The bag of Cheetos slipped from my hand. I opened and closed my mouth like a fish as I stared at the guy in front of me.

"You can see me." He looked at me in disbelief, then chuckled. "You can see me!" He repeated, sounding enthusiastic.

"What the f**k?!" I screamed, finally getting my voice back. "What- how- why..." I trailed off, glancing at the TV behind him on which the news of his accident was still going on.

"Thank God, there's someone who can see me! I was about to get mad!" He said, making me look at him again.

"What are you even doing here?!" I yelled, observing him from head to toe. He looked perfectly healthy, still in the same clothes he wore last night, and not even a hair on his body looked damaged. "Y-you should be in the ICU right now!"

"I am, and that's the problem." He groaned, rubbing his hands over his face, then looked at me. "But I'm glad I found you." He beamed.

"What the-"

"Amber!" I whirled my head towards Paige, who was giving me a murderous glare. "Come here this instant!"

I obeyed her and ran towards her. "Paige, you won't believe who I just sa-"

"What do you think you're doing shouting like that?!" she growled.

"Don't blame me! I got surprised when I saw him!" I said, pointing at Finlay.

"Who?" Her brows knitted in confusion.

"Fin-" I paused in mid-sentence when I saw the place empty, only the bag of Cheetos on the ground. "Where did he go?" I stepped forward to look for him, but Paige grabbed my arm, making me halt.

"There's no one there, Katz. You were shouting by yourself." She snapped, looking around.

I followed her gaze and roamed my eyes around the room. Heat crawled up my neck when I saw everyone staring at me like I was a madwoman.

"B-but I- taking to- and he was-"

"Amber." She calmly said, but the look she gave me was nowhere near calm.

"Yes, Paige?" I blinked my eyes in confusion.

"There was no one there." She leaned towards my ear and whispered. "If you want to work with me, then don't do such insane things to embarrass me again, or else I'll kick you out of this case." She glowered.

I glanced back at the place. "But-"

"This was strike one for you, Miss Katz." She said, backing away. "Now follow me." She said and without waiting for me, she walked away.

I scowled, walking behind her, and ducked my head as everyone looked at me like a weirdo. I glanced one more time where Finlay was standing, and saw a lady cleaning the mess of Cheetos I made.

Was I imagining him?

I groaned, rubbing my hands over my face, and ranked them through my hair. "Maybe I'm still having a hangover," I mumbled to myself.

I saw Dr. Robert ahead with Paige and followed them. They went to another floor, and I saw more doctors and nurses there.

"This is Mr. Reed's room." He gestured towards the door ahead. "After the operation, we transferred him here, but he hasn't woken up..."

The doctor told her the details about his injuries and broken bones, but I couldn't concentrate. I cast a glance at the door and saw a nurse going inside. My whole body itched with curiosity. I had to go inside and see him with my own eyes. Otherwise, I'll go mad.

I discreetly moved away from Dr. Robert and Paige and went inside the room. I stayed behind the wall and peeked toward the bed.

I took a quick sharp inhale when I saw Finlay lying on the bed, lifeless. There were tubes attached to him and machines beeping all around him. I glanced at his face, half of which was covered with a bandage. I gulped as my eyes roamed over his body.

The poor guy looked miserable and here I thought I saw him downstairs. Guess yesterday wasn't his lucky day. First, he fought with his girlfriend, got a lecture from me, and now this.

"What are you doing here?" My eyes snapped to the angry-looking nurse as she strode toward me. "No one is allowed in here!"

"Sorry." I gave her a sweet smile to calm her down, but it didn't work. "Got lost," I murmured, backing away from her.

"Miss Katz." I tensed, deliberately turning my head until I saw Paige glaring at me.

"I was... checking on him...?" I gave her a sheepish smile.

She sighed and turned toward the doctor. "I'm sorry about her. She's new and doesn't know her manners." She glowered at me. "You were telling something about the patient, doctor." She asked, putting the recorder in front of him.

I quietly stood with them as Dr. Robert explained Finlay's condition.

"As I was saying, the patient was barely alive when he was brought here and we took him to the operating theater instantly, and after hours of surgery, we were able to save his life." He proudly said.

"How's his condition now and when are you expecting him to wake up?" Paige inquired.

"He is alive, but we are not sure about when he'll wake up."

"What do you mean?"

"Because of the impact of the car that hit Mr. Reed's car from behind, his head went through the windshield, which caused TBI. The brain crashes back and forth inside the skull, causing bruising, bleeding, and tearing of nerve fibers. After the impact, the brain undergoes a delayed trauma - it swells - pushing itself against the skull and reducing the flow of oxygen-rich blood."

"You are trying to say that..."

"That the patient is in a coma." My eyes bugged out at his statement.

Coma?

"The bleeding in the layers of the brain caused coma because of swelling, and compression on the injured side of the brain. This compression causes the brain to shift, causing damage to the brain stem and the RAS-"

"How long will it take for him to wake up?" I interrupted, ignoring Paige's glare.

"We can't give an exact number. Maybe a few days, weeks, months, or even years." He shrugged.

Oh, boy!

Paige continued, asking the doctor questions while I stood between them like a third-wheeler. Then we heard a lot of footsteps coming from behind. Turning around, I saw a few guys in formal suits coming toward the doctor. I frowned at the sunglasses they were wearing.

Why are they wearing sunglasses inside?

Behind them, I saw Agent Conner. He was an FBI Agent, and I met him before through my uncle. He was in his mid-twenties and a very handsome guy with chocolate skin, big brown eyes, and a tall, lean, and built body.

"Good morning Dr. Robert." He shook his hand with the doctor and introduced himself, showing his badge. "I'm Agent Conner, and I'm leading Mr. Reed's case. Can I have a word with you alone for a second?" He said, glancing at us and when his eyes landed on me, they grew big for a second, but he composed himself.

"Sure Agent." Dr. Robert said, and they walked away from us.

Paige tried to follow them but was stopped by the big tuxedo guy, who was wearing sunglasses.

Those sunglasses are seriously irritating me now.

I watched Agent Conner and Dr. Robert talking in the corner and tried to step closer, but the big guy stepped in front of my view. I glanced at his poker expression and gave him a sarcastic smile.

A**hole.

I didn't get why Conner was here. He was an FBI agent, so why was he inquiring about a simple hit-and-run accident? Shouldn't that be the job of the NYPD?

Or it's not that simple at all.

His girlfriend!

Maybe it was purposely done to kidnap her?

• • • • •

A/N
Okays... This is the first time in my life I used all those medical terms XD

I have no background in medical but I did a lot of research before writing this.

So if you still think there's some mistake or I can change something, let me know.

Ciao ❤️