Page 81 of Fated Shot

“M-my dad, he was rushed here an hour ago. He had a concussion, and I can’t get a hold of him or my mom.”

Looking down at my phone, I try to make it more believable.

“They said they were keeping him overnight for monitoring.”

“We don’t have any of that information here,” the guy in scrubs behind the desk replies before immediately returning his focus to the computer in front of him and typing away.

Shoot, it's time to kick it up a notch.

“Please!” I call out louder than I should, slapping both my hands on the desk. Everyone around darts their eyes over. If I need to make a scene, as much as it pains me, I will. I’d do anything for him.

I fake an exaggerated sob. “I just need to know the floor, please,” I cry, clearly flustering the guy behind the desk. I’m sure dealing with a hysterical woman is not part of his job description, and I feel bad about breaking down a guy just trying to do his job, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I start to get a little louder, cheeks burning under the stares of the people around me, which is probably just helping my case.

“Okay, okay. It’s alright, he’s probably on three, trauma ward. Through these doors, elevator on your left. Check-in with the nurse on duty, they’d know more.”

I sniffle once more. “Thank you,” I say as I walk away from the desk. As soon as we’re in the clear, I motion to Jack to followme, and we march through the doors. Navigating us to the elevator, I hit three and prepare for my next round of backstory.

The doors open with a ding as I take the lead again, locating another nurse with a clipboard. Putting on my best confused look, I grab his arm with a smile.

“Sorry to bother you, we got all turned around. My brother and I just stepped out for a moment. Can you tell us the best way back to Penn Brooks’ room? I’m such a goof with numbers.”

The guy looks between us, either not buying it for a second or thinking we look desperate enough that he takes pity on us.

He checks his clipboard. “Three-oh-two. Follow these arrows to the end of the hallway. Second door on your right,” he shares, still eyeing us suspiciously.

“We appreciate your help,” I say with a small smile. “Come on.” I pull Jack along behind me. We don’t speak until we reach his door, and his body slams to a halt.

“Do you want me to come in with you?” I get nothing but a slight nod in return and his dazed stare as he steps forward, holding open the door for me.

The room is empty. It’s always an eerie feeling being at the hospital, the color scheme, the fluorescent lighting, the sterile smell. It gives me the heebie jeebies.

Jack makes his way over to the window, looking out over the city. I wander over to stand next to him, rubbing his arm.

“It’ll be okay, Jack, I promise. I bet he’ll be back any minute.” He doesn’t meet my eyes, instead choosing to stay staring ahead. I’m content to stand in silence with him, whatever he needs, but we’re interrupted by his phone ringing. I wasn’t sure it was possible, but he straightens, muscles stiffening even more the moment he reads the name on the screen. Nancy Brooks.

He slides his finger across the screen, tentatively raising the phone to his ear.

“... I... I am,” his voice sounds foreign, barely audible and desperate. I stand helplessly by his side, forced to watch as he struggles to get the words out. His face alone right now is enough to bring tears to my eyes. Anguished and pleading blue eyes, deeper, almost gray, now meet mine. I instinctively stretch out my hand to grab the phone.

“Mrs. Brooks?”

“Yes?” a kind-sounding voice replies.

“My name is Mia, I’m—a friend of Jack’s. We’re at the hospital right now. Penn is currently getting tests done, but he’s stable.”

“Oh, thank the Lord.” The relief in her voice is clear as she calls out, “He’s stable,” on the other end. Her background is loud, like she’s zooming down a racetrack or something.

“Can you tell him we’re on our way? We should be there in three hours.”

“You’re coming tonight?” I ask, noticing my words hit Jack like a shot in the gut. It’s almost 11 pm already.

“We left the moment we saw the hit.” Her voice is unwavering.

“I understand. We’ll let him know as soon as he’s back. I promise he will be well taken care of.”

“Thank you, dear.”

I hang up the phone, handing it back over to Jack, who turns to me. “I—I need to get some things for him,” he stammers before walking out the door.

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