S2W13: “Wide Awake”

© 2021 Phylicia Joannis

“Glad to see you’re awake.” Zinnia reached out and grabbed Chase’s hand.

“I’m glad to see you’re alive.” Chase smiled. “I didn’t know how to ask for you. I don’t even know your names. Well, except Old Jane.”

“Well I’m Zinnia, and Jane said she’d come by soon. Ryan has been MIA ever since we got released from the hospital, said he had work. Hopefully not the kind where he’s robbing old ladies of their fortunes. Simon Lowe, the snake who took off without us? You won’t believe it, but he’s been all over the news, acting as if he’s the one who saved us from that tunnel and not Miracle.”

“Miracle?” Chase questioned.

Zinnia smiled. “Oh yes. Miracle! She got out and got help, Chase. We’re all so proud of her. She’s a good kid. As soon as she found out you needed blood, she volunteered.”

“She did?” Chase felt overwhelmed with emotion. “She did that for me? Is she ok?”

“As far as I know.” Zinnia’s brow furrowed.

“What?” Chase noticed her hesitation. “What is it? Where is she?”

“It’s not really my place,” Zinnia hemmed. “But after she found out you weren’t her father, she went looking for her birth mother. I don’t know where she got the idea that you were her dad, though. Am I missing something?”

“Her birth mother?” Chase sat up in his bed. “No, don’t tell me she went looking for Donna? Donna Granger?”

“Yes, how did you know?” Zinnia bit her lip. “I helped her find her. Her name is Donna Ellison now. She told me she was going to see her today, but she hasn’t checked back in yet.”

“No, no, no.” Chase shook his head and removed his covers. “Donna is dangerous and conniving and–”

“Where do you think you’re going?” Zinnia placed a hand on Chase’s chest to stop him. “You were just in a medically induced coma. There’s no way you’re leaving this room today. If you try, you’ll fall flat on your face.”

Chase swung his legs over in defiance and stood. Seconds later he pitched forward, landing gracelessly on Zinnia.

“I told you, Chase, you aren’t ready to move around,” Zinnia scolded.

“Zinnia, if Miracle is on her way to see her birth mother, then she is in danger, at the very least emotionally. That woman is ruthless, and the last thing she’ll want is a kid she wanted gone coming back into her life to shake things up. You have to find her, Zinnia. Promise me you’ll find her?”

“Okay, I’ll find her.” Zinnia agreed. “But promise me you’ll stay here? I can’t be worried about both of you, okay?”

Chase reluctantly nodded and Zinnia grabbed her purse. “I have the address for where she went. I’ll check things out and let you know what I find.”

Jane Truman knocked on the open door before walking in. “Hi there!” she called out with a grin. “So glad to see you awake, Chase.”

“Jane! I’m so glad you’re here.” Zinnia smiled. “Listen, I’ve got to go check in with Miracle. Make sure Chase doesn’t do anything silly while I’m gone?”

“Is everything alright?” Jane exchanged glances between Chase and Zinnia.

“Chase thinks Miracle might be in some trouble. I’m going to check on her. Don’t worry about it. I’m sure everything’s fine.” Zinnia turned to leave.

“Zinnia?” Chase stopped her on the way out. “Be careful.” Zinnia nodded before leaving the room.