The Fallen

Blake

I always seem to be running after Kat.

Emms and Dom stayed out front to wait for Dr. A and Christina. So far, they are the only ones that don't seem to have any intimidation towards them. Sam and I walk through the bright hallways of the hospital as we look for the waiting room of the emergency cases. His every move is certain and alert as he looks for Kat. His yellow eyes shine with worry.

Finally, Sam turns right in a room and there sits Kat. She has her eyes closed and her face peaceful as she listens to music from her earphones. Her slouched posture makes her bloody knees even more noticeable. Under her crossed arms, her hands are stained in a dark red color. I almost think she is asleep until she opens her eyes when she hears Sam walk in.

She shoves her earphones in her pocket and stands up to hug him. Their hug longing and gentle as she buries her face in his chest. When they let go, I take a cautious step in the room. Her eyes land on mine when she turns around. The usual shine in her eyes are covered by sadness and worry. Without thinking, I quickly walk up to her and hug her tight. The same longing from Sam's hug is transferred to me as she hugs me back tightly. When she finally pulls away, a hint of that playful smile of hers forms on her face.

"What happened Kat?"

Sam gets right to the point. His eyes are fire as he listens to Kat's story with concentration. I also try to concentrate on Kat, but my eyes go around the ominous room. The dim light in here contrasts the bright lights in the hallways and the perfect whiteness of the place. The walls seem to carry small glimpses of mold and the air carries a heavy atmosphere. The sound of footsteps coming in the room interrupts my distraction and we all turn to see Nikki enter the room.

"Hey." Nikki runs up to Kat and hugs her tight. The knees of her jeans match the color of Kat's knees. The light red color of her hands shows that she tried to wash the blood off. Her big blue eyes shine with excitement as she says, "So what happened? I saw that you got on the bed?! What else did they make you do?" She reminds me so much of Dan.

This makes Kat laugh and the tension in her muscles seem to relax. I laugh along with her; happy to see my sister's playful self come back. Her wide smile glows as she says, "Well. I wish it was you on that bed. You seem to know more about this than I do."

Nikki sits down this time. Her smile falls and barely seems to notice the blood on her knees. She uncomfortably rubs the red stains and says, "Yeah well, when your mother is a nurse and unlucky people come to see her all the time, you're bound to learn a few tricks here or there." Nikki's smile does not reach her eyes this time. For the first time, I notice that her button nose is red as if she had been crying for a long time. She notices me watching her appearance and she quickly sits up straighter and clears her throat. "Nobody has come to see him?" She redirects her attention at Kat who has sat next to her now.

"No. Well, that's what I think. A doctor hasn't come around here either."

"Girls!" Dr. A comes in with a hurry. His eyes are anxious to hold us tight. When he sees us in the room, he sighs in relief and hugs us both. "I'm so glad you two are okay. Sam, have you talked to your mother?" Sam gives him a quick nod and sits back down. His expression is as tired as ours. "Nikki." Dr. A hugs Nikki gently when she gets up to run into his arms.

Her small smile once again reflecting the vulnerability hiding behind her stern and reckless features. "Thank you Alexander for coming. Have you--"

Dr. A lets go of Nikki and gives her a warm smile. "Don't worry. I've already contacted your mother and your brother. Emms will be dropping you off later tonight."

"Emms?" This catches my attention but before Dr. A can give an explanation, a loud sound of footsteps echoing down the hallway makes us all jump.

Flawless men in black uniforms all walk in synchronizing rhythm. Their uniforms shine under the bright lights of the hospital and their uniforms are as flawless as their appearance. Each guard wears the same serious mask on their faces as they follow a nurse. Something that grabs my attention from this perfect pattern is a man that is in the middle of this group of guards. His bright red uniform stands out from the black group and his panicked expression searches the room; looking for someone. He follows the rapid steps of the group.

A single guard comes from behind the group along with an old man in a white tunic. His posture is much taller and broader than the rest of them as he enters with the old man. His hair slicked back and clean with his white tunic. I suppose this must be a doctor.

Sam immediately stands up on alert. Dr. A slightly puts out his hand; telling him to calm down. Sam understands this and relaxes a little. Kat stands up when she sees the doctor enter.

The tall guard looks at the doctor and with a booming voice he says, "Which one?" His uniform seems to carry a special glow once he enters this dim room. 

Almost with fear, the doctor looks at Kat and points. "It's that girl right there."

The guard looks at Kat with the same blank mask. As he starts to walk over, the same feeling of alertness start and my muscles tense. I stand beside Kat as Sam quickly gets behind her. Both ready for anything.

Though fear overwhelms her eyes, Kat stands tall with her arms crossed on her chest. When the guard is in front of Kat, he grabs her right wrist. I flinch as I watch him do this in a quick and rude movement. He takes out a small oval with a single button on the top. With Kat's bracelet showing, he puts the oval over the fine red print of it. The guard touches the button and immediately a neon glow surrounds Kat's bracelet. A small sound makes the guard quickly drop Kat's wrist and put the small oval machine at a place on his large belt. Without a word, the guard turns around in robotic movements and leaves the room.

The doctor goes back into his professional form as soon as the guard is gone. Nikki is the first one to speak and break the tension in the room. "How is he, Doctor? What happened?"

The doctor gives Nikki a warm smile and takes out a tablet. "Luckily, he will live. He lost a lot of blood, but he had good help." He looks at Kat with a wide smile when he says this. "It must be an honor to be in such a position, Miss."

"In what position? What are you talking about?" I can feel my own eyebrows furrow when I hear this. Kat chuckles and waits for the doctor to give us an explanation. Dr. A seems surprised with only these few words also.

"You don't know who you saved back there, young lady?" The doctor joins Nikki's confusion towards Kat. They look at her as if she has missed something important.

The doctor chuckles at our confusion. "Why, you just saved Mister Edward Marquez. Mr. President's son!" And with another chuckle, the doctor leaves the room; shaking his head in surprise at such oblivious girls.

Kat and I just stare at one another in surprise and awe. Her bright blue eyes shine as she starts to put the puzzle together. Dr. A sits down and with a soft laugh, he says, "Well. It looks like we just put in the last piece to the puzzle." With a determined look, he looks into Kat's wide eyes. "We're ready to begin."