Alone I Break | LingOrm FF

~ Part 5 ~

Somchai, Lingling, and chubby man that Mikey didn't recognize were standing in one of the waiting rooms when Mikey finally returned to the hospital. His trip home had taken longer than planned, but after the conversation with Maylada, he'd needed some time to himself. He knew that Maylada was acting out of her own grief, but her actions were still completely uncalled for. How she could blame Orm for James's death was beyond Mikey's comprehension. Now he had the unfortunate task of informing Lingling of what he'd learned.

"Hey, I brought food," Mikey said as he walked toward the group holding a bag a bagel and three coffees. He didn't know who the chubby man with colorful dress was, but he assumed that he must be a doctor considering he was wearing a white coat on.

"Thank you, Mikey. Anything has got to be better than the swill they serve here," Somchai replied, taking a cup from the holder. He wasn't normally a coffee drinker, but he supposed the caffeine would do him good today.

Somchai frowned when Lingling completely ignored the offered food and drink. "Lingling, you really should have something to eat."

"I'm not hungry," Lingling mumbled. Though she'd never admit it, she was thoroughly exhausted, but there was no way she could go to sleep anytime soon.

Grabbing a coffee and a bagel, Somchai shoved them into Lingling's hands. "You WILL eat, or I will not allow you to stay here!"

"Fine!" snapped Lingling, hastily taking a bite of the bagel while glaring at her uncle.

Mikey almost laughed at the ever-independent Lingling caving in to Somchai' order. He held back his mirth, knowing it was inappropriate considering the situation. Secretly, he was glad Somchai had forced the issue. Lingling looked haggard, the lack of sleep and food starting to catch up to her. He knew it was unlikely that Lingling would leave the hospital anytime soon, but at least they could get her to eat. 

The room lapsed into relative silence while Lingling and Mikey ate, and Somchai and the unknown man chatted in whispered tones. Mikey waited until Lingling had finished before deciding to bring up his conversation with Maylada. He didn't want to do it while Lingling had throwable objects in her hands.

"I saw Bow this morning," he finally uttered.

Lingling eyed Mikey, sensing something ominous in the tone of her friend's voice. She was about to speak when Somchai looked up from the paperwork he'd been reading through. Removing his glasses, Somchai closed the file and started to turn toward the door.

"Well, we will leave you two. As soon as we have an update on Orm we'll let you know," he relayed, glancing at his watch to check the time.

"No, uncle Somchai, you should hear this. It's about...Orm," Mikey explained, his eyes drifting to the third man, wondering if he should ask the man to leave.

Somchai saw the look and stepped forward. "Oh, pardon my rudeness. This is Suzie. He will be serving as Orm's psychiatrist."

Nodding, Mikey shook hands with Suzie. "Good, you should hear this, too."

"What's going on, Mikey?" Lingling butted in.

"Bow...she...she told me..." Mikey sighed, hating what he was about to say. "I think I know what pushed Orm over the edge last night."

"Really?" Suzie said pensively, stepping forward. "It would definitely be helpful to know what made that little cupcake crumble."

Lingling scowled at Suzie, but didn't say anything. She'd met the psychiatrist half an hour earlier and she'd already realized the man was rather unconventional. Besides, all that mattered now was finding out what Mikey knew.