As the nurse applied ointment on Andrianna's back, she kept repeating to Marshal how it was not her who did it but Rachel.
Marshal kept nodding as if barely understood. It was true that Rachel existed but this was not her doing. Marshal had seen Andrianna run across the room while she kept running the knife in her back. Screaming for his help.
And yet he had seen the dazed look of panic like she was both aware and yet looked like she was having a nightmare instead of an episode of self-defilement.
This was not Rachel this was Andrianna.
A young lady accompanied Victor, Andrianna's father as Andrianna continued to clutch onto Marshal. She had the most luscious black hair, one that matched Francis. Her Latino features were similar to that of Francis. Andrianna took an instant liking towards the young doctor as the face of the good doctor, Michaela morphed into that of Francis to Andrianna.
"Hello, Andrianna. I am Dr. Michaela. I heard about the accident and was brought here by your father as everyone is very worried about you."
"I am not crazy. It was her. It was Rachel! She tricked everybody. I don't know how she managed to make it look like I was doing it to myself but then I guess dead people have special powers. She wants to show that I am crazy. So she can have me. She wants me, Francis!"
Dr. Michaela turned to face Victor and Marshal and nodded in an indication for them to accept whatever mad story that Andrianna had invented to help herself cope with what she had experienced just a few days ago.
"I know you are not crazy. But, you see my sweet child you have to help put all the worries both your father and Marshal have. Will you help me put their mind at ease?"
Andrianna nodded as she lunged towards Michaela and embraced her in a hug.
"Que… Mi madre Que."
Marshal looked away immediately recognizing the phrase. Andrianna would behave exactly like this every time Francis would ask something of her. It was the only sentence in Spanish that Andrianna spoke.
A sole tear rolled down his cheek, realizing how much the child must miss Francis already. He felt a soft wind breeze across his hair, it held the scent of vanilla and he knew Francis was here. That despite everything she would never truly leave them. She was here watching them with a sad smile that would paint her lips. Bringing back the scent of vanilla.
"Andrianna in that case we shall meet again tomorrow?"
Andrianna nodded, retaking her lace beside Marshal. Andrianna's eyes held a sorrow as she realized it was Michaela that had hugged her and not Francis. She raised her arms to Marshal.
He smiled down at her before bending down to pick her up on his back.
"Marshal?"
"Yes, princess?"
She lightly kissed the back of his neck before she whispered in his ear, "I love you, mi padre."
Taken aback Marshal could not reply to her referring to him as her father, so just nodded.
Andrianna had settled in her new room with Marshal. He held her close to his chest as they both slept. Everything was quiet. Too quiet one would say. Especially for a certain gaze watching the two sleep, so peacefully. Malice laced at the bottom of the place which should hold her eyes.
She bared her teeth in a snarl as traced the soft figure of the sleeping Andrianna. A smile danced on her lips as she fingered the patch that covered the wound by her nails.
She did do a perfect job making Andrianna look like she was crazy. The less they believed in the woman in black the better chances she had of having Andrianna.