My Fallen Angel

Chapter Nineteen: The Accident

            As soon as those words left Alphonse’s mouth, Betty gave a low gasp. Aeriel slapped her hand to her mouth while Carl looked at Alphonse, horror-stricken. And me? Well, I just fainted.

            When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a bed inside a room I don’t recognize. I was still wearing the black dress but I was barefoot. My eyes scanned the room and saw Aeriel, sleeping at a couch inside the room. I sat up and found my shoes at the ground. I grabbed it and put it on both of my feet. I frowned. Where am I?

            I tried hard to recall what happened before I lost my consciousness. With a jolt, I remembered that there was an accident. I was breathing hard now, trying to think what happened. I know Patrick is still alive—I’m still alive, after all.

            “Aeriel?” I called her. I need someone to tell me what happened and where I am.

            She stirred in her sleep and when she opened her eyes, she gave me a weak smile. “You’re awake,” she whispered and then walked towards me.

            “Where am I? Where are the others? Where… where is Patrick?”

            She sighed. “Alphonse and Betty went to the hospital. Carl is with them, too. When you fainted, I volunteered to take care of you.” Then she sighed again and hugged me. “I thought you’re going to dissolve and disappear! I thought Patrick had died and you died, too! But when Alphonse said your heart is still beating, I relaxed. At least Patrick is okay.”

            “The others?” I said when she let go of me. “BJ, Fatima, Beverly? What happened to them?”

            Aeriel shrugged. “I don’t know. I tried calling Carl but he isn’t answering. I’m worried,” she admitted and a tear fell from her eyes.

            “Let’s go to the hospital. Do you know where it is?”

            She nodded. “Yeah. Are you okay now? We can call a cab and go.”

            I nodded. “Let’s.”

            I stood up, a little dizzy and together, we went out the room. Aeriel was walking quickly while I took the time to savor the moment. This is going to be the last time when I’m going to stay in this house. I have a lot of memories here. When we went down the stairs and walked past the living room, I remembered the spot when Patrick first kissed me. Without knowing it, a tear fell down to my cheeks.

            “Hurry, Kate. What…” Aeriel started but when she saw me staring at the living room, with a tear on my cheek. “Hey… Why are you crying?”

            “Tonight is the last time I’m going to see this house, Aeriel,” I cried. “I’m never going back. That is the spot where Patrick first kissed me…”

            “Oh, Kate,” Aeriel said and buried me in a hug. “You will see him when you get back to Heaven… Everything is going to be okay, I promise.”

            I took a deep breath and nodded. “You’re right, Aeriel.”

            We walked out of the mansion and hailed a cab. When we got to the hospital, I felt as if a bucketful of ice slid down my stomach. Inside one of the rooms, Patrick is lying on a bed, suffering.

            Aeriel grabbed my hand and we walked inside to the receptionist. She smiled at us. “How may I help you?”

            “Do you know where Patrick Hall and the others are?” I asked.