Shattered

Chapter 3 Bradley

"Hope is the only thing stronger than fear." Suzanne Collins

Bradley pulled the layer of thin blankets tight around her arms attempting to warm her body. The nurses had covered her in several warm blankets, but the heat faded too quickly in the cool hospital air. A thin, worn cotton gown was the only thing between her naked body and the hospital bedding.

The curtain surrounding the small space was pushed back and closed a second later. "Still freezing?" the heavyset redhead nurse asked with an electric pink stethoscope around her neck.

Bradley nodded. The nurse pulled another gown out of a small set of drawers alongside the bed. She helped Bradley sit up and as she unbuttoned the shoulder to slide the gown off her body around the IV line. Bradley shuddered as the chilly air hit her chest. The nurse turned the used gown around and placed it against her back so it was open in the front. She then put the new gown over the old one, with the opening in the back. The nurse lifted up the blankets and added a pair of light green hospital socks to her frozen feet.

"Better?"

Bradley smiled. The difference was minimal, but the effort provided an extra layer of comfort, especially now that her back was covered. She ducked under the covers and pulled the blankets to her nose. The nurse disappeared around the thick pastel striped curtain and returned a minute later with another warm blanket.

"Your boyfriend should be here any second," she said, tucking the blanket under Bradley's body.

The heat was faint through the layers, but she felt instantly warm knowing that Mark was coming. Deep in her heart, she knew he'd never leave her. The curtain opened wide and a young male entered with a sheet of paper. He grinned through his beard and pointed to his badge.

"Bradley Whitfield?"

"Yeah."

"I'm Charles. I'm going to take you to your room."

"Okay," Bradley responded. "My friend is on his way. Are they sending him here or to my room?"

Charles shook his head and waived the nurse over. She waddled in the small space. "Is something wrong?"

"No...umm...I was just wondering if Mark is supposed to come here or if he's going to my room?"

"Bradley!"

"Mark!" she yelped. He leapt past Charles and the nurse and threw his arms around her. Her emotions soared and tears started flowing down her cheeks.

"Are you okay?" He released his grip and looked her up and down. "I was so worried about you."

Bradley nodded. "I'm okay, I promise."

"Romeo, we're moving her to a room upstairs," Charles interrupted.

"It's okay," Bradley squeezed Mark's hand. "You can come with me."

"Glad that's all sorted out," the nurse said sarcastically as she exited.

Mark didn't take his eyes off Bradley as Charles pushed the bed down the hallway, through a set of double wooden doors to an elevator bank. "Your parents are downstairs with Conner," Mark offered.

Her parents...Bradley closed her eyes desperately trying to escape her mind. She couldn't see them. Not now. Not yet. Her sister Kristin was a monster. But, the truth would destroy the Whitfield family. "Where's Emma?" Mark shrugged his shoulders. "And, Kristin?" she almost choked on the name.

"I'm not sure." Bradley looked into Mark's steel blue eyes. He appeared confused, not angry. There was no indication that he knew her sister was behind what happened a few hours earlier.