebastian alerted Preston, who had been on the verge of dozing off in his chair.

sat upright and dragged his chair closer to the bed, a

hazy. It took her a moment to focus on the

his teeth gleamed white against his complexion when he smiled. Quinn made a feeble attempt to remove her oxygen mask and sit up, but

harsh hospital lights, her skin looked pale, almost translucent. Yet her eyes were dark and

in the

face. He seemed familiar, but she couldn't remember where she had seen

"Forget it, I can't remember either. Let's start fresh. I'm

word. She

want to get to know me?" Preston asked, misinterpreting her silence. Quinn gently shook her head, then raised her hands and

a child," he said, a smile tugging at his lips. Quinn paused, unsure if he had merely guessed at her meaning or if he truly understood sign language. She signed again: Can you

I get it," he said, pulling Sebastian closer. "I work

that's right. The

all for free. The

She signed: Thank you.