Sixteen (ON HOLD)

5.4 - That Smile

5.4

Ginny raced down the dimly lit corridors of the hospital as fast as she could. She had been able to stand watching no more than two full minutes of the horrors going on in the operating room before bolting. Her shoes, low sensible heels, clacked hard against the thinly covered concrete floors.

Not fully sure if she was searching for the Chief or for the rest of the kids she had gotten to know throughout this hostile day, Ginny scanned the walls and doors quickly as she passed. Finally, she heard shouting up ahead and followed the sound. She blindly flew around a corner and felt her left leg slide across the floor without the rest of her body. Her leg strained and twisted in front of her and finally the rest of her slid across the floor. She landed flat on her back, there was no pain. A dull heat raced up her spine, and with mounting horror she realized she couldn’t get up, couldn’t move.

There was blood everywhere. Her hair was soaking in it. Wondering if she had hit her head, she willed her arm to raise and touch her temple but the damn thing wouldn’t comply. Her mouth opened to scream but only a strangled choking noise came out.

Tanner rushed to her side and knelt down, taking her hand. “Don’t worry Ginny, it’s not your blood. You slipped, let me help you up.”

Ginny could picture herself nodding, but she doubted the message was being relayed. Tears slid down her cheeks. The Chief tugged her arm and went to put his hand on her back to pull her up. Something about her movement, or lack thereof, made him stop.

“On second thought, just lie still Ginny.” Tanner smiled weakly at her, trying not to look worried. “A little help over here kid?”

Ginny couldn’t see who Tanner was talking to; she wished like hell she could turn her head. Heavy footsteps, in no particular hurry, approached her. Soon she could see the black steal toed boots that she remembered were Cole Park’s.  

Cole loomed over her, his face encased in shadows due to the low lighting in the hallway. His black hair was disheveled and a hint of stubble had started to form around his jaws making him look years older. He knelt down next to Tanner at her side. She could tell he was silently weighing his options, to either help her and hope she was on his side, or to just let her die here and be done with it.

“Cole . . .” Tanner started to plead with the boy but his words were silenced when Cole sighed heavily, rolled his eyes and with one hand shoved the large man several feet down the hall.

“Hello there Ginny,” Cole greeted her with a voice as smooth as silk which Ginny found intensely frightening. “Ginny, do you know where Kate is?”

Ginny tried to nod her head, but still couldn’t move. Feeling as if her life might depend on her answering this question she suddenly found her voice and whispered, “yes.”

“That’s the first good news I’ve heard all day. You know where Kate is, and I have something very important to the men who are holding her captive. Now we can work together Ginny, we can be a team.”

Cole brushed Ginny’s cheek with his hand, her skin felt wet where he had touched her. She thought maybe it was tears or even sweat but when he pulled his hand back up towards his own face she saw that it was covered in blood. She had little time to worry about though as a warm tingling sensation swept through her body, causing her a brief moment of intense pain followed by a slightly longer moment of euphoria. When it was over, she was able to sit up.

“All better now, right?” Cole cocked his head to the side with a slight smile, his voice was oddly reassuring. He was charming when he wanted to be. Ginny knew that made him all the more dangerous.

“Who’s blood is this,” Ginny asked, although she really wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

Cole looked down, the front of his shirt was covered in the red darkening liquid. He wiped his wet hands on his pants and stood up. He held out one hand to Ginny, who ignored it and got up on her own. When she looked past where Cole was standing she saw the Chief huddled on the ground, his hands over his face. Next to him was the quite mutilated body of Troy Harrison.

Ginny took one step backwards then doubled over and threw up on the cream colored linoleum floor.

Cole, immune to the sadness and devastation displayed in front of him, simply pulled his blood soaked shirt over his head and threw it to the ground. He seemed oddly at peace. He put something Ginny couldn’t quite see into his back pocket.

“Let’s go Chief. I’ve gotta go see a man about a girl,” Cole smiled.

Author's Note: Sorry guys! My new job is taking a lot out of me! I promise a shorter wait time on the next installment! Thanks for hanging with me!