What The Heart Wants

Chapter 5

The lifeless body of Tiffany was found 10 minutes later by a jogger who recognized her from being in the park frequently. She was shocked when she found Tiffany sprawled out on the ground covered in blood.

She looked like she was robbed and badly beaten up. She went over to the body and checked if the Tiffany had a pulse; she looked and realized that this the same woman who she has seen before on her routine jogs. They never had a conversation; they only occasionally created each other with a smile.

She removed her cell phone from her armband and frantically dialed 911. While she was on the phone with the 911 dispatcher, she was instructed to take her jacket off and place it under Tiffany's head until the ambulance arrived. She tried to talk to Tiffany to see if she is conscious or if she could get a response even if it was only a squeeze from her hand. She then checked her pulse and breathing every two minutes.

She looked at her watch and it was just after 9 am and there was a crowd of curious people starting to form. Everyone was staring and wondering what had happened. Soon after the ambulance arrived and took Tiffany away. She was stopped by police for questioning. The only details that she could provide to the police was that Tiffany was a frequent jogger in the park and she seems like a very nice person.

STACEY POV

Stacy arrives at work late as normal, smiling with herself, thinking of the handsome guy she went on a date with last night and how she really wanted to see him again. She was so ecstatic and quickly went to the office on a mission to find Tiffany to tell her about this Greek, godlike hot and handsome man that she had the pleasure of going on a date with, but Tiffany was nowhere to be found.

She went looking all over the office but no one had seen her. Stacey started to worry at this point as it was unlike Tiffany to be absent from work for any reason at all. Stacy went to the front desk and dialed Tiffany's cell number. The phone rang a few times and went straight to voicemail. Stacy got angry and was wondering what was so important for Tiffany that she would be blowing her off. She dialed a few more times but it continuously went straight to voicemail. She then decided to phone from her own cell phone. Tiffany phone ringed a few times but an unfamiliar female voice picked up.

Woman (nurse): Hello

Stacy: Hello? Who are you? Why are you answering Tiffany's phone?

Woman (nurse): Hello, I am nurse Kay at the St. Joseph hospital. Are you a relative or friend of Tiffany?

Stacey: Nurse? What's going on? Where is Tiffany?

Woman (nurse): The owner of this phone, was brought in a few minutes ago, but other than that, I cannot disclose any other information unless you are a family member.

Woman (nurse): Do you have the contact number of her parents or any other relatives, please?

Stacy at this point was in shock and all she could say was that she was on her way. She ended the call, grabbed her bag, and ran out of the office forgetting to even inform her colleagues of the situation.

She got into her car, shaking and hysterical, tears running down her cheeks, and she drove straight to St. Joseph's Hospital. While she was in the car she tried but could not wrap her mind around what could have happened to her best friend. She tried to calm herself down and think positively and that all will be well but it was hopeless.

She was so emotional and her palms were sweaty. She never thought that anything like this could ever happen to her friend Tiffany as she was the kindest person she had ever met. She felt sick to her stomach that someone could hurt her friend. Everybody loved Tiffany so she could not think of a single person that would want to harm her friend.

The drive to the hospital was less than 20 minutes, but to Stacey, it felt longer, as she just wanted to be by Tiffany's side. When she arrived at the hospital, she drove straight towards the emergency section, parked and rushed out of her car into the hospital. She ran towards the reception desk asking details about Tiffany. She explained to the nurse that Tiffany was brought in after being attacked earlier that day. The receptionist directed her to go to the second floor to inquire about Tiffany.

Stacey felt like she wanted to vomit. On this particular day the hospital was crowded, so many sick people she thought to herself. She rushed to the second floor and waited in line to speak to the receptionist there. Finally, she was able to ask her questions. She lied to the nursed stating that she was Tiffany's sister so that she could get information about Tiffany since they were only allowed to disclose information to relatives.

She was ushered to the waiting room where she waited two hours, while she was in the waiting room she was praying that Tiffany would be okay. Stacy could not remember when last she prayed but out of desperation she sent up a silent prayer and did the hail Mary symbol across her chest, she saw that in a movie somewhere. Someone called out Tiffany's name. Stacey assumed it was the doctor because he had on light blue pants and a white Jacket.

She leaped from her chair and rushed to the doctor with tears in her eyes asking him "Is my sister ok?" "Please tell she is ok? The doctor introduced himself and that his name was Dr. Grey, he explained that Tiffany was attached and she sustained a lot of damage to her body and her brain. Tiffany had 3 broken ribs, a broken arm, scratches, and bruises all over her body, she had lost a lot of blood and there was swelling on her brain. They are monitoring her closely and have no further updates on her status as they are running more tests.

Stacey's face became white and pale as the blood drained from her face as she could only imagine the pain her friend must have felt and is feeling now. She did not know how to respond to the doctor. The only response she could manage was to nod. She eventually mumbled and asked the doctor if she could have Tiffany's belongings. The doctor then instructed the nurse to get the belongings and it to be brought to Stacey.

While Stacey wanted for the nurse she asked the doctor if she goes in and goes see her sister. The doctor nodded and asked her to follow him but while they walked to Tiffany's room he explained to her that she might not be able to respond and that she cannot stay longer than 20 minutes.

Stacey walked into the room. The tears started to fall as soon as she saw Tiffany laying on the bed. She had a lot of equipment around her and hooked up to her. She sat in the chair by Tiffany bed and cried holding her hand. She tried talking but the only words that she could get out were I am sorry so sorry this happened to you. She wished she was a better friend and not so selfish and now her only friend might die. The nurse walked in and gave her the belonging and instructed her to leave the room as she would be doing her routine check of Tiffany's levels and heart rate.

Stacey scratched in the bag and got Tiffany's phone she had to call her parents and notify them that their daughter was in hospital but before she could dial the phone rang in her hand and the caller id popped up it said Josh was calling.

Stacey looked at the name but she did not recognize the picture or the name. She wondered who this mystery person could be so she answered the phone.

Hello?

To be continued...