Perfect Storm

Chapter 15

To get some fresh air, Henry rushed back to the rooftop. He felt out of breath right now, and every step felt like he was getting closer to death no matter how athletic he was.

All it took for him to come to his senses was the cold air slamming into him as soon as he opened the rooftop door.

And that is when everything hit him once again.

He was still not over the fact that Mia was going through all of this while they were together, but now he also learned that she was expecting his child, and that was also gone. That was just enough to drive him on edge.

He moved toward the edge, where a half wall stood. He looked down, his palms resting on it as he attempted to take in everything he had learned in the last three hours.

His heart felt heavy, his knees were shaky, and he wanted to scream.

A small voice in his thoughts, however, reminded him that if it was difficult for him, he could not even imagine just how difficult it must be for Mia.

And it was all he needed to regain his focus. Regardless of how difficult it was for him, he knew he had to be strong for her. Especially now that she was awake, she needed someone she could lean on.

Soon enough, the women caught up to him, and he turned to face Anya straight away. "Did you know about this?" He remembered the expression on her face when Dr. Pearce mentioned the miscarriage, and he thought that was oddly suspicious.

"Know about what?" The raven-haired was taken aback.

"About the previous one, yes, but not that she was pregnant when the accident happened." She knew that lying to him would just make everything worse for her. "I found out before I left your place, but I didn't want to mention anything until I knew more."

"She must have mentioned something!" She could almost hear Henry snarling at her.

"I don't think she even knew about it yet." Freya jumped to Anya's defence without hesitation. "Plus, she had been very secretive the last couple of months, so we didn't know what was going on. Anya caught on to that way quicker than I did, and called her out on it. But she said everything was fine."

Anya gently squeezed the blonde's hand in appreciation.

"But it's not okay though Freya, is it? Mia was hit, and the footage was deleted; she had this whole other life that none of us seemed to have any fucking idea about, and now they lock her in a mental hospital for no fucking reason! How is that fine?!" Walking in circles, Henry was tugging at his hair. Then a realisation dawned on him. Locking Mia up was his last straw because there had been far too many coincidences. He had to know, even if it was her mother. One of the officers that interrogated him offered Henry his phone number in case he needed anything or has any information.

So he seized the opportunity and called him, explaining that Mia had been wrongfully locked away in St. Charles and that he thought it very suspicious. Fortunately, the officer thought it was strange as well, so he told Henry that he would look into it right away.

"Let's get Mia out of there." Henry looked at the three women in front of him. He was determined to get her out of there even if that was the last thing he would do.

"You guys go, I am forbidden from visiting her. Do not challenge the nurses if you don't want the same happening to you." As she left, Mia's sister wished them luck.

"I need to have a talk with our mother."

                                                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My head felt heavy when I woke up, and the world around me was still whirling. I took my time to adjust my eyes before looking up to find the light teal walls. The hospital's walls were white, so where am I?

I was able to sit up and get a better view of the room I was in despite the pain in my ribs. It was a tiny space, roughly the size of a prison cell, if I were to make a guess. There was only one door, so I guess it was the exit. I made an attempt to get out of the bed I was in and was able to lift my legs off of it . So far, so good, but I did not think about the legs. I tried to glance about to see whether there was a wheelchair or some crutches, but the room was absolutely empty, with just one little window letting the sun in.

Fuck it, we're crawling I guess.

I tried to sit up, but as I did, I felt something on my hand—and it wasn't the broken one. The all-too-familiar leather handcuffs with padding caught my attention when I looked down at my wrist.

I panicked as soon as I saw it because, on top to realising where I was, I also started remembering the conversation I had with the doctor just before I passed out.

No no no no no

This cannot be happening, not again. I haven't done anything wrong. I discovered that the handcuff was mounted to the wall by following the handcuff's chain. I tried to rip it off with all the strength I had left. Despite the friction searing my wrist, I held out hope that as I started to sweat, I might be able to free myself more easily. I've tried it before, so I can say with certainty that it works.

My ribs started stabbing me since they did not enjoy the sensation either, but I didn't care. I'd rather die out from internal bleeding than stay in this place for another second.

Come on you stupid shit.

One last time, I pulled as hard as I could until my ribs had enough and started to hurt so badly that I started screaming. I didn't give a fuck, though; I was getting out of here, live or dead.

Unfortunately, one of the nurses rushed in after hearing the screams. The moment he realised what I was attempting to do, the young man, who was about 27 years old, formed worried eyes. He instantly rang for assistance and came running toward me.

However, I yanked again because I would not let him have the last word. The force made me lose my balance and fall onto the cold, white floor. My ribs are now definitely and absolutely fucked, if they weren't already. My coughing became uncontrollable, and every time I coughed, blood would spew out.

Suddenly, I felt a touch on my back, and I knew that he was attempting to help me stand up. The panic, though, began to set in more forcefully than before. I snatched his hand away from my body. "Do not touch me!" I yelled and crawled into the corner, trembling as all the memories began to come to the surface.

One by one.