The Miracle Place

15.

 "Y'KNOW, WHEN I was your age, my mom used to take me to the movies every Saturday."

Jane had woken up a while ago, but kept her eyes shut, knowing if she opened them, the nurse would come back and her time listening to Billy's stories would come to a close. This was the first time she felt relaxed.

"I don't know if you've ever been to the movies, but I was thinking we could make a tradition out of it. I don't know, I enjoyed it as a kid." He sighed and Jane cracked an eye open to see him running a hand through his hair. She closed her eyes when he looked back up. "I don't know why I'm telling you this now. Maybe I should just let you rest, huh?"

He got up and kissed her forehead before turning away. Jane's grip tightened on his hand and he whipped around again. Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled smugly under the mask. Billy gave her a disapproving look, but he was smiling. "Jane, have you been awake this whole time?" he asked quietly.

Jane shrugged.

Billy laughed gently. "You cheeky little lamb, you." He squeezed her hand before letting go. "I do have to get the nurse now, though." Jane nodded. "Hang tight, kiddo." He slipped out, leaving the door open.

Jane could see Joel sitting on a chair across from her room with his computer in his lap. He smiled at her, and she lifted a hand to wave at him. She watched him slip it back in his bag and stand up as a woman entered the room with Billy behind her.

She smiled brightly. "Hello, Jane! My name is Jane, too! I've been looking after you during your visit - let's get this out of the way." She removed the oxygen mask.

Out of reflex, Jane scrunched her nose up, earning a small chuckle from Joel. She smiled sheepishly and looked down, which was not the best idea. She caught sight of the IV sticking out of her arm and she froze. The last time she had a needle sticking out of her arm was nothing to laugh over. What is it? She kept asking herself. Billy must have noticed because he inched closer and loosely grabbed her hand. She looked up at him giving her a stern look and shaking his head as if to say, it's not what you think.

It was hard enough for Jane to adjust to the environment, and if it weren't for Billy being in the room when she woke up, she would've thought for sure she was back there.

The nurse eyed her from where she stood, sorting through supplies. Joel stepped closer to the bed. "She's not a fan of needles," he explained unnecessarily.

The nurse nodded with an understanding smile. "Honestly, I'm not a fan, myself. But, it's a small price to pay for good health," she assured her. She took the long thing draped around her neck and stuck two knobs into her ears. "Can you take a deep breath for me?" she asked, placing the round end on Jane's chest.

Jane did.

"And another," she instructed, the circle now on her back.

Jane did.

"Do you feel dizzy or sick?"

Jane shook her head.

"How's your head?"

"Doesn't hurt anymore."

"Good! That's good. You might be free to go this afternoon, but we have to at least give it a few more hours," said the nurse. "Now, I'm going to ask you a few more questions. We can kick these two out, or they can stay, it's up to you."

"They can stay," said Jane, not wanting to be alone with a stranger.

The nurse sat down on a wheely chair, pulling out a clipboard and a pen. "Do you smoke, Jane?" she asked.

"No."

"Done any drugs?"

"No."

"Come into contact with any strange chemicals?"

Jane glanced at Billy and Joel before shaking her head slowly. "Don't think so."

The nurse asked a few more questions that earned uncomfortable chuffs from Billy and Joel. "All right! I will go consult with the doctor. I'll be back shortly." She left the room.

The room was quiet for a moment, and when Billy and Joel took a seat, Jane finally spoke, "Do they know what happened?"

The two adults shared a look. Billy cleared his throat. "It was poison, Jane. They think you must've consumed it at some point. Are you sure you didn't eat anything else at the cottage?"

Jane shook her head. "No. I never went into the kitchen. Why would anything be poisoned?"

"Nothing would," said Joel. "You never ingested it, it's been inside of you this whole time."

"What do you mean, Joel?" Billy asked.

Joel craned his neck to look out the door before pulling out his computer. "I've been thinking about those microchips and what they're used for. Look." He flipped the computer around to show them. On the screen was a picture of Jane in black and white. There was a red strip covering her face with letters on it, but she couldn't make out the word. "It says she's deceased. And the chip number is unavailable. I think they did it on purpose. The cyanide must have been in the chip."

"Who's they?" Billy asked.

"Survivors?"

"That guy," said Jane. "The one who has been following us."

Billy nodded. "Must be. He worked for The Miracle Place."

"Why would he poison them?"

"Them?" Jane asked.

"That's the other thing," said Joel. "There are two other kids here - same thing happened to them. And Jane... one of them is Peter."

"What," Jane and Billy spoke in unison.

Joel closed his computer. "We saw him being rushed in, remember? Him and another girl."

"How do you know it was him?" Billy asked.

"I saw him when I was walking back. He's down the hall," said Joel. "His face is cleared up."

Jane swallowed. She was still staring at Joel, unable to think. Her mind sang the name over and over. No way he was in the same building as her after all this time. But there was no way Joel lied about it, either.

"Jane..." Billy said in a low voice.

"How is he?" she asked.

Joel did something between shrugging and shaking his head. "I don't know. I don't know how to ask. I already lied to them about you, but I was with you when it happened. I can't say he's family too. I'm sorry, Jane."

"Do you think," Jane sighed, "Do you think they'd let me see him if I told them he's my friend?"

Joel looked to Billy for help. "I'll talk to someone about it. Maybe when your nurse comes back."

Jane nodded and leaned into the pillow under her head. She'd be able to see him, finally, if everything went well. For some reason, she was scared.