Tris
The influx of the injured has caused chaos in the hospital. Beds are being pushed in every direction. I barely stop, only to ask directions and even then I'm rushing past the nurse or orderly, delving deeper into the mayhem.
Christina calls my name from behind. I ignore it. She'll catch up.
When I reach the emergency area, the room is filled with beds as far as I can see. I scan the beds closest to me. In some areas curtains are drawn, concealing their occupants. I move to check behind them when a woman in blue scrubs steps in front of me, effectively cutting me off.
"Excuse me, you can't just walk in here."
"I'm looking for someone injured in the bombing."
"As you can see, we're dealing with a lot right now. You can step back and wait until someone has time to speak with you. Are you a family member?"
"We were contacted by the hospital." Christina seems to manifest next to me. "The person we're looking for is the assistant of one of the council members."
Without making eye contact with me the nurse clears her throat and picks up a clipboard. "Name please." She keeps her eyes on the clipboard and I'm tempted to just grab it from her and look myself; I can just imagine the scene that would cause. This isn't the time or place to lose my cool.
I speak up. "Tobias Eaton."
The nurse scans her clipboard; I can't see what's written on it. I assume it to be a list.
Finally she looks back up at me. "He's in surgery."
"For what?" I can't help the high pitch of my voice. My heart is beating even faster in my chest. How badly was he hurt?
"Are either of you family members?"
"Not exactly, no—"
"If you're not family then I'm bound by doctor/patient confidentiality."
"I—."
The nurse cuts me off again. "I've already told you more than I should. Now, as you can see we have a lot going on here. Please return to the waiting room."
I almost can't remember the last time I let someone shut me down. I don't like it but for some reason I don't speak up.
The nurse turns away.
Christina is calling after her, yelling really, and all I'm doing is standing there.
"What a bitch," utters Christina under her breath. "Don't worry, I'll get her to talk." Christina pulls from my grasp, rolling up her sleeves."
I'm about to pull her back and tell her it's not a good idea when someone steps in front of her.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," says Zeke.
Christina and I both look up at him in surprise. He's attached via an IV to a poll on wheels and he wears a gown like the other patients, the ties hang loose at his sides. I can only imagine the people behind him are getting quite a view. Apart from a bandage on his head, Zeke looks otherwise unharmed.
"What are you doing out of bed?" demands Christina.
"I heard a commotion, not surprised that it was coming from the two of you." He pauses. "You know, they keep giving me pudding. Do you think that nurse knows where I can get more?"
Christina clears her throat. "We were trying to find out about Tobias but that nurse only said he's in surgery."
Zeke looks down at his feet.
"What do you know?" I ask.
His eyes slowly rise to meet mine. "He covered Johanna when the first bomb went off. Then he came to get me and secured our exit out. The second bomb went off before he could get to safety."
My heart sank into my chest.
Zeke continues. "I don't know the extent of his injuries. We were brought here separately and then they took him straight up to operate."
"Is there any way you could find out?" asks Christina when I couldn't.
He turns in the direction the nurse went, finding her, he casually steps over, his IV in tow and speaks quietly with her. Under different circumstances either Christina or myself would comment on the fact that Zeke's rear end is exposed to the whole hospital, but this isn't the time or the place. The nurse looks at both Christina and me and then flips through her chart. The nurse lets out an aggravated breath and then walks back toward us.
She doesn't say anything.
"I know I'm not family, but I am the closest to family he has. I'm his girlfriend." My voice sounds broken. "We live together."
The nurse purses her lips and narrows her eyes. Out of the corner of my eye I notice Christina elbow Zeke in the side and mutter, "How do you do it?"
My attention quickly snaps back to the nurse. "He sustained severe burns along his back and arms. Debris punctured one of his lungs."
My heart stops and my breath catches. I reach for Christina's hand, squeezing tightly.
It's always been me. I'm always the one getting into danger and getting hurt. Tobias is strong and smart. I don't even know how to process what the nurse is telling me. I've stopped listening. All I can think about is that it's possible I'll never see him again. I've been careless with him, with us. And I've taken for granted the time we've had together.
I feel the tears spilling down my face. Christina pulls me into her arms and I sob into her neck. I feel another hand gently rest on my back. Zeke. At least I am surrounded by friends.
"Thank you," she says to the nurse. I barely hear the exchange, too consumed with my grief.
"Have a seat and I'll come get you when there's more news."