2%

Chapter 10: Devasting News

-Ana's POV-

My eyes keep scanning the word develop. I’m starting to hate the word, but I don’t know why. This book and the information I just read will help me finish my chemistry project. I go to grab my laptop bag and feel around for the charger. Where did I leave it? Oh, right. The living room. I start to make my way to the living room and see Liz and Harper relaxing. I walk to the edge of the room, unplug the charger and walk out. I would love to say I walked out peacefully but I didn’t grab all the charger and ended up tripping over it. I earned a laugh from Liz and Harper... and pulled an embarrassed chuckle out of myself. I walk back to the bedroom. I finally plug my laptop and relax a slight bit.

I did until my phone started ringing. I get up from my spot on the floor and pick up. “Hello? Am I speaking to Ana Potter?”, “Yes, that’s me. Quick question and I don’t mean to sound rude but, who the hell are you?”, “This is Roxford County Hospital-” I'm confused on why they're calling me, so I decide to hang up. I walk out to grab myself a snack and my phone, it rings, again. I pick up. “Hello Miss Potter, I heard that you decided to hang up on my colleague in the reception however I suggest that you listen to what I have to say”. “Alright but the reason I hung up was because I deemed it unnecessary”. I can hear them hum, “I’m Doctor Rose Bailey. Earlier, I treated a patient who received some serious wounds by an unknown assailant. We checked the records to hopefully inform the family and I need to break the news which I find annoying to do over the phone however in your case it’s the best way”. I feel nervous, what are they going to tell me? “Your father is in critical condition because of the injuries he received, and he should be awake soon although I believe that it’s best to keep him here so we can observe him”. My eyes start to swell with tears. “Thank you for informing me. Please do whatever you believe is best and please tell me anything of importance”. Doctor Bailey hangs up.

I take a deep breath and the tears pour down. Someone walks into the room, and I sense them approaching me. “Ana, what’s wrong?” I know that voice, it’s Maki. I melt into her body. She rubs my back up and down as I soak her shirt. “He, he g-got... he got, my d-dad".

-Maki’s POV-

I walk into the kitchen because I was feeling thirsty. I see Ana clutching her phone then slowly and gently placing it on the counter. I walk up to her. This isn’t normal behaviour. “Ana, what’s wrong?” I hug her. She sinks into me without saying anything yet. I start rubbing my hand up and down her back. All her tears start to soak my shirt. “He, he g-got... he got, my d-dad" my eyes widen. Shit. He distracted us. I knew something was off when he visited us. When he did that, he had his goonies do the dirty work. Plenty of time to think about it later. Right now, I need to focus on Ana.

“Depending on the state, we can go visit him or call him even” she weakly nods. “Cry all you want, I'm here for you” she started to bawl her eyes out. I see Liz peek her head in the kitchen. She suddenly becomes distraught at the sight of Ana. “I’ll tell you later” I mouth. She gets the signal and leaves. I slowly start moving both of us to the bedroom. Ana dives into her bed. Head face down in the pillow, body curling into a ball. I rub her back continuously and whisper soothing things. She sniffles, must be out of tears. “Get some sleep. Please” I hug her and leave the room.

As soon as I close the door, I'm a completely different person. I'm ready to kill him, I might actually go do it. “Oi, Maki. Don’t go do something impulsive” I look to Liz. Some anger bubbles away. Some but not all of it. “What’s wrong? You promised to tell us” her face softened. “I did. She’s asleep now but she won’t be fine for a while. She got a call from the hospital about her dad. The Principal’s goons got him”, “Makes sense on why you're so angry” Nelson-chan piped in. “How long till you think she’ll be fine?”, “I have no idea, but my guess is till uncle is mostly or fully healed”. We sit in silence. Liz has some insight and Harper has none. “Well, we should make sure she has some normality in life while this is going on” I'm surprised Nelson-chan suggested that. That’s what I got from everyone I knew at that time. I nod. Liz gestures for Nelson-chan to give me a bit of space before I go to sleep.