I Am Deaf

Chapter 34

Len POV

"Wow." I groaned, waking up with a sore, well, everything. "This must be a record. My second time in the hospital in a month. What the heck?

I turn my head gently, wincing at the slight movement.

Then I smile.

Cause there's Rin, her face buried in the cloth. Her head is resting in her arm, and it looks to me like she's asleep.

"She's been there all of three days, hon."

I looked to the side the best I could to see a nurse.

"Really?"

"Yes, your mother brought her meals and stuff, but she refused to leave your side."

I laughed quietly. "Sounds like Rinny to me."

The nurse smiled.

"How're you feeling, hon?"

"Not bad." I shrugged.

"Good, she's been pestering me about you every hour. I'm glad she finally fell asleep. Now I can give her an honest answer."

"Nurse! Nuuurse!" My mom hollered, walking in. Then she stopped, seeing me.

"Oh, Len!" She rushed over and gave me a death-trap of a hug.

Then she shot an accusatory look between me and Rin.

"You ought to wake her up."

"I know. I can't move, and she's deaf. She can't hear me anyways."

"Ah..."

"I'll let her wake up on her own."

"Honey, here's your sedation. You should sleep." The nurse clucked her tongue.

And after the liquid registered, I fell asleep.

"Len! Le-en!"

I felt someone smack me, and jolted awake. "Ow!"

Rin's bright blue eyes glared accusingly at me. "You moron! Why didn't you wake me up?" She pointed at Mom, who looked sheepishly at me, then inched out. "Lola told me you were awake!"

"I didn't wanna wake you, sweetie."

"Sweetie, schmeetie." She growled.

"I know, I know."

"But anyways..." Her blue eyes blazed with warmth. "I'm glad you're okay. Miku got thrown into some asylum, I think. She went nuts. What did she say to you?"

I thought.

"Um... 'If I can't have you, nobody can,' I think."

She shivered visibly, and then smiled at me.

"That would be a lie on her part, wouldn't it?"

I grinned at her, and she teetered forward for a kiss.

"Hey." I said. "Did you get to visit Kuo and Rei and Neru? They were worried about you."

"Whatever, Len. That was so one week ago. Now it's all you." She rolled her eyes playfully.

I chuckled.

"Yeah, but..."

"But nothing. I'm sure they're all eager to see you." She looked at the nurse. "Can he leave?"

The nurse shrugged, her face slightly bored. "If he's up to it. Lots of rest though, young lady." She pointed at Rin, eyes narrowed. "He must have his rest."

"Yeah, yeah." Rin said, her face glowing with eagerness. "Come on, Len." She helped me out of the bed a bit too briskly, and I scowled at her.

"Your enthusiasm is going to make me get hurt."

"Oh, come on." She said, making her voice whiny. "I wanted you out of that dumb place. The nurses aren't nice at all! They chased me out of there the first day. But I lied and told them I was your sister!"

"Clever."

"I know!"

"So, um, Len?" Mom looked at me.

"Yeah?"

"When you get home, start packing your bags. You too, Rin."

"Why?" asked Rin, her voice bubbling with energy.

"We're going on a little vacation. It'd do us all some good to get out of this creepy town."

Rin's shoulders drooped a bit, but her smile remained intact.

"Sounds like a plan to me."

Rin POV

Gosh, the reason this town is so creepy has everything to do with me.

Someone poked me in the back. I turned to see Kaito.

"Oh." I said, surprised. The last time I'd seen him was when he tried to break every bone in my body. Len scowled in remembrance and his arm encircled my waist.

"Where's Miku?"

At the mention of her name, my tone went flat and a quick flash of hatred hit me.

"Um, dunno. Some asylum?"

"Well, she wanted me to tell you something."

"What?"

He knelt to my ear, and I pushed him back.

"I'm deaf, stupid."

He looked straight into my eyes emotionlessly.

"This isn't over."

"What? You haven't said anything yet!"

"That's the message, dummy. 'This isn't over.'"

I glared at him.

"Whatever."

Len grabbed my arm and pulled me away from Kaito, who was still watching us.

"Freak." He commented, his eyes wary and reserved.

"Hm." I agreed.

"What? You actually believed him?" Len said incredulously, looking back at me.

I shrugged.

"Listen to me."

I raised my eyebrows.

"Er, I mean lip-read me. Nothing will happen to you on my watch."

I smiled at him, but that nagging feeling of wariness didn't leave me.

"Okay."