Chapter 1: The Hospital

"Laura, hold on, you're going to be okay!"

I stretched out my hand, and another took it softly.

"Laura, don't fret, everything's going to be okay. With God's protection you'll be fine!"

I heard a screech, and it seemed as if my body was rolling, somehow still stationary, but moving nonetheless.

"How did it happen, Sister?"

"I always told her not to climb that wall! Why, God, why?"

"Just take a calm breath…explain it slowly."

"Okay...Laura is always getting into mischief, a daredevil if you will; she's always climbing things…"

"Climbing?"
"Yes, climbing. She loves to climb that one wall back there…next to the orphanage…"
"Yes?"

"Well, I was leaving the orphanage to go pay my respects at the local cemetery, when I heard a crash. I ran overand Laura was on the ground, crying. Her head was bleeding."

"Was she in any sort of shock, arrest of any kind?"

"Not that I know of", the nun said, with an anxious voice.

"Okay, thank you Sister, that's all I need to know."

"We'll pray for her…"
"I'm sure that will help."

It felt as if the "bed" I was laying on was hoisted up, and I heard a clang, as metal touched metal. Then I heard what seemed like doors banging shut. A siren flared, an engine was ignited, and I passed out.

"Laura…Laura"

The voice of a man was calling me.

"Laura…Laura, wake up!"
I jumped, and opened my eyes. Light glared into them.

"Where am I?"

"St. Jerome's."

"So, how are you feeling, little lady?"

I lifted my hand out of the sheets, and touched the back of my head. A bandage was there. I felt a surge of pain as I touched it, so I quickly withdrew my hand. I glanced at the man who was calling my name. He was over by the medicine cabinet on my left. He seemed to be around age 32. From the looks of his uniform, I guessed that he was a doctor.

"Don't call me Little Lady!"
"Oooh…we have a grown up girl here." The doctor said, sarcastically.
"That's right; I'm very mature for my age!"

"Well, Laura, I'm Doctor Benson, nice to meet you."
He stuck out his hand, I turned my head away, I didn't want to be nice to such a mean man.

Dr. Benson chuckled, "Well, you'll get to know me in time…"

The loud speaker came on.

"Dr. Benson, please report to the front desk, calling Dr. Benson."

The doctor shook his head. "Looks like some jerk needs me, for the meanwhile you'll be in this room, sharing with Mary. Your nurse, Rachel will be here soon."
"Dr. Benson, please make your way to the front Desk!"

"Gosh…" The doctor packed up his things and stormed out of the room.

Mary, who's Mary?

I heard a cough from the other side of the divider next to my bed. I reached over and pulled the curtain back.