ONE LAST TIME

History repeats pt 5

When I finally woke up, I saw Hannah sleeping on the couch next to me. I was in a hospital, and I could tell from the beeping of the machines that I was hooked up to some kind of IV. Hannah must have been exhausted from all the worrying she must have been doing, so I gently shook her awake."Hannah," I said. She jolted awake and stared at me for a moment before she registered that I was actually awake and not just some figment of her imagination. She threw her arms around me and started crying."Oh, thank god. I thought you were never going to wake up," she said.

"What happened last night? The last thing I remember is hearing you call out my name," I asked."You passed out. I was terrified, so I rushed you to the hospital. Don't worry, you just need plenty of rest. It's because you've been overexerting yourself and not getting enough sleep," she responded gently."Oh-" she began to say something, but then my stomach grumbled loudly, reminding me how desperately hungry I was. Additionally, I had promised Camille that I would return to the office today and needed to speak with Hannah about it. "I made some porridge for you, please eat it. And no!!! Push those foolish thoughts aside. You're not going back to work anytime soon..." she exclaimed, seeming as if she could read my mind. Startled, I nodded in agreement and finished my meal.

My phone rang and it was Camille. I put the phone on speaker so Hannah could listen in. "Hey Emma, how are you doing? Hannah told me that you're in the hospital. I know this isn't the right time, but can I visit you today?". Realizing my oversight in putting the call on speaker, I glanced over at Hannah with an apologetic look and sought her permission. With some hesitation, she nodded in agreement. I told Camille that she could see me in a few hours.

(Camille arrives)

"How are you doing?" She asked and I just nodded in response. She bombarded me with millions of questions about the incident that took place yesterday. None of her questions bothered me, but when she expressed sympathy by asking, "I apologize for what you experienced. Are you okay?" I made an effort to hide any irritation and responded, "Camille, there is no need to worry. I am perfectly fine."

"Okay, okay. I need to fill you in regarding the case. Forensic reports conclude that it was a 40 - 45-year-old man there were no clues on the scene." 

"Did anything stand out as unusual?"

 "Well, there weren't any obvious clues, but the way he was killed was definitely strange. Aside from the deep scratches on his face, there were no signs of significant cuts, yet there was a large pool of blood surrounding the body," she replied. No major cuts? How could the blood have been drained without any visible wounds? Suddenly, it clicked... 

I fell into silence, overwhelmed by a strange sense of familiarity with this case. Before I had a chance to delve deeper into my thoughts, Camille said gently, "I'll leave you be now. The doctors have emphasized that you need plenty of rest." 

"Wait," I said as she was about to leave. "Did they recognize the body yet?" I continued.  Wearing a mournful expression, she solemnly replied, "The facial injuries were too severe for anyone to make a positive identification. We will release this information to the public in hopes that someone may come forward." 

"Who has been appointed for the case?" I inquired. 
"Apparently it's a newbie, Atlas Jonas". I nodded, letting Camille know that she could leave now.  Just as she left, Hannah barged into the room. 

"Don't even think about getting back to work anytime soon, you need rest." She warned me and I nodded again. "What did Camille tell you?" she asked. "Just a few details about the case", she seemed all ears. 

"There were no major cuts identified, yet I know for a fact the body was surrounded by a pool of blood. No clues were found on the scene. The victim was a 40 - 45-year-old man. There has been no identification of the body yet for the scratches on his face were that-"
"Horrible." I finished. "Hey, hey! My god, come here" she said and gently took me into her arms and gave me a tight hug. 

"Hannah, it's happening again"
"History, it's repeating itself" 
I concluded.