Sentience

48

Arabelle sat on the bed, soullessly staring outside through the window. It was lonely inside the room, only the aches from the cut she developed all over her body and the cuffed hand to the railing had been her accompany. 

She understood it well. After all, how could the two officers who guarded her outside would let anyone room with her? She was a criminal, she would harm others as well.

But, strangely, the young nurse who was treating her since the first day had never been scared of her. Every time she came to clean her wound or to check her vital, the nurse wouldn't stop smiling, making Belle feel like she was with her sister, Brianna.

Sometimes, she would purposely take quite some time treating the girl, sending the officers away after unlocking the cuff around Belle's wrist. Never once would Belle understand the kind gesture, but she was so grateful to be given freedom, though it didn't last long.

"About your mother," the nurse spoke up, but, Belle didn't look at her. It was as if it was not interesting. "It's possible to see her awake."

I hope she's not waking up, Belle said in her head, still staring outside.

"Arabelle..." The nurse called her name rather softly, touching the girl's heart. The soothe almost made her believe that it was Brianna who was talking to her. And that made her move her head to find the nurse's face. "I know you are a good girl. I can see it from your eyes."

The nurse was smiling while her hand softly caressed Belle's hand. They were strangers to each other but Belle felt so much comfort to be in her presence. And the point she said, it brought tears into the girl's eyes until a bead rolled down her cheek.

"You must have your reason, don't you?" The nurse wiped the liquid stain away with her palm. "Maybe if you tell the details to the police, they can help you with something."

Belle remained silent. Just like the previous days she was here.

After admitting her crime to Changmin, she never talked about the dreadful event to anyone. Even when the detectives came questioning questions, Belle never responded; she sealed her mouth tight.

The last words she uttered were when she told her father that she didn't want to see anyone. Because she knew, Ji Changmin would loyally wait outside the room and she wasn't ready to see him. However, despite that, she never stopped both her father and stepmother from coming inside the room, although still, no words came out of her mouth.

There was no diagnosis of it. The doctor said maybe Belle was shocked by what had happened, that she was unable to act normal, and that the time for her to heal would come, and everyone needed to wait.

It was then, while Belle and the nurse shared meaningful stares, that their moment was disturbed by the sound of the door open. Whoever it was, the person must have been so mad, the energy just to slide the light door was too excessive.

"Belle."

The call was stern despite the panting the boy heaved. He must have been running here but that wasn't the point. With him here, in the room, simply meant that Ji Changmin had broken Belle's rule.

The girl reached for the nurse's hand; her orbs were sending a signal. That, she wanted to be alone despite wondering how Changmin could easily come in, and why the officers never stopped him.

Arabelle was betrayed. Because the nurse seemed to have a different idea.

"I'll distract the police so you two can talk," the young nurse said, patting Belle's arm next. "Ring the button if you need me."

There was nothing Belle could do; she couldn't run either. So, she obeyed, following Changmin's rhythm.

The boy seemed to be hesitant but at the same time, he was eager about something. Which, had sparked curiosity from inside her.