Jenkins' footsteps echoed through the sitting room, each step as deliberate as ever. Clio's eyes darted at the door, staring around for a means of escape, but she knew she couldn't outrun him, not even this time.
Her father's shadow loomed over her, casting a dark presence that seemed to suffocate her. Clio's breath caught in her throat as he reached out, his fingers closing around her wrist like a vice.
"You're going to regret disobeying me, Clio," he hissed, his breath hot against her ear. "You're going to regret ever crossing me."
"But Dad, I didn't… you know I didn't. I was just trying to give a suggestion," she stuttered, her eyes welling up with tears as she tried to pull away, but her father's grip only tightened. She felt a wave of fear wash over her, followed by a surge of adrenaline. She knew she had to get away, but how?
Suddenly, her father's phone rang, shrill and insistent. He hesitated for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he considered ignoring it. But then he seemed to think better of it, releasing Emma's wrist as he reached for the phone.
Emma didn't hesitate. She turned and ran, dashing out of the room and down the hallway. She could hear her father's roar of anger behind her, but she didn't look back. She kept running, her heart pounding in her chest, until she reached the safety of her bedroom.
Clio's heart raced as she fumbled through the drawer beside her bed, her fingers finally wrapping around the cool surface of her phone. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she pressed the buttons to dial her mum's number, but her hands trembled so much that it took several attempts to get it right. Each ring felt like a small eternity, and when the call finally went to voicemail, she let the phone slip from her grasp, landing softly on the carpet beside her.
Leaning back against her pillows, she exhaled deeply, a frustrated sigh escaping her lips. "Why isn't she picking up?" she pondered, her mind swirling with a mixture of anxiety and confusion. Clio's gaze drifted to the ceiling, unfocused as she wrestled with her thoughts.
Her mind was a chaotic battleground, torn between the harsh memories of her father's outbursts and the worry that cloaked her mother's silence. Should she dwell on the violence that threatened her sense of safety, or should she be concerned about the unanswered phone call that left her feeling isolated and vulnerable? The weight of uncertainty pressed heavily on her chest, and the room seemed to close in around her.
★★★★★★
Different nurses were seen hurriedly moving about the hospital, their urgency palpable in the air. Amid the commotion, a woman was brought into the emergency room, and a young boy followed closely behind, clearly anxious and out of breath.
"Have you been able to reach any of her relatives?" he asked the nurses, longing for some positive news, his chest heaving with each rapid breath.
One of the nurses nodded and replied, "Yes, I just spoke with her husband."
"What was his response?" The boy's voice was filled with anticipation, but the nurse merely shook her head, sympathy etched on her face. She relayed the husband's cold words: "How is that supposed to be my business?"
The boy's jaw dropped In disbelief at the man's dismissive reply. "She doesn't have anyone else we can call? She's supposed to have children," he exclaimed, desperation creeping into his voice.
The nurse took a moment to gather her thoughts before continuing. "Someone has been calling the line, but the caller ID is unknown. I think you should return the call. I'll be moving in with them for her treatment," she said, attempting to offer a reassuring smile as she hurried into the emergency room, leaving the boy standing there, enveloped in worry.
He swiftly opened his phone and punched in the number of the unknown caller, the anticipation hanging in the air as the line connected and was answered almost immediately.
"Why haven't you been answering your phone?" Clio's voice erupted from the receiver, filled with an urgent concern that echoed her rising anxiety.
"I apologise for the delayed response," he attempted to convey, but she interjected sharply, her tone laced with worry and frustration. "Who are you, and where is my mother?" she demanded, her voice straining under the weight of her fears.
"I'm calling from the hospital," he explained, his voice steady in the face of her panic. "Your mother is currently receiving medical attention. We reached out to your father earlier, but he has not yet arrived since we attempted to contact him," he detailed, aiming to provide clarity in a tumultuous moment.
"Give me the address of the hospital right now," she insisted, her voice trembling slightly but brimming with urgency.
"It's located directly opposite Belgian High School," he informed her, and at that moment, she abruptly terminated the call, leaving the conversation hanging in the air like an unresolved question.
As soon as the call concluded, the nurse exited the emergency room and approached the young man.
"Her daughter is expected shortly. How is the patient?" he inquired.
"We have successfully stabilized her for the time being," she responded with a faint smile.
"Ensure you provide a comprehensive explanation to her daughter; I shall take my leave now," he declared.
"Once the patient is prepared for discharge and her invoice has been produced, you may contact this number; I will oversee the billing process," he added before departing promptly
###
Clio exited the taxi with a sense of urgency, the doors of the vehicle slamming shut behind her. She hastily transferred the fare to the driver, while offering a brief yet genuine farewell. As she stepped onto the hospital grounds, her gaze darted around the bustling environment, searching for any signs that would guide her.
"Which ward will she be in?" she wondered, her heart racing until her eyes settled on the stark white entrance of the emergency ward ahead.
With a determined stride, She approached the emergency ward, her heart racing. As she entered, she bumped into someone and quickly said, "I apologise," bowing her head slightly. When she looked up, the person was gone, and she felt a moment of disorientation amid the hospital chaos.
Taking a deep breath, she shook her head to regain focus and steeled herself for the challenges ahead.
She moved into the emergency room ward, her eyes fixed on the nurses moving in and out. She took a deep breath before approaching a nurse.
"Good day, ma'am. Is there a patient with this name?" She asked, pronouncing her mother's name last.
The nurse nodded, pointing to the door in front of her. "Over there," she said with a slight smile.
"Thank you so much, ma'am," Clio said softly as she entered the room.
She opened the door and walked inside. Her heart raced when she saw her mom lying on the bed.
"Mum!" she exclaimed, rushing to her side with deep concern etched on her face.
"What happened to you?" Clio asked, her anxiety evident as she leaned closer.
"Aishh..!" her mom groaned, finally sitting up. "Look, I'm fine," she reassured Clio with a faint smile, trying to mask her discomfort.
"That's what you always say," Clio replied, her worry growing. "You're not going to tell me how you ended up here?"
Her mother met her gaze for a moment, then patted the space beside her on the bed.
"What happened to your neck?" she asked abruptly, noticing the mark that Clio had been trying to hide.
"Oh… this?" Clio said, attempting to brush it off. But her mom quickly uncovered it, concern flooding her features.
"He must have done this to you…" Her mom's voice was heavy with emotion, anger flaring within her.
"Mum, let's not focus on that right now. Please, just tell me how you got here?" Clio pleaded, eager to shift the conversation to something less painful.
"It's okay… I'll share, but when I get home, I'm going to have a serious talk with your dad!" her mum said, a hint of determination returning to her voice as she finally began her story.
"I was done with the day's business…"
**Flashback**
"Goodbye, see you tomorrow!" Clio's mum, Mrs Jenkins, called out with a cheerful wave as she stepped out of the bustling office, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor as she made her way towards the gate. The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow on the scene, the air filled with the gentle hum of conversations around her.
"Mrs. Jenkins, are you heading out already?" one of her male colleagues inquired, a hint of surprise in his voice as he glanced up from his paperwork.
"Indeed, see you tomorrow!" she replied, offering a respectful bow of her head, her lips curving into a smile that radiated friendliness.
As she exited through the gate, a sense of freedom washed over her. However, the moment she crossed the street, an unexpected sharp pain pierced through her chest. Initially, she brushed it off as fatigue. But as she continued, the sensation intensified, making her steps falter. Concern creased her brow when she arrived at the bus stop, where she sank onto the cold metal bench, her breath coming in quick, laboured gasps.
"Water... water... water..." she managed to groan, desperation creeping into her voice.
Just then, a young boy, possibly in his late teens, approached in his car. He had been on his way to the eatery nearby when he noticed the distressed woman. Without hesitation, he parked and rushed over to her.
"Mum, are you okay?" he asked, worry etched across his face as he crouched down to her level, his eyes wide with concern.
"Water... please..." she stammered weakly, and he nodded vigorously, determination set on his face. "I'll be right back, Mum!"
A few agonizing minutes ticked by before he returned, clutching a bottle of water. With gentle urgency, he helped her sip the cool liquid, but just as she breathed a sigh of relief, her eyes fluttered closed, and she slumped into unconsciousness.
"Mum!! What the hell just happened?" he exclaimed, panic rising in his chest as he stared at the motionless figure before him, fear gripping him like a vice.
In a surge of adrenaline, he recalled the hospital just across the street from Belgian High School. Heart racing and breaths uneven, he carefully lifted her into his car, every second feeling like an eternity as he sped toward safety, praying for her recovery.
★★ Flashback ends ★★
"The boy... do you remember his face?"Clio asked in a rush, her voice tinged with anxious curiosity before her mother could fully settle down.
"A bit, I think..." her mother replied, concentration furrowing her brow as she tried to conjure the image from her memory.
"I guess he was the one that called me, but how did he manage to get my number?" The question flitted through her mind, an unsettling thought that made her gaze drift absentmindedly.
"What's on your mind?" her mother inquired gently, concern lacing her tone.
"Me? Oh, nothing," she quickly responded, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "I'm just thinking about how to find that young boy and properly thank him for what he did."
"Why didn't he wait, anyway?" her mother sighed, frustration evident in her expression as she shook her head.
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