Hiya, sorry this took so long but I was busy and I haven't spent that much time on my stories lately. This was a really long chapter so I have split it into two.
I own nothing Twilight!
Chapter Nine
Reading Between the Lines
Carlisle handed the other two medical folders to Edward and myself. Edward flipped through the one he had in his hands within second, then he placed it on my lap so I could read it, but I had not even made it past the first sentence of my file yet. I gave Edward a sideways glance then turned back to the file.
I quickly scanned through it. As Carlisle said, Adam Benson died after battling raging infection while undergoing treatment for Leukaemia. His body just packed in and shut down. He was only six years old.
I closed the file quickly, not wanting to read how much he suffered before he died, and opened the one Edward had already read through. Edward took Adams file, while I read the file of last possible boy that could fit my young ghost.
That boy, Jamie Jackson, was five when he died. He was brought to Forks General after he was hit by a car six years ago. From his notes, he suffered multiple injuries. He was rushed to the OR, but his body was struggling. He had a severe infection, slipped into a coma and his heart gave out eventually. His symptoms before he died were similar to mine; fever, sweats, respiratory distress and eventually cardiac arrest. The pain would have been a given. He suffered a lot, and it must had been heart breaking to watch. But he slipped away in the end, and it would have been peaceful.
"It's so sad," I whispered as I put the folder down. "These boys were so young!"
"I know, I see it all the time and I still can't shrug it off, the young ones always get to you no matter what," said Carlisle gravely.
"I hate when I get children ghosts, they are by far the hardest to deal with and I feel so bad afterwards even though I know they are at peace after I help them. They must have been scared and confused before. I just can't imagine what they go through…" I sighed. "And as for who my current little boy ghost is, then I have no idea. I can only eliminate them after I see a picture of them all. So I will need to find out if their families still live here. I just want to help the boy - I will do what it takes."
"I will go and see what I can find out, I am happy to help in any way I can," said Carlisle getting up. He took the folders from my lap.
"Thank you, Carlisle, I appreciate your help."
Carlisle waved off my thanks. "Don't worry about it Bella. This is new for me and I am intrigued to learn more, so if I can help then it means one step closers to helping the poor little boy."
After Carlisle left, I turned to see Edward smiling at me again.
"What?"
Edward didn't look away. "Nothing really," he said. "It's just you worry about things that is beyond your control. From what you have said, you seem to do a brilliant, very rewarding job. But I get a feeling you worry too much about what you don't do, about who you can't help and I think that if you can't help this boy, or Ryan, or any other ghost, then I think you will be effected quite bad and you worrying, makes me worry about you."
I chuckled softly before I can turn bright red. "You sound like my dad. He always says that I worry about things that are beyond my control…but I don't worry about me. I have a conscience and I can't ignore it, even if I want to some times."
"Well, I think what you do is very selfless. I am not sure I would be able to do what you do if I had your gift, I would probably tell them to go away and leave me alone!"
I laughed at his honesty. "Yeah, I have tried that on several occasions, but to no avail! Trust me, helping them isn't so selfless, normally I just want peace and quiet and it's the quickest way to get rid of them."
Edwards smile faded a little and shifted in his seat. Just then there was a knock on the door and I looked over to see Alex peeping his head round.
"Sorry, I didn't know you would have visitors, I can come back?" he said looking at Edward then back at me.
"No, that's okay, Alex, come in," I beckoned him in.
Alex came in slowly then sat down on the opposite side of the bed from Edward. He put my laptop on my bed.
"Thanks, did you bring the aircard?" I asked, as I picked the laptop up and switched it on.
"I'm not that incompetent," he said pulling out the device. "Where else would you get your internet connection?"
"Just checking." I turned to Edward. "Edward, this is Alex, my best friend since forever. Alex, this is my friend Edward, he was the one that brought me to hospital." The two guys did that manly nod.
"Yeah, Charlie said," Alex said. He didn't say it in so many words but he looked grateful at Edward who seems to understand as he nodded without saying anything.
Men are so vocal; you can never get them to shut up, I thought to myself, refraining the need to roll my eyes.
There was kind of an awkward silence so I logged onto my laptop for lack of something to do.
"Did you get any more visitors?" asked Alex. From the corner of my eye I saw Edward smirk.
"Yes, I did actually; Ryan." I replied, playing along with Alex as he had no idea that Edward knew what he was talking about.
"Oh, did he say anything else?"
"Not really, I think he's mad at me..."
Alex gave Edward a sideways glance."Oh well, maybe we could find out why he is…um, here, after we, er, work out the other…problem," said Alex, trying to talk evasively.
"Yeah, but he doesn't want me to find out," I said trying not to smile. Alex glanced at Edward, who pretended to look lost. He was a much better actor than me.
"Um, confused here, what are we talking about?" asked Edward furrowing his eyebrows.
Alex shot me a look, wondering what to say. But he was an even bad actor than I was, and that was saying something.
"Nothing, just a few problems we have, but I am sure they will all turn out okay," Alex told Edward quickly.
"Oh, really? What kind of problem? Maybe I could help?" Edward offered enthusiastically. Alex opened his mouth then closed it again.
I gave up, not wanting to play him along. "Relax, Alex, Edward knows," I laughed. "Thank Charlie and his big mouth! But Edward knows, as does his father, Dr Cullen, and they are helping us."
Alex sighed then scowled at me. "Now you tell me," he tried to sound annoyed but he didn't succeed. "So any news? What did Ryan say? Why is he mad at you?"
I plugged the aircard into the laptop and clicked on to Google, while Edward explained to Alex what had happened since he had gone. He told Alex about the little boys Carlisle had found to investigate and what happened with Ryan.
Alex was used to that kind of talk; it was like hearing about the weather to him so nothing Edward told him was shocking for him to hear.
While they were chatting, I looked up information on the internet about the three dead boys' families. Forks was really small, and I could have just asked the first person I met on the street - but that would involve questions.
I could have also asked Charlie, but that would be even worse, with even more questions.
The first name I typed into Google was 'Sanders'. I typed in 'Forks' along with the name to see what I got.
"There are none in Forks," I said, interrupting the guy's conversation.
"None what?" Alex asked, confused.
"Families with the name Sanders in Forks," I grinned since I know he had not being paying attention to me. "Keep up, Alex."
"Well sorry, none of us are mind readers here!" Alex retorted sarcastically. I froze, staring at the screen. I could feel myself go red, and I didn't dare look at Edward.
"Try Port Angeles, and if you can't find any Sanders nearby, then try the other two boys. We can't go on a wild goose chase, for all we know none of the families even live in Washington anymore," he continued, not noticing my reaction.
"Mmm hmm," I mumbled and started typing quickly. I still didn't look at Edward, but I was sure that even if Alex didn't notice my odd reaction, then Edward would have.
I needed to work on my acting skills or I would alert Edward that I knew about him…and who knew what would happen after that. I wanted him to know but I wanted to tell him when it was right.
"A simple phone book would suffice, it might even be quicker," said Edward. There was nothing in his tone to suggest that I had given myself away.
"I don't have a phone book," I said not looking up from the screen. "And I think I have already found out where the families of all three boys live. Alex, you were right, there are two Sander families in Port Angels, and there is one Benson family in Forks, as well as one Jackson family in Forks. All three families are nearby, but it doesn't mean that the ghost belongs to any of them..." I sighed heavily.
No matter if these boys were the ghost or not, it still meant three lives had been lost so young. I really did hate seeing kids still lingering around earth, so if we did find the correct family, it would still be difficult.
"We'll find the boy's family," Edward said softly. "And we will help them so the boy can move on."
I liked the plural, I liked the way he said 'we', and I smiled involuntarily. My body reacted to everything he did, his voice made me tremble, his compliments made me blush and his smile made me breathless. I felt pathetic, and my insides were jell-O just being near him.
There was a buzzing noise coming from Alex and he took out his phone. As he looked at his phone he said, "Yeah, speaking of 'we', I am afraid you will be one partner in crime short. I have to get back soon."
"Everything okay?" He had never blown me off before.
"Yeah, I just have some work to do and things," Alex put his phone back in his pocket but I glared at him as I know there is something he is not telling me.
Edward stood up abruptly and said, "I will go and see what Carlisle is up to, see if he has found out anything else."
I turned to him for the first time since Alex's comment and nodded. "Okay," I said but I avoided his eyes.
When Edward left I turned to Alex. "What's wrong, Alex?"
Alex looked confused. "Nothing, why?"
My brain was being overly suspicious and I am interpreting things wrong. I slumped back on the bed, letting my muscles relax since I was away from Edward.
"Nothing, I just thought that there was something you weren't telling me," I closed the laptop as my eyes are already getting tired looking at the screen. "What did you tell Charlie?"
"That you needed the laptop for homework. He wasn't happy, as he said that you are tired, but I said you insisted. I don't like lying to Charlie, why can't we just tell him?"
"I don't like lying either, but sometimes Charlie is best kept in the dark, otherwise he acts odd. You know that he prefers to pretend that ghosts aren't real, so why worry him? Did he go to work?"
Alex took my laptop from me and opened it. "No, he was asleep by the time I came back down stairs. He was up all night with you, so he will be out for a few hours…can you log on for me, I want to check my emails."
He turned the laptop so I could put my password in. I didn't really care if people used my computer and I didn't really need a password, but Charlie was a cop and he would snoop at my emails at every chance he got - he wouldn't be able to help himself.
I typed in my password and handed it back to Alex and watched him for a few seconds.
"Were you ever going to tell me about your ghost?" I said, taking a guess at what was wrong with him.
Alex's eyes flared from over the top of the laptop. "How did…Never mind, you have always been good at guessing things," he said while I smiled at being spot on. He made a face before going on, "Yes, I was going to tell you, but you have been ill, and are already bogged down with all these other spirits, and you don't need the stress load."
I groaned loudly. "Alex, seriously, you really think I would just let you go on living with a spirit hanging around you, go on with my life and add your problem to the bottom of my list?" I raised an eyebrow but didn't give him a chance to answer. "You've known me long enough to know that I would drop anything for you. So, where is the ghost? I don't see him around you, what has been happening?"
"I changed dorms before I came home for study break, and there was a reason that the guy before me wanted to switch room so bad, as there is a wee ghostie haunting my new room."
I nodded, understanding as I heard this type of story a lot. I began to think fast so I could figure out how I could help Alex sometime soon. His dorm was all the way over in the University of Washington, so it would have be the weekend when I was able to help him.
"When are you going back to Seattle?"
"Friday," he replied casually.
His tone made me realise that something was not quite right and he wasn't being honest with me. "Why are you here, Alex?" Sometimes I missed the obvious.
"To visit you," he replied sounding a little offended.
"No, I mean, why are you home? It didn't occur to me, until now, that you shouldn't be here, you should be at school. I didn't really notice because I am not used to you being away and every time I have been here, in Forks, it's been the summer, which is also summer for you…but we are in the middle of a semester, so why are you back home?" I knew there was something that he wasn't telling me and I could have kicked myself for not noticing when I saw him on Monday. It didn't occur to me that he shouldn't be anywhere near Forks, he shouldn't even be home in Port Angeles, but he was here, and missing college, and probably falling behind.
"I just told you, I am on study break," he said defensively. His eyes were trained on the laptop, he was avoiding my gaze and that alone gave him away.
"A study break? And you came all the way home for that? I bet there isn't even such thing." I let out a breath. "Alex, please don't tell me that you are missing school just to see me?" I softened my tone and he turned to me ruefully.
"I am just taking a few days off, and I can easy catch up. When you told me that you were coming home, I told my mom that I was coming home, too, for 'study break'. She bought it and I am glad, as I just wanted to see you. I haven't seen you since…well, you know," he said in a rush. "Bella, don't be mad, I just couldn't not see you, you're my little sister - kind of - and I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
I closed my eyes. "I am not mad, why would I be, I'm not your mom. But I am okay, honest. You have to go back to school though, Alex, you can't miss classes just for me, or I will be mad." I grinned and he laughed.
"Yes mom!" he winked. "I will go back, but not yet, I will help you for a little while longer. Besides, one of the families lives in Port Angeles, then I can be of assistance."
"There is such thing as GPS, and maps, I am sure I will manage," I said half-heartedly. I wanted him to stay as much as he did, but at the same time I didn't want him to fall behind with his classes.
"You will manage, or you and Edward will manage?" Alex asked, smirking.
I felt my face burn and mumbled, "I don't know yet, but if he wants to help then he can."
Alex tried not to laugh. "I bet you $100 he wants to help."
"I'm not the betting type," I said as I don't want to lose money, as I had a feeling that Edward would want to come to wherever I am going, to find the little boys family. The thought of that made me happy, but I didn't want to get ahead of myself, thinking that he would want to do something with me.
"Sure you're not?" he pressed. "Okay, how about this bet: I bet you $100 that you would follow him, if it were the other way round?" I didn't say anything as I knew it was true. "Your face gives away your answer, because if you get any redder, you will turn into a tomato," he chuckled while I blushed harder. "Aw, has my little Bell got a crush?"
"Yes, very mature," I said coolly. "And anyway, don't you have places to go, people to see, school to catch up on?"
Alex closed the laptop and placed it on the bed. He held up his hands and said, "Okay, okay, I know when I am not wanted. I can take a hint and I will leave…more time for the potential lover boy, eh?"
"I didn't mean that you should leave…and how old are you? You sound like a ten year old."
He sounded like a preteen and I felt like one, so I guessed we were as bad as each other.
He childishly stuck out his tongue. "It's good to have you back, Bell, it really is," he said sincerely. "But I am going to go for a while, I am going to drop in on Jared Morris, not seen that guy in ages, and since I am skiving off college, I may as well have some catch ups." He got up and kissed me on the forehead."Get some rest, Bella, I will see you later."
"Bye, Alex, thanks for the laptop and being here," I said. "See you later!" I waved him out and as soon as he was gone, I got out of bed to go to the bathroom.
When I finished up in the bathroom, I opened the door, pull the light cord at the same time. As I was walking out, I looked up and my heart jolted. My breathing spiked and I clutched my heart.
"Edward, you scared me," I breathed as Edward took a step back from me since he was so close.
"Sorry, I just got back and wondered where you were," Edward said quickly as he stepped aside so I could get round him to get back to the bed. It was then I actually realised what I had on. I wasn't paying attention in the bathroom and before that, my mind was too far away to even realise what I might be wearing.
I looked down and took a good look, but I was confused. When I looked up I see Edward gazing at me, looking a little embarrassed.
"Alice," he said as if it was an explanation. "My sister loves to dress people up and when she saw that you were wearing one of those standard hospital gowns, she almost had a fit…so, she, er, rushed home and got you something to wear…but it's a little too much, I know."
I pulled at the long silk blue nightgown, which floated just past my knees. I had never worn anything as fancy as that to bed.
"Was she planning on taking me to prom?" If the silk was a little thicker then it would pass as an actual dress. It was very pretty though, something my mom would have loved to wear around the house.
"You never know with Alice. But trust me, this is nothing, and if you get to know Alice, then you will find out that what she is like - it's just the way she is and we all have gotten used to her," said Edward. Then his face softened. His eyes locked into mine and it took a lot out of me not to faint. "Over the top for nightwear or not, it's very beautiful on you, and the colour is lovely against you soft skin tone."
My heart fluttered but I tried to smile. Only, me being me, I blushed.
"Thank you," I mumbled whilst trying to remember my manners. Before I fainted from all the blood rushing through me too fast, I edged back to the back and sat down on the bed. Edward did the same, but sat on the chair and it fell silent for a while.
Even though I tried not to look at him, I could feel that he was looking at me, making my mind work fast, trying to interpret why he was looking at me. My mind was all over the place and it was driving me insane.
After a few minutes, I heard him sigh softly. Before I could turn to ask him what was wrong, there was a knock at the door.
I looked up, expecting maybe Charlie or one of the doctors, but was surprised to see Alice Cullen instead. She slid in the room weighed down with an armful of bags.
"Hi," she said brightly, bounding in to the room. She sat down on the other side of the bed from Edward and set the bags on the floor. "I heard you were feeling much better, so I thought I would come and bring you some retail therapy."
I glanced at the bags and cringed a little. "You didn't spend money on me, did you?" I hated when people spent money on me, even birthdays and Christmases. Charlie and my mom used to think there was something wrong with me…maybe there was.
"Of course I did," said Alice happily. "I didn't want to disturb your dad by getting things from your house, so I nipped to Port Angeles and got what I could…which is not much, as there wasn't much too choose from. I would need to go to Seattle for a better choice, so this will have to do. Anyway, I managed to find enough for you to wear today," Alice said in babbled rush while she dug through the bags and set various different clothes on the bed for me. I scanned the clothes quickly spying what she has bought for me; jeans, a blue cardigan sweater, a few t-shirts, even shoes.
"Alice, you're insane, you spent all that on me? Honestly, you really shouldn't have," I said, but I knew I shouldn't be ungrateful, even if I wanted to tell her to take it all back. I closed my eyes then smiled as I opened them. "But thank you, it's very thoughtful…and thank you for the dre - I mean nightgown." I heard Edward laugh softly on the other side.
"Oh, do you like it? It's actually one of mine, but it doesn't fit me - too long, but I thought it would look lovely on you."
"Yes, I do like it," I said sounding genuine. I guessed Edward wasn't lying when he said Alice just took getting used to.
"Good," she paused for a second. "So, are you not going to get dressed or are you leaving in your nightgown, I mean, it's really pretty but I think it's a bit much for Forks."
My eyes narrowed a little. "Leaving?" I hadn't been discharged yet, or I would have put on my new clothes the minute Alice took them out the bag. Carlisle hasn't come back, neither had that other doctor, Dr Warren. I didn't even know if they were letting me leave today.
In the corner of my eyes, I saw Edward's face change. I turned to see his eyes flash. Then I turned back to Alice who looked guiltily for some reason. Then quicker than I could blink, her face smoothed over and she smiled again, her face lighting up.
"Oh, I just thought that since you are fine now that you would maybe be leaving…I guess not," she shrugged lightly.
If there hadn't been that exchange between her and Edward, then I wouldn't have noticed the slight change in her voice and I felt as if I had missed something, but I just didn't know what.
"Carlisle is going to see if she can get out sometime soon, hopefully today, but he still has to clear it with Dr Warren, as he in charge of Bella's care," said Edward, an edge to his tone.
"Speaking of Carlisle," said Alice quickly, getting up. "I better go before he sees me still here, he said I should just stay for a minute then I had to go back to school…" Before she could finish, there was a knock on the door again and Alice sat down, a defeated look washed her face.
Carlisle peered around the door."Alice, what a surprise," he said looking at Alice. "Did school get cancelled?"
"I wouldn't know, I haven't been yet," replied Alice honestly. "Just came to check on Bella, like Edward." Alice shot a glance at Edward, who smirked back.
Alice picked up the flowers that Edward brought me; they were still lying on the side, not even in water yet.
"I will go and get a vase for these," said Alice and fluttered out the room.
Edward and Carlisle watched her go, then Carlisle turned to me, smiling.
"Good news, Bella, Dr Warren has given you a clean bill of health and you can now leave. There really is no point in you being here when you don't need to be, I am sure you will agree? He has run every test imaginable, like I said, and the results have all been negative. So you can get ready to go and he will be back to see you off, but in the mean time," he held out a chart and I took it from him, "can you sign these?"
"Thank you," I said as he handed me a pen.
Alice came back in the room and my flowers were soaking up the water a vase. She set the flowers on a table about a foot from Edward's side, but as she did so, the vase slipped from her fingers.
Quicker than my eyes could process, Edward turned in the seat, leaned over and caught the falling flowers and vase before they spilled and smashed to the ground. There was a light thud when the vase landed in Edwards hand and some water spilled over him. But the vase was intact and the flowers were perfectly fine.
"Wow, nice save, son!" said Carlisle as if Edward just did a touchdown in football.
Alice seemed to be holding back a smile, but she nodded, agreeing with Carlisle.
"Yeah, good one Edward," she gushed.
My brain was still processing how he managed to catch it so fast, but it was pretty impressive all the same.
"Thanks..." I mumbled, "for saving my lovely flowers."
I felt as if I was missing something, as the three of them seemed to be talking silently, except without words. I felt like I could see between the lines, I just couldn't read between them.
Carlisle cleared his throat a little and continued as if nothing disrupted our conversation. "I will go and phone your dad and let him know what is happening," he paused. "Did you find anything more about your…ghosts?"
"No really," replied Edward. "Bella found out that the families don't live too far; one in Port Angeles, and the other two in Forks. So we are going to see which, if any, of them belong to the boy."
"We are?" I asked quickly, as if my ears picked up his words wrong.
"Yes, we are," Edward replied simply. I couldn't help but smile.
"That's good news then, one step closer to helping him," said Carlisle. "But be careful." I knew he wasn't talking about our safety, but about being sensitive around the families and to be tactful.
"Don't worry, I do this a lot, so I know what to say," I said as I started to fill out my form.
Carlisle nodded then left, giving a last look at Alice. Once he was gone she sighed.
"I guess that's me told then," she huffed. "I don't see why you get to skive off school!" She moaned at Edward as if I was not there.
"Bye Alice," was all Edward replied but his grin said it all; he was enjoying her having to go back to school while he got to stay.
Alice pursed her lips then sighed dramatically. "Fine," she looked at me then back at Edward. "Have fun." Her smile was devious for a second then back to her normal bright one. "Bye Bella, I'm glad you okay," she added as she walks to the door.
"Bye Alice, and thanks again for the clothes and things…see you at school tomorrow?"
She smirked and Edward glared at her. "Yeah, sure, see you then."
Again, there were things that I was missing but I just couldn't see what. I ignored that for now though, and got out of bed so I could get dressed.
Edward stood up at the same time. "I will leave you to get ready…do you mind if I borrow your laptop?"
I nodded but there was a un spoken question on my face.
"I just want to see if there are any stories online about either of the boys. They might have pictures on them and it would narrow the search down."
"Oh, yeah, that would be helpful…I normally do that but I guess my brain is a little slow today," I said shaking my brain to wake it up. I normally always looked to see if there were articles online about the ghosts' death, it helped me understand things better as the ghosts didn't always tell you everything and articles could sometimes fill in the blanks.
I grabbed the laptop from the bed and logged on for Edward. He took it from me but before I let go, I stared into his eyes and I just seemed to freeze. He didn't yank the computer from me, and he didn't break the hypnotic stare.
I didn't even think anything; I just stood frozen, staring into his eyes, like an idiot. How much time had passed, I didn't know, but finally he looked away and I let my eyes drop. I cleared my throat and mumbled, "I better get showered, or we'll be here all day."
I dashed into the bathroom without looking back and closed the door firmly.
I looked around and thanked God that there were towels already in there, but cursed myself for not grabbing my clothes before I ran in there to hide. I stood against the door and listened for the door outside to close then hurried back out.
I grabbed the clothes that Alice brought and I had a look in the other bags that were still on the floor. She was even so thoughtful to buy me underwear and toiletries. I grabbed the remaining bags and dashed back into the bathroom. As I switched on the shower, I wondered where my other clothes were. Maybe they cut them off me, like they did on the TV.
It didn't take me that long to get freshened up, and as I was tidying the room, someone cleared their throat from behind me. I jumped and spun round, expecting Edward, but it was Dr Warren.
"You seem much better," he observed. "Dr Cullen thinks you are ready to go home, and I have agreed but part of me thinks you should stay here, maybe we could run more tests…I would very much like to find out what caused you to get ill so fast, but you recovered just as quick…" he trailed off, looking thoughtful.
"It won't be necessary to keep me here longer, it's a waste of time and money, as I am perfectly okay," I said sounding reassuring. "I have no idea why I was so ill, but whatever it was is gone now." I was getting better at lying, even to me that sounded sincere.
"Well we can't keep you here if you don't want to be here, but if you feel ill again, then don't hesitate to come back," he said. "One of the nurses took your discharge papers back, so you are free to go."
I had wondered what happened to the forms. "Take care, Miss Swan, I am glad everything turned out okay…even I don't know why."
I felt a little guilty that he would most probably be pondering over my mystery illness for a long time, but I didn't really want to tell him the real reason, as I got the feeling he wouldn't believe me.
"Goodbye, Dr Warren, thank you for…" what did you thank a doctor for? "Helping me get better."
"Goodbye, Miss Swan," he replied then left the room.
I finished tidying up, making the bed and putting the clothes that I didn't wear back into the bags that Alice brought. I still had no idea what happened to my clothes that I was wearing yesterday, but they weren't my best clothes so it didn't matter.
Once I was done, I sat on the bed as was not sure what to do. Edward wasn't back yet, my dad wasn't there and I had no way of getting home myself.
Just as I was about to get up to look for Edward, he was in front of me suddenly.
"How do you do that?" I gasped, as I clutched my heart again. "You gave me a fright…I didn't even see the door open."
"It's not my fault that you are very unobservant," said Edward with a slight smile. I blinked, then flushed. "Just kidding…you were in a trace sort of thing," he said quickly. "Here," he showed me the open laptop. "This is a picture of Adam Benson, the boy that died after an infection while fighting leukaemia."
I took a look at the boy on the screen. He had dark hair, blue eyes and from what I could see, it was a school picture. I shook my head sadly.
"That's not him." I closed the laptop so I didn't have to see him any longer.
"Don't worry, we will find the boy's family," said Edward again. He looked around the room. "You all set? Carlisle phoned your dad; he said that if it was okay with him, then I will take you home. Charlie was so tired that he agreed, so we can go to Jamie Jackson's house first." He handed me a post it note. "That's his address, the family still live in Forks."
Jamie Jackson, the boy that was run over, was even young than Adam, who was six.
"We need to find out one way or another, so we may as well get it over with," said Edward gently. I didn't know why I was feeling so bad, it was not like I hadn't dealt with children before but somehow this felt different.
"I know, but I have felt how he did when he died - whoever he is - and I can't tell the family that he passed away without feeling anything. To begin with it was awful but towards the end it was better, it felt as if I was merely floating and I wasn't really there…" I was not sure how to explain it but Edward seemed to understand.
"I know what you mean," said Edward, his eyebrows furrowed, as if he was trying to remember something. He shook his head then collected the bags on the floor. "The orderly will be here in a minute, so I will take these down to my car." He gathered the bags and left without a word.
Just as Edward said, an orderly came to the door with a wheel chair. I tried not to groan and got on without a fuss. But before he could pull me out the room, someone walked past the open door and caught my eye. I quickly looked away but I could see that the person was frozen out in the hall way.
"Hey!" called the person. I didn't look up. "Hey, you, girl, you can see me, can't you?"
I managed this long without seeing anyone. In another five minutes I would have been out of there, and it would have been a record of not having seen anyone that I haven't already met, but here this man was, and he knew about my gift.
The orderly began to push me out the room but the man walked after us. "Hello, Miss, speak to me!" he shouted as if I was deaf. I looked up to see him walking backwards in front of me.
"See, you can see me!" he smiled in relief. I looked at him properly now; he was grey in both his face and hair, his cheeks were sunken and he was wearing the standard hospital gown.
"Finally, a human that can see me," he said still walking backwards. "Can you do something for me?"
I bit my lip but nodded all the same.
"Can you tell my wife that I am waiting for her?"
I did a double take. "Is that all?" I said out loud.
"Yes," said the man at the same time as the orderly said, "Is what all?"
"Uh, nothing," I said quickly. I nodded once for the man.
"Her name is Gladis Pierce; she lives in the nursing home. Can you tell her for me, I don't want her to be scared when it's her time?"
I nodded again, as I couldn't really say much.
There were a lot of reasons for sprits to stay behind and these ones were the easiest but the sweetest reasons; just to reassure loved ones.
"Thank you," said the man before we go into the elevator. As the doors closed, the man waved then disappeared.
Back on the first floor, Edward was waiting for us.
"I can take her from here," he told the orderly with a tone of authority. I didn't turn but I realised that the orderly had gone as Edward walked round the back of me and started pushing me forward.
"I can walk you know," I protested. I only humoured the orderly but I didn't need to do that for Edward.
"Hospital policy; you need to leave via wheelchair." I could hear the amusement in his voice.
"I saw another," I said as he pushed me towards the exit.
He didn't need to ask what I was on about. "Oh, what did they want?"
"I just need to tell this guy's wife that 'he is waiting'," I said. "Very easy and quite romantic of him to stick around to wait for her. She lives in the nursing home, so I am guessing she is dying if he wants me to pass on the message now."
We were outside now and the fresh air was welcoming. I inhaled the cold air and let the drizzle sprinkle my face. We didn't need to go far, as Edwards shiny Volvo was parked over the 'Ambulances Only' space. He stopped the wheelchair and was in front of me as if he appeared out of thin air. He offered me his hand, which I took, and helped me to my feet.
"I don't think you are supposed to park here," I commented as he discards the wheelchair, by pushing it to the side. I raised my eyebrow and he chuckled.
"You just said it; I shouldn't park here and if I waste time by going all the way back inside to put the chair back, and all the back again, then I may have a queue of ambulances waiting for me to move by the time we are ready to leave," he grinned. I tried not to laugh as he was just being cocky.
I think that was a little boring and I couldn't think of a title again so it was random. The next part, a new chapter, will be up later today/night.
There is a part where Bella realises that Alex is in Forks when he shouldn't be. I wanted Alex to be older, so he should be a school and I don't know if there is a college anywhere near Forks or Port Angeles and I made that mistake when I first introduced him.
PLEASE review!