Chapter 6

"Your recovery is coming at a remarkably slow pace. I would suggest a few pints blood transfusion. It may speed up the process. Plus, Elias here is your just your type," the doctor said. It seemed like there was a double meaning behind his words.

"Michael," Elias snapped at him in a clear warning. I didn't understand the big deal. Why would Elias be so snappy about a blood transfusion? The two shared a silent exchange as if they were communicating without words.

"I would like that option is it'll make this less, um... painful. Only if Elias is willing to donate," I said, turning to Michael. Michael smiled.

"I assure you, the transfusion will have you feeling better in no time," he said positively. Michael glanced at Elias briefly. Elias only sighed and set his jaw tight. They stared at each other in their silent communication way of staring at each other. It was odd. It was like a very intense staring contest. There was the slightest change in facial expression, a quirk of an eyebrow, a furrow, a lip twitch every once in a while. It looked like they actually were holding dialogue without words. Eventually I cleared my throat.

"Can I get some water please?" I asked hoarsely. My throat still felt scratchy and sore. Michael blinked before he smiled at me.

"I'll have Elias grab that for you as I start preparing the pint bags and IV set up," Michael said before they both left. Something wasn't right. I felt... funny. Shortly, Elias came back with water and a straw.

"Here, so you won't have to reach too far," he said, placing the straw right where I could reach it comfortably. Elias kissed my hand gently. The motion sent butterflies to my stomach as my eyes widened slightly in shock. That funny feeling was gone... That funny feeling was because of him, and I didn't like that. I felt comforted by the gesture. I should be disgusted and appalled by the touch of my kidnapper, but I wasn't. I liked it a lot. Elias rubbed his thumb over my hand.

"I'll see you in a bit, okay? We'll be right back. Try not to fall out any windows while I'm gone," he said rolling his eyes slightly. As soon as Elias left the room, I felt antsy. It was minor but unsettling, like I was uneasy with Elias gone. It didn't make any sense. Maybe I had that disorder for when a captor starts to have feeling towards their capturer.

Stockholm Syndrome, that's what it was.

That worried me. My body still hurt and it was still hard to breath normally, but on top of that, I wanted Elias to be in the room with me. It worried me not knowing if he was okay or not. I closed my eyes and tried to think if something other than my spiraling life. It was a grueling hour before Dr. Michael and Elias came back to the hospital room. They strolled in carrying four bags of blood. I was slightly shocked at how Elias was still perfectly functional after giving so much blood. When I would donate to the blood drive, it only took a pint for me to get light-headed and even pass out sometimes. Elias didn't even look dizzy. Although I shouldn't have been surprised since he also jumped from a three-story window and landed without a scratch.

"Just relax, Ms. Nova. I'll keep coming in to alternate the blood with the fluids and you should be in tiptop shape again in no time. You should feel better in a few days," Michael assured me. Dr. Michael set up my IV with the blood and repositioned me with the help of Elias. I could finally see the rest of the room. It was a basic single hospital room set up with heart monitors, machines, chords, a few chairs and a basic cable TV. I sighed as I felt the new liquid start to circulate through my body. My bones ached, but in a good way. I closed my eyes for just a second as Elias ran his thumb over the back of my hand. Or at least, I thought it was a second.