Page 104 of Amnesty

Running a hand over my head and down the back of my neck, I paced the hallway, trying to figure out how something like this happened.

We had a lot of weird things happen in this town, a lot of secrets and rumors. But murder? I was thinking that was a first.

“Go sit in the waiting room,” Mary Beth instructed. “I’ll let you know as soon as I hear anything.”

I felt helpless in the moment. I wished there were something I could do. “I’ll keep trying his parents,” I offered. It wasn’t much, but it was something.

Mary nodded, grateful, and went swiftly down the hall.

I took Am’s hand to lead her toward the waiting room. As we went, the sound of squeaking came from behind.

Amnesia glanced over her shoulder, jerking to a halt. “Robbie!”

I spun. It was him lying prone in a hospital bed, an oxygen mask strapped to his face, a surgical cap that looked like a hair net over his head, looking like death was definitely knocking on his door.

“Rob.” I let go of Amnesia and rushed to the beside.

“You need to wait outside,” an orderly insisted.

Keeping pace with the bed as it rolled toward the elevators, I stared at my friend. His eyes were closed, his entire face drawn. I wasn’t used to seeing him so lifeless. “Everything’s going to be okay, Robbie. Amnesia and I, we’re here. We’re not going anywhere.”

Amnesia rushed to the other side of the bed and touched his arm. “We’re here,” she told him. “We love you.”

My heart pinched a little. I wasn’t sure I realized before just how unconditional Amnesia’s feelings were. She was innocent despite so much “experience.” It was proof good existed.

The bed stopped in front of the elevators, and the orderly pushed the button on the wall.

I watched Am reach out to adjust the cap on my best friend’s head. As she slowly pulled away, Robbie’s hand shot out, grabbing her by the wrist.

Amnesia gasped. Her body fell forward as he yanked. Her chest came right up against the bedrails at his side.

His eyes were wide, kind of wild and filled with pain.

“It’s okay.” Amnesia assured him. “Everything’s fine.”

“You need to go!” the orderly demanded.

The elevator dinged, and I knew it would open in seconds.

Robbie turned his head back and forth, making noises.

“He wants to say something.” I reached for the mask covering his nose and mouth.

Despite the orderly’s protest, I lifted the mask, hovering it over his face. Robbie turned his head toward Am, still gripping her arm.

He said one word.

One word before his eyes closed again and they rushed him off to the OR.

“What is it, Robbie?” Amnesia asked, leaning close.

He drew in a ragged breath. The sides of his eyes crinkled in pain.

“Sadie,” he rasped, clear enough there was no mistake.

“We’re going,” the orderly demanded, pushing the bed onto the waiting elevator. As if the guy hadn’t just heard his patient drop a name… drop an accusation.

We both stepped back without a word.

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