Hidden Depths

Dalton, to my surprise, didn’t pressure me about an answer. In fact he didn’t bring it up again. However he always seemed to find a way to touch me. Whether it was alone in his bed or simply taking my hand as we went grocery shopping.

Day’s turned into week’s and I was so pleased to finally have to go ahead to go back to work. I reluctantly agreed to let Amber babysit. I liked Amber a lot, but I was learning that though she was my age, she seemed very immature at times.

I was still concerned, as always. Amber however insisted she had everything under control. To my surprise the first two weeks had gone without a hitch.

“So I hear you are in the loop now?!” Bryan said cheerfully as I walked in my third Wednesday back.

I was confused for only a second; then I remembered what he had said the last time we talked.

“I just want you to know you have friends in high places. Dalton, Seth, I can even help you if you need it.”

“You are a part of it too?” I asked curiously.

“Of course I am. I am an excellent marksman, though not as good as the Reapers hitman.” He said this in a quiet serious voice before winking and strutting down the bar to flirt with a customer.

I knew my mouth was hanging open, but I couldn’t seem to figure out how to close it. The next four hours I kept glancing at him as if waiting for him to either shoot up the place or yell sych; maybe both. My phone was on vibrate as always, but with all the moving around I didn’t feel it going off in my pocket.

I was handing out drinks when suddenly someone grabbed me from behind. I jerked around to see Seth standing there with a forced calm look. He was worried about something, I realized immediately.

“We need to go!” He called over the music.

“What?!” I yelled back.

Firmly he grabbed my arm pulling me quickly through the crowd. He didn’t stop until we were standing next to a midnight blue Lamborghini.

“Get in.” He said before hurrying around and jumping in the car.

It started before I even sat down, and he began driving faster than I was comfortable with while I fought with the seatbelt. I wasn’t sure why I had gotten in no questions asked or where we were going but something about his expression convinced me to obey. However when I looked at the speedometer and read one hundred and twenty miles an hour I screamed.

“What is going on you trying to get us killed?!” I shouted frantically.

“Dalton called, Maddison's in the hospital. I’m just trying to get you there.” He snapped.

My blood ran cold and suddenly we couldn’t go fast enough. I didn’t even notice the tears streaming down my face. It was nearly 1 o’clock in the morning, if she didn’t take her medicine at nine… I couldn’t even think of that right now. I thought about asking what happened but I already knew. My worst nightmare was coming true.

As I rushed in a saw Dr. Mason throwing her lab coat over a light purple cocktail dress. Janet Mason was in her mid forties with short blonde hair and light brown eyes. She was at least six foot and slim. When I first met her she had intimidated me, but after she was able to tell me what was wrong with Maddy she became our go to.

Maddison was in and out of the hospital so much when she was little I knew most of the staff by name. Dr. Mason though had actually become something like a friend, or at least someone I could talk to when everything just became too much.

“Janet!” I yelled running to her. “Where is Maddy? Is she okay?!”

“Follow me honey. I just got here, I haven’t seen her yet.”

We rushed through the halls Seth behind us until we reached the pediatric waiting room. Dalton paced back and forth and Amber sat in the back crying softly.

“Chelsey, wait here. I’ll go check on her and be right back, okay?” Dr. Mason said, drawing Dalton’s attention.

“I want to see her!” I cried.

“I know sweetie, but by now you know how this works. I have to see her first.” Janet said calmly, I felt a hand on my back and knew without looking it was Dalton. “I’ll be right back.”

Then she turned and glided down the hall quickly. I spun, grabbing fistfuls of Dalton’s shirt and sobbing into his chest. He wrapped his arms around me holding me together.

“She’s going to be okay…” He whispered though I wasn’t sure if he was talking to me or himself.

“What happened?” Seth asked, sounding annoyed.

“I got home and went to check on her but something seemed wrong. Her breathing was weird and her heart rate was way too low.” Dalton explained quietly. “She has a heart condition, she didn’t get her medication last night.”

“I’m so sorry.” Amber cried. “She fell asleep watching a movie and I completely forgot.”

I couldn’t even look at her, afraid I might start screaming. Dalton must have felt me stiffen because he kissed the top of my head and rubbed my back lightly.

“I found a doctors phone number in the medicine box the other day so after calling 911 I called her. She said she would meet us here. I’m assuming that was her.” Dalton completed.

I nodded stiffly.

“Chelsey, I’m sorry.” Amber said again.

I forced myself to look at her and speak as nicely as I could. “Please go home.”

Amber started crying again but Dalton just turned to Seth, “Could you take her home please?”

“Come on Amber. We’ll get some food on the way.” Seth said calmly.

I hated him. Hated that he was so damn calm. Hated that he didn’t want to make sure Maddy was okay. I hated Amber for forgetting, for endangering my daughter’s life.

“Please text me.” Seth said quietly and I felt Dalton nod before Seth led Amber out.