i woke up to a bright light and a small beeping sound. my head still hurt, but not as bad now. i had to really focus on what had happened; i could barely remember. it came flooding back to me, giving me a sick feeling in my stomach.

just then, i heard a soft voice next to me. 'y/n?'

i turned my head, wincing at the movement. nick was sitting in a chair beside my bed, his eyes red and tired, like he hadn't slept at all. relief washed over his face when he saw me awake.

'hi,' i said softly. my throat was dry, and it kinda hurt to speak.

i tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness hit me, forcing me to lie back down.

'woah, take it easy there. we don't want you to get hurt even more than you already are.'

i nodded, but even doing that hurt. 'where's matt and chris?' i asked; i wanted to see them.

nick smiled very faintly. 'they're downstairs, talking to the doctors actually. i can go get them for you, if you want?'

'please,' i emphasized.

'be right back,' nick claimed, leaving.

a moment later, the door swung open again, and nick returned, followed closely by matt and chris.

'guys,' i said, tears brimming in my eyes.

'hey hey hey, it's okay, we're here,' chris said, coming to my side and holding my hand. 'we won't leave you.'

i felt an immediate wash of relief come. hayden wasn't here, but i was deathly worried that what he had said to matt was true. what if he did come back?

'h-hayden. he's gonna kill me, and you, matt,' i said.

chris's expression darkened at the mention of his name. 'he can't hurt you anymore. we'll make sure of that.'

'but what if he comes back?' i asked, my voice trembling. 'what if he finds out i'm here?'

matt shook his head firmly. 'he won't. we've talked to the cops, and they're looking for him. you're safe here, i promise. and nothing is going to happen to me.'

'okay,' i whispered.

chris gently brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. 'just focus on getting better, okay? that's all we need you to do right now.'

before i could respond, a doctor walked in, clipboard in hand, his expression professional but kind. 'ah, i see our patient is awake,' he said, giving me a reassuring smile. 'how are we feeling today?'

'dizzy and sore,' i admitted, glancing at the trio beside me. 'but i guess i'm okay?'

the doctor nodded. 'that's to be expected after the trauma. we'll keep monitoring you, but you're recovering well. just take it easy for now.'

i nodded. 

for now.