His Daughter Naught

I jerk from my sleep and search for Heather, my heart is slamming painfully against my ribs. She's there, sleeping in the hospital bed. My heart does another double take at her condition. Her head is still wrapped with bandage, both her left arm and leg are in casts and her fingers on splint.

I almost lost my goddamn mind after receiving a call from the hospital where Heather was taken after the accident. I've done all the best I could to protect her and provide for her, only to be told she's been hurt. Badly hurt. And I almost died on the spot.

But no, I did not want to die. Not yet. Not when I haven't gotten the vengeance to the motherfucker who bulldoze her car off the road. I fucking beat the shit out of his goddamn face even though I know it's not his fault he lost his brakes. Even though his family was also in a critical condition from the same accident. He's a goddamn irresponsible jerk.

I rub my eyes and look at the clock. It's almost time for her medicine. I stand up and prepare the dosage and slowly wake her up. She whimpers and it feel like something squeezes my heart in my chest. I know she prefers to be asleep all the time. She's still hurting. And sleeping makes her forget the pain.

"Baby, time to take your medicine." I softly say, supporting her nape to raise her head a little.

"Daddy." Heather pleads as if I have the power to take her pain away.

"I'm here, sweetheart. I'm right here." I say and kiss her head, her eyes, her cheeks before I feel my own tears drip. "I won't leave you." I kiss her lips softly and pop the tablet in her mouth. "Drink, baby."

Heather obliges and sips from the glass before she whines. Oh, God. I don't know how long I can take seeing her like this. My back pain from the accident during my last mission feels like a bitch when triggered. But this. This emotional pain I feel seeing Heather in agony is simply unbearable.

Minutes later, a nurse comes inside to check if the medicine has been administered and checks her IV drip afterwards before leaving me further instructions which half of it I don't understand. I've been up for days since her accident because I don't want to leave her side. And my brain is frayed.

Nicole advised me to take a rest or it will only worsen my back. I don't fucking care. I can't leave my baby alone in this cold, unforgiving hospital. So Nicole volunteered to look over Heather to relieve me during the times I need to return home for a shower and change of clothes.

I don't rest. I can't rest until Heather is out in the hospital and back in our home. I can only feel at ease once she's free of her bandages and casts. I hate them on her. I don't want to see them on her again. The nurses and the doctor frightens my little Heather. And I don't want them to be near her ever again, too.

I sigh and wipe my eyes, kissing Heather on her forehead before sitting back on the chair next to her bed. I gingerly place my hand under hers so she'll know I'm just right here as she wakes up. I rest my head on the side of her bed and stares at her peaceful, sleeping form. I don't blink until I don't realize I go back to sleep once again.

A few more days past and Heather is clear to be discharged. I'm happy, although I'm also worried for her. The bandage around her head has been taken away but she still has the cast and splints on her. Her doctor advises to return her a month after to see if they're ok to be taken from her body. Although I don't want to bring her in that goddamn hospital again, I agree because it's necessary.

"Are you hungry, sweetheart?" I ask as I wheel Heather on her chair to our living room.

Heather doesn't answer me and just spaces out. Another thing that worries me is that she still doesn't want to speak to me. I don't really get where I did wrong. She just suddenly goes cold on me. Something I really hate because I miss her so bad.

I kneel in front of her, place my hands over her knees and peers up at her, forcing her to meet my gaze. But she doesn't and only closes her eyes as if to block me away. Her tears suddenly drip as she does it, ripping my heart in shreds.