Chapter 2: Seeking Solace
The driver and ambulance were parked outside the school. Mrs. Scott, a teary-eyed Ai and a crying Taylor watched as the paramedics rushed a comatose Louise, who was on a trolley, into the back of the ambulance, which was flashing its lights.
"Will she be okay?" asked the driver.
"We're not sure," replied a paramedic. "But despite being in a coma and having suffered a broken leg, there is a good chance that she might."
Some of the paramedics got in the back of the ambulance with Louise while another got into the driver's seat. Soon, the ambulance drove off, blaring its sirens. Ai wiped away a tear.
"Louise didn't deserve to be hit by a car!" Taylor sobbed.
"I know that, Taylor-kun," Ai lamented. "I know that."
"It's okay, you two," said Mrs. Scott. "There is a chance Louise could survive."
"Thank you, Scott-sensei," sighed Ai. (Note: Sensei is used by Japanese people to address authority figures)
A human 8-year-old boy with blonde hair, brown eyes, wearing a light blue and yellow striped short-sleeved shirt, blue trousers and red and white laced trainers came up to Ai, Taylor and Mrs. Scott.
"What happened?" asked the boy.
"Oh, Hiroshi, one of your older sister's friends got hit by a car," replied Mrs. Scott.
"Onee-chan, I'm so sorry," said Hiroshi.
"Arigato, otouto," replied Ai. (Note: Otouto is Japanese for younger brother)
The bus arrived.
"That's the bus," reminded Mrs. Scott. "It's time for everyone go home. See you kids tomorrow."
"Bye," said Ai, Taylor and Hiroshi.
The children got on the bus. Then the bus drove off.
The bus arrived at Ai, Zukin and Hiroshi's house. Ai and Hiroshi got off the bus and then the bus drove off. They walked up to the front door and Ai rang the doorbell. Zukin opened it.
"Imouto, otouto, konnichiwa!" cheered Zukin. "I just got home from school a few minutes ag…"
Zukin was cut off by Ai's sad expression.
"Hey, what's with the long face?" asked Zukin.
"It's my friend Louise," sighed Ai. "She was pushed into the road and she was hit by a car before the bus arrived."
Zukin gasped.
"Aramaa. Taihen da (That's terrible)!" gasped Zukin. "Did she survive?"
"Well, she's being rushed to hospital since I heard from the paramedics that she's in a coma with a broken leg," replied Ai.
"Do you know who she was pushed by?" asked Zukin.
"Yes. She was pushed by two people," explained Ai. "It was twin bullies Alma and Stella."
"Oh no!" said Zukin. "I so can't believe it!"
"Louise might survive, but I'm not sure if she will yet," sighed Ai. "Even though the paramedics said that was a good chance she will."
"How about we go to Rocko-chan's house?" hollered Zukin. "He might be back from work. Otouto, you stay and guard the house."
"Okay," said Ai.
"Hai," agreed Hiroshi, at the same time as Ai.
Ai and Zukin walked off while Hiroshi went into the house.
Meanwhile, Rocko pulled up into his driveway, having just come back from Kind of a Lot O' Comics. He came out of his car to see Heffer and Filburt arriving.
"Hi, guys," greeted Rocko.
"Hey, Rocko," Heffer and Filburt greeted back.
"I see you got back from work," giggled Heffer.
"Heffer, look over there," Filburt pointed out.
Heffer turned around. He saw Ai and Zukin walking.
"Hi, Zukin!" called Heffer.
"Heffer-chan! You're here!" cheered Zukin as she ran to Heffer and hugged him, who hugged her back.
"Ai, Zukin, how was school today?" asked Rocko.
"It was like so fun for me!" hollered Zukin.
"Well, it was good for me until the end," answered Ai.
"What happened?" questioned Rocko.
"Me and my friends were waiting for the bus to take us home and then something bad happened to one of my friends," replied Ai, getting teary-eyed.
"What happened to him or her?" asked Filburt.
"She was pushed into the road by two people and got hit by a car," Ai choked out, before beginning to cry.
Rocko, Heffer and Filburt gasped. They were shocked since this was the first time they saw their Japanese friend cry. But Rocko was more shocked because whenever he cried, Ai would comfort him. But now, it was his turn to comfort her because she's crying.
"Oh, Ai, come here," gasped Rocko.
Rocko hugged Ai.
"I can't believe it!" said Heffer.
"Ai's actually crying!" exclaimed Filburt.
"Who's your friend called and who were the two people who pushed her?" asked Rocko.
"My friend's called Louise," Ai wept. "And the two people who pushed her are twin bullies, Alma and Stella."
"Those meanies!" growled Heffer. "They shouldn't push people into the road to let them be hospitalized!"
"I know!" agreed Filburt.
"Louise is currently in a coma with a broken leg," explained Ai.
"I'll tell you what," said Rocko. "When you and Zukin go home later, why don't you make an appointment to the hospital so you can visit Louise, even if she is still in a coma."
Ai smiled, wiping her tears away.
"Okay, Rocko-chan," smiled Ai. "Thanks for your help."
Later, after Ai and Zukin went home, Ai phoned up O-Town Hospital.
"Hi, I'm Aiko Futaba and I'm 10 years old, but my friends call me Ai," said Ai. "I'd like an appointment to see my friend Louise Rabbitson tomorrow after school hours, who was hit by a car. I'm also bringing one of my friends with me. His name's Taylor Winfrey. Okay, bye."
Ai hung up the phone. She turned around to see Chika, one of Yuriko and Kenji's kittens, playing with wool.
"Chika-chan, guess what?" Ai told Chika. "I'm going to visit one of my friends in hospital. She's been hit by a car."
Chika stopped playing and meowed.
"Don't worry, I'll won't be there long," explained Ai.
Chika carried on playing with her wool. Ai giggled.
Ai's made an appointment to visit Louise in the hospital! She's also bringing Taylor with her! In the next chapter, Ai explains what Alma and Stella did.
