As Neil began to give himself reasons not to take the steps he was about to take, lighting flashed in the sky and then the sound of thunder followed, snapping him back to his senses. When the first drop of rain hit his windshield, his heart slammed against his rib as he recalled how Mia was terrified of rain, and without wasting anytime, he'd drove like a mad man back to the hospital.
Now in the hospital room with the trembling Mia, Neil buried his head into the crook of her neck and inhaled her sweet scent as he rocked her in his arms, whispering words of comfort. She trembled in his arms and cried with every sound of thunder. He shouldn't have left her; he should have stayed with her. He cursed himself for his foolishness in leaving her or even considering the idea of making her a part of his enemies. They had both suffered enough in their childhood; it was time to help her slowly heal from her trauma.
