Is This Smart? (Under editing and revising)

Chapter 15

A cold, shaking hand brushes the hair off my forehead and out of my eyes. I can barely talk but I mange a little whisper, "Jenn? Is that you?"

A calm and relived voice answers, "Yes, Chelsea. It's me; I told you I'd come back. I'll always come back."

This brings a weak smile to my pale face. Then, I try to push myself up on my elbows. I struggle for a moment, but for pairs of hand reach down to help me. I throw my arms around Jennifer's neck and start sobbing, "Where were you? I thought I'd never see you again! Let alone think you'd left us and wouldn't return."

She starts patting my back, and shhing me, "Now, Chelsea. That's an irrational fear. And besides, I would never leave you guys without a reasonable excuse. I was-- was looking for that-- that little girl that was missing."

A concerned look spreads across Jordan's face. As I lie back down, he asks, "What little girl?"

I continue to wipe the flood of tears off my face, while Jennifer explains to Jordan, "The little boy with the dinosaurs pajamas, Robert, that's his twin sister. Have you seen him or their parents because when I came down from the elevator, I didn't see them?"

I look up with my bloodshot eyes, "I did see him playing with some of the other kids, but it's been awhile since I last saw him."

Maggie elaborates with her arms crossed, "Ten minutes at the most."

Just then, Colin from the front desk, walks up behind Jennifer. He stands beside her and asks to talk to her. They walk away and I notice that Maggie had a smile across her face, that is, until he walked away. In a normal situation, either Ann or I would have made a comment or joke with Maggie. But, under these circumstances, that just doesn't seem right, even if we would just try to lighten the mood, it wouldn't work. The silence in our circle is begin to get awkward. I look down to my knee. Under the ice bag, my originally pale skin, if flourished with colors. Blues, purples, some green and yellow too. I slide the bag around to get a better look; I suck in a breath. The movement from the bag irritated my popped out knee bone. I just squeeze my face up. Jordan, who has been watching Jennifer and Colin, glances at me. His caring personality takes over. Scooting closer to me, he asks, "Hey, hey. Chelsea, what wrong? How can I help?"

Heaving a huge sigh, I answer, sounding as if I'm in terrible pain, "I'm-- I'm just... It hurts. I moved the ice... and I think I messed up my knee again! Ugh!" I stop for breath, while Jordan watches me with a concerned look. I continue when he grabs my hand, "And my back hurts too... I, well, could you, maybe bring one of those squishy chairs over? And a stool? Maybe..."

He gets up and motions to Maggie. They head off to find me a chair. "Wow." I begin thinking. "Right now, I feel so helpless. But so lucky. And terrified at the same time. How could this happen? Again?"

Tears begin to fill my eyes when they return. Jordan drops the chair near a corner. And squats by me again, grabbing my hand and rubbing my back, "Shh. You are fine. I know it hurts, but we will get you all fixed up! ASAP!" Without another word, Jordan scoops me up and settles me, gently into the chair. When I'm situated, Maggie sets an ottoman near my foot and props my knee on it. She settles in front of me on the floor and Jordan announces, "I'll be right back. I promise. Okay?"

I hesitate with an answer. I don't want anyone I care about leaving my sight right now. Even though I couldn't help them at all. I rarely ever can.

But, Jordan continues, "You will be able to see me he whole time I promise, plus you've got your phone... Just call me. Okay. I'll be right back."

He leaves. So does Ann, she's going to retrieve the things left behind when the other came searching for me. I'm left with Maggie who is staring at me.

"What?" I say, somewhat defensively.

"Oh, nothing. Nothing at all. Except for the fact that you, like, just left to 'help' Jennifer without even tell any of us! I mean, come on, Chelsea. I do not want a repeat of last summer... And I highly doubt you do!"

After a few deep breaths, and all my strength to keep my tears in, I reply, "Maggie, I am so so sorry. I just, well, I thought I could try to help for once. You guys always are, like, brave and smart and always accomplish stuff. I just get in the way and am like the baby of the family. I'm always getting hurt or scared. I wanted to do something important, you know? For once."

I think I left Maggie a little speechless, because she stutters over her words for a few seconds, but the Jordan is back. So is Ann. Jordan is holding a bottle of water in one hand. And in the other he holds out a bottle of pain medications, "Hey, Chelsea. I got this from that first aid kit on the wall over there." He gestures and hands me the items. "The meds might help with the pain a little."

I roll the bottle around in my hand. When the label faces up, I read it to myself. "Tylenol. For minor pain relief." Then I think, "This is the same thing I have in my suitcase." I pop off the lid, pull back a seal, and dump two tablets into the palm of my hand. After swallowing them, I thank Jordan and look to where Jennifer is talk. But, now Steven and Sean are there instead of Colin.

Jordan maneuvers his way behind my chair, places his still warm hands on my shoulders and starts to rub at the tense knots. We all remain in silence while waiting for a possible answer from Jennifer. Eventually, we all overhear Colin, who had returned moments ago. He's saying something to Jenn. Something important. "I'm really sorry about this. I hated to do this but the police have the building on lockdown. So the only people allowed here are the police themselves and the staff." Jennifer gives him a reply and turns toward us.

"Jenn! What's going on? Do they know what happened?" I shout to her first.

Ann follows with more questions, "What'd they tell you? Where's everyone going?"

Jennifer tells us straight and simply, "We're leaving."