Page 7 of Absolution

“Hate you’re going to miss me. The month and a half you’ve been here has flown by; it’s been such a pleasure.” She sneers at me.

Here’s the short story, we met when I was another person. Now, I’m told that I’m actually an entirely different person than this one.

I’m angry and she thinks I should be cheering because I’m alive. Although I can appreciate her train of thought, I’m the furthest thing from being happy.

“Let me grab your temp, and I’ll be out of your way.” She sticks a gun in my ear. No, not a real one.

“It’s the same as yesterday, and it’ll be the same tomorrow. You might want to make a note of that real quick.”

“Have a great day, Hatcher.” Jill snatches her things up and bolts from the room.

I lay my head back down, waiting for the rest. I more than know the routine by now, and the parade of people has just begun.

It’s a relentless barrage of people telling me that I’m doing great and should be thrilled to be going home.

“But where is home?” Those words have become my mantra, and not in a positive way. I hate the not knowing.

The door swings wide, and another nurse walks through. The constant flow of personnel is the only normal thing I can count on right now.

“So, you’re leaving us and I’m here with the mountains of paperwork we need signed. Are you ready to break out of this place tomorrow?” She pulls up a chair, smiling.

“Definitely.” I nod. “Where am I going?”

She jumps, flipping through the file in her hand. “Virginia Beach.”

“Well, I guess it could’ve been worse.”

“Do you remember where Virginia Beach is or what’s there?” She asks without hesitation.

I can’t help myself, it’s why Jill loves me so much. I widen my eyes, clutching my chest. “They’re sending me back to the hole, to those people?”

“Oh, my gracious! No! You are going back to your home there.” She says slowly, nodding with each word.

“I know.” I grimace. “Can we hurry this along?”

We race through the paperwork, and I scoot her out the door. I’d rather poke my eyes out than put up with happy people.

Chapter Three

Creed

The next day, I’m on my way back to Virginia and as far as I’m concerned, not a moment too soon. I’m settled in for the night, but sleep escapes me. All I can think about is what new doctor will tell me I’m going to be okay.

Morning dawns, and I ready myself for the onslaught of poking and prodding, and that’s just the questions. A rap on the door as it’s swung wide, puts a smile on my face I wasn’t expecting.

“Creed,” Jackson saunters over, taking my hand as I reach for him. He’s quickly followed by Mark, the doctor, and another man I met briefly at the other hospital.

“Creed, I’m Doctor Burgess.”

I take his hand, glancing around the room. “Alright.”

“How are you doing with all of this?” The doctor asks as if he knows the answer but wants mine anyway.

I rub my chin, hoping my words are nicer than my thoughts. “As if I have a choice.”

“Well, let’s go over a few things and we’ll revisit.” Doctor Burgess begins a rundown of my life, from birth to rescue. If he leaves anything out, I suppose someone else will fill me in because I sure in the hell don’t have any idea.

I look around the room, searching every face for a fucking clue of what my reaction should be right now. I’ve got nothing, it’s like the switch has flipped and everything is shutdown.