The Shadow

Chapter 29 - Misunderstandings

“Wherever Memory can touch you or reach you, it has the ability to hurt the insides of a human being.”

George Seferis, Greek poet awarded with Nobel prize, 1963

Cami was shaking in utter fear, as she knew soon everyone will start questioning her. However, she doesn't have the answers for which they badly crave. She was internally praying to God to somehow save her from all of them and all this madness. She couldn’t remember anything relating to the attack and the beatings that Gabi had received by her. Was she the attacker? She has never have done something like this before.

Her train of thoughts got broken when the car stopped in front of the chaotic hospital. Isabella without paying attention to Cami ran towards Gabi's ward. Cami uttered “Mummy, wait” and then ran after her before she took a wrong turn and get lost in the enormous hospital, which had so many corridors that it seemed like a labyrinth. 

Suddenly Robert grabbed her petite hand tightly as he understood Cami’s deficiency of orientation. Then, he moved with Cami by his side towards Gabi's room. Though, he is still angry at her that doesn’t mean he wants her to get lost. He’s concerned about her despite the horrific action against Gabi. Cami didn't speak as she tried to match his long strides. She hissed, with tears in her eyes.

Robert noticed the bruises on her knuckles, which have started bleeding again, and was shocked. His caring side came out for a little and before taking her to meet Gabi, he called the nurse and asked him to treat her bruises. They made her sit on the bed. Cami was just looking at Robert, who was looking at her with mixed emotions. His brain was blank and didn’t intend to doom Cami due to circumstantial evidence. He wanted to be fair and not hurt Cami anymore. 

She hissed when antiseptic was applied to her knees.  The male nurse tried to raise her skirt so that he can give her the Tetanus injection. 

She felt exposed, stating "No, I'm ok.". 

After this, the male nurse looked to Robert, who moved towards her and held her hands to distract her attention. Cami looked at her interlocked fingers with Robert and got quiet. 

Before the injection pierced her skin, she started shouting, "Ahhh" with closed eyes. The nurse got stunned saying "I didn't even inject you yet." She replied innocently "But I can feel the pain."Robert rolled his eyes over her tantrum. 

To distract her, he bombarded her with questions. Firstly, he asked her "Why did you hurt Gabi?" and then Cami automatically got serious, responding "I didn't hurt her."Then she felt a pinch on her thigh. After the injection, Robert picked up her in his arms and carried her towards the ward.

As they were approaching Gabi's room, she noticed Robert stopped outside and tears came out of his eyes. Cami felt horrible and wiped his tears. Then she turned her head in the direction of Robert’s attention and saw bruised Gabi with lots of tubes attached to her. She remained completely silent, as she couldn’t recall anything that could have happened between her and Gabi. 

"This is all because of you." Saying this, Robert moved towards Gabi and kissed her head. Isabella’s voice echoed through the room, asking "What happened to her?" After that, she broke down crying, as she was looking at so many tubes attached to her.

Robert cried pointing his finger towards Cami and responding to Isabella "Only she can tell." 

Isabella instinctively defended Cami, stating "She can't hurt her sister. I know her. She is naughty, but she will never hurt her family.".

Robert scoffed, as he was disappointed in Cami "What family?". He turned his back to Cami and stared at Isabella "Imagine my surprise, I was on the flight about to put my phone on airplane mode when School called. They informed that they found Gabi on the roof with blood coming out of her mouth. What if I missed that crucial call?".