Chapter 16
Her head felt like lead and her mouth tasted like cotton balls, Cori thought to herself as she opened her eyes. She had to shut them again quickly as the blaring fluorescent lights blinded her. She tried opening them again, more slowly this time. She was in a small white room, a hospital room. She had no recollection of how she had gotten there! In fact everything was a blur.
And then she remembered. The police, the getaway plan, James being shoved down to the ground and the gun that had been pointed at her son! She began to push herself up even though she was painfully stiff and bruised.
"Doctor." A nurse called down the hall, seeing her patient stir. "Doctor, she's awake!"
The doctor and the man with whom he'd been conversing quickly made their way into the room. Seeing the small figure struggling to get out of bed he quickly went to the side of her bed and gently pushed her back down.
"Ms. Whiting," The doctor urged "Ms. Whiting please try to calm down. Everything is going to be alright."
"Where are my children? Tim, I have to get to Tim. Where's my husband!" Cori screamed struggling against the doctor and the orderlies who were now forcefully holding her down.
"Ms. Whiting, please! You must calm yourself." the doctor said "Nurse, please get me a sedative."
Cori grasped the doctor's coat and pulled him down to her. "Where is my son? She asked frantically, "Please he was shot! Please tell me he's alright!"
"Everyone is fine. No one's been shot!" The doctor said soothingly, taking the syringe from the nurse. "Hold her." He said to the orderlies.
"No! No I don't want any!" Cori cried as the needle slipped under her skin. "I just want James. Get me James." She whispered the sedative already taking effect.
The man, who had rushed in with the doctor, stepped forward and took one of her hands and looked down at her.
"There, there." he said patting her hand. "You're safe now Corliss. He paused as she opened her eyes and hazily stared at him in dawning horror. "You're home." He whispered to her, a second before she groaned and slid once again into oblivion.