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I try to think back to the last thing that I remember, and the only thing I come up with is running to the bathroom to escape Luca’s heated gaze. I can’t recall anything that would have gotten me into a hospital.
Now that I think I know where I might be, I assess my body. It hurts, but it’s almost always in pain. I need to figure out what’s new or worse than earlier today. I start with my feet and work my way up.
I’m still able to feel everything, so that’s a good sign. When I get to my head, it’s like there is something squeezing and pounding on it at the same time. I truly don’t know how I didn’t notice it when I first became conscious.
Trying to open my eyes takes so much effort that I almost want to give up. I feel so groggy and tired. Just exerting this much energy, I feel like I’m going to fall back asleep, but I need to figure out where I am and how I got here.
“I think she is waking up. I swear I saw her eyes flutter,” I hear someone say.
But that’s not just someone. That’s my Mateo. What is he doing here? Shouldn’t he be in school?
Now more determined than ever, I use as much strength as I can muster and put it all into opening up my eyes. Finally getting them open, I’m blinded by lights, and I cringe as I close them again.
“Dim the lights down. They are way too bright for her,” comes from another one of the guys.
“Okay, wallflower, you can open your eyes again. The lights are low, so they shouldn’t hurt you this time,” says Atlas.
I don’t hesitate. I open my eyes this time, not afraid of the light. If Atlas says the lights won’t hurt me, then I trust him. I blink a few times to help fix my eyesight a little bit, as it’s still a little fuzzy.
Wanting to sit up, I move my hand to help support my weight, except as soon as I do, my head starts to thump even harder as I sit up. I flinch, bracing myself for the pain. I let myself fall back to the bed, all my strength gone now.
“Don’t overexert yourself, Pai. You need all the energy you can get right now,” says Kade.
“Wh-wh-wh…” I try to get out, but my mouth is so dry, it hurts to try any more.
I tap the letter W against my lips, asking for water, and the next thing I know, there is a cup with a straw shoved in my face.
“Drink. It will make your throat feel better. It’s probably super dry. You have been asleep for almost six hours,” Mateo tells me.
“SIX HOURS?! I have been here for six hours? What happened to me?” I sign, confused.
“We were hoping you could tell us, Pai. You were taking forever in the restroom, and Luca got worried, so we went looking for you. We found you unconscious in the bathroom with blood on the back of your head, lying on the ground. We immediately called 911, and you can figure out the rest,” states Kade.
“I don’t remember. I just remember leaving to go to the bathroom. I’m sorry. Thank you for looking for me. I don’t want to know what would have happened to me if someone else had found me,” I sign.
That thought chills me to the bone, and I shudder. After what happened in the library, I wouldn’t put it past anyone to try something with me being unconscious.
“So, how is our patient doing?” asks a familiar voice.
I turn to look, and it’s Betty. I smile. The aura she gives off is heartwarming and peaceful. I feel safe when she is around, but I couldn’t tell you why. I wish I knew, but I’m not going to question it any longer. I’m just going to embrace it all while hoping and praying that it doesn’t crash and burn around me.
“Can I talk to you alone, Betty? Please?” I sign questioningly.
“Sure, dear,” she says as she pats my arm. “You heard her, boys. Out you go. You can come back in when she says it’s okay.”
I beam at her. She is asking them to do something, but she isn’t yelling at them or being demeaning in any way. Is this what I missed growing up?
“Is it okay if I keep signing? I’m unsure how much the guys told you, but it’s easier for me right now,”I sign to Betty.
“Yes, dear. I want you to be comfortable. So, what did you want to talk about?”
“What hospital am I at? Was my mother called?”I sign, somewhat scared.
“Well, you are at Liberty General, a few towns over. My boys told the ambulance to bring you here because I was working today. Your mother has not been called. At least not by us. I’m sure the school called her once the ambulance arrived.
“When you arrived here, they did a full medical examination of you and saw all the bruises and healed bone breaks. I’m sorry, honey. You shouldn’t have had to deal with all of that growing up. The doctors here are mandated reporters, dear. Since you came in with healing bruises and a broken wrist, they had to call Child Protective Services. I do believe they have been around here, but you were asleep. When I leave, I will let them know that you are awake. This CPS person is a friend of mine. If you trust my boys, you can trust her. She helped place them with me.”
Still signing, I ask, “Why are you helping me?”
