Twilight The Stranger's Gaze

If you want to support (To continue with the chapters and improve the quality of the language)or read some advance chapters+7 please follow me on: patreon.com/Jayjayempi

Nate woke up feeling like his body weighed a ton. Each breath was a rough pull against his bandaged ribs, and the smell of disinfectant burned his nose. He blinked, confused, as the white hospital light scratched at his eyes, the monitor beside him marking a steady rhythm.

He turned his head carefully, a crack of pain forcing a groan out of him.

Alice was sitting in the chair next to the bed, legs crossed, her short, messy hair falling over her forehead as she watched him with those golden eyes that seemed too bright for a hospital room. She was looking at him with a calm intensity, though her fingers kept twisting the sleeve of Nate's shirt over and over.

Nate took a ragged breath, forcing a tired smile.

"So… is this your vigil?"

For a second, Alice looked surprised, as if he'd pulled her out of a deep thought. Then, a small, tired smile formed on her lips, easing the tension in her posture.

"Something like that."

Her voice was soft, barely a whisper, carrying a relief she couldn't quite hide. She lowered her gaze to her hands, and when she looked up again, her eyes traced Nate's face with a mixture of worry and relief that loosened the tight knot in his chest.

Nate shifted, a sharp pain making him grit his teeth. Alice reached out almost unconsciously, touching his cheek gently, as if to steady him, though her hand stopped halfway before fully resting there.

"You broke a few ribs," she explained calmly, her fingers cold but comforting against his skin, "and you've got some scars… but you're going to make it."

She paused, as if hesitant to pull her hand away, but finally withdrew it slowly, letting it drop into her lap as she continued to watch him.

"I always wanted a break… but this is ridiculous," Nate muttered with a crooked smile.

Alice let out a small, brief laugh, lowering her head as her short hair fell forward before she pushed it back with a nervous flick.

"The others…?" he asked hoarsely.

Alice looked up, meeting his gaze seriously.

"It's been a day since… all of that," she said slowly. "Bella's fine. She has a small mark on her neck, but nothing she can't hide with her hair or makeup."

She sighed, and her expression softened for a moment.

"She wanted to stay… but Edward convinced her to go back to Forks so she wouldn't get into more trouble. They left together."

Nate nodded slowly, processing each word while fighting to keep his eyes open. Alice leaned closer, hesitating before gently brushing a strand of hair off his forehead.

"Carlisle got there in time to help you. He was able to stop the bleeding and stabilize you, but… we needed to bring you here for a full check-up," she explained, her thumb brushing lightly against his temple before pulling away, her eyes fixed on him.

Silence settled in, broken only by the steady beep of the monitor.

Nate swallowed with difficulty.

"And my grandma?"

Alice tilted her head, messy hair falling to one side.

"We told her that… you fell down the stairs at Bella's house and… hit a mirror."

A guilty smile crept onto her lips.

"She's on her way. She shouldn't take long to get here."

Nate let out a huff that turned into a groan of pain.

"You know she's not going to believe that for a second, right?"

Alice laughed softly and shook her head.

"I know," she admitted. "I wouldn't believe it either… but she kept calling, and it was the best we could come up with."

The moment was filled with quiet as they looked at each other. Nate felt his chest lighten as he saw Alice stop twisting his sleeve; her hands were now still as she watched him. Then, with a slight hesitation, she reached out again, letting her fingers brush against his on top of the blanket before pulling them back carefully, as if afraid she didn't have the right.

"You should… get some more rest," she murmured, her voice carrying a softness that bordered on tenderness.

Nate gave a tired smile, closing his eyes for a moment before opening them to look at her.

"Are you going to be here when I wake up?"

Alice paused, and a small smile lit up her face.

"As long as you want me here."

For a second, Nate stayed quiet, exhaustion pulling at him, but the warmth of that smile kept him awake a moment longer. He lifted his hand with effort, brushing his fingers against hers, nodding with a faint smile.

"Deal," he whispered.

Alice intertwined her fingers with his for a moment before letting go gently, leaning in to place her cool hand on his forehead in one last soft gesture.

Nate closed his eyes, letting the darkness take him as he listened to the steady beat of the monitor and felt, at least for a moment, that he wasn't alone.

............................................................................

Nate slept for a few more hours, a heavy sleep that kept him trapped in the dimness until a soft murmur in the hallway began to pull him back.

He gently squeezed the fingers he was holding, realizing Alice was still there, sitting next to his bed, her golden eyes fixed on their hands, as if afraid to let go.

When the door opened, a soft cough broke the silence.

Alice lifted her gaze slowly. Standing in the doorway was Nate's grandmother, her coat draped over one arm, her hair tied back, and her clear eyes watching them calmly.

Nate cleared his throat, glancing at Alice, forcing a tired smile.

"Maybe you should go grab yourself a coffee or something."

Alice raised an eyebrow with a small smile, as if holding back a comment, but nodded softly.

"I'll be back in a few minutes."

She carefully released Nate's hand, giving it a final squeeze before standing up. As she left, she gave Nate's grandmother a slight nod, which she returned with a small smile as she watched Alice leave.

As soon as the door closed, his grandmother let out a sigh, shaking her head as she adjusted the coat on her arm.

"You've got yourself a good girlfriend," she remarked dryly. "The nurses said she sat there like a statue all night."

Nate let out a small laugh that turned into a groan, clutching his side.

His grandmother raised an eyebrow, a smile of amusement on her lips.

"How are you feeling?"

"Could be worse," Nate replied honestly, shifting carefully on the pillow.

His grandmother looked at him closely, her clear eyes locked on his.

"Are you going to tell me what really happened?"

Nate held her gaze but stayed silent, his lips forming a firm line.

His grandmother sighed, though her eyes softened with a hint of melancholy.

"You're like a better version of your father," she said with a crooked smile. "Even in the worst things, with that stubbornness and insistence on keeping quiet."

Nate looked down for a moment before lifting his gaze again, smiling faintly.

"Thanks… for not pushing."

"You're welcome," she replied, shrugging lightly.

"In a couple of days, we'll be able to go home. You can recover in peace."

Nate nodded calmly, letting out a small sigh of relief.

Then, she stood, adjusting her coat as she headed toward the door.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll take this chance to talk to the next Mrs. Winter," she said with playful humor. "She looks much nicer than you."

Nate's laugh echoed in the room, dry but warm, despite the pain in his ribs.

His grandmother walked a few steps before stopping at the threshold, placing a hand on the doorframe, standing still for a moment without turning around.

"When you first came to Forks, I left you a note saying there were no rules," she said firmly, her voice barely trembling. "But I've changed my mind."

She paused, breathing slowly.

"It's strictly forbidden for you to die before I do."

She stayed silent for another moment, her hand still on the frame, before adding softly:

"I'm too old to bury another one of mine."

With those words, she left the room, leaving Nate staring at the empty doorway, feeling a strange warmth in his chest as the beeping monitor reminded him that, at least for now, he was still here.