Ch. 3

It’s not that simple






The hospital wall grew uncomfortable against my neck, but I stayed put. I felt like if I moved, I’d break. The sound of footsteps coming towards us finally made me move. I looked up, as so did my Mom. The doctors face was grave, and his white coat looked too white. His feet scuffed against the pale blue tiles, making black marks that sometime later a janitor will grumble about having to clean up.

“Mrs…Madison?” The doctor looked around the waiting room and my Mom stood up, almost too fast and eager. The white coated doctor looked up from his clipboard and held out his hand. “Hi, I’m Dr. Stevens.” His words sounded rehearsed, like he had said it so many times that it just comes out automatically. Mom took his hand and folded her arms around herself.

I slowly made my way to standing beside my Mother. The doctor looked back down at his clipboard, and rubbed his head. “I’m not used to saying this.” I made a noise, and buried my head in Mom’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry Mrs. Madison.”

“Oh God.” Mom squeaked, and hugged me tight, turning her face away from the doctor. Her tears wetting my static cling, strawberry red hair. Mom was the only thing that was keeping me from falling to the floor. I felt like somebody had stabbed me and twisted the knife up in my stomach, driving it even deeper in. My sight was black, but maybe that was because I had my eyes closed.

“The chances are looking down. Your husband is in very critical condition, and is getting worse. You’re daughter may not make it.” My knees buckled, and I went down. I hit the floor and put my hands in my hair. God no, no, no… I brought my knees up to my chest, and hugged them tight. Mom was still standing, how can she not be devastated? How can she just stand there?

They had to practically drag me back to my seat. My legs were like Jell-O and I could barely breathe. Why is this happening? What did Dad or Candice ever do to anybody? Why did they have to die? They were good people! I mean, Candice is a pain in the ass, but… she’s my sister, can’t that be taken into consideration here?! CAN’T IT?!

Mom had to leave with Dr. Stevens, and I stayed in the waiting room. People all around me were staring. I suppose it’s not every day they see a girl totally break down in front of them. If they would have left me alone in a room with enough sharp objects, I wouldn’t be here right now… I swear, I would just go bonkers. A hand touched my shoulder, and I screamed, clutching the arms of my chair.

I managed to see a woman through my screwed up mass of hair in front of my eyes. “I know what it’s like dear, my brother died in a car accident too. It‘s hard to take at first. Just never seen any other person about to lose two family members from one hit. Some drivers just don‘t think, it‘s not their fault. I over heard the doctor talking to your Mom.” The woman’s face looked so kind, and sympathetic.

“My family isn’t dead yet.” I managed to squeak out. The woman smiled, and rubbed my shoulder, nodding.

“Of course not dear.” The woman patted my hand and left me to soak in my misery. I wanted to get out of here, I wanted to leave, I wanted to bash my head into the fucking wall, I wanted to do anything but be here at this precise moment.

I feel like a stupid toy. A Jack in the Box to be precise about it. It’s like you wind him for so long, and then finally it pops. Everything just pops. But problem with me is…you can’t wind me back up and do it again. I popped, and I’m staying popped.

* * * * * * *

Kylie hasn’t shown up for school for the last four days. They don’t answer their phones, or their doors. I don’t know what the hell is going on. Candice isn’t showing up either. It’s like they’ve disappeared from the freaking face of the earth. Nobody knows anything, and if they do, they’re not telling me, or Page.

I just keep waiting to hear on the news that their bodies were found in some ditch somewhere or something. I just have this feeling. It’s not like Kylie, or Candice for that matter, to just not show up for school. Those girls practically LOVE school, if they could marry the word school…they would.

Jack the Ripper