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“I think doctors take oaths, not nurses. Anyways, it’s really suspicious, right?” I ask.
A sound comes from above, and as we all look up, all we see is strawberry blonde hair disappear.
“That was Julie,” Tyler says.
“I think it was too,” says Sara. “I wonder if she was listening all along to what we were saying.”
“Only one way to find out,” Tyler says, dropping the sheet with bones on the floor in the center of the atrium, and both he and Sara take off up the stairs, with me trailing along behind them. We all trudge up the stairs to the 6th floor. When we arrive, it’s empty. I take a breath and hold on to the wall.
“Let's go back and see if she is still in the medical center,” I say. “Go ahead; I'll catch up. I can't keep running like this.”
“Sara, you go. I'll stay with Kelly,” says Tyler.
“No. Let’s stay together. We can walk slower,” responds Sara. Together, we make our way there as fast as we can. I expect Sara to play it cool when we open the door and not cause a scene, then I remember who I’m talking about. As soon as the door opens, Sara brings everyone’s attention to her.
“Julie, where are you?” shouts Sara.
“Is everything okay? Julie isn't in here; she was in the supply room then she left right after you all did,” Chris responds. “What’s going on?
“Nothing, where is Mary?”
“In the back with Theo,” answers Chris.
“Oh my god, is it the baby?” Karissa gasps, looking at me.
Suddenly, everyone's attention turns to me, and I feel my cheeks grow hot. I hate when all the attention is on me.
“No, we’re fine. I was just looking for them. I'm out of breath from running. Nothing to be alarmed about,” I say with a fake smile, hoping it will make everyone stop looking at me.
From the back of the room, Theo and Mary walk out the door of the supplies closet, and all eyes turn to them.
“Why is everyone staring at me?” asks Theo.
“It's not you, it’s Mary,” says Sara.
“What did I do?” Mary asks, a look of confusion on her face.
“You know what you’ve done. Should I tell everyone?” says Sara.
“No, honestly, I have no idea what you’re talking about,” replies Mary. For a split second, I believe her. She genuinely looks like she has no idea. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Deep down, I hope I didn’t just create a world of trouble for someone who is innocent. But when I open my eyes, I see Mary looking me dead in the eye, and I can’t stop myself.
“Mary has been eating our food; she’s the reason we don't have any left. It had to be her stealing the food from all of us.” The room gasps at the accusation.
“What? No, I didn't, I promise. Why would you say that?” asks Mary, her eyebrows raised high.
“Julie told me you opened those chips in the childcare room, and when she suggested sharing, you refused.” Everyone in the room gasps again at Theo’s comment.
“I did not; she is lying. She is the one who wouldn’t share. I said we should bring it up to y'all. You’ve got to believe me,” Mary says, pleading, on the verge of tears.
“Yeah, but it was you who found all the food on the 7th floor,” shouts Xander. The room erupts in agreement.
“I promise it wasn't me,” Mary begs again. “I can prove it.”
“How?” responds Theo, and I perk up, interested in her answer.
“Where’s Julie?” Mary asks. We all look around the room, and she is nowhere to be seen. Karissa walks up to Mary and snatches the bag of medical supplies from her.
“Are you hiding it here?” demands Karissa. The bag hits the floor, and all the supplies and medical equipment spill out. Everyone's eyes widen as a box of saltine crackers tumbles to the floor. I knew she was lying.