Obsession

Chapter 32

How much trauma can one person take? Does the universe just totally have it out for me or something? Did I piss off Queen Karma? Because it feels like she's coming for me.

I'm not sure how much more my heart can handle. First my mom, now my best friend in the world. I can't bear this kind of burden. I'm not strong enough.

It's not fair.

Leo, Anna and I have been sitting in the waiting room of the hospital all night while Rue undergoes emergency surgery. Daryl says the fact that she's even still alive is a miracle. Leo's car was crushed. They were certain whoever was inside had no chance of making it. But we know our Rue is a fighter. If anyone can survive something like this, it's her.

"I should've been with her," Anna cries, staring straight ahead, blankly. "If it wasn't for my stupid jacket..."

"If you would've been with her, you'd both be here right now. Or worse," Leo says, looking over at her.

Rue was supposed to be picking Anna up from a study group, but Anna spilled her caramel macchiato all over her jacket and had to walk home instead. She told Rue she'd get a ride with her new friend, Dustin, and meet her there.

Unfortunately, Rue never made it. Someone ran her off the road and then left the scene of the accident. If it wasn't for the poor truck driver that happened to be a few feet behind Rue, she may have never gotten help in time. He's the one that discovered her bloody, mangled body and called for help.

"Who could do something like this?" I ask no one in particular. "How can you almost kill someone and just drive away like nothing ever happened?"

"Probably someone with warrants," Anna scoffs.

"Or someone who was under the influence and knew they'd get jail time," Leo adds.

"Whoever it is, or whatever the reason, I hope they pay for what they did. One way or another," I say bitterly.

Rue's grandmother steps into the waiting area, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. She's in her pajamas and fuzzy slippers, her hair still in rollers, covered by a handkerchief. She's the only family Rue has left, so it's no surprise she jumped out of bed and drove all the way here from San Diego just to be with her granddaughter.

It wasn't that long ago she lost her own daughter, Rue's mother, in a tragic car accident.

"How is she?" I ask, standing up and clenching my hands together.

"She's in stable condition. She's got lots of broken bones and a punctured lung. It'll be a long road to recovery, but the doctors think she will be okay after a while," Rue's grandmother replies.

"Oh thank God," I sigh in relief, hugging her tight. "I'm so sorry this happened."

"I'm just thankful she has friends like you and Anna. You two are like family to her, you know. She talks about you all the time," she smiles.

"We love her like a sister," Anna says, standing to join us, wiping tears from her eyes.

"She won't be awake for a while. You all go home and get some rest. I'll call you if anything changes," she tells us.

We're all exhausted, so we don't argue with her. Now that I know she's gonna be okay, I feel like I can finally sleep. I call my dad to pick us up and he takes Anna and Leo home before driving us back to his apartment.

He's been so quiet lately. He's starting to lose hope that we'll ever find my mom and it's taking a toll on his appearance. He's thinner, his eyes are lined with dark circles, he's not eating or sleeping much.