Previously –

“Alice.”  It was only a whisper but Shane knew what she heard.  Dana had just said Alice’s name.  “Holy shit!”  Shane said it a little louder than intended and as she stood up and leaned over Dana.  Alice was finishing up in the bathroom when she heard Shane yell.  She swung the bathroom door open and ran over to Shane.  “What’s wrong?  What’s wrong?”  Alice asked looking between Dana and Shane.  Then Dana said it again only a little louder this time. “Alice.”  Dana’s eyes slowly began to open.  Alice’s eyes shot wide open.  “Oh my God.  Dana.”  Her left hand covered her mouth and her right hand reached for Shane’s shoulder as Alice felt her knees go weak. 

Chapter 11 –

“Alice” Dana said again hoarsely.

This time Alice knew she was not imagining things.  Dana just said her name.  “Dana.  Oh my God.  Dana I’m right here.”  Alice did her best to squeeze between Dana and Shane, taking Dana’s hand and trying to look into her eyes as they flickered to open and focus.

“Holy shit!  Dana!  I’m gonna get a nurse.”  Shane practically ran out of the room in search of a nurse.

“Alice…”  Dana’s voice was getting weaker and her eye lids were getting heavy.  “I love you.”

“Dana stay with me.  Everything’s going to be okay.”  Alice voice was laced with panic as she continued looking from Dana to the door hoping Shane would return soon with a nurse.  “I love you too” she whispered as Dana shut her eyes again.  Alice leaned forward and kissed Dana’s hand as a single tear slid down her cheek.

Shane and a nurse rushed into Dana’s room a minute later.  After checking Dana’s vitals the nurse began to speak to Alice and Shane.  “It’s very possible she woke up and is just too tired to stay awake for more than a few minutes.  It is common for patients to wake up for a few minutes very couple of hours and each time they wake up they have a bit more energy and can stay awake for longer.  Don’t worry just give her time.”  The nurse finished checking Dana and left quietly.

Alice continued to stare at Dana hoping she would wake up again, hoping she could look into her beautiful eyes once more.  Shane continued to pace in the room.  She had been so strong for Alice and Dana while Dana was in the hospital and she was quickly reaching her breaking point.  As Shane paced she looked up to the ceiling and began to speak.  “What the fuck?  Is this some kind of sick joke?  What the hell did I do to fucking deserve this?  What the fuck did any of us do to deserve this?”  Alice heard Shane and was about to lose it on Shane when she turned and realized Shane was not talking to her.  Realizing Shane was not talking to anyone directly, but just simply expressing her thoughts, Alice said nothing and just watched her.  “Fuck!”  Shane abruptly stopped pacing and without thinking punched the bathroom door as hard as she could.  Alice jumped up and ran to Shane wrapping her arms around her in a bear hug to keep Shane from hitting anything else and because Alice knew she needed a hug.  That hug was all it took and river of tears Shane had been determined to keep away began to fall.  Shane wrapped her arms around Alice in a death grip as the tears turned into sobs.  Stunned, Alice held Shane close and tried to calm her down.  Alice had never seen this side of Shane, but she wasn’t completely surprised.  Shane had seemed to be wound tighter and tighter everyday and Alice knew she was about to snap.  She was actually kind of glad because she was afraid that when Shane snapped she would go off the deep end and start heavily using drugs again.