~~Ashley's POV~~
I opened my eyes slowly. What looked like strands of hair loomed over, blurring my view. I shut my eyes again, instinctively responding to the light headache I felt. Then I reopened them more precisely this time. I swung my eyes in different directions still trying to gather my memories and the last thing I could remember was…
"Ugh… nothing," I mused. My eyes casually went to the wall clock. I squinted to take a closer look then gaped with sudden when I confirmed the time!
It was past eight!
I sprung up, then raised both my hands to my head, now putting an effort to remember.
How? What happened? Was I out for a whole day? What about school? Did I miss school? Did I black out? From an episode? I paused.
An episode? It was only when I passed out from an episode that I never recalled what happened after waking up. Could that be the case? I pressed both hands against the bed to get myself off when I felt a stinging pain on the back of my palm.
"Ouu…" I flinched in response, massaging against the sore area with my thumb. What happened to me?!
"You're up."
I raised my head in the voice's direction. I didn't even hear my door creaking. But at least, I was sure to get answers now.
"Mom." She walked to me holding a tray.
"I thought you'd be up by now so I got you dinner…" she paused to take a closer look at me, "and your meds." I frowned.
"Mom I thought we've been over this."
She kept the tray down on the stool beside my bed and sat down on the edge of my bed, close to me. "The doctor was here baby. You've been out for a whole day while on an IV infusion," she briefed rather nicely. That explained the sore feeling but not the reason why I needed to resume my medications so my questioning look didn't fade.
"She advised you resume your medications."
"But mom…"
"I know…" she interrupted, nodding slowly with eyes closed. "Miss Antonia strictly warned you against them. But honey, I can't trust her, I'm sorry."
"Well, I do. And I'm so not taking those meds," I answered sharply. I already dreaded those medications right from time, and now a concrete reason appeared for me to stop taking them, and what? You don't trust her? Hell no, mom. You're not getting your way this time.
"Ashley please listen to me. Your episode last night was terrible. And I know it's not the first. You only called for me because it was unbearable this time. If your therapist knows it all, why are you still suffering?"
She gave me that look again. That look that made me do her bidding at long last. I looked away, not wanting to give in this time. I knew I was being bratty but I couldn't help it.
Silence…
"Mom you know Miss Antonia's method helped me too!" I veered to try and convince her instead. She shouldn't forget the changes that took place after I started associating with the same therapist she claimed she couldn't trust. "I believe I'm just stressed out."
"Are you still working with Carson on the case?" she blurted to my surprise.
How did she even think that far? School could also make me stressed out, you know? Or maybe she was right. Anna's case hitting roadblocks like Makayla's drove me to a corner. Lately, all I had on my mind was concerning the murder case. The fact that a second death still left no clues whatsoever bugged me. Was the killer just messing with us?
"No." I denied flatly then tried to push myself forward to get out of bed when my headache kicked in again. "argh…" I groaned with one hand on my head.
"Are you okay? Lie back down." She pulled my duvet up and made me lie down with a light push against my shoulders. Then she left me alone after planting a peck on my forehead.
So I did have an episode yesterday. What was the trigger? Another nightmare? I know my nights lately have been plagued with a series of nightmares but I usually remembered them. This time, my head was blank. 'I called for her.' I recalled her saying so moments ago. Whenever I had nightmares, I just gave up sleep for the night and kept busy with Anna's case or my drawing paper. But I called for her this time. How? Why? A sudden sharp pain I felt at one point in my head stopped my thoughts. Maybe all this thinking made it hurt more. I decided to give it a rest for now.
I reached for my phone and logged in to text Carson. I wanted to know if there was any progress yet but as usual, his reply was discouraging.
I heaved a deep sigh and just stared at the ceiling. 'The killer. Shoe size: around 12 inches. Above six feet tall. His hoodie … chilli. The brand of his nose mask?' I put on my thinking face then paused when an idea crept in.
"Chilli," I mused aloud then sat upright. We could actually visit this department store ourselves. Not like the detectives didn't, but who knows? My going there could make a difference; even just a little. 'Yeah I know it's crazy thinking I could do something when those certified to do so didn't.' But being crazy was just my thing.
I immediately took out my phone and fixed a date to visit the place with Carson.
**"How about this Saturday?" I asked.
**"DEAL." He replied in bold letters and it was settled.
I felt somewhat relieved, and that came with an appetite making me remember I still had food on my table. I simply trashed the meds lying next to it and had my dinner peacefully.
Tonight, I didn't try to fall asleep. I was too nervous to do so. After all, I'd been out for almost a day. That should be enough to get me going for tomorrow morning, I thought, and went right on to reading crime novels.
The next morning …
Archer greeted me with a mixture of excitement and worry. Excitement because I showed up only after missing school for a day. And worry because his imagination ran wild. Anyone could just choose to stay home, right? Why was he making a big deal out of nothing? He went on and on about how worried my absence made him, and how he tried calling me countless times but my number wasn't going through.
"As you can see, I'm fine. I didn't get involved in an accident. I wasn't kidnapped. No one tried to kill me. I… am…fine." I outlined with subtle traces of sarcasm. 'Just let it go already.'
"You should have at least kept your phone handy, Ash."
"I'm fine, okay?"
The bell for lunch was heard.
"What would you like…"
"Archer let's have lunch together," Hana butted from nowhere, linking arms with him from behind.
We exchanged looks and I could tell how close he was to turning her down. I wasn't in the mood for any of this drama. "I'll get going first," I slid my headphones up and excused myself hurriedly.
Just when I thought the day couldn't get more hectic, I ran into Jordan in the cafeteria. As usual, I ignored him. But I wondered how much longer he was going to stay away as his eyes already gobbled our distance the moment I stepped in.
I went straight to the counter to get something for myself.
"Ashley what happened yesterday? Were you ill?" The earsore came from beside me. Good riddance! I rolled my eyeballs. Whatever happened was none of his concern. I tuned my headphones to the highest this time.
Thank goodness I wasn't feeling so hungry. I could hold out a bit longer. I walked out on him but he followed me! Dude followed me today! 'What is this guy's problem?' Without tearing my focus from the path ahead, keeping my head straight, I trotted to the lecture hall.
"Ashley!" I saw his lips move. Then he was standing in front of me with arms open wide like he was tryna stop me for real this time. I scoffed and simply made to switch paths when he blocked it again.
Now I was pissed. I pushed down my headphones to give him a piece of my mind when the moron's eyes darted, and suddenly he turned around to leave. I looked back to see Sakura who just walked in. I scoffed inwardly. This buffoon must take me for a pushover. What happened next was entirely not my doing.
I took hurried steps towards Jordan. Crossing my hand over his chest from behind, I gripped his collar tightly and shoved him – with every bit of strength in my arms – to Sakura's feet.