Bad Company

Closing The Wound

“There was a violent standoff at Nording’s Point late last night, early this morning. There were three people killed and one in critical condition. Not included in that count was a young female, her body was pulled from the Tanawichi Lake in these early morning hours. All parties involved have yet to be identified. We will keep you updated with this story as details develop. Reporting live with breaking news, Jessica Pawn, on scene.”

Megan and Glen were petrified as the news story ended. They were too shocked to talk, too scared to cry. Megan couldn’t find her breath, he lungs went on a small hiatus. Glen’s vision blurred with impending tears. They didn’t know who the victim was for sure, but this is the kind of report they feared. Their stupor was shattered by rapid, loud knocks at the door. Glen and Megan rushed over quickly and snatched the door open.

Standing there were three uniformed officers and a suited detective. “Don’ tell me, Agent Ross, please don’t tell me,” Megan pleaded as her hand covered her mouth and she sank to the floor. Glen started shaking his head side to side. “Mr. and Mrs. Collier, we need you at Mount Nordings Hospital. We tried to get here before the news aired, but it seems we’re a bit late. There is reason for us to believe that the victim pulled from the water may possibly be Nitori, we need you to come identify her.” As Agent Ross finished her statement she exhaled lightly and shifted her dark brown eyes between the two parents.  Megan let out a blood splitting scream as she beat her fists to the floor. Glen melted over her, crying as well. The cops were stoic and detached as they helped both of them to their feet. “We’ll escort you”, added Agent Ross.  

Everything was silent like an old movie. The rain streaked down the windows as the sky cried more and water. Megan felt her insides dying, like her soul was leaving. She tried to mentally prepare herself for what was about to happen. Her baby girl, Nitori, dead. The child she’d protected for 22 years was brazenly taken from her and murdered. There were no words to illustrate the pain. Glen felt the same pain, horror, regret. If he would have never tried to talk about sending Nitori away, she would have never gone to the car to get the camera. She would have been safe with her mommy and daddy.

Once at the hospital, Agent Ross led them through the white halls to an elevator. The squeaks of shoes echoed loudly up the hallway. Both Glen and Megan had tunnel vision. Their nightmare was about to reach a shocking apex that they’d feared all along. The journey seemed like an eternity. Upon each blink, Megan saw Nitori’s round face, framed in fluffy hair, smiling. That’s how she always wanted to remember her child. There was a fear in her heart that made her feel as though that illusion was due to be shattered by something grim.

After stepped in front of room 390, Agent Ross turned to face the Colliers and paused. “You sure you can do this right now?” Agent Ross asked. Glen felt himself on the verge of going off, and Megan squeezed his hand gently, “Yes, we are”, she meekly replied. They pushed through the threshold of the door. Cold wind rushed unto their faces, followed by surgically bright lights. It took a few moments for their eyes to adjust. Through the small foyer, they approached the opening of the room with caution.

To the left, there was the body of a petite, tan-skinned female, draped in white hospital sheets. There was a mask covering her face, attached to a machine that made a soft beep every four seconds. Megan scampered to the bedside and stared down into the face of the victim. Her hand flew over her mouth and she let out a winded cry. “Oh my God, oh my, it’s-“ she paused to lightly touch the patient’s hair, “It’s my baby!” Glen rushed over and hovered along with Megan, holding her shoulder tightly. Nitori’s auburn curly hair was undeniable. Her long, lightly curled eyelashes rested as the top of her full cheeks. There was a patch of gauze and other dressing over her left shoulder. Her right shin was covered in a cast, and she also had pale purple bruising over her face. Megan leaned in and kissed her forehead, “Oh, my beautiful flower, mommy’s here, mommy’s right here.” Agent Ross stepped out into the hallway and took a call, “Yes, we have a positive identification on the victim, it is Nitori Collier.”

Doctor Franks began to speak, “This young lady endured a lot. She was shot in her shoulder, which would explain the wound on her left side. She took about a thirty story fall from Nording’s Point. The impact knocked her unconscious, fractured her leg, and it also accounts for all of the bruising you see. She was lucky enough to be found quickly by boaters that saw the fall, they pulled her from the water. The floating, due to her unconsciousness, helped a lot.” Glen stated low and deliberately, “And that’s all that happened to her?” The doctor nodded, “From our tests, yes, that seems to be about it.” Both parents exhaled and squeezed the other. “So she should make a good recovery?” inquired Megan. “If it’s fair for me to surmise, then I believe so”, Doctor Franks replied.

Nitori was unconscious for the next ten hours. Megan sat closely at her side and sang songs to her while rubbing her hands. Glen took the seat next to the window and waited patiently from afar. They didn’t acknowledge the other much during that time period. Then came the moment when Nitori’s eyes finally opened. Megan gawked intently. Nitori took a big gasp and almost went into a tailspin. Just then, Megan stood up and put herself in Nitori’s view, “Look baby, Mommy’s here, Daddy’s here!” Glen shuffled to her side quickly. Nitori grabbed for the both of them and drew them in so close. They were locked in a group hug for ten minutes until the doctor came into the room. “Well, surprise, surprise, look who’s awake!” Dr. Franks said with delight. He gave Nitori a small assessment, and she checked out fine. Then he recommended that she stay for a few more hours to make sure she was fit to leave. Three hours later, Nitori was back at home, with her family. Even her siblings were anxiously awaiting her arrival home.