[Bonus chapter]Don't Die On Me

[PRESENT, IVY TANNER]

Ivy Tanner woke up to murmurs in the hospital room. Only small light shimmered through the hospital curtain. Sitting up, she asked, "what is with the whisper?" Pain and discomfort shot through her body. How long had she been sleeping? Why did she feel like a truck ran all over her body?

Instantly, Marina appeared beside her. "Cecil, the lights," Marina said and went on, "Ivy, if you wanted a vacation, you would have said."

"Uh?" Ivy let out a small yelp. Holding onto Marina's hand for support. "Why am I in pain?"

"Apparently, those morons didn't give you painkillers. What are you doing here if they haven't given you painkillers?" Marina asked in disbelief.

Ivy could hear the sadness in her tone, she said softly, "hey, I am okay, no need to be sad about the painkillers, see, the pain is all gone." Ivy tried to straighten only to stop with a wince.

Cecil smiled, and moved to her, "Marina is taking all this to a new level, Ivy why are you acting like a baby?"

With a serious look, Marina left Ivy's side and opened the door, "just go sleep, Cecil."

"I am okay, Cecil. Go get rest, see you tomorrow." Ivy said, a smile playing on her lips. Without objecting, Cecil left. Not only was she tired, but also, she feared if she stayed any longer, she would smack some sense into Marina's head.

Taking longer steps back to Ivy, Marina remade the pillow and adjusted the bed for Ivy, "are you sure you are okay?"

Jokingly, Ivy reached for Marina's hands, "here, listen to my heart, isn't it beating? Furthermore, this shouldn't worry you, what I am about to tell you will shock you, and by the time I am done, my ass will be flying out of here."

"I wouldn't do such a thing." Marina's voice came out strained, her eyes on the door, wondering about the nurses' plans with the painkiller.

Ivy informed Marina, "the pain is subsidizing, now brace yourself for the shock of your life."

Marina pushed lightly her thumb on Ivy's mid-forehead making Ivy chuckle. With the years of friendship, she has gotten used to things like this, instead of telling Marina she found what she was doing hilarious, she began, "I wreck your car, please don't be mad at me."

Marina's upper lip curled up, and her eyes flashed in pain, "my beta, who am I? Of course, I won't be angry at you. I am glad you are okay."

"Oh."

"Yeah. Now, we need to talk. But first, if you will excuse me, I need to get you some painkillers. The doctors and nurses here are incompetent as some piece of crap." Marina said angrily.

"Sorry ma'am, there was a commotion outside." A nurse rushed in, wearing an apologetic smile. Marina stepped aside as she asked the nurse if Ivy was going to be okay.

Sarcastically, Ivy replied, "I am about to die, oh no, save me, save me." After seeing the look on Marina's face unchanged, she reassured her again, "seriously, I don't have a cast or a scrap, it was a mere accident that left me with a little bit of discomfort that I am sure came from me sleeping in a bad position."

Marina placed her finger on Ivy's lips, and a soft smile appeared on the nurse's face, "your friend is okay to leave here tomorrow ma'am. If you need anything, please hit that button. Now, if you will excuse me."

If a pin dropped in the room, anyone from a mile would have heard, Marina listened to Ivy's heartbeat, reminding her she was there with her. Sadly, her body was there but not her mind. Marina was detached from herself. When Ivy mumbled something to her, she removed her thumb and crossed her hands over her chest, "Ivy, I thought we had an agreement."

"Uh?"

"I told you, you must not get injured at all cost. No matter what, unless I am with you and I can save you."

Chuckling, Ivy produced some kissy sound from her lips, "I am hungry, please buy me some food from the hospital cafeteria."

"While I am gone, remember this, if you die, I will hunt you down. Your spirit and my spirit must be together. Okay?"

"Marina, I get you. Go." Marina went to the door, but before she opened it, Ivy called, "help me with your phone please." A plan conjured in her mind, she had to call her mother to come so she would take Marina home. There was something about her she couldn't place a finger on it, and she sure as hell knew Marina wouldn't tell her.

"Sorry, the number…" Disappointed, Ivy tried her brother's cell phone which too went to voicemail too. Before she dialed her father's phone, the door opened, "Marina, I need some soda."

"My beta." A deep velvety called.