Siren Call

Take A Chance

When I finally arrived at the hospital, I drove around the car park, cursing under my breath as I desperately searched for a parking space. When I finally found one and parked up, I slid out of the car and hurried towards the entrance, dodging around the parked ambulances and flocks of doctors, nurses and patients, moving inside and heading towards the reception desk.

It was busy inside, the waiting area was full, and doctors and nurses were herding patients from the chairs to cubicles. I looked around, trying to see if I could spot Kat among the crowd, but there was no sign. I walked past the seating area craning my neck to look further up the hall and around the back of the reception desk, biting the inside of my cheek and drumming my thumb against the side of my index finger in anticipation. I turned to the right, about to try the next hallway, when I came face to face with the last person that I wanted to see. Travis.

"Evan, Hi." He greeted me awkwardly.

As if on autopilot, my hands clenched into fists at my side, and my jaw tensed. I felt that building desire to swing my fist into the side of his face and watch him crumple to the floor. I didn't have a chance to react though as I heard the voice that I'd missed so much, speak up from behind me.

"Evan? Please, don't do this here." She whispered frantically, stepping closer and positioning herself at the side, almost between us.

"I'm glad I got the chance to see you actually," Travis began, ignoring Kat, and focusing on me, "I wanted to apologise. I'm sorry, I was out of line kissing Kat the other night. I got carried away and I shouldn't have acted on my impulses or put Kat in that position."

I was taken aback by his words, and I felt my anger being replaced by surprise.

"I've missed Kat ever since I left, and I've wanted her back for so long. I just got swept up in the moment, but I didn't mean to interfere and I definitely didn't mean to cause any upset."

The way he said he missed her, I could definitely understand that. He had been without her for a long time now. I had only been without her for a matter of days and felt like my world was reduced to darkness. I couldn't help but empathise with him, even though I hated what he did, I knew why he did it, and I felt the tension ease from my body.

"I understand." I said, noticing the look of surprise that flickered across his face, before he recovered, and adopted a distant professionalism.

"Do you love her?" He asked.

I looked to Kat, who stood watching the exchange with wide eyes, shock and anxiety clearly evident on her beautiful face.

"Yes. I love her." I said clearly, not tearing my eyes from hers.

Her lips curved at the edges and a smile formed, her eyes twinkling in the fluorescent lighting.

"Then good luck." Travis said genuinely.

I heard a shuffle, and tore my eyes from Kat, turning to look at Travis and seeing him about to look away.

"Thank you." I replied, holding out my hand.

He looked surprised by the gesture, but with a quick glance to me, then to Kat, he took my hand and shook it with a small smile, then left. I turned to Kat and saw the relief in her eyes.

"Can we talk?" I asked.

She nodded, and tilted her head behind her.

"We can go to the staff room."

She led me to the room, and we ducked inside, the noise from the waiting room dulled the moment that the door was closed.

Kat opened her mouth to speak, but I held up my hand. I knew that I had to speak my mind first.