108 Lisa: Ava’s Absence (I)
LISA
Lucas is bigger than I thought he’d be.
The thought comes randomly as I stare at him across Ava’s bed. He never spares me a glance; he’s attuned to her every breath. There’s pain etched across his face that makes my heart ache for him.
I’m hurting, too. But this fated mate connection that
shifters have…
It’s on another level.
Kissing the back of Ava’s hand, I lower my head to pray for the hundredth time today.
Dear Lord, please hear my prayer. I know I don’t go to church and I don’t follow your commandments. I know
I’m a terrible Christian. I’m not even sure I am
Christian. But I know you’re supposed to care about all of us, so please–if you’re listening–please, save Ava.
She deserves so much more than this.
Of course, there’s no answer. Half of me is hoping for a miracle, but the other half knows the prayer’s
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108 Lisa Ava’s Absence (1)
pointless.
There’s nothing any of us can do.
The doctors are confused. All they can say is that she’s stable and should wake up when she’s ready.
But why is she even in this bed in the first place?
We didn’t do anything extra strenuous.
She’s been healing fine.
So why?
Vanessa’s words about Ava’s wolf have me worried, but
them about
secrets.
never wakes up? the
I don’t know.
there isn’t much to say.
are still pissed at me, I’m pretty sure. Mom’s changed our group chat name from My Happy Randalls to Empty Nest Randalls with
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Lisa Ava’s Absence (1)
I
thrilled, but he’s not
for me here in Granite City, and now I’m terrified that she won’t be here much
Maybe. But there’s been so much
about being pregnant.
Wait. Pregnant.
get an answer on
she be pregnant?
that be
now, with Ava unconscious in the hospital bed between us, it’s suffocating. The urge to ask him about shifter pregnancies rises in my
of question? Hey,
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Ava’s Absence
by the way
That’s not
of my mind. Ava mentioned worrying about being pregnant, but we never really circled back to that topic. There was always something else going on, some new crisis. to deal
pale against the white hospital sheets, I can’t help but wonder if that could be the
Lucas directly. He looks like he’s barely holding it together as it is, his eyes
put this on
there has to be someone else who can help, someone
Vanessa.
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Lisa Ava’s Absence
who’s been taking care of Ava, the one with the kind eyes and gentle voice. If anyone can answer my questions without
right back,” I whisper, even though I know
sense that he’s aware of my every move. It’s unnerving, but also strangely comforting. At least I know he’s not going to let anything happen
out of the room, letting the door click shut softly behind me. The hallway is quiet, the fluorescent lights casting a harsh glare
Or maybe
I can
Ava’s
mind churns with questions and worries, each one more unsettling
it? What could
are endless, and each one sends chill down my spine. I wrap my arms around myself, trying to ward off the sudden
Ava. Please wake
someone coming from the other direction. I stumble back, an apology already forming on my lips,
Vanessa.
as she takes in my disheveled appearance. “Miss Randall? Is everything
mouth, but no words come out. Suddenly, all of my carefully planned questions seem to have
throat.
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