Chapter 21
Kassia wave pov
The world returned to Kassia in fragments.
At first, there was nothing—only darkness. A deep, suffocating void where time ceased to exist. Then came the sound: muffled, distant, like the ocean crashing against a distant shore. Beeping. Murmurs. The soft shuffle of feet. A sudden sting in her arm pierced the darkness, a sharp, slicing sensation that jolted her into awareness.
She tried to move, but her body betrayed her. Her limbs were leaden, her chest constricted, her breath unnatural. Panic surged within her, wild and unforgiving, as though her lungs had forgotten how to breathe. Every inhale felt like drowning in fire.
Her eyelids twitched, a tremor against the weight pressing them down. Then, without warning, everything returned in a brutal wave—pain, sound, memory.
Screeching tires. Chicago's voice, screaming. Caleb's hand clutching hers. The world spinning. Shattering glass. Darkness.
Kassia gasped.
Her eyes flew open, pupils dilating under the harsh fluorescent lights above. The air seared her lungs. Her heartbeat exploded into chaos, sending shrill alarms blaring from the monitors beside her.
Nurses surged into the room, voices sharp with urgency.
"She's awake—she's waking up!"
"Get Dr. Malik—now!"
"BP's spiking! Oxygen saturation unstable!"
Kassia's lips moved, but no words emerged. Her throat felt scraped raw, her mouth parched. She thrashed weakly against the sheets, her eyes wild, desperate.
Where am I?
Where is Caleb?
Where is Chicago?
Machines beeped erratically. IV lines tangled around her arms like snakes. Pain bloomed in every corner of her body. Panic clawed at her chest, and tears pooled in her eyes—tears of helplessness, of fear.
Dr. Malik entered the chaos, calm but focused, his gaze sweeping across her vitals before settling on her face.
"Kassia," he said gently. "You're in the hospital. There was a car accident. You're safe now."
Safe.
The word felt meaningless. How could she be safe when everything still felt shattered?
Kassia reached for the oxygen mask, her fingers trembling. A nurse restrained her gently.
"No—please," she croaked, her voice no more than a breath. "Chicago... where's Chicago? Where is Caleb?"
Dr. Malik shared a glance with the nurse before leaning closer. "Caleb is alive. He's recovering in the ICU. He woke up earlier. He's been asking for you."
A sob tore through her chest—relief, disbelief, pain all tangled together. Tears slid down her cheeks.
"And Chicago?"
This time, the silence was too long.
Dr. Malik hesitated. "She's alive, Kassia, but in critical condition. She's still in surgery."
Kassia's breath hitched. The machines shrieked again as her heart rate soared.
"Calm her—5cc sedative," a nurse ordered.
"No," Kassia gasped, struggling. "Don't—I need—Chicago—"
Dr. Malik raised a hand. "Hold off. Let's stabilize her first. Then bring in her mother and her friend."
The room blurred—not from the medication, but from the weight of her sorrow. Kassia turned her head slowly, grief pressing down like a stormcloud.
She had failed again.
Three hours later, she awoke once more. This time, her consciousness returned more gently.
Her throat burned. She tried to speak. "Wa...ter... wat...er..."
A nurse helped her sip from a straw. Cool relief trickled down her throat. She opened her eyes fully and scanned the room.
Her gaze landed on Christy, who sat nearby with exhaustion etched into her face.
"Hi babes. How are you feeling?" Christy asked, her voice soft.
Kassia gave a weak smile. "I'm okay. A little peachy."
They both chuckled quietly.
"You look tired. How long have you been here?" Kassia mumbled.
"Forget about me. You were the one in an accident."
"How long have I been here?"
"Almost twenty-four hours."
Kassia frowned. "Oh... Monday is our final exam. I'll hate to miss it."
"Jeez, babe," Christy said, raising an eyebrow. "You were in a car crash. I'm sure the school will understand."
"Where is Chicago?"
"Caleb's awake now," Christy replied gently.
"Really? Thank the heavens."
"Williams is with him. His team stopped by, too. His injuries aren't too bad."
Kassia nodded slowly, her mind still catching up.
Christy stood. "I have to go. My parents are around. I'll come back later."
"Okay, babe. Thanks."
Moments later, another visitor entered.
"Kassia baby, how are you?" came the familiar voice of Charity, also known as Mrs. Mysia.
Kassia smiled faintly. "Mrs. Mysia..."
Charity rushed to her side, brushing a hand across her hair. "Thank the heavens. I was so worried. How are you feeling? Is the room okay? Are you in pain?"
"I'm fine," Kassia said softly. "Have you seen my mum? Is she here?"
"Christy said she went home to change. She's been gone a while... six hours now."
Kassia defended her. "She's probably just tired."
"Caleb woke up last night," Charity said. "He's been asking for you."
"When he is strong enough, he will come and see you "
As Charity left, Kassia let her eyes drift shut. Moments later, a voice stirred her again.
"Miss Wave."
She opened her eyes and saw him—Cain.
"Mr. Cain..."
"Just Cain," he said. "No more formalities. How are you feeling?"
"I'll survive."
Cain nodded. "What do you remember about the accident?"
Kassia's eyes clouded with pain.
"Caleb was driving down Hudson Road. A black car came out of its lane and sideswiped us. Caleb swerved to avoid it, but the driver followed, rammed into our side again. We were forced off the road. The car... it flipped. I passed out."
Tears filled her eyes. Then another memory surged.
"Chicago... Cain, I saw her before the crash. She was crying. I tried to reach her."
Cain's voice cracked. "I know. She's still fighting. She's stronger than both of us combined."
He sat beside her, his posture heavy with tension. After a pause, he said, "The police have a suspect."
Kassia tensed. "Who?"
"The man who assaulted you. He was the one who hit your car."
She gasped, trembling. "I thought he was in custody. How did he find me?"
Cain's jaw tightened. "He'd been tailing you, Kassia. The police will come soon to take your statement."
Kassia nodded slowly, tears sliding down her cheeks.
Later, after Cain left, silence returned. Kassia lay still, staring at the ceiling. Her body hurt. Her heart hurt more.
She had survived.
But survival came with a price—scars that would never fully fade. And somewhere beyond these walls, Chicago was still in the fight of her life.
Kassia closed her eyes.
Don't give up, Chi. Don't you dare.
She had survived.
Now, she had to fight—for Chicago. For justice. For the truth.
And this time, she would not let fear win.
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Author's Note
Yay, Kass is awake!
My thoughts and prayers are with my baby, Chicago.
Thank you for reading!