Aira

Chapter 3

Joshua’s POV

 He truly wasn’t the one who put her face all over the news. And when he said all over the news he meant she was everywhere you looked. She was on the news every time he turned on his television and it was getting kind of annoying. 

It was a huge surprise to him when Claire reacted that way. He never saw that coming so he wasn’t surprised when Aira didn’t believe him, he wouldn’t either. Truth to be told he expected her to help Aira not to get her caught. He didn’t know what exactly happened because he wasn’t there when the cops talked to her but they called after to inform him he wouldn’t need to talk to the reporters, because it was already covered. Police claimed that Claire was extremely cooperating and wanted her back in the hospital as quickly as possible. They didn’t tell him much more but it was enough to know that it was out of Claire’s character. He was having doubts until he saw her crying face on the news telling everyone a bunch of lies. The tears looked very convincing, though.

He didn’t blame Aira for not believing that he wasn’t the one who did all of this. It really didn’t bother him that she had blamed him for that because he understood she had been angry with him even before it happened so it really didn’t make that much of a difference. Claire was the only person Aira had left and if she acknowledged the truth it would most likely break her. She needed Claire to believe in her sanity, in order to be able to believe in it herself.

He needed to visit her and to talk with Doctor Raymond about her condition and restrictions, so he quickly completed his work and headed to the hospital. The first thing he did after arriving was talking to Doctor Raymond. 

“I need you to sign that you agree that she is watched at all times and that we can add a couple of cameras in her room. You need to understand that we need to take precautions this time. We still don’t know how she managed to escape the last time. She will also be a bit more restricted than others. Keep in mind that this hospital can’t afford another scandal. Read it and then deliver the papers to my secretary. It’s all necessary. It might seem a bit over the top but she really put us in a tight spot here. Look, just read it and if you have a problem with it just put her somewhere else. There are other hospitals I would recommend you…”

“Don’t worry I’ll sign. Can I just see her?”

“Yes, of course.” 

He entered her room and sat on the bed next to her. She was all tied up and she was clearly drugged. She didn’t notice him at first but he had a strong suspicion that she became aware of his presence after he started talking. 

“Hey! How are you doing? I am just here for a quick visit. I was told that you cooperated this time that is good… I talked to Doctor Raymond about you…” 

She blankly stared at the wall. She didn’t respond to anything he said, she just laid there without moving and it was making him feel uncomfortable. She was really pale and she seemed so small and thin like she was going to break any moment. 

He looked at her for a long time and tried talking to her but gave up after a while. It was clear that she was in no condition to talk to him. He stood up said goodbye and turned to leave but came to a stop when she suddenly grabbed his arm. He slowly turned to her surprised that she was able to do that when she seemed so lifeless. 

“Don’t leave me here!”

He sat back on the bed and put on a patient face even while the irritation made its appearance. He had somewhere to be and it wasn’t like she would remember it tomorrow. It was pointless, he couldn’t remember why he was there in the first place. He forced himself to be polite.

“I have to go but I promise I will be back very soon.”

“S…. t….Kill…”

He couldn’t hear what she said. Her mind was losing the battle with drugs so she was unable to concentrate and was back to emotionless staring that was now pointed directly at him.