Arriving back she tucked away the shotgun behind the counter. Heading to the back of the store she reached a door that separated the house from the store. Taking a long shower to wash the dried blood out of her hair, she dressed in jeans and a gray shirt. The day went on like any other day, her eyes kept glancing at the phone. No call from the hospital, and she hoped that meant good news. During the slowest part of the day Avary decided to go into town and check in at the hospital.
Jackson woke to the sound of repeated beeps, he shot up quickly looking about and found himself in a hospital bed. "Whoa, Whoa hold on dearie. You are okay.. you are safe." An older nurse walked in trying to calm him. Jackson didn't like that he had let this happen but calmed himself. "The girl..?" He asked without thinking. "Oh Avary Marsh? I told her you were stable and sent her home. She helped us keep you stable." He seems confused, "How?"
"We didn't have enough blood on hand, and you were losing too much. Thankfully her blood is what we call a universal donor. The two bags she donated helped us stop the bleeding and the other hospital showed up with more just in time." Jackson looked at his bandaged arm, his fingers still moved. "We didn't find any identification on you.. Do you know your name..?" She asked. The Fewer questions asked the better, "Yes, I must have dropped my wallet during the attack.." "You're lucky, do you want us to call any one for you?" He shook his head, knowing there was no one to call.
"Oh Avary, you shouldn't be back here." The old nurse stated sternly that Jackson's eyes went to the door. There stood the girl who had come to rescue him, back again a relieved look upon her face. Staring at him even while getting lectured by the nurse. "Liddy I had to come see for myself, sorry it won't happen again.." Avary smiled seeing the man awake. "Can she stay a moment?" Jackson asked Liddy, sighed, looking between the two.. "Only a moment, when I come back you missy need to not be here." Avary smiled as Liddy left.
"Sorry I just worried about your condition, how are you feeling?" Avary asked nervously, she didn't know why she needed to make sure he was okay. A perfect stranger, Jackson lifted his arm slightly. "I've been better, but thanks to you I've kept my arm.. Thank you.. I am in debt to you.. First the cougar, driving me here and even your own blood.. Do you normally go out of your way like this for a stranger..?" He asked, watching her, she looked nervous.
Avary couldn't answer that really, "I just did as I felt, and I couldn't live with myself if something bad had happened to you.. even being just strangers.. I guess we aren't strangers anymore. I'm Avary.. Avery Marsh." Approaching his bedside she looked him over. He had a big cut on the left side of his face. They had stitched up. His right arm was all wrapped up, "I guess I'd call myself lucky then." Jackson smiled at her, he was surprised at how this stranger had showed him more care than anyone else he'd met.
'Maybe it's because she is lonely.. Missing her grandfather..? Is that why she risked herself..?' Jackson thought to himself, he enjoyed that she was worried about him.. She cared. He cared that she cared and that for him was a first.. "I'm Jackson. Thank you Avary for everything." He gave her his real name. "Just Jackson?" She asked, "I was a foster kid, I never had a last name." He didn't want to lie to her, and didn't see the need. Not after what she had done, she smiled weekly at him. "Well it's a pleasure to meet you Jackson. Honestly if it wasn't for my grandpa I might have ended up in foster care too." He could see she was trading him her personal story with every piece he gave her.
Her honesty was refreshing like the first time taking in the sun's warmth onto your face after being in the cold. "What about your parents?" He asked curious to know more about this girl. "Grandpa said Mom took off in the middle of the night. Taking all the money he had in the register, probably off in some big city with a new life. She hated living here. Never knew who my father was." Avary shrugged, "That's life, last month I was In this very hospital saying my last goodbyes to my Grandpa. I don't like saying goodbye.. I was worried about you.."
Avary had been a nervous wreck all day; she didn't want to come back to the hospital after seeing her only family die in one of these beds. However she wanted to make sure Jackson was okay, "You were lucky to have him, and I am grateful that.. What did you call him? Aww yes, some crazy old man raised you." He smiled at her, and could see her cheeks flush a little.