Fostered

Chapter Ten

I come to without any idea how much time has passed. I look down and see a bulky, blue cast on my left forearm. I grimace, then look up. I'm lying in a bed in a nearly silent room. The only noise comes from the medical equipment wired to me, which is humming and beeping quietly. As I look around, I begin remembering the events leading up to now. I start to panic and I yank everything off of myself. I tear the EKG stickers off of my skin, rip out my IV, and toss the finger clamp across the room. The equipment beside me starts bleeping loudly and I jump out of bed. The door swings open and two nurses stand there, looking bewildered.

I stare at them for a long time as I weigh my options. I turn around and look out the window... We're pretty high up. I look back at them and notice that they've stepped a little closer. Suddenly, though, Calla comes running into the room. My eyes widen and she wraps me up in her arms. The nurses hesitate, as if they aren't really sure what to do. I hug Calla tight and she pulls away, cupping my face. Only then do I become aware of the throbbing pain in my head. She frowns at me and shakes her head.

"Are you okay?" I ask, my voice sounding strangely hoarse.

"Yeah, I'm okay." Calla assures me.

One of the nurses clears her throat, "Miss, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"I want to see my family," I demand.

"I'm afraid we ca-"

"I want to see my family," I repeat, becoming slightly angry, "Calla, where is everyone?"

"Sloan, just calm down. We're going to get everything sorted out, okay?" She says quietly.

"Miss, if you don't leave soon, I'm going to have to get security." The second nurse warns.

"Stop!" I yell, reaching for my head.

Almost instantly, Hallie is standing in the doorway. A police officer stands behind her. I look around, panicked. Calla holds my good arm gently and I start to feel confused.

"Sloan, it's okay." Hallie tells me, "You're okay."

"I want to go home," I wince.

"We'll go home as soon as we get everything sorted out at the station. Calla will be accompanying us." Hallie explains.

Calla gives a soft pull on my arm and I apprehensively follow her into the hallway. The two nurses go about cleaning up everything I messed up. I look around the hospital and try to keep my cool. My cast is heavy and it feels weird on my arm. I start to ignore it, though, when I step into the elevator with everyone. Hallie has a very angry look on her face and Calla keeps a watchful eye on me. The police officer is expressionless and stands in the corner behind me. We ride the elevator in silence and then, after Hallie talks to the front desk people, we leave the hospital. I go to get into the McKinnons' car, but the police officer hastily redirects me to his vehicle. I sit down in the front seat and he gets in beside me. He starts up the car and the familiar sound of the police radio comes on. He turns it down and shifts in his seat.

"You feeling alright?" He asks.

I nod.

"That's good... That's good." He says.

An uncomfortable quiet settles over us and I try my best to pretend he isn't there. But he wastes no time making things more awkward.

"Those nurses weren't expecting you to be up and around so quick. You're quite the fighter," He remarks, following Hallie's car.

"Where are they going?" I ask him, gesturing to Calla's car as she turns on a side street.

"I'm not sure. Maybe to call her parents. They got stuck in some traffic on the way over here," He tells me.