Misunderstood Monsters

Chapter 65: Reunion

Weeks passed. Months. A whole year. Dr. Collingwood still didn't come back.

"How long has it been?" John asked. He sounded like he was on the brink of tears.

"Two years," signed Billy. "It's been two years, and she still hasn't come back." He buried his face in his hands.

Charlie and Simon were silent. Eddie looked like he was trying to force himself to not cry. Lawrence reached out and patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, Eddie. She's doing great so far. It shouldn't be long."

Dr. Collingwood slowly limped through the hallway. The fact that she'd shattered the same leg she'd been shot through by a gun didn't help. She entered the staff canteen, looking around.

"Guys?" she called. "You there?"

"Molly!"

Before she could react, a red blur tackled her to the ground, trapping one of her arms. Before she could even process what was happening, a voice started blubbering.

"What happened are you okay you were gone for FOREVER!" Then it collapsed into sobbing.

Dr. Collingwood, after a long pause, chuckled. "You really missed me, didn't you?"

Eddie nodded. She wrapped her free arm around his big neck.

After Eddie's crying had mostly died down, she tried to get up, but he was too heavy.

"Okay, Eddie, ger'off me."

He didn't budge. She looked at Billy and John. Billy looked like he was about to bust a blood vessel from laughing so hard.

"You heard her. Get off." Simon was still Simon. Eddie obeyed and she slowly got to her feet.

John suddenly pounced on her, grabbed her in a headlock, and gave her a rough noogie.

"Gahhh! John!" she laughed, trying to push his hand away. She finally elbowed him in the stomach and he let her go.

Charlie laughed. "It's been a long time, Molly." He playfully ruffled her hair. "It's been really quiet without you. Too quiet, actually."

"Really?"

"Yeah!" Billy clapped her on the shoulder. "The family's not complete without you!"

"Ever since you left I haven't heard two words of sense spoken together in a single sentence." Simon glared at Eddie and Billy.

"Hey!" Eddie elbowed his brother.

A grin that made Dr. Collingwood look like the Cheshire Cat slowly spread across her face as she looked at her dysfunctional "family".

"I missed you guys too. All of you"

Billy raised his eyebrows. "Even me and Eddie's annoying sh*t?"

She chuckled. "Yes, even that."