Cataindar

CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR

Luisa’s eyes fluttered open. She was in a firm bed with crisp hospital sheets set tight around her. Her tongue felt like cardboard and her mouth was like sandpaper. A rhythmic beep droned to her right.  There were tubes in her arm.  She looked up at strip lights and tried to push herself up.  Pain tore at her side.  The memories flashed back to her. 

Oh God.

She looked to her side.  Her mum was in the bed next to her, turned on her side towards Luisa, biting her bottom lip, tears streaming down her cheeks.  Her Mum. 

My Mum is OK.

“Mum,” Luisa croaked.

“My baby girl.”

Her mum reached out towards Luisa and Luisa pushes her hand out.  Their fingers touch. Luisa smiles, grimaces a little and lets herself slip back down into unconsciousness.

The next two weeks went by quickly, with most of Luisa’s recovery spent in an coma.  She had been relieved of a kidney, but apart from that she was be OK.  Her mother’s operation was a complete success. She made a much quicker recovery than anyone expected, and was soon well enough to spend her time at Luisa’s bedside. A scar traced the side of her head, but the Doctors were confident she could hide it when her hair came back. Max came to visit, and looked at Luisa quietly.  He tucked action man into her covers before leaving. Uncle Hugh came by, awkwardly shuffling from foot to foot before putting his large rough hand on Luisa’s own.  Luisa opened her eyes once to see her grandmother at the end of her bed. When she saw Luisa was awake she quickly left without a word. 

Soon Luisa was ready to talk properly.  No one had yet asked her what happened.  She felt for her pendant but it was gone.  She asked her doctor if they had found it.  But the doctor shook his head.  Luisa had started to feel like everyone was being really weird around her.  Finally her Mum spoke to her properly. 

“Darling, its time for you to speak to someone, the doctor’s are recommending you speak to a child psychologist, someone that you can talk to, you know, about everything.”

“Mum, I…”

“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. But they will want to keep you in here longer if you don’t.”

Mary-Jane was the psychologists name.  She had red hair cut into a long bob, with sharp dark brown eyes. 

“Hello Luisa, my name is Mary-Jane, I work with young people that have been exposed to severe trauma.  Now, I know you have a story, and it is time to tell it.  Before you begin, there are some things you need to know.  I don’t work for anyone but you.  Not the hospital, not your Mum, not anyone.  You also need to know anything you tell me is confidential, I won’t be telling anyone.  No matter how crazy or messed up things have been.  You just tell me.  Then we will get you out and on your way OK?”

                                                                                        *  *  *

Mary-Jane sat back.  Ninety percent of what she had just said was a lie.  She worked for both the hospital and the local government.  But this was the best way to get the little arseholes talking.   She watched the little girl weigh up her options. 

“I just honestly don’t think you will believe me.”

“I know honey, but really, what’s the worst that can happen Luisa?”

The girl took a deep breath, “OK, well, as long as you can’t say anything, like if that is actually your job?”

Mary-Jane did her best version of nodding sweetly.

“Well where shall I begin?”

“From the very beginning Luisa.  The very beginning.”

The girl began.

Mary-Jane listened and made notes.  Hours later, her notes showed clearly that Luisa had suffered from a Class One schizophrenic episode, and that she needed to be on immediate anti-psychotic drugs in a secure institution until it can be ascertained that she would not a danger to herself or others.  It was an intricate and advanced psychosis, Luisa perhaps even had herself convinced.

Mary-Jane hypothesised that it was almost certainly tied in with her Mother’s illness, changing homes, changing schools. The theatrical ending of which Luisa blamed her injury on a giant rat, despite the fact that she had previously sought expertise from Dr. Ward. Not just that but seeing the story in the local news two girls from the pharmacy in Llagollen village had come forward saying the strange English girl was also asking them the same questions about being stabbed in the stomach before running away.  Mary-Jane hypothesised, ha! Hypothesised!  She knew the little girl had intended to stab herself and patch it up. At least enough to get into hospital, to be with her Mum, and to conveniently miss this new school which she was obviously desperate not to go to.  It was fairly open and shut. Very advanced, somewhat unusual but very open and shut.   

 The girl looked at her, her blue eyes were shining and her knuckles were white on the chair.

"So... what happens now?"

"Well honey, let me just tell you this; you have absolutely nothing to worry about."