The Drowning Man by Sara Vinduska Read Free Book Online

the way severe trauma could affect the brain. There really was no timetable on what to expect in situations like this. His brother might come out of it today, he might never come out of it. Despite everything, Nathan had to remind himself of the fact that Trent's survival itself was nothing less than a miracle. Physically and mentally, his younger brother had been put through hell.
    Seeing Trent in this condition still got to him. He'd wanted to weep the first time he'd seen his brother lying in the narrow hospital bed. Though he’d been briefed by the doctor on Trent's condition, it hadn't prepared him for what he'd seen when he opened the door that first time. He'd never in his life seen Trent look sickly, but that was what he saw in the hospital bed. Trent was pale, thin, a light sheen of sweat covered his gaunt face, his dark hair was unkempt, his face covered with a beard. It was also clear that his nose had been broken at some point during his captivity.
    Nathan cursed the people who had done this to his brother. He cursed God. He cursed himself for not being able to keep his little brother safe. But none of that mattered now. What mattered was getting his brother back. All the way back.
    So far nothing had worked. He talked to him, reassured him, held his hand and prayed. He’d gotten no response. Nothing. No sign that the brother he knew was even still in there.
    Nathan decided to try another tactic now. He took a step closer to Trent's bed. “I know you're still in there, goddammit,” he shouted. “So I suggest you get your fucking scrawny ass out of bed before you wind up in a home surrounded by drooling idiots for the rest of your life.”
    Trent didn't get up, but he did blink. “That's a start,” Nathan continued. He bent down. “Don't let her win,” he whispered in his brother's ear. But the vacant stare was back.

Chapter 12
    Don't let her win. The words swam in Trent's head. He didn't want Caroline to win but he couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. Oh God, not again.
    Don't let her win. His brother's voice.
    You're safe now. A woman's voice. The cop.
    But he wasn't safe. He was underwater and he was dying.
     
    Nathan was walking down the long corridor to the exit. As he passed the nurses' station, he heard the beep of a monitor going off. A doctor hurried past him, checking his pager. He kept his head down. Behind him, the sounds were muffled. Running feet. Beeping machines. Efficient orders were shouted. The battle to save a life raged.
    He called his wife as he walked across the parking lot. He needed food and sleep. He needed her .
     
    Trent needed air but he was trapped under the dark crushing water. Caroline wouldn't win. She couldn't. Not this time. He hated her too much. He kicked upwards towards the surface with everything he had left in him.
     
    The nurse and doctor ran into the room as Trent sat up and gasped in a huge breath. He looked around wildly, not sure what was happening. The doctor stepped forward. “Trent. Trent, look at me,” he said in a soothing voice.
    “I … I don't … I …” He threw the covers off his body.
    “Trent, it's okay, just relax.” The doctor nodded at the nurse who got the sedative ready to inject into his IV.
    “No!” Trent grabbed for the IV line in his hand, jerked it out, and swung his feet over the side of the bed.
    “I'll call security,” the nurse said.
    “No. Amanda, it's fine, leave us.”
    She gave the doctor a hesitant look, then left the room.
    “Trent,” the doctor said.
    Trent slowly turned his head.
    “No more IV lines, okay? But I need you to calm down and stay in bed, at least until I can check you over, okay?”
    Trent nodded and put his feet back on the bed. He wiped sweat from his forehead with a shaking hand.
    The doctor looked deep into his patient's eyes. “She's not here. This isn't her hospital. This is Mercy General. This is my hospital and you're safe here.”
    Trent focused on the face in front of him. It looked real