Meeting in the Night
When he woke up, startled by a sudden beeping noise, he realized he was still at the hospital.
Drowsily, Xiajun sat up, wondering how he had fallen asleep on the stiff hospital room couch. He looked around, still half-asleep. When his eyes finally adjusted to the dark, he was suddenly struck by reality. His Aunt Lihua was at the hospital, and certainly not because she had burned her hand on the stove again. Her life could be in danger.
He rested his face in his palms and groaned, his mind a jumble of anxiety. Quietly, he flicked off the blanket he knew his uncle had laid over him whilst he slept, and stood up on unsteady legs. The machines still beeped in the background though his aunt lay undisturbed on her bed, her face a picture of utter calm.
He looked at her a few moments before turning away. He slipped on his jacket and made his way to the corridor outside. He was thirsty, in search of water.