Chapter 65
Chapter 65
As Sammy and I walked into the hospital, the strong scent of disinfectant permeated the air, causing me to scrunch up my nose in discomfort. Despite its smaller size compared to the hospital in Thornholde, the one in Blackacre had a comforting and inviting atmosphere. Not only were the staff kind, but their welcoming smiles and friendly demeanor towards Sammy and me made us feel right at home. Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.
Our footsteps echoed softly against the linoleum floor as we made our way down the hallway. The walls were coated in a dreary shade of white, interrupted only by the occasional painting or poster, providing a slight relief from the boredom. The atmosphere in this place felt clinical and sterile, but strangely, it brought her more happiness than the clinic at Thornholde.
Maybe I’m just being biased?
As we got closer to the reception desk, a sense of uncase settled in, causing a knot to form in my stomach. I wasn’t sure what to expect when we saw Nadia, Would she be angry? Would she hold us responsible for the unfortunate events that befall her? No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t escape the relentless grip of guilt that consumed me from within.
“Excuse me,” With a polite demeanor, Sammy directed her words towards the receptionist, who glanced up from her notepad and welcomed him with a friendly smile. “We’re here to visit someone, Nadia. Do you know which room she’s in?”
With a nod, the receptionist flipped through the pages of her notepad, her eyes briefly scanning the contents, before she turned her gaze back to us.
“At the third floor, your friend’s room is positioned at the comer,” With a wave of her hand, she directed our attention down the hallway to our left and said, “I want to make you aware that she has been exceptionally silent since being brought to the clinic. Despite her refusal to engage with the staff members assigned to her, she still takes the liberty to eat and drink as she pleases. Except for that, she has been fairly compliant.”
“That definitely sounds like Nadia,” With a sigh, I muttered under my breath, my hands finding their way to my hips. “Appreciate the heads up.”
Just as we were about to leave, the receptionist’s urgent voice called out to us, making us pause.
“Wait,” Her words stopped us dead in our tracks, as we turned to face her. Sammy and I turned around slowly, our eyes meeting the receptionist’s worried ones, “I don’t mean to intrude, but I have a feeling that something is troubling your friend. It might be a good idea to check on her and see if she needs someone to talk to. It’s good to have someone you can talk to sometimes.”
“Uh,” I turned to look at Sammy, who mirrored my confusion with a casual shrug. “We’ll take note of that, thanks.”
“You’re both very welcome.”
Before making our way to the third floor, Sammy and I shared a meaningful look, mentally preparing ourselves for what awaited us in Nadia’s room. After climbing a few flights of stairs, my heart raced in my chest as we cautiously approached the door, anticipation building for what awaited us beyond. Inhaling deeply, I attempted to calm my racing heart as Sammy extended his hand to rap on the door.
“Hey,” Sammy’s first words were hushed as we walked into the room, her eyes scanning the surroundings to sense the mood. Balancing the weight of the basket in her hands, she carefully set it down on the table inside the room, the sound of the fruits gently clinking against each other. “We got you some fruits. Just thought you might want something to eat. Some are from Axton and his sister.”
Without even acknowledging us, Nadia directed her unwavering stare towards the window, seemingly absorbed in her own musings. The sight of her filled me with remorse, my heart sinking and guilt gnawing at my conscience. The burden of responsibility for what had happened to her fell heavily on
shoulders, and I couldn’t escape it.
“How are things?” With a hesitant tone, I approached her bed and asked. “You can… talk to us.”
With unwavering focus, Nadia kept her eyes fixed on the window, ignoring my presence and rendering my words irrelevant. As we stood there, unsur our next move, I exchanged a worried glance with Sammy, seeking reassurance. I couldn’t help but notice how different Nadia was acting sense of concem washed over me, hinting at the presence of a serious problem.
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“Please, Nadia,” I said softly, my voice pleading. “Talk to us. Tell us what’s wrong.”
The heaviness of Nadia’s silence lingered in the air, creating an uneasy feeling. A feeling of helplessness washed over me, and I could feel a knot tightening in my stomach. I wanted so desperately to reach out to her, to comfort her, but I didn’t know how. A surge of frustration welled up inside me, fueled by the lingering anger over her refusal to be open with us.
Didn’t she understand that we were here for her, wanting to be there for her through this?
“Maybe we should give her some space, Maya,” Quietly, with a touch of sorrow in her voice, Sammy reached out and placed her hand on my “She’ll talk when she’s ready.”
shoulder.
With a reluctant nod, I acknowledged that Sammy was indeed correct. No matter how much we wanted to help her, Nadia remained closed off and unresponsive to our efforts. All we could do was be there for her, offering a comforting presence during whatever challenges she was facing.
Leaving Nadia’s room, a thick silence descended upon us, burdening me with its weight. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake off the persistent feeling of guilt that consumed me. Just before we left, a loud crashing sound startled us as something slammed against the door inside the room.
I I I turned towards Sammy, and it was clear from her puzzled look that he was just as confused as I was. My movements were unhurried as I turned towards the door, my hand gently grasping the handle as I pulled it open. With a blink, a wave of déjà vu swept over me, making me wonder if I had somehow traveled back in time.
Nadia remained in bed, her gaze fixed on the window, lost in thought. Just as I was about to speak and enter, my foot unexpectedly encountered an obstruction, causing me to stumble slightly.
Glancing downward, I catch sight of the discarded fruit basket we brought with us, its contents strewn across the floor.
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