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.

his chair closer to the bed, a smile

him, her vision still hazy. It took her a moment to

His eyebrows were thick and dark, and his teeth gleamed white against his complexion when he

pale, almost translucent. Yet her eyes were dark

question hanging in the air, "Have

familiar, but she

either. Let's start fresh. I'm Preston,

uttering a word. She simply stared at him and began to

misinterpreting her silence. Quinn gently shook her head, then raised her

found endearing. "You're like 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

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

sheepish smile. "Yes, that's right. The kids at our center really adore

us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly

She signed: Thank you.