บท 30: Liam's worst nightmare(2)

A chilling voice rang out in the empty dark room as two figure, one seated and other standing stared at each other.

"What are you trying to do?" Liam looked with cold eyes at Jeff whose hand was just a centimeter or two away from him. He gripped the wrist and unknowingly he applied too much force making Jeff knit his brows in pain.

"Ahh.." Jeff gave a low howl in pain.

Realizing that he had applied too much pressure, Liam quickly loosened his grip but he did not let go of the wrist.

"What are you doing here?" He looked at the boy who was in hospital gown and a cotton slipper looking paler than normal.

"I…I-I was ju-ust…." Worried…..is what Jeff wanted to say but he stopped as soon as he looked at the cold and emotionless eyes.

*Around a few hours ago*

"Excuse me Mister…" The doctor held a report in his hand and wanted to speak about the condition of the boy to the but Liam was lost in his own thoughts.

Patting on his shoulder softly the doctor once again tried calling him.

Liam vividly still remembered the cries of the girl, they resounded inside his heart. Her pleas and cries for help made shivers run down his spine no matter how much he tried to control himself.

He was sitting on a bench outside the emergency ward his back crouched down and his hand in a praying position where he rested his head. Wearing a black hoodie and sitting like that he looked like a serial killer on runaway.

Only one word was suitable for defining the atmosphere surrounding him; depressed.

Hesitating the doctor patted his shoulder approaching him cautiously since the man looked like a wounded tiger for some reason.

Feeling the pat, Liam jerked up from his thoughts and looked up at the doctor with his red and bloodshot eyes.

"Ohh..are you done?" Liam asked in his deep hoarse voice which sounded as if he was suffocating. He looked at his watch. It was already 5 pm.

The doctor flinched slightly when he met his gaze and the voice was enough to make him take two steps maintaining a safe distance from the man who looked like a gangster.

The same dream, the same painful cry of the little girl played and replayed all over his mind like as if it was in a recurring loop. It was only fair he was in a bad mood.

Wiping the sweat on his forehead, Liam got up from where he was sitting. "So what was wrong with the boy?"

"Like you suspected, the boy did get food poisoned." The doctor rubbed his temple. "You should have been careful…If you have been late even a minute or so the boy would have suffocated."

"What do you mean suffocated?" Liam asked astonished since he thought it was a minor case of food poisoning.

"His throat has swollen from the inside almost blocking his pharynx. Did he eat anything like egg or peanuts?" The doctor asked solemnly.

"Ahh yes..we had a lunch before we came..He did eat peanut muffin." Liam traced his memory back to the time they were in café eating lunch.

"Yes, I am certain that he did." Liam nodded his head in approval.

"Bingo. I knew there was something like this." The doctor looked at Liam with excited eyes but calmed down when he saw the cold eyes glaring at him.

"Cough..Ahemm..I mean I had suspicion and now its confirmed." The doctor turned serious. "He seems allergic to peanuts and eggs and such foods."

"I understand doctor.. I will ask him to be mindful in future." Liam thanked the doctor taking the files form him.

"He needs to stay in the hospital for a night watch until the inflammation on his throat gets better." The doctor handed him the necessary papers for admission in the hospital.

Liam sighed deeply looking at the file. "That stupid little boy, he doesn't even know he is allergic to these foods."

Going to the reception, Liam readied a separate room for Jeff. 'He needs a little care after all.' Liam thought about the boy who he found on streets. He reminded Liam of his past self so he felt extra attachment to the boy.

Money was no problem. Quickly a room was set up and Jeff who was sleeping soundly was transported to the room from the emergency ward.

Tired and exhausted Liam checked up on the boy one last time before going to rest on a couch. He was just taking a short nap but unknowingly he dozed off in a deep sleep.

The same nightmare continued in his dream. His forehead was covered in sweat once again and he kept mumbling in his sleep.

The same place, the same hospital and the same girl who cried looking at him with her big round eyes. This time he tried to take her away before the shadow figure appeared but he was helpless, his hands and limbs restrained by the unknown bindings and ropes.

'Don't…..' He mumbled softly in his sleep, his brows knitted in a tight frown.

Jeff had woken up after he felt a little better. 'Am I in hospital?' He looked at the needle inserted in his hand. He was still slightly hurt in hi throat and head, except that he was not that bad.

He watched the night sky from the window. "It's already dark huh?" He realized he had been asleep the whole day.

Looking at the dark figure which was dozing off in the uncomfortable sofa, Jeff felt guilt eat him up from inside. 'I still made him worry. Tch..Why am I always troubling people?' Dejected he came down from the bed and walked towards Liam slowly.

'Is he sick?' Jeff looked at the man who looked like he was in deep pain and suffering. He could hear muffled mumbles coming from the man. They sounded a little painful. Jeff felt his heart skip a beat looking at his painful frown but he did not even notice it as he took silent step towards Liam.

Extending his hand he tried to caress the frown hoping to ease the pain. He did not know why he did that…'Probably I am still a little delirious.' Making excuses he approached the figures silently.

As if waiting his arrival, Liam opened his tightly shut eyes and looked at Jeff with a cold look.

"What are you trying to do?" A hoarse and low voice resounded in the empty room.