Surprise on the Doorstep

Chapter III

Chapter 3

I feel like I can't breathe.

It's all come rushing back to me.

What started out as such a normal and typical day; turns into one of complete confusion.

Was it really an actual bomb? Who would send that to my house?

Why?

I didn't realize that I was so completely zoned out, that Detective Carlisle was practically shouting my name, trying in vain to get me to respond.

I distinctly remember looking him dead in the eyes, watching the words come tumbling out of his mouth, but not being able to hear or understand what he was saying. Everything felt very slowed, and I couldn't fully understand why.

I was just caught up on thinking about my almost average day; Going to school, talking to my friends, going home, joking with my mom.

My mom.

Oh god, my mom! What happened to her? Was she hurt? Where is she now? Is she okay?

Really beginning to freak out, I look between Detective Carlisle and the other nurses who have just entered the room, most likely to try and help calm the commotion, and open my mouth to ask about my mom, but find that I can't.

In fact, my voice won't come out at all. I can't speak at all. This, of course, freaks me out even more, and I can clearly see everyone else in the room beginning to panic.

I feel someone place their hand on my shoulder, and look over to see that the hand belonged to Dr. Johnson. She is staring at me calmly, slowly moving her other hand up and down, in a gesture that suggests that she wants me to try and take some deep breathes.

Only looking at her, I try and listen to what she wants me to do, and soon, I find myself calming down slightly.

"Adelaide, are you okay?" I hear Dr. Johnson ask, as my hearing comes back.

I slowly nod my head in response and glance around the room.

Detective Carlisle has now moved to stand on the other side of Dr. Johnson, and the other nurses are beginning to leave the room. Watching them leave, I see a man standing out in the hall across from the door. He's casually leaning against the wall behind him, almost as if he's bored. He's tall, possibly 6', and he has short brown hair. He's well built, and extremely handsome. I wish I could say that's why I noticed him.

As he's casually leaned against the wall, with his buff arms crossed, he's staring right at me, not even looking away, not blinking.

Obviously noticing that I'm staring right back at him, I can clearly see the smirk that is growing on his face. I squint my eyes at him ever so slightly, but then a nurse pushing a gigantic cart walks past him, blocking my view of him for a couple seconds.

I keep looking regardless, but once she passes, he's gone. Almost as if he was never there to begin with. I keep looking a little longer to see if he'll pop back up, but he never does.

"Adelaide, did you hear me?" I zone back into Dr. Johnson's question directed towards me.

"Yeah . . . Yeah, I'm fine," I nod my head, hoping to convince not only her, but myself as well.

"Okay, sweetie, you gave us quite the scare," Dr.Johnson gives me a reassuring smile.

I glance up at her, then over to Detective Carlisle, and ask in a quiet voice, "Where's my mom? Why isn't she here?"