Hard Reboot Episode 01

Chapter 12

The Chief-Consul ushered Brita into Bobbi's hospital room. David remained out in the hall under guard. Bobbi sat propped up in the bed, watching television.

"Brita, your back," Bobbi's face brightened. "My new doctor has been so nice; he gave me two scoops of pistachio ice cream."

"Yeah," Brita sighed. "That's great Bobbi."

"What's wrong, Brita?" Bobbi's furrowed brows deepened with worry. Brita stepped up to the bed and clutched Bobbi's hand. She rubbed her thumb against the back of her hand.

Brita sighed. She opened her mouth, but the words wouldn't come. How could she tell her? This was almost as hard as trying to tell her about mom. She was leaving. She had to go -- she didn't have a choice.

"I..." Brita tried to step back, but Bobbi gripped on to her hand.

"Just tell me." Bobbi searched her eyes. "It can't be worse than..."

Brita nodded. "In a way, it can." She took a deep breath, and stared into Bobbi's eyes. "I have to go."

"Not before you tell me," Bobbi pleaded.

Brita pulled Bobbi's hand up to her lips and kissed it. "No, that's what I'm saying. I have to leave. As in, I have to leave town." She looked over her shoulder at the Chief-Consul. When she looked back, Bobbi's eyes were wide.

"What are you saying?" Bobbi asked. "Why would you be leaving?" Bobbi searched her eyes.

Brita sat on the edge of the bed, and faced her sister. She held on to Bobby's hand in her lap. She took a breath, and told her the story. Everything that had happened. "And now, I have to leave."

Bobbi nodded once, though her eyes moistened.

Brita continued, "But, you're going to stay here, and get better. Do you hear me? You have to get better. For me and for mom."

Bobbi searched her eyes again, jumping from one to the other and back again. "What do you mean I'm staying here? I'm going with you."

"No, Bobbi." She shook her head. She clenched her eyes told back the tears. "You have to get better. You have to. As long as you're sick, you have to stay and get better."

The Chief-Consul eased further into the room -- his arms behind his back.

"You have to promise me."

A single tear fell from the corner of Bobby's eyes as she nodded.

"But where will you go? What will you do? You'll be all alone."

"No, David's going with me." Brita looked to her left out the door. She saw David leaning against the wall. Their eyes met. He forced a weak smile. She returned the smile, and looked back at Bobbi.

"Who's David?" Bobbi asked, sitting up.

"He's – he's the Chief-Consul's son. He'll – he'll take care of me while the Chief-Consul takes care of you." She glanced at the Quinn, seething just underneath the surface.

Quinn nodded back.

"Yes, I will." He said taking a step forward. "I will take good care of you." She wanted to wipe the fake-comforting look off his face.

Brita leaned down, hugging her sister, resting her chin on her shoulder. "You need to stay strong," she whispered. Bobbi nodded. "I love you. And I'll be back." She released her sister, and stood up clutching her hand again. "Never forget that I love you."

"It's time," Quinn said. Brita looked over her shoulder and glared at him. "We need to go."

Brita opened her mouth to respond but couldn't think of what to say in front of her sister. She knew what she would like to say. But that would make things harder for Bobbi. But if her sister could stay strong, so could she. And what she'd said was true. She would be back.

She headed out the door to meet up with David. Quinn stayed behind for a moment. Probably something to reassure Bobbi. The thought made Brita angry. But she had to control it for now. Quinn couldn't know that she was coming back.

She couldn't trust him to take care of Bobbi, since he couldn't take care of his own son. He was vile. But, he held all the cards. He was in charge -- for now. Her cheeks flushed at the thought of leaving Bobbi behind. But, David was right. She couldn't do a thing locked up in prison.