Reina's POV
3 hours. Maybe it's been 4. The waiting room is empty, besides me and a few balloons saying Congratulations! I sighed and stood up, pacing around the room. Of course Jack rented an area of a hospital so I couldn't interact with anyone else. Security guards stood outside of the room door.
I walked to the bathroom and before I opened the stall door I had an idea. I hopped onto the sink and grabbed a Bobby clip from my hair, in screwing the bolts on a air vent that I could easily go through. It's not really my fault I found it just, just a flaw in the design of this place.
Once it was loose I yanked it down and softly placed it on the ground, trying not to make too much noise. Lifting my body up and keeping my legs to the sides of the shaft, I slowly made my way up until I found another opening. I crawled up to it and kicked it open.
After I got out I dusted myself off and put the vent thing back on. Another bathroom? I walked outside and almost bumped into a nurse.
"Sorry" was the only thing I could say before the man continued walking down the busy and packed hallway of people. I kept my head down and walked toward a waiting area where people of all genders, ages, races, etc where and sat next to a woman who had a black eye and was clutching her shoulder. Her lip had been busted and blood that had once dropped down her forehead had dried.
I guess she could tell I was staring and said shakily "authentic love does not devalue another human being, it does not silence, shame or abuse. If you are in a relationship with someone who does not honor and respect you, I want you to know that you are worthy of love. Please reach out for help, your voice will save you ... let it part the darkness, let it set you free to know who you truly are -- valuable, beautiful, loved."
I gulped and thought about Jack. Did he love me? Why did what she said apply so much. I looked up at the television and gasped at the story.
"Missing teen Reina still not found after three years"
Pictures of me flooded the screen and a video of a memorial held for me last year was played showing my parents and my brother and sister crying and praying, holding candles as a huge group of people lifted up there's in sorrow. My eyes began to tear up but I completely lost it when the camera focused on someone in the crowd particularly. My boyfriend (I guess ex now) layton. His blue eyes filled with tears and his hair was messy. His football team was there to support him, all wearing their jerseys.
"Layton" I whispered, reaching my hand out to the television.
A woman turned around and gasped when she saw me. "Reina?" She asked as she stood up and walked over to me.
I couldn't recognize her face, as my vision was blurry due to the tears.
"Is that really you honey?" I could her her voice was on the edge of tears. Oh no, no no no no no no. Layton's mom.
In an instant she engulfed me in a hug and I cried into her shoulder hugging her tightly.
"Oh doll where have you been all this time?" She asked. I looked around the room and saw everyone looking at me. They now knew who I was. There were people taking videos and pictures. Some on the phone, I guess with the police I'm not sure.
"Reina?" I heard a familiar voice say.
"Layton?" I whispered. After a few seconds of looking at each other in disbelief I ran to him, wrapping my arms around him tightly.
"Baby you haven't changed a bit, I missed you so much. Where have you been, where'd you go? Are you alright?" He asked hurriedly as if I'd disappear again.
I couldn't speak so I just shook my head yes and kissed him. I looked up at the clock and reality struck me.
I'd been in this waiting room alone for six hours.
