Heartbroken

Chapter 26: Allegra

"Is she okay?" worry laced my voice, just like my fingers as I twisted them together, the constant pounding of my heart filling my ears. My ankle throbbed, too, but the pain was not enough to distract me from my sister. I stood to meet the doctor, wringing the crinkled skirt in my hands. Milo stood beside me, as well as Mr. Chans, waiting. I felt a hand on my shoulder, but I didn't turn to see who it was.

"What's wrong, doctor?" Mr. Chans was ever-authoritative, and nothing wavered in his voice when he questioned the man standing before us. The doctor looked down, holding the clipboard at his side.

"We are unsure,"

"What does that mean?" Milo took a step forward, and unlike his father, the distress in his voice was clear.

"We've tested everything, sir, but it has come back negative. She does show symptoms of food poisoning, but we are still testing her." He handed the clipboard to Mr. Chans, and I stood on my toes, trying to see over his shoulder.

"We ran some tests on her blood, and even took an MRI, but nothing is showing up. We'll have to keep her here and run some more tests, but I'll need you to come with me to discuss some things," he glanced at Milo and I. Mr. Chans nodded and began to walk away.

"Wait," I called, following them. "Can I see her?"

"Are you her sister?"

I nodded.

"Room 212. Ask the nurses if you need any help finding it." And with that, they left, and never looked back.

"Is that how a doctor is supposed to act?" Milo said, staring skeptically at the backs of the men. I didn't have the heart to respond to him, but I took off down the hall, walking as fast as I could without getting yelled at.

"Hey, wait up,"

"What, so you can carry me again?" I regretted my words as soon as I said them. Milo didn't say anything. "Sorry, I'm just... just flustered."

"I can tell."

"I just... like being independent. But I guess you are justified in taking care of me because I can't even take care of my own sister – "

"You keep thinking like that and see what happens."

I stopped and turned to catch his gaze, surprised at the intensity in his voice. Knowing that I would probably make it worse, I continued walking.

But it was true in a sense that I couldn't even take care of myself, let alone my own sister. For years I had withstood the torture of living with our relatives, but I never really paid attention to Mercy. Yes, I protected her from physical harm, but being physically hurt is not the only way to be damaged. I don't think I ever noticed when she wanted to talk to me, or if she wanted to share a secret. I had lost so many opportunities for growth in our relationship, and all because I was only focused on what I was doing. You have no idea how much that hurts me.

And I only have a small idea of how I hurt her.

I tried not to cry as I stood beside Milo in the elevator, sniffing quietly and hugging myself. My eyes were blurred with tears before we got to the right floor, and I walked right past the room before Milo stopped me with a hand on my arm. The door was closed threateningly, and the hospital walls were bare except for a hand sanitizer dispenser. I stood there, hesitant to move, but wanting to see her.

"You okay?" Milo questioned, and I realized that I forgot he was there.

"Yeah, just... Can I hold your hand?"

Without a word, he slipped his hand into mine, and the comfort that I felt from that gesture meant the world to me, even if I had asked for it.

"Ready?"