Secrets in the ER

The Unfortunate Accident

The sound of the monitors kept me awake. This place felt so familiar since I had my share of visits here. I peeked out the door and saw doctors and nurses sprinting through the hallway. I positioned my body as I sat up on my bed. All I could see in my line of vision was the curtain surrounding me from outside contact.

"Evelyn. I'm so glad you're ok." my mother smiled as she hugged me.

I winced which she quickly let go for her eyes roam my bandaged body with the IV attached to my arm

"Where's Dad?" I asked

"Your father in the lobby talking with the nurse about your condition" she responded.

I sighed for I know what that meant. "What did he do?" I looked already expecting the answer.

"That's not important." I groaned but looking at her face told me I should drop this conversation. "What happened to me mom?" I asked adverting the conversation in different direction.

"I don't know. Last night, someone found you passed out.

"Passed out?"

"Yeah. Do you remember anything from last night"

I tried to remember any events but all I could see were small events that happened earlier at school: the rushing adrenaline racing to class before the bell rang, boring, dull lectures of mathematics with the sounds of chalk tapping on the chalkboard, the sounds of conversations circling through the halls.

"Well I'll call Sadie's mother and tell her you're ok."

Sadie. That's right Sadie and I were hanging out together after school for volleyball practice. Voices played in my mind as I remembered the laughs between my teammates. I walked behind the school and saw something frightening. Blood splattered on the walls. Bodies piled together on the ground. Limbs contorted in all directions. A figure stood over the bodies and held a knife covered in blood.

I shot up from my bed realizing my dad and doctor came back in the room.

"What's wrong?" my mother questioned

I tried to explain but even I couldn't find the right words. How does one explain you saw images of your teammates dead near the school. "I'm fine"

The doctor sat down as he looked through his clipboard. "Well, you haven't suffered anything but a minor concussion."

I relieved for it wasn't a serious diagnosis.

"You must have had quite a fright to pass out like that" the doctor said.

"So can I go home?" I asked

"Sure. Just let the nurse check something and you'll be ready."

"Well Evelyn, I'm going to the front desk to let them sign us out." My father looked at my mother. "Stay with her while I'm gone" my father ordered.

I hate how my father would talk to my mother and how she just accepts it.

"I'll call Sadie to let her know you're coming home"

My mom looked at me and smiled but I knew she was putting up appearances.

"Everything is fine" she assured me.

As they left the room, I laid back peering at the ceiling when the doctor approached my side.

"Alright Evelyn, I need you to take deep slow breaths" the doctor says

I found myself slowly counting after each inhale and exhale. 1...5...9...13...19..

I was about to reached 20 when.. My heart stopped in my chest when I saw who asked the question. I screamed and shook violently at the perfectly calm face smiling at me. Images of that face played in my mind over and over. Behind that friendly smile lay the twisted grin and eyes of a monster.