Mystery Girl

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Beep.Beep.Beep.

I fumbled around my bedside table, my fingers searching for the button that stopped the alarm clock.

I opened one eye peering at the time, the green numbers shining bright in my eyes, 5 am. I was on call from 6 so I stood up, my muscles still heavy from sleep and trudged to the shower. Routinely, I undressed and got into the shower, not even looking, cold water spraying my back. I jumped out from underneath it, alert. I adjusted the water and got on with it. What was I to do now? Alana was obviously hurting. She was obviously having a hard time. I knew what I needed to do. I needed to talk to her parents.

As I pulled into the hospital parking lot I saw a woman stepping out of her car. She looked oddly like Alana. That must be her mother. I hurried out of my car to catch up to her.

"Hello. Are you, Alana's mother?" She gave me a confused look.

"Umm...yes. And you are?"

I offered my hand, and as she shook it I introduced myself.

"River Blemmings. I'm Alana's grief councilor."

Her expression went from one of confusion to guarded. What was she worried about? That I knew about her and her husband abusing Alana?

"Well, if you excuse me, I'm going to go see me daughter."

"Well, ma'am. I was just going in to see Alana now. Are you aware that she tried to commit suicide, again?"

"Of course I am. Why would I not know?"

"Then Mrs Wells, why weren't you at the hospital when I first saw Alana and not there yesterday?"

"River, I appreciate your concern for my daughter, but it's not the easiest time for our family right now."

"Ma'am. Here's my business card. May we please make an appointment. I need to speak to you, and your husband, regarding Alana."

She fiddled with my business card, looking it over. "Ummm, sure. I'll talk to my husband and we'll call you."

Without even a proper goodbye, she hurried into the hospital. I waited a few moments. Figuring chasing after her wouldn't help. I calmly walked up to the front desk. Georgia was there, yet again. I thought that other people worked that job too.

"Hey Georgia." I flashed her a smile and leaned up against the counter with my side pressed against the cold wood.

"Hey River. You going straight up to Alana? Her mum's in there." I never noticed her slight Southern accent.

"Yeah I know. Bumped into her in the parking lot."

"She looked kinda shaken when she walked in."

"Yeah, well. The woman's daughter just tried to kill herself. Can you blame her?"

"Yeah I guess you're right. I can't imagine what that's like. Havin someone so close to you, try to end their life."

"I guess it's just hard to accept." I'd never mentioned it to anyone out of my family before but, a couple of years ago, my little brother, Elliot, committed suicide. Not attempted. Committed. I've never been able to talk about it to anyone apart from my family because...well I never really found out why he did it. And a part of me blames myself. How had I not seen it coming? Georgia snapped me out of my "trance", just then.

"Hey River? You alright there?"

"Yeah, sorry just started daydreaming. I'm gonna go to the cafe across the street. I'll be back soon. Can you please buzz in to Alana's room and tell her I'll be back later, after her mum's left?"