Page 10 of West (The Moral Compass 1)
I tell my driver to take me to the local hospital. We pull up forty-five minutes later. I tell the driver to wait, I’m not even sure if she’s here or in the morgue. I walk to the reception desk.
“I’m looking for a Sutton Smith, she was brought here on Wednesday evening.”
“Are you family?” she asks.
“Yes, I am her boyfriend. I’ve been out of town and didn’t know what had happened.” I had to lie. If I told her no, then she would have sent me on my way.
“She’s in the ICU. Go up the stairs to the third floor, it’s at the very end of the corridor.”
I thank the woman and go back out to my driver. “You can go, I’ll get a cab later. And thanks, man. Sorry about ripping your head off earlier.” He nods his head and drives away.
Okay, no time to lose.
I take the stairs two at a time until I reach the third floor. Thank God I work out every day, or I’d be joining these poor sods in here. I get up to the doors of ICU and take a deep breath, filling my lungs count to four, and then breathe out slowly. A tactic I learned to control stress. I try the door, but it’s locked, and then find the buzzer.
“How can I help you?” a voice asks over the speaker.
“Yes, I’m looking for Sutton Smith. I’m her boyfriend.”
“Okay, what’s your name?”
“West McGarry,” I reply.
The door buzzes open, and I walk in. What the fuck am I going to say? She doesn’t even know my name. We’ve only met once—well, twice. The nurse meets me as I enter the unit.
“Hi, we didn’t know if Sutton had any family, just her friend. There was nothing in her belongings, and her phone was smashed to pieces so the police couldn’t contact anyone. Do you want to see her?”
I nod, but I’m not sure. For the first time in forever, I’m scared. Scared of what I am walking into.
“Stop, I need to know what’s happened. How bad is she? She must be pretty bad to be in here.” I wave my arm around pointing to the machines and tech all around me.
“I’m afraid you will have to speak with one of the doctors for an update. All I can say is that she hasn’t woken up yet. It’s been three days now.”
We walk further down the corridor and past the nursing station. She opens the door opposite the station and walks me in. She points to a chair. I’m stunned. I can’t move my feet. I can’t seem to move my knees. I’m just staring at her.
Her face is bandaged. Her cherry lips are still visible although not cherry anymore. They are a purple-blue colour. My legs start to give way and I fall into the chair next to her. I don’t know why, but my instincts take over, and I take her hand. I can feel pools of water building in my lower eyes.
The nurse nods to me and, as she is walking away, she says, “The police will be in soon to talk to you.”
Oh shit, I don’t have anything to tell them. Plus, they will find out I lied to the reception desk. I’ll go before they arrive. I just needed to see if she was alive. We’ll keep the job open for her.
Yep, that’s my go-to place in my head. Work. I can’t figure out what this girl has done to me. I don’t want to leave her here alone.
“Who the fuck are you? You better speak quick, or I’m shouting for the police.”
A small woman stands in the doorway. Her eyes are hollow and dark. She’s been crying. A lot, by the looks of it.
“I’m Sutton’s b-b-boyfriend. Shit, no I’m not. I’m her prospective boss. Right, it’s a long story…” I stammer.
“Well, I know you’re not her fucking boyfriend, and you’re not her fucking boss, so who the fuck are you? You have five seconds before I scream. One, two—”
“Wait, I met Sutton on Wednesday at the station. We had a ‘connection’ you could say, and then she interviewed for a job at my company. We were trying to get hold of her to tell her she got the job, but by this afternoon, we hadn’t heard from her, so we started to look a bit harder, and here I am. I had to tell the nurse I was her boyfriend so they would let me in.” Then, it dawns on me, “Who are you?”
“I’m Kara, Sutton’s best friend. Why? I should be here, and you shouldn’t. Why are you here? It’s a bit much for a future boss!”
“Ah, Kara. You’re the best friend who was playing practical jokes on Sutton the morning of her interview.” Phew, I’m glad my ears were working that morning and not just my dick.
She puts her head down and smiles weakly. “Yeah, I proper stressed her out. I’m so fucking sorry for that.” She starts to sob, and tears fall from her cheeks.
