Obscurity

Chapter 48: Hit Me

Sierra

Spencer pats Nick's shoulder before taking his napkin from his tray and wiping his mouth. He tosses the napkin on his half eaten sandwich. He instantly grabs at his stomach.

"Oh my. I'm not feeling well. I think I might be sick." He announces before rising from his chair and taking off down the hallway, presumably to his room. I watch this unfold and can't help but wonder if it's some sort of ruse.

Nick immediately stands up and takes off in the same direction after Spencer. I exchange a puzzled look with Alma. Picking at my food, I make quick glances up at the East Hall. What in the hell was that all about? They're acting peculiar.

"What do you think they're up to?" I ask Alma.

She shrugs. I can feel the anger radiating off of her. She hasn't touched her food.

I get lost in my thoughts momentarily. I can't help but wonder how the hell Abigail and Michelle both have managed to get thrown in Secondary. I mean, I know it hasn't been confirmed that's where they are, but where else would they be? I highly doubt they've been released. I think back to when we were all in the day room for breakfast. Yes, they were in here.

"Alma. Was Michelle and Abigail in Group earlier?"

"I believe so." She says. She pushes her tray forward, food untouched and lays her head on the table. She looks depleted. As she closes her eyes, my mind takes off again.

How did they vanish between Group and lunch time?

"Alma, did you see any doctors on the floor this morning?"

"Nope." She says without opening her eyes.

They couldn't have been released without a doctor signing off on it. What are the odds of getting released from this place without seeing a doctor beforehand? Nil. I know for certain it takes a doctor's pen to get a release. Hmm. My mind races, and I can't put my finger on what else would cause them both to vanish into thin air.

Then a thought occurs to me. Maybe they're in Medical. I could see Abigail having some sort of issue requiring her to be sent over to Medical, she's old after all. And maybe Michelle fell or something while skipping along in the hallway. That's plausible. I share my light bulb moment with Alma.

"Maybe they're in Medical!" I announce. Proud of myself.

"Maybe." Alma concurs. Her heart isn't in it, though.

I've got to find a way to get sent to Medical, that's my next thought. I try and think of things that could get one sent over there to that unit. I sniff, my nose seems to constantly run these days. That's it!

"Alma, hit me again." I say nudging her shoulder.

"I'm not hitting you." She protests.

"Please. I need to get over to Medical to see if Abigail and Michelle are over there. Just hit me, not too hard, in the nose again."

"And win a one-way pass to Secondary? No thanks." She says.

"Oh, come on. It's for the greater good." I coax.

She shakes her head, not picking it up from the table.

"Alma, Chris is not going to send you to Secondary." I say.

"Right." She says, disbelief lacing her tone.

"I mean it. Look at everything that's gone on today. You were about to swing at him earlier and he didn't throw you in there. I don't think he's after you anymore."

"Sierra, he had the form I signed with Dr. Summers reporting his misconduct. He tore it up in front of my face. I have no insurance policy against being thrown in Secondary anymore. I'm done rocking the boat." She says as she looks me square in the eyes.

"Fine. I'll think of something else." I say dismissively.

The food worker comes to our table and asks if we're done. We both nod, and he takes our trays away. I pull out my cards and begin shuffling.

"For crying out loud, Sierra. Give it a break with those cards." Alma says. Agitation evident in her voice.

"It helps me think."

"Well. I'm going to our room then. Don't follow me." Alma says as she gets up from the table."I need some rest. I'll catch up with you later."

I wave her off and continue to shuffle. I hear her footsteps fade as she exits the day room. I hear new footsteps approaching. I turn to see who it is. Nick is coming back to the table. Too bad for him, the food service guy cleared his and Spencer's trays when he collected mine and Alma's.

"Hope you're not still hungry. Food guy ran off with your food." I muse as I shuffle.

"No appetite anyway."

"What was that all about?"

"What?" he says.

"You two ran off together like a couple of teens eloping earlier." I chuckle.

"Shut up Sierra." Nick says.

"What's with everyone being in such a crappy mood today?" I ask.

Nick shakes his head and ignores me. What's his problem?

I hear another set of footsteps approaching and see Spencer walking up out of the corner of my eye. As he takes his seat, I realize he and Nick have the same colored bracelets.

I laugh out loud. And they both look at me like I'm nuts.

"Sorry. It's just that I noticed you two are like the blue man group." I say as I point to Spencer's wrist band.

"Ha, ha." Spencer says rolling his eyes.

"Oh, come on. Not you too!" I say as I continue shuffling my cards.

"Not me too, what?"

"Shitty mood. Shitty disposition all of a sudden." I shake my head.

Nick and Spencer exchange another indescribable look. It's like they have some inside joke no one knows about. It's getting on my nerves, if I'm honest.

We all sit at the table silently. The only noise in the day room is that of the television on the other side of the room and my shuffling of cards. After a few minutes of sitting there, I offer my theory about Medical to the guys.

"That's a theory." Nick says, seemingly not very interested in idea.

"Look, I tried to get Alma to punch me again and she wouldn't. I need to get over to Medical to see if Michelle and Abigail are there." I say. "Would either of you be willing to sock me in the face?"

They both break out in hysterical laughter.

"What?" I say, halting my shuffling.

"You're out of your fucking mind." Nick says.

"Same." Says Spencer.

"You guys are no fun." I quip as I pocket my deck of cards and try to wrack my brain on how to get sent to Medical.