Max Walker and Ethan Hardy reacted in completely different ways to the reaction that had been painfully heard on the other side of the telephone connection.
Max was quick to jump up, screaming for Elsie, Robyn, anyone who might have the slight chance of knowing where his 'baby' sister was. Even if it meant calling his mother, who he very rarely talked to. Soft tears began to brim at the Porter's eyes, as he couldn't help but feel slightly responsible for his sister's pain.
Ethan on the other hand, felt just as guilty. If he had just talked to Elsie, if he hadn't of kissed her, and she went off. If he had followed her...all these questions were spinning around his head, and he did not have the faintest idea on how to answer them. But, his reaction was a little bit more realistic - call around now, to see if anybody had seen Eliza.
Hastily, the Senior Registrar pulled out his phone, immediatly scrolling down to Elsie's contact page. His thumb pressed down heavily on the 'Call' button, and held the phone up to his ear, but was greeted with the dial tone. No answer.
He tried again. And again. And again, all with the same conclusion. The doctor ran a hand through his blonde hair, trying to somehow calm himself down. He could feel his hands shaking, quivering, praying for the arrival of Elsie. Just, to call back, or walk through the door.
By now, Max was an emotional wreck. He was now storming around the hallway, making angry calls to his mother, who insisted she knew nothing on her dissapearance. In the end, it revolted in Max throwing his phone across the room, leaving a long crack on the screen. He could kick himself for achieving that.
The elder Walker began to break down. He dragged his back against the wall, faling into a curled up position. Light tears were brimming at his eyes, as he felt his mind jeering about breaking the unspoken promise - to protect his little sister at all costs. Sighing, Ethan went over to him, along with Robyn, who all tried to comfort him, in a hope that something good would happen...
Although broken, nobody could deny the ringtone of Max's phone. The three were quick to glance up, and Max made a dive for the device, before it could switch off. In hope, he pressed the 'Answer' button, not bothering to look at the caller ID. Instead, he focoused straight on the voice.
"Elsie?" He asked hopefully. For a moment, Ethan looked relieved, but his face soon fell as Max shook his head.
"Zoe, listen, now is not a good time. It's-" He was cut off from murmurs down the phone.
"What? When? How?" More murmurs. More nodding.
"I'll be there in five minutes." He responded, before ending the call. After pausing for a fraction of a second, the Porter pulled himself up, running upstairs to retrive his coat.
"Max?" Ethan called, stepping onto the first step. His dark eyes were now glassed with tears, as he continued to wait for a respond, which he soon got from a shout from upstairs.
"Elsie's in Resus. She was bought in a minute ago!" He shouted, running back down the stairs, passing his half sister her coat. She pulled it on, before tapping Ethan's shoulder quite heavily.
"Coat! We got to go!" She announced. Although in shock, of being invited, and the arrival of Eliza, he was quick to pull on the somewhat dry coat which had been resting on the radiator, as well as his boots, by the front door. After this, Max pulled open the door, as he ran out, Robyn and Ethan running to catch up with him.
The three pulled themselves into the car, Max taking the driver seat, whilst Robyn and Ethan climb into the back. Eagerly, the driver pressed down on excellertator, and sped off into the night.
After jumping several traffic lights, and speeding more than once,the little car pulled into the ED carpark. They were quick to pull in, before pulling themselves quickly out of the car, the three of them running towards the glass doors of the Emergency Department, swinging them open, almost of their hinges.
The patients of the ED snapped their heads to look at the three figures who had stormed in. Their eyes kept locked on them as the blonde clad doctor pushed past Max and Robyn, running straight for Resus.
The others were quick to follow. The doors were almost swung of their hinges, as Max entered first, his eyes scanning in hope so see where Elsie was.
He was quick to find the sullotion. Lying, in the centre of the room, faint groans coming from the bed, was a very worn Eliza Walker. Although the three could not see her complete injuries, they were certain that they would be serious.
A deep, dark part of Ethan Hardy knew the culprit responsible for her injuries. He couldn't bare to tell Max, but he was somewhat certain that it was who he thought it was. His mouth opened to call out, but he was shepered off, by Zoe's hand flying in front of him, pushing him back.
"Come on, Ethan. Let them work." She announces, pushing the Registar back. He knew better than to protest - he saw that almost everytime he was present in Resus.
Slowly, he pulled away, seeing Max, once again a state, from the late night, Eliza, and the fact he could not be let into Resus to be there with his younger sister.
They hadn't even the chance to see her for a moment - prehaps that was what he felt most guilty about. But still, he knew he would have to continue waiting. It was just for a joke now; they would find any means of stopping him from seeing her, because he said he loved her.
The heartbroken Doctor continued pacing, looking through the glass window's of Resus every few moments. Seeing as they were almost soundproof, he could not tell if she was climbaxing or falling, if she was alive or dead. She could be choking blood for all he knew.
Ethan knew the drill - when the visitors were waiting, the only thing that could calm them down, or what the doctor's advised, was a drink. Maybe, some coffee, could help him somewhow. Maybe to perk up, calm down, he had no idea, except the goodness which could be in that coffee rush. Sighing for the second time, he left the area, the sobbings of Eliza's brother and half-sister still being heard clearly.
The young doctor returned about twenty minutes later, looking somewhat refreshed. His blonde hair had been brushed through, glasses cleaned of the mist, and a warm coffee resting in his hand. Ethan took a sigh of relief, before walking over to where Max and Robyn were once sitting.
The two, however, were not to be seen. A puzzled look washed over Ethan's face, as he pettingly wondered when on earth they had departed to. He knew Elsie was completely simmilar to Max, in the account of they would not leave eachother behind, but they had both gone.
Ethan stood in place for a moment, his mouth hanging open in confusion. However, his prayers were soon answered when a very distraught Doctor Khio passed, looking as if he could murder someone.
However, he recognised Ethan. He paused when he came up to the Registar, begining to talk.
"Ahh. If your looking for that Walker, she's in the private rooms." He told, his tone serious.
"P...Private rooms?" Ethan replied, a look of concern washing over his face.
"Yes. She's stable, but her injuries were pretty severe. Cut wound and burns. Passed out from loss of blood. We're keeping her in for the night to check her." Dylan announced.
"Thanks." He responded, before begining to walk off, but was soon cut short, when Dylan called out:
"Try and get her brother to stop writing songs about me."
The Senior Registrar turned back round, a look of amusument pressed on his face, as he continued to walk in the direction of the private rooms. Of course, he knew where they were - he had only been in one a few weeks ago. A shudder passed over his body, as the memories flicked back to that fatal day.
After taking a long drag of coffee, in hope to remove the memories, he soon found himself hearing the beautiful laughter of Elsie - just in the room opposite. Taking a deep breath, he entered, seeing the figure of the youngest Walker.
Her wrist was bandaged, and it was clear to tell she had been plastered on the side of her hip. Apart from that, she appeared completely fine - apart from the burns on her hands, and a light bruise begining to form underneath her eye.
Ethan raised his eyebrows for a moment, before Elsie's voice bought him back to his sences.
"Ethan?" She called out, recognising the face of her ever faithful Doctor. A small smile appeared, before he waked over, placing his hand on top of her head, begining to stroke her hair.
"You seem to get in trouble a lot, don't you?" He joked, causing a small laugh to escape her lips, but you could see the pain she was truly in. Ethan continued resting his hand on her shoulder, before Max began to speak up again.
"So, you say it was an accident?" He asks, walking over to her other side. Eliza paused for a moment, but nods.
"Yeah. I dropped some coal on my hands, and bashed into a knife I left out..." She trails off. "Freak accident." She announced. Max and Robyn nod, taking it all in, but the third visitor could not belive what she was saying.
"Right, i'm going home. You'll be okay?" Max asks, taking hold of his younger sister's hand. She nods carefully, hoping not to strain herself, before he plants a kiss on her cheek, ruffled her hair, before walking out, the same actions being copied by Robyn.
There was a small pause of silence once they had gone. Ethan showed a small smile, before Eliza yawned, signalling she was tired. Well of course, she had been in a serious accident.
"I'm going to go. But, i'll see you in the morning." He says, his hand leaving Elsie's shoulder. But, she was quick to grab it, making Ethan stare into the matching dark eyes they both had and oh so loved.
"Ethan...you said something on the phone...earlier..." She trails off. The Registrar takes a small sigh, realising now is not the time nor place to sort it out.
"Not to worry. Just focous on getting better." He replies, stroking her head one more time. He then begins to back out of the room, closing the door ever so gently. But, what he failed to miss, was the words that escaped Elsie's lips, as she began to drift into sleep...
"I love you, too."
AN - So...you all liked the update last night? I kinda left you on a cliffhanger, but it's all resolved.
The books future is clear - once it ends, there will be a sequel posted as soon as possible, when I come back from holiday. But, i'll keep updating and, starting 'Diary Of Digby.' You all excited?
ETWentHome - Well, Elsie was fine...for now...I'm JOKING!
Crimesolver - Dun Dun Dun! Well, I hope you enjoyed!
Paradoxillia - ...YES?
GypsyAbby - Thank you for your lovely review! I feel Ethan is able to say his true feelings...something about Elsie is helping him. Maybe true love? But, at least she's okay!
-Jodie Rose Xx