A little less than a week later, the doctor called James at work. James told Mary they had prescribed some medicine for her to take. She said, "See. No big deal." James scoffed and didn't say anything else about it. Mary felt a little hurt. The next day she walked to the pharmacy to pick up her prescription. It was warm outside so she didn't take her sweater. She was feeling a little dizzy by time she reached her destination. After they gave her the medicine she needed, she started walking home again. The sun was bearing down on her. It was giving her a headache. She began to have a coughing fit in the middle of the sidewalk. People nearby surrounded her and asked if she was okay but their words were drowned out by the sound of her heartbeat. She collapsed and blacked out.

She had a dream about when James took her to Silent Hill. They were sitting by the lake, talking every once in a while. James had actually laughed then. Now he'd even make the slightest smile, and she quit trying to make it happen. They were gazing at the lake, talking about whatever popped into their minds. It was fun just sitting there all day. Her dream changed on her and they were in the Lake View Hotel. James was video taping again. He taped almost everything that happened there. It was somewhat annoying but she wasn't mad at him for it. Their mouths but no sound came out. It was like watching a silent movie. She could see herself. It changed again, showing an unfamiliar scene. She was lying in bed. She didn't look well at all. James kissed her forehead.

Mary was in the hospital when she woke up. Her hand immediately went to the bandage near her left temple. Then she remembered collapsing on the sidewalk. She was still exhausted and weak. Her head was pounding. Where were the nurses to check on her? They didn't come for twenty minutes. She stared out the window because the room was plain and didn't even seem to have anything out of place. The nurse, however, almost made the room brighter. The woman's hair was auburn colored and up in a bun on the top of her head. She had make up on but had obviously taken some time to apply it. She flashed a welcome smile- as if Mary was happy to be there- as she said, "Hello Mrs. Sunderland. My name is Lisa. How are you feeling?"

"Groggy," she said. "Who brought me here?"

"I don't know but we contacted your husband at work. He's speaking with the doctor now. If you need some assistance, push that button." Lisa left and Mary hoped to God that James wouldn't see that girl. She was beautiful, and well, Mary probably looked like hell. She sure felt like it. The doctor followed James in.

"Mrs. Sunderland," the doctor greeted in a cheerful voice, "how are you?" she just shrugged. "Well, I'd like to ask you a few questions. Are you on any medication?"

She said, "No. I was going to get some though."

"Any problems we need to worry about?"

James answered, "She has a bit of a coughing fit now and then." She shot him a look but he avoided her eyes. Was he going to start that again? She wasn't up to dealing with it.

"We'll run some tests a little later. Tomorrow perhaps. For now you need your rest. I'll check on you in a little while."

"Okay," she said. Then he was gone. She turned to James. "Why do you have to say that? Do you think those tests are fun?"

He sighed, "No but they'd probably run a few tests anyway. Besides that could mean something serious and if we don't have it checked out.."

"I had a check up last week."

"It's always good to have a second opinion."

"You just wont be happy until they find something wrong with me, will you?"

"I didn't say that. Why do you always have to put words like that in my mouth?!"

"Because you never talk to me anymore so I have to assume things!" They were both quiet for a while, then Mary said, "I'm sorry James. I just wish you'd talk to me- even if you complained about work. I wouldn't mind."

"I know," he sighed. "Things have felt so different lately." She nodded. They didn't say much more. James went home eventually. She hoped he hadn't seen Lisa. She was afraid of what kind of thoughts he might have about her. She didn't sleep very easy because of it. She thought about it too much.

In the afternoon the next day, Lisa came to take Mary's blood pressure. When the simple tests were done, they did the more complex ones: drawing blood, X-rays, Cat scans. It all made her nervous but she made it through. Afterwards, she just lay in bed and stared at the ceiling. She half slept for a half hour. A nurse, someone Mary hadn't seen before, brought in a little girl. She was blonde, blue eyed, and looked like she was maybe eight or nine. There was a bruise on her right cheek. She sat down in the chair. The unknown nurse said, "This little girl doesn't have anyone to talk to so I thought I'd introduce you. I'll come back to get you later, okay?" The girl nodded but didn't seem to care. She waited for the nurse to leave before speaking.

"So, what's your name?" the girl asked.

"Mary," she said.

"I'm Laura. How come you're in the hospital?"

"Because I collapsed on the sidewalk. I still feel tired. Why are you in the hospital?"

"...I'm sick I guess."

Mary didn't ask about the bruise. They were quiet for a while. "Where's your family?" Mary asked. Laura just shrugged; a blank look came over her face.

"Do YOU have a family? Does anyone come to visit you?"

"My husband did yesterday. His name is James."

"Is he coming by today?"

"I don't know." She sighed. "I really don't know."