Now what?
I lifted the towels up to my shoulder and walked past the nurse’s station. I had no idea where I was. Unfortunately, the elevator had gone up instead of down, but Brice would have people waiting outside for me anyways.
He’s going to find me. And when he does, what am I going to say about running? No! I’m getting away this time. Just find somewhere to hide.
An officer came out of a room at the end of the hall, causing me to redirect and head for the opposite hallway. He was preoccupied with the pretty brunette at the nurse’s station, and I took it as my chance to get back around to the elevator, only to be cut off by the food cart.
I heard the intercom calling for me to report back to the emergency room. It wouldn’t be long ‘til they found me. The elevator dinged behind me. Without looking, I ducked into the closest room. Lucky for me it was a break room of sorts. I couldn’t stay there for long. The minutes ticked like everything was in slow motion. I grabbed a bottle of water from the small refrigerator, poured some on a towel, tried my best to wipe away some of the blood running down my cheek, then chugged the rest. I peeked out the door, found the coast clear, and headed toward the emergency exit. I’d only made it down the stairs two floors when I heard people coming up from a few floors down. I quickly grabbed the handle to the fourth, ran into the hallway, and searched for somewhere to hide.
What was I thinking going down the stairs? It’s the first place they would look. Come on, think.
The intercom blasted my name again. I froze midway down the hall. It felt like everyone turned to look at me. Panic took over and I darted into the first door that was open. I closed the door and leaned my back against it. Only then did I see the little girl laying in the bed holding tightly to a teddy bear.
Crickey. This is unfortunate.
“Sorry, I’m in the wrong room.” I pulled on the heavy door to make a run for it.
“Why is your eye bleeding?” the little girl asked.
“Um, Hi.” I wiped at the blood on my cheek. “I just bumped it on the door”
“You should let the doctor look at it. They know how to fix people.” The little girl hugged her stuffed animal tightly.
“I was looking for the doctor, but I came into the wrong room,” I said, peeking out of the cracked open door.
“Does it hurt?” the little girl asked, “Cuz if it hurts you can hold my teddy. He always makes me feel better.”
I closed the door and turned to the little girl. Only then did I see how pale she was. The machines around her bed flashed and beeped. This poor little girl had to be very sick. I walked closer to her but kept a distance so she wouldn’t see how messed up my face was.
“What a special teddy he is. What’s his name?” I asked, searching around the room for somewhere to hide if they came looking.
“His name is Benjamin and my name is Sophie,” the little girl boasted. “What’s your name?”
“Well, hello Benjamin and Sophie. Very nice to meet you.” I smiled the best I could. “My name is Imogen.”
“Would that be the same Imogen they’ve been calling for over the intercom?” a voice behind me asked.
I felt the shakes start at my knees. I took a deep breath before I responded. Without turning to answer, I walked slowly to the door of the room.
“Imogen,” the voice said, “don’t run. Let me help you.”
I had reached the door with my hand on the handle. I stopped.
“What makes you think I need help?” I asked. “I just came into the wrong room.”
“I recognize the signs. I see your face and the way you’re favoring your side.” The voice went on. “I hear them calling for you and yet you’re not going.”
It all happened quickly but, in my mind, it was in slow motion. The door to the room slowly began to open. My body visibly shook. All I remember was being pushed into a dark bathroom. I heard voices, but fear kept me rooted to the floor I had slid to. I counted to ten over and over until the door opened again. I couldn’t look up. I knew Brice would be standing there and my escape would be over.
Chapter 2
AUGUST
I’d wrapped up my meeting early enough to do the favor Mia had begged me to do, which was to deliver flowers to her niece in the hospital. I’d fought it, at first, explaining I’d be in a hurry to get back to the States, but my amazing new sister-In-law, Mia, wasn’t having it. She wanted the flowers hand delivered with a big hug and a kiss from her and, as she put it, a florist would never be able to give the personal touch. So, here I was in an elevator holding a ridiculously massive flower arrangement the size of my bathtub, trying to answer a few emails, when a girl burst into the elevator. I looked up briefly as she ran past and behind me, then went back to finishing the email I was in the middle of.
Was her face bleeding? Yeah, it was definitely bleeding. I should ask if she needs help. Nah, she’s in a hospital. If she needs help, she’s in the right place.
Before I could ask, my cell rang.