Chapter Two
Nora: (turns around to see who called her name) Hey doctor Nicole!! good day... once again
Doctor Nicole: (moves closer to her) And what's good about the day? , Is it the fact that you keep crossing my path or the fact that you keep stepping on my toes? (said loudly)
Nora: (looks stunned)
Doctor Nicole: So you're speechless now!!, ain't any words in your mouth?. Come to think of it (stands upright and folds her arms) what exactly are you trying to prove?, that you are much better at handling children than I am!! or you're a much better and intelligent doctor than me!!?, Tell me !!? (said loudly)
Nora: (just staring at her)
Doctor Nicole: You ought to know your place in this hospital or else am gonna make it a living hell for you!!
Nora: (seems puzzled)Are you threatening me?
Doctor Nicole: Yea is threatening you!! And I mean every word I said, don't test me, Nora. You should know that you're nothing but a peasant!!, nothing but a peasant who's trying to reap where she didn't sow! (turns her back and tries to walk away from her)
Nora :(pulls her back and looks directly into her eyes) Doctor Nicole!! Mind your language and get this straight into your head "am not trying to prove anything to anybody or better still impress anyone, I am only doing my job here and if crossing your path means helping the patients that are been admitted here to get better then get ready cuz, I'm not just gonna cross your path, I'll destroy it.
Doctor Nicole, you seem to have forgotten that we're all humans and we all have our weaknesses and strength, but unlike most people I work on my strength and where am weak I seek for help than slowly letting a patient die "because I don't want my ego to get hurt ". Saving lives is our main priority as medical doctors and do you think we'll be able to achieve that by keeping to ourselves? Look around doctor Nicole (looking around) everyone needs a helping hand once in a while.
Doctor Nicole: Whatever!! (rolls her eyes)
Nora: The sooner you learn how to seek help from other people when you're in need, the better for you and the patients under your care!!. Now if you may excuse me I have something very important to attend to and one more thing (clears her throat) stop claiming you know it all whereas you don't know anything !! (walks away)
Doctor Nicole: I have told you already!!, don't you ever cross my path again (said loudly) stupid!! ( Continues ranting)
(Nora walks few steps away from her then cross paths with nurse kelly)
Nurse Kelly : (stops Nora) Hey !!
Nora: what's up?
Nurse Kelly: what's up with her? (looking towards doctor Nicole's direction)
Nora: You know her usual behavior!
Nurse Kelly: Yea, it's like she is bound to quarrel with everyone. She is always ranting about something all the time
Nora: Like right now!! (chuckles). So where are you heading?
Nurse Kelly: Nowhere specific. Just checking the patients in their wards.
Nora: Oh OK !! .hmm so when will you be leaving?
Nurse Kelly :(checks her watch) by noon!! and I can't wait, am so exhausted
Nora: yea! I feel you!! (chuckles)
Nurse Kelly:(laugh) well I wish you luck cuz you're gonna be in here till tomorrow morning
Nora: Thanks. Too bad I don't believe in luck.
Nurse Kelly: OK then! I'll see you around or better still next tomorrow !! (laughs)
Nora: sure...
(They both walk in different directions and continue with their medical activities ...)
Nora :( entering her office and sits on the chair) wow it's 2:00 pm already! (picks up her phone)
(Door knocks...)
Nora :(drops her phone on the table ) it's open!!
Lucy's mom :(enters into the office and closed the door) hello! (smiles at her)
Nora: Lucy's mom!! (stands up from the seat) have a seat!
Lucy's mom: Thank you (sits down)
Nora: So... Hmm.. (clears throat)
Is the operation over?
Lucy's mom: Yea and it was successful (said happily)
Nora: Wow! that's good to hear. So where is she now?
Lucy's mom: She is still asleep and has been moved to the"ER "
Nora: Emergency room!! I guess there must be a reason for that...
Lucy's mom: Yea
Nora: So is there any problem?
Lucy's mom: No... no, not at all. Well, I came to say thank you for helping my daughter. You see!! (sits up) Lucy isn't the type that can be easily convinced into doing something and you were able to do that today, thank you.
Nora: Well it's nothing, she is my new friend now.
Lucy's mom :(chuckles softly) OK I'll be on my way now. Thank you once again (stands up and walks towards the door)
Nora: Lucy's mom!
Lucy's mom:(turns around and faces her) yes doctor...
Nora: I wanted to ask you something?
Lucy's mom : (moves closer to her) Sure you can...
Nora: What exactly happened to your daughter Lucy?
Lucy's mom: She was pierced by an arrow which you already know!!
Nora: I know that!! But how did she get shot and who fired it? and please I need a direct answer...
Lucy's mom: hmm...mm
she ...hmm
Nora: Please calm down ma'am I only asked a simple question!!
Lucy's mom: Well (moves closer to her) my daughter went out for bicycle riding earlier today with her father and out of nowhere!!, an arrow just appeared and pierced her...
Nora : (in her mind "does this woman think I'm still wearing diapers!! ") (clears her throat) Lucy's mom !! Are you stretching the truth?
Lucy's mom: What do you mean by that!!?
Nora: I get this feeling that you ain't telling me the truth. First of all, why would Lucy go on bicycle riding early in the morning during weekdays instead of preparing to go to school?
Lucy's mom: Well Lucy does that all the time. She wakes up very early In the morning and goes out to ride her bicycle with her father before she goes to school!! According to her, she said that it keeps her body and soul together (smiles sheepishly)
Nora: So what you are trying to say is, that an arrow just appeared out of nowhere and pierced through her lower abdomen !!?
Lucy's mom: Yes doctor!!
Nora: Ma'am you leave in an estate right?
Lucy's mom: Yea
Nora: So where did the arrow come from? because arrows don't fire themselves and don't appear out of anywhere either!
Lucy's mom : (just looking at Nora)
Nora: And also why haven't you report the case to the Police?
Lucy's mom: Well I had that in mind but I was waiting for my daughter to get better
Nora :(looks at her suspiciously) ma'am with all due respect, you are lying to me cuz what you just told me now sounds like a lie!!
Lucy's mom: Doctor Nora! I came here to show my gratitude for you helping my daughter and I have already done that, so if you may please excuse me I need to go stay with my daughter! (walks out of the office)
Nora :(sits on her chair and starts rubbing her chin) something is wrong somewhere!!
(Nora quickly leaves her office and walks to the nurses' counter)
Nora: Good day nurse, please I need a patient's file
*Nurse 1*: Name, please?
Nora: Lucy ... she was admitted earlier today!!
*Nurse 1*: OK just give me a second!! ( turns around and checks the file box)
Nora: Nurse!
Nurse: Here!! Miss Lucy Hickman (lends her the file )
Nora: Yea (takes the file from here) thank you
(Nora takes the file from her and enters the computer room.
There she walks closer to Nelson, the head of the computer department. A tall slim, good-looking guy dressed incorporate ...)
Nora: Nelson!!
Nelson: Hey beautiful how is your day going?
Nora: Good. I need you to help me check out something?
Nelson: Sure, anything for you angel!!
Nora: Nelson!, I don't have time for this... are you willing to help me or not!
Nelson: Sure !! (Turns and faces the computer). So! What am I checking out?
Nora: (drops the file on the table and points at the address written on it) I need you to check the location of this address and the map
Nelson: OK! (takes a deep breath and types in the address) hmm just give me two minutes!!
Nora: Yea sure
Nelson : (talking to himself)
Nora: Are you done...
Nelson: Almost! (scrolling down with the mouse while looking at the computer).
Nora : (sighs)
Nelson: Done! , so should I print it out?
Nora: No just get up !!
Nelson: Wow it looks like you're having a long day (gets up from the seat)
Nora : (sits down and looks at the computer ) it's an estate!!
Nelson: Of course it is, everyone knows that!!
Nora : (looks at him) and do you wanna know what everyone knows?
Nelson: What could that be?
Nora: That "six inches is not a line" (faces the computer)
Nelson: it's not?!.
Nora: Help me out here, please!
Nelson: Sure! (looks at the computer) hmm... It's an estate...
Nora: Closet hospital to the address?
Nelson: St Paul hospital and a private hospital
Nora: How minutes drive?
Nelson: Well it's about ten minutes drive from that address to St Paul hospital and thirty minutes from the same address to the private hospital.
Nora: How long will it take to get here from the same place?
Nelson: About an hour, but it depends if there is traffic or not!. By the way, what's up with all these questions?
Nora :(in her mind "these two hospitals are the closest to their home so why did they drive out of town to get here!!. I don't understand, is it that the other hospitals are out of bed space or what!!. Nora!! stop you're thinking too much... (takes a deep breath)
Nelson: Hmm... hello!! Are you okay? (touches her hand)
Nora : (shakes a little ) what?
Nelson: You seem lost in your thoughts, what's wrong?
Nora: Well it's about a little girl that was admitted earlier today!
Nelson: Is it Lucy?
Nora: Yea how do you know?
Nelson: News does travel fast in this hospital.
Nora :(chuckles ) yea it does
Nelson: So what about her?
Nora: I asked her mom how the incident happened but the response I got, got me thinking that there is more to what she told me.
What happened to Lucy is very crucial and deadly, I mean she was bleeding badly, and instead of taking her to any of the nearby hospitals, they brought her here, why?
Nelson: Don't you think maybe they prefer a general hospital to any other hospitals!
Nora: Are you listening to yourself! It was an incident needing quick attention in other words it was an emergency!!
Nelson: Now I understand. Or maybe the other two hospitals were out of bed space?
Nora: That could be the only reason or there could be something else.
Nelson: You know what! how about you continue with your work and I'll phone a friend of mine who works at St Paul hospital and another who works at the private hospital to ask if they have available bed space ...
Nora: OK thanks
Nelson: Sure anything for you angel!
Nora :(stares at him).
Nelson: Hmm... I meant patient, anything for the patient !! (chuckles nervously)
(Nora walks out of the computer room and moves to the emergency room (ER). Getting closer to the room where Lucy was kept, she hears voices coming from the room and decided not to enter rather she stands behind the door and peeps through only to see Lucy's mom been pined against the wall by her husband...)
Nora : (talking to herself) What's happening in there?, should I go inside? (holds the door handle ),on second thought I don't think I should go in !!. I'll just listen to their conversation (took her phone and activates the phone recorder)
(..In the room..)
Lucy's dad : (places his hand around her neck and pins her against the wall) where are you coming from !?
Lucy's mom : (struggling to remove his hand against her neck) ugh!! ...mmm
Lucy's dad: Answer me!
Lucy's mom: I...ugh ...(finding it to let words out of her mouth as she struggles to breath)
(...Lucy's dad removes his hand around her neck and pins her hands both against the wall...)
Lucy's dad: Tell me!! (said angrily)
Lucy's dad : (bows her head down and coughs) I... wen...went to... (gasping for breath). I went to doctor Nora's office to... (coughs) to thank her for helping our daughter!!
Lucy's dad: Really... OK (removes her hand from her arms and holds her neck) if I see you around that doctor ever again, I'll reap your head off! (pushes her on the floor)
Lucy's mom : ( coughs )you can't hide the truth forever (said weakly) once Lucy wakes up, she's gonna tell the doctor what you did to her!! (gasping for breath)
Lucy's dad : (looks at Lucy and moves closer to her) and if she does I'll struggle her to death and kill you too
(Lucy's mom manages to get up and pushes him away from Lucy's bed )Don't you dare touch her!!, haven't you done enough damage you monster?!!. She is in this condition all because of you! (tries to push him away)
Lucy's dad :(holds both of her arms) you're weak, and yes I fired that arrow towards her and there is nothing no one can do about it. I'll kill her !! peel off her skin, shred her bones and no-one can do anything about it, not even your so-called mother!!
Lucy's mom :(spits on his face) you're a bastard!! .Lay one hand on my daughter again!! and I'll murder you !!.
Lucy's dad :(chuckles) then you'll be the first to die!!
(Lucy's dad uses his hand and tries to struggle her unknown to him that Nora is behind the closed door, hearing everything)
Nora: I knew something was wrong somewhere!! (talking to herself)I think I know what to do (switch's off her phone recorder)
( surgeon Steve passes by with bottled water in his hand )
Nora :hmm ...Steve!! (yells out his name)
Steve: Hey!! What's up?
Nora: Thanks for the water (takes the water from his hand and enters into the emergency room)
(On noticing someone's entry into the room, he quickly removes his hand around her neck and pretends to pet her as she coughs...)
Nora :(enters into the room and looks at him ) hello everyone
Lucy's dad: I don't know why my wife is coughing, she must have taken something! (gently taps her back)
Nora : (murmurs softly) "yea the bad apple "
Lucy's dad: what did you say?
Nora : (clears her throat) Lucy's mom here (gives her the bottled water) take, it will help
Lucy's mom: Thanks (takes the water and drinks it)
(Nora moves closer to Lucy's bed and looks at her)
Nora :(in her mind) "I'll have to put a stop to this. (looks at Lucy's dad)
Lucy's dad: hmm... She is doing great (said nervously)
Nora: I never asked !! (smile) . By the way, what's your name?
Lucy's dad: well you can just call me Lucy's dad!
Nora: Was that the name your parents gave to you?
Lucy's mom :(laughs and coughs at the same time)
Nora: ugh!
Lucy's dad: it's Jack, my name is Jack!!
Nora: So Mr. Jack... I hope you're taking good care of your wife and daughter?
Mr. Jack: yes... Yes I am
Nora: I can see that (looks at Lucy's mom). Well in case there are any changes in Lucy's stability! ensure you call the doctor, now if you may excuse I have other things to do (walks towards the door)
Mr. Jack: Sure doctor
Nora: (in her mind" bastard!!)
(she left the emergency room and walks to the computer room)
Nora: Nelson!! (she yells)
Nelson: Turn around !!
Nora :(turns around) So!! any information?
Nelson: Yea, I called both hospitals and they have enough bed space, so I guess your instincts were right! (chuckles)
Nora: Of course my instincts are right!!. Now I need you to call the police station and tell them that there is a father who attempted to murder his daughter and they're both in the hospital
Nelson: am confused?
Nora: Nelson!! call them and say exactly what I just told you, you don't need to add your own words. On hearing this, they'll get the point and come here OK!!!
Nelson: sure (he leaves her there to go make the call)
Nora : (talking to herself) I'll make sure I put that asshole behind bars!!
(five minutes later, Nelson comes back to meet her)
Nelson: Done and I have good news!
Nora: OK have you called the police?
Nelson: yes and they said that something similar was reported earlier today
An elderly woman reported something similar, she said that her son-in-law was beating up her daughter, and her granddaughter tried to push him away to protect her mom. Unfortunately, the man got up and went into his room brought out a bow and an arrow, and fired it at her granddaughter. He locked her up in a room and left with his wife and injured daughter...
Nora: yea it's them alright!
Nelson: yes, the police officers are already on their way here with the elderly woman. And also I guess the reason why they drove down here was that... Lucy's grandma won't be able to find them. Cuz the police officers checked both hospitals and tried tracking their number but they found both of the phones in a car parked beside the highway which according to the elderly woman it's the son-in-law's car with stains of blood in it.
Nora: So you were told all these things under five minutes?
Nelson: yep, am a pretty good listener
(voices coming from the hallway...)
Nora :(did you hear that)
Nelson: yep they're fast!!
(both of them went out to the hallway and sees three police officers and an elderly woman..)
Nelson: Good day officers, right this way please, I was the one who made the phone call.
Police officer: where are they?
Nelson: In the emergency room, come on I'll show you
(Nelson takes the police officers with the elderly woman to the emergency room where Lucy is staying. Nora was about to follow them, suddenly a nurse stopped her...
Nora: yes nurse, any problem?. Am kinda in a hurry!!
*Nurse1*: Miss. Chloe's test results are out and here they are (hands it over to her)
Nora: hmm..., why don't you hold unto it for me for ten minutes, (slowly moves back) I have something extremely important to attend to OK
*Nurse1* :sure no problem
(Nora quickly walks down to the emergency room...