"Are you ready?" OA asks me.
I sigh and nod, though I'm feeling helpless and wish there was more I could do. We had stayed there, sitting like we were until my phone had died, almost four hours later.
When the low battery warning had sounded I warned the girl it would die, but I don't know that she understood what that had meant. She was fine until the screen went black; then she screamed. It was like the first time- it shook me to my core, sounding desperate and anguished.
I had tried to tell her it was okay, that he was fine, but still she screamed. When Dr. Alexander called for assistance to give her something to calm down, I had to leave, unable to watch what I knew was inevitable. I couldn't bear the sight of her being forced from under the table and held down as she, feeling confused and betrayed, is injected with a needle full of drugs. I guess this is the last resort Dr. Alexander was talking about.
OA had made his way back to me after our call disconnected and found me around the corner from her room, sitting with my back against the wall, knees pulled up to my chest. He had held out his hand to help me up. I had put my palm against his and his strong fingers wrapped around mine to pull me to a standing position.
Now we make our way to the exit. I have no idea what time it is, so when OA turns on the car and I see the clock says 11:30pm, I'm surprised. I purse my lips, lost in thought when OA's voice pulls me back.
"What is it?"
"Nothing," I lie, forcing the smallest of smiles. I turn away quickly from his gaze knowing I gave myself up.
"Nothing? Honesty, remember?" he pushes and I'm irritated that he's right. I demand honesty from him so I must give it in return.
"I just don't think I can sleep now. I mean, how could I after that?" My voice fades to nothing as I, again, hear the scream that's been imprinted on my mind.
"JOC, then?" he asks.
I nod appreciating his acceptance. There's more work to do anyway. We have to find de la Rosa. And I want to figure out who the girl and baby boy are. Who are they related to? Why were they there. I have many questions and little to go on.
We arrive fifteen minutes later. It seems weird to be back in the office. With everything that's running through my head right now, it's all I can do to let it go, even temporarily, and get to work.
XXXXX
The girl is on my mind the moment my eyes open the next morning. I only got a few hours of sleep and didn't even leave the office, but I'm hopelessly awake.
I pull into the hospital parking lot just after eight. My job is simple. Try to learn what I can about the girl. OA is back learning what he can about Juan and Kristen is working her magic to find any traces he's left since disappearing yesterday. When I get to the familiar room, I peek in through the blinds in her window. She is again out of her bed, but is asleep on the floor under the table. She looks so peaceful, a strand of hair across her face, covered in a blanket with her arms wrapped around herself.
I see she has an IV again, but I assume she will rip it out as soon as she wakes. A new doctor walks up behind me as I'm watching. This doctor is younger than the other with blonde hair and expressive hazel eyes.
"You must be Agent Bell?" she asks. I nod and extend a hand.
"Nice to meet you," she continues. "I'm Doctor Arens. I'm working closely with Doctor Alexander and Jane."
"Jane?" I ask.
"The girl. We don't know her name so she's a Jane Doe. Jane," she explains. "I don't love it, but it's better than nothing." She shrugs.
"Has she said anything at all?"
"No. Not a word. Just screaming a couple times. And the few words she said about the video link being her brother. Nice job with that, by the way."
I'm glad she says that but I can't help but feel like it only caused more problems when my phone died. I just smile a little.
"I mean it," she says. "That gave me an idea. We actually are trying to set up a more permanent link, at least for now, until we know what we will happen with them."
"What will happen?" I ask, almost afraid of the answer.
"Well, eventually they will find their way into the foster care system. But for now we have to see just how much Jane understands and how much she can talk. Basically, we are trying to find out how much of a developmental delay Jane has due to her circumstances. And, if you're okay with it, I'd like you to try talking to her."
"Me?" I ask surprised.
"I know it's a bit unprecedented, but you may be the one she feels the most connected to. You are the one who found her and the one who got the link set up so she could see her brother. I'm hoping one more positive interaction will be enough for her to trust you even just a little. Both Dr. Alexander and O have had to use force to keep her safe through needles, IVs and other things. Our chances are extremely small. And the fewer adults around her, the better the chances of her opening up. I'm a trained psychologist, so I'll guide you through the whole thing."
It's a lot to take in. What she's saying makes sense, but it's still hard to believe. I definitely worth a try.
"Okay, I'm in."
"Good. Look, she is awake. Start by turning on the TV. The link should be set up by now. Once she sees that, give her some time, but then start talking to her. Tell her your name, what you like, things like that. Try to make connections, but don't get too close and don't push. If you sit so you can see me, I'll write down cues as you need them. I'll be able to hear you with the door cracked. Questions?"
She seems excited about getting this to work and I can't help but feel hopeful that I can still help this little girl.
I shake my head and head into the room. Immediately Jane looks at me and comes out from under the table almost all the way.
"More?" she asks, and I know she's talking about the video.
I look at her and nod, a big smile on my face. I walk to the TV and turn it on like directed. It flashes blue at first, but then the video link begins to show her baby brother.
Jane smiles widely and lets out a sort of giggle. I can't help but feel lighter about the whole situation.
Jane sits entranced in the baby and doesn't move a muscle for more than fifteen minutes. I hear a gentle knock on the window and look up to see an encouraging nod from Dr. Arens. Since there is no sound in the room, I shuffle in my place on the love seat onto the floor slowly so as not to startle Jane.
She looks at me for a moment, still just barely under the table and then back to the screen.
"My name is Maggie," I start. She looks at me, clearly thinking hard. I put my hand on my chest and say again, "Maggie."
She watches as I pull my hand away and put it back into my lap. Then she slowly raises her hand to her chest and says, "Ria."
"Ria? Your name is Ria?"
I look at Dr. Arens briefly and right back to Ria, who is smiling at me. "Pretty," I say.
She looks at the TV again, raises her hand to point at her brother and says, "baby," with a smile.
"I know," I tell her. "Does your brother have a name?" I pause for a moment, but she is just looking at me. I try again by putting my hand back on my chest and say "Maggie," then raise my hand out toward her and say, "Ria," and then hold my hand to the TV.
She is quiet for a few moments and then, just like that, we know his name, too.
"Javí," she says proudly. "Baby Javí."
And I don't know if it's hearing their names, or how she is smiling at me or if it's that the next thing she does is come all the way out from under the table, but my vision goes blurry again. For a moment, Ria looks at me, confusion evident on her face, but I smile because these tears are the happiest kind. She smiles in return and comes out from under the table completely, scoots over beside me, and climbs into my lap. The tears that threatened to fall just moments earlier begin to slide down my face and I wipe them away quickly so as not to startle Ria. I finally feel like I'm making a difference for this little girl.
Dr. Arens looks at me wide-eyed and nods her head in approval. I just smile because there's not left to do.
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Thank you so much for the reviews! Please keep them coming! To my regular reviewers: you guys continue to blow me away! To those who are first time reviewers: THANK YOU!