Journey Home

Chapter Eighteen

When I wake up, I panic. I hit the bed with my arm. "A hospital," I rage. "And I get to see Miss Flavrin. And where the hell is AUSTIN!"

A nurse runs in at my yelling. "Calm down, miss," she says in a gentle voice.

"I will not!" I rage at her. "Where's Austin?!"

She looks puzzled. "Would you like something to drink...?"

"Ughhh." I flop back angrily. "No."

Still rather puzzled, the nurse leaves me alone. I stare out the window, immensely bored and trying not to panic.

You're getting out, I remind myself. Just a bit of time with ole Flavrin, then you're free.

I promised myself I'd never go back to her!

This is the only way to find your real parents. Calm down.

The doctor comes in later, looking cowed. Miss Flavrin marches in behind him, looking triumphant. I feel a rush of sympathy for the poor doc. I've been on the receiving end of her tongue and, let me tell you, it isn't fun.

"Zoey!" she barks angrily. "Get over here!"

"Um, ma'am-" the doctor starts, but stops at the look she throws him. "We've signed necessary paperwork and such," he tells me kindly, hurrying over to my bedside.

"Okay," I say, trying to hide my downcast feelings. "Sure. So I have to leave with her now?"

I look at her, proud and swelling up with anger, and feel triumphant. I'll be out of your mangy grip before you know it.

Before I know it, we're outside. I'm hobbling along, and Miss Flavrin would be running ahead (to be out of the way of my 'germs'), but she's not losing the opportunity to lecture me.

Which she does for the entire drive to the orphanage.

I get out and practically run inside, eager to see Nancy and Clare. "Just a minute!" Miss Flavrin barks. "We have a new room for you, so don't just go rushing in like you own the place!"

Have I mentioned that her voice sounds like steel? It sinks its way through my mind, settling in the pit of my stomach.

She slams the door shut and takes me inside. Somehow I find myself with lodgings in the attic and news that I'm going to be missing lunch and dinner.

Furious, I sit down on the couch I've been provided with in place of a bed, coughing dust. "I hate you!" I scream at the stairs.

Probably sometime around lunch, she comes back, holding a sandwich in her hand. The really good kind. I marvel at her change of heart and stand up.

...then she takes a big bite out of it. Through a mouthful, she says, "For that insult, you will be missing breakfast as well." A devilish smile on her face, she marches back down the stairs.

It takes all of my willpower not to scream insults after her. I clamp my mouth shut and sit down again.

Suddenly a brilliant plan comes to mind. Sneak out again and find Austin and his dad! Who says I have to stay here?

I actually start for the stairs before I realize the obvious flaw: Miss Flavrin has to sign the papers.

Furious at the little, tantalizing, impossible dream, I pace. "Hurry, Austin," I say aloud. Something else wrenches itself from my lips.

"I want you... I need you... I l-" I clamp my lips over the last word. Lies.