Obscurity

Chapter 47: No Worries

Alma

I wake up to Sierra nudging me. She's standing over my bed and at first I'm startled, but then I realize she's just trying to wake me to go to lunch. I sit up, stretch out, and follow her down to the day room. She doesn't say much. She isn't asking me what's wrong anymore. Before I fell asleep earlier that's all she kept asking. Now, though, she seems fine not knowing.

I think I slept off whatever medication that was I took earlier. I feel more like myself. I'm not nearly as groggy or bogged down. I can think straight but I am exhausted. I assume its from crying myself to sleep.

We turn the corner from the hallway into the day room. Nick and Spencer are sitting at our normal table. Sierra leads the way, and we go to the table and sit with them. Nick's looking at me expectantly. I'm not quite sure what he expects me to say. It's a little weird to be honest. Spencer is drinking coffee and smiles at us as we take our seats.

"What in the hell did you say back there to Chris?" Sierra asks incredulously.

"I don't know what you mean." Spencer says in response.

"You flipped his asshole switch right off and he walked away with you. What did you say?" her eyes wide, her tone excited.

"Nothing much." Spencer shrugs and grins at Sierra. He looks over our shoulders into the nurses station.

"Alma. Are you okay?" Nick asks. He quickly follows it up with, "I know you hate that question but we were all pretty worried earlier."

I wave him off like it isn't an issue. I don't want to revisit the shitty morning.

"She's fine." Sierra speaks up for me.

Nick and Sierra exchange a weird look, and I begin to feel like I missed something.

"What is up with you guys today? You're all acting weird." I say to the group.

They don't say anything and I shrug it off. Everyone's patiently awaiting the lunch delivery, so I sit and watch for the food cart to arrive as well.

I turn in my chair and survey the day room. I notice Abigail and Michelle are not here. Abigail normally sits with Jim, and he's sitting alone, a sullen look on his face. I look at all the other tables and Michelle is noticeably absent as well. She typically sits with Lara and her group, but when she doesn't she goes to Daniel's table. She's not here.

"Sierra, where's Abigail and Michelle?" I say concerned.

"They're probably running late is all." She says as picks at an empty coffee cup in her hand.

"Abigail is usually here." I say again, stressing the issue she's absent.

"It's fine, Alma. She'll be here. She's old. It takes a few minutes for her to get down the hallway." Sierra laughs making me feel stupid and absurd for being concerned.

Nick watches the hallway. Spencer is still observing the nurses station. No one says much.

The elevator dings and our attentions are drawn to the food cart being pushed down the hall towards us. The wheels aren't squeaking today. That's different.

I look over to the East Hall and wait for Michelle to come bouncing down the hallway for lunch. Any minute, she should come around that corner with that doll of hers.

I watch as the food service guy starts passing out trays. He gives Jim his tray and Jim tells him to leave Abigail's on his table as well. The food service worker returns to his cart and checks the name tags on the trays. He rechecks the tags and looks over to Jim. He retraces his steps back to Jim and says something to him I can't hear, and Jim scoffs and stands up and shoves his tray into the floor, before walking out of the day room in tears.

"What the fuck?" Sierra says in response to witnessing what I just saw.

The tension in the day room is at record levels. Nick stands up and calls to the food worker. "What was that about?" The food worker shrugs and sets about picking up the contents of the tray Jim just sent flying. Nick walks over to him and helps him pick everything up. They exchange some words and Nick trails back to the table. He retakes his seat and runs his hands through his hair. He seems like he's searching for words.

"Did she die?" I ask as tears begin to pool in my eyes, blurring my vision.

He shakes his head. "No." He stares blankly ahead.

"So, what's going on?" Spencer asks.

"The food guy says he doesn't have a tray for her."

"Where's she at then?" Spencer presses.

"I don't know." Nick says.

"She's in Secondary." Sierra speaks up.

"What?" Spencer, Nick, and me, all say in unison.

"How do you know?" I ask.

"That's the only place she could be."

"But you don't KNOW that, Sierra." I say.

"Spencer, how many times have you watched Chris leave the unit through the door in the West Hall today while you've been sitting here?" Sierra asks.

He shrugs, "A few."

"Chris doesn't go to Secondary unless he's got someone from this unit over there." Sierra rationalizes her theory.

"What the hell could she have done to end up there?" Nick says.

"No idea." Sierra remarks.

Spencer watches the nurses station as the food worker continues to pass out the trays. I look back to see what he's looking at. Chris is pacing around the nurses station swapping files out and practically bouncing in his steps. He's awfully cheerful. Spencer gets up from his seat and goes to approach the nurses station. Oh no. What is he doing?

Sierra notices my alarm and watches him cross the hallway. She doesn't intervene. We just watch.

Our trays are set on the table in front of us, but they sit untouched. Spencer has called Chris over to the desk, and they're talking in heated tones. I wish we could make out what they're saying.

I glance over to the food cart and notice the food worker standing beside it. He didn't pass a tray out for Michelle either. I look at the cart. It's empty. I check the day room again by scanning the seats to double check and make sure I didn't miss Michelle somehow. Nope. She's not here.

I shoot up out of my seat and start for the nurses station. I don't care how stupid I look. I start shouting, "Where's Michelle, Chris? Where is she?"

Chris's eyes go wide and Spencer turns around in time to catch me flying towards Chris. "Where is she?" I yell trying to fight past Spencer's arms. It's no use, I can't get any farther.

Chris shakes his head and retreats back into the nurses station, never answering my question.

"Where is she? And where's Abigail?" I shout."Where the fuck have you put them?" I spit at him.

He walks back toward where I'm being held back by Spencer. "If you don't calm yourself, Alma, you'll get a fresh tour of Secondary. I won't have unstable patients on my unit." He says in an even neutral tone. It feels more condescending than anything. Spencer begins to walk me back over to the day room.

"He's not going to answer you. Just chill out." He whispers to me as he pushes me toward our table.

Nick looks at us as Spencer pleads with me to get my shit together.

"I've had enough of this place." Nick says sullenly. He and Spencer exchange a look.

"It's not this place, it's that Chris guy." Spencer says as he opens his entree. He places the cover to his dish on the side of his tray and glances back over to Nick.

They seem to have a silent conversation between them as they set about eating their lunches.

"Looks like there isn't much of a choice anymore." Spencer says raising an eyebrow as he takes a bite out of his sandwich.

"A choice?" I ask.

"No worries. I've got a plan. Shh." He says as he chews his food.