Chapter 7

…This time though, he was smart…

Exhausted, he tucked the supply trolley back against the wall, turning back to Ally with a sigh.

"What a day right?"

She only grinned sympathetically in reply. It had been pretty standard really, for the first two hours anyway. He was just finishing his rounds with her endless chatter accompanying him when everyone suddenly went into alert mode. Confused he had pulled her back against the nearby wall as all the senior staff of their floor rushed towards the elevators, all looking super serious. Once the rush had passed by, a junior nurse had ushered Ally away before dragging him off to help assist her with a few patients. He was still unsure as to what exactly had transpired, but after the whirlwind afternoon of stained bandages, vomit and pus, all he wanted to do was go home to a warm dinner, shower and bed. Maybe not in that order either.

Pushing himself off the wall he had been leaning on, he offered to accompany back to her room, which she gladly accepted.

"So, regret your decision to be a volunteer now?"

"Never. I mean, I knew a lot of hard work went into all of this, but I wasn't counting on just how much. Either way, I'll never regret this experience."

"I'm glad to hear that. That's really…"

"Nice?"

"'Appreciative' of you Austin. Resolute even. Not many could do what you're doing and cope with it."

"Well, I want to be a doctor when I'm older. And after everything these guys have done for me-"

"You want to return the favour. After all, they inspired that dream right?"

Looking down at her he smiled softly. "You remembered."

"Hey, it's not every day you run someone over with your wheelchair," she shrugged, blushing slightly. "Did I say sorry for that? Cause I really am. I didn't expect for you suddenly appear. Oh and for today as well! I didn't mean to sneak up on you. If Trish was here, she'd be teasing me to no end."

Laughing he waved her apologies aside, assuring her it was fine. Reaching her room, he pushed the door open for her to wheel in, before looking around again himself. The room really could easily fit another bed and still have ample room for a wheelchair to move about. The fact that she seemed so isolated disturbed him, especially with the small tokens of comfort littering her room. Walking over to the cluttered window sill, he began straightening up the mess, idly glancing at names and dates in the cards. After being ushered away the nurse earlier, he had wondered where Ally had slunk off to. He had seen how sad she had been as he was pulled away, suggesting that she was a lot lonelier that she had let on. Earlier she had mentioned that friends and family often came to visit, but judging from the cards and flowers, he thought that might be a bit of stretch. What did she do all day? Hang out in her room, all by herself and wait? Maybe go down to the common room? She looked studious; maybe she had school work to catch up on stashed around here somewhere. All he knew was that when he had finally been released from the junior nurse and her demands, he had found her hovering a little down the hall. And the smile that had worked its way onto her face once she caught sight of him was the single most beautiful and saddest thing he had ever seen.

A new kind of tired washed over him then, causing him to sigh. Unaware the affect his brooding was having on said girl, he didn't feel her thoughtful gaze on his back. After a few minutes of silence, she wheeled over, cautiously reaching out to tap him lightly on the shoulder. Turning her way, he offered her smile and signed 'What's up?'

He didn't get a response straight away. Instead her eyes flickered down to hands, a thoughtful frown gracing her features. Noticing what he had just done, he lowered them slowly, nervously.

"You're deaf."

It wasn't a question. Realising it really hadn't come up in conversation yet, he leaned against the window sill, offering a weak grin in response, waiting for her to process this new information. He was kind of nervous to how she would react honestly. Usually he didn't try to care of how people treated him once finding out about his hearing loss, but with her, his palms were getting clammy. So after she was silent for a while, she looked him straight in the eye and muttered, "Cool." His brain couldn't seem to function after that.

Moving around him she reached for one of the cards that had fallen over, reading the message briefly before returning it to its proper position and grabbing the next one. Glancing up at him she murmured, "So are you here tomorrow?"

Feeling bemused he couldn't trust himself to speak so he just nodded.

"Oh come on, you're deaf not mute. Talk to me."

"S-sorry, I'm just trying to figure out what just happened."

"What just…? Nothing happened Austin. I asked if you were deaf, you replied, we moved on. Honestly what difference does it make? You're still Austin right?"

She was taking this all so calmly. When he told her this she pulled a face as if to say 'why shouldn't I?'

"I honestly don't get why people make a big deal out of it. So what, you can't hear things? Some people can't see. It's a challenge life has given you to conquer and you should own it. But really, you're still human like the rest of us right? You'd want to be treated like everyone else. I mean, I never thought I'd have a disability in my life, but all it took was one little mishap and bam! I've been in hospital for two weeks and already I can see the pity and cautiousness in my friends' eyes when they come to visit."

"Like if they say one wrong word or make a small mistake, you'll break?"

That sunny smile reappeared as she nodded. "Exactly." Chucking the card she had been holding back onto the sill, she turned to him properly, pointing at the files left on her bed. "You said earlier that you hadn't read my file yet. Do you want to now?"

"But, but what about our deal?" He stammered, glancing over at the stack himself before looking at her again.

"That can still hold. I'll help you learn about the rest of the patients, but I feel like if we're being open about disabilities-"

(To an extent, he thought in bemusement)

"-then you should at least know why I'm here right? So, crack open that bad boy and we'll go over it together."

Hesitant, he glanced between them once again only for her to slap him on the arm in amusement. "Open it you big baby. I swear, I won't be offended."

"Okay, if you say so." He chuckled nervously. Reaching over for the thin little file, he read her name once again to himself, enjoying the way it rolled around in his head before clearing his throat and started reading.

"Miss Avelina Dawson. Age 17. Admitted October 28th 2014 at 1615 hours via Life Flight helicopter." He paused at this, flashbacking to just two weeks ago when Nurse Madeline had got an alert to assist with an incoming helicopter. Had Ally really been the cause of that mad rush? Looking at the slight girl before him, he took in just how pale she was as she fiddled with the ever present blanket in her lap. Whatever had happened to her was definitely more serious that she had been letting on.

"It's not cancer if that's what you're thinking."

Startled he blinked down at her as she wove her fingers through a few loose threads.

"It's not cancer. I had an accident. Read a little further. It should be there." Obliging he continued to read, only to find no more information aside from general bio and contact details written down. Mistaking his confused silence, she sighed and looked up at him with pleading eyes.

"Please don't treat me any differently. I mean, I'm sure you understand what I'm going through right? To lose something so suddenly? Or maybe you didn't lose your hearing suddenly? I'm sorry, I just presumed-"

"There's nothing here."

Confused she broke off her rant to share a puzzled look. "What?"

"Your file. There's nothing more written down. I mean, there was no picture, no reference to your preferred name, nothing about your accident or what's wrong with you. Just general information about you. The only question I have is why are you so far downtown? It says here you live in North Miami. There's hospitals closer than this surely?"

"It was the closest hospital to the accident site. I've been told I'll transferring eventually, but at the moment I'm too unstable to move." She explained quietly. Closing the file, Austin chucked it with the others, wanting to rid the ward of the mood that had suddenly settled.

"Well, I'll find Nurse Parkinson later and ask about that, but for now, what do you want to do?"

She was silent for a while, and it was getting to the point where he thought she had reverted into her shell when she looked up and smiled sadly.

"You look exhausted. Why don't you go find Nurse Parkinson now and call it quits for the night? Besides, it must be getting late. You've got school tomorrow. And you must be starving."

"I don't have to leave if you don't want me to."

"But I think you should. I don't want to be the reason why you're so tired tomorrow. Besides, I'm getting a little sleepy myself."

"Are you sure?" At her nod he fidgeted a little before gesturing to her bed. "Um, do you want any help getting into bed then?"

"Nah, thanks. I think I'm just going to sit here for a while, enjoy the view and the breeze. Haven't had much fresh air of late you know? But I'll see you tomorrow, right?"

"Sure…well, night Ally."

"Night Austin."

Picking up his files, he gave her one last look before waving goodbye and slowly leaving her room. He didn't know why she was suddenly kicking him out, but he knew that whatever had placed her in here was worse than he had originally thought. And it was definitely he should let her explain in her own time. Turning away from her open door way, he looked down the hallway to spot Nurse Parkinson heading his way. When they made eye contact, the haggard older man smiled, looking relieved to see him

"Ah Austin, there you are. How'd things go tonight?"

"Good I suppose. I meet with most of the patients, memorised most of the files, then that alarm went off. Was that for a Life Flight?"

"Yes it was. Wait, most? I'm sorry Austin, but that's not good enough. You need to memorise them all. What happens if you're by yourself with one of the patients and something goes wrong? You need to have all critical information stored in your head for such emergencies."

"I know, I know. But I was reading Ally's file and well…is it meant to be this blank?"

This stumped the nurse for a moment. "Blank? What do you mean blank?"

Rummaging through the stack in his hands, Austin located Ally's file and showed it the older man. "I mean blank. There's no photo, no reference to her preferred name, no history of her alignment, nothing. Compared to the others it's like she's some kind of…'mystery' patient."

Flicking through the folder as he talked, Nurse Parkinson scanned the written information, mentally sighing. Closing it with a small 'snap' he grimaced at the young volunteer apologetically.

"Sorry Austin, but it seems I've given you the draft file for Miss Dawson. In the rush I must have mixed them up." Pinching the spot between his brows, he cursed himself under his breath. "Thank god you spotted this and not administration. What a stupid mistake,"

"It happens to the best of us." Austin offered cautiously, causing the nurse to smile slightly. Looking up, he clapped him on the shoulder. "Tell you what, why don't you head home? Get some sleep and I'll see you tomorrow with the proper file."

"Ah, about that. I was just talking to Ally about her condition and she kind of brushed me off. I feel like it'd be better for me to slowly gain her trust before finding out what's wrong. She seems lonely."

The nurse smiled, tightening his grip on the lad's shoulder. "She is lonely. And I'm glad you're building a friendship with her. After everything she's been through and how far from home she is, I think she is in need of a friend. But you're still getting that file. Whether or not you choose to read it is up to you, but just know, that if you don't read it and something happens on your watch, it'll be your ass on the line. Just like any case with any patient, we are responsible for their safety and comfort. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal."

"Good. Now, leave the rest of the files at the reception and head home. I'll see you tomorrow at four."

Knowing he had been dismissed, he muttered a goodbye to the nurse before trooping towards the exit. With each step he began to feel just how fatigued he felt, and was suddenly relieved to be heading home. Dropping the files off at reception, he got into the elevator and hit the button for the ground floor. Leaning against the wall, he yawned and waited for the short ride to be over, only to feel the cart jerk to a stop at the next floor. In staggered his Health teacher, looking just as exhausted as he felt. Catching sight of him she slumped in relief, muttering a 'finally' under her breath.

"Mr Moon, there you are. I've been waiting for you to sign out for over an hour. I was beginning to think something had happened to you." She scolded.

"Sorry Mrs Francois. I didn't realise it was late...there was an emergency situation in my ward earlier and I was asked to help out the junior nurses."

"Still, you're on my watch. Speaking of watches, maybe you should get one. You know you can't use your cellphones around here, and watches aren't allowed on wrists, but little pocket clocks are accepted. Just be cautious of the time around here. If your parents or the school you were spending over time here, someone will lay a complaint. I don't think any of us are wanting to deal with that."

"Sorry Mrs Francois."

The elevator reached its final destination, opening its doors to the empty hallway. Sighing his teacher muttered, "Right, I forgot we're on the opposite side of the main entrance. We'll have to leave from A&E as it's after hours now. That reminds me, where are you working this week? I forgot who took you earlier and I don't have a written copy of the allocations yet."

"Inpatient Surgical Ward."

"Ohhh, no wonder you're late. I'll have to have a word with them later."

Feeling uncomfortable with her muttering, Austin decided to speak up. "So, what about you?"

"What about me Mr Moon?"

"Where are you volunteering?"

She was silent for a moment before giving a humourless chuckle. "Neonatal."

Sensing that this was a topic he shouldn't touch on, he pulled out his phone and turned it on, muttering about how he was going to txt his dad to pick him up. Nodding she walked a little ahead of him, her shoulders taking on a sorrowful posture. Hastily opening his messages, he winced as his phone started receiving message after worried message from his mother. There was nothing worse than a missed call from a mother, but when you're still trying to bridge that rocky relationship, it's even worse.

After sending a reassuring and apologetic reply, and hopeful offer to be picked up, he fell back into step with his teacher, remaining silent for the rest of the trip. Fifteen minutes later, his dad pulled into the pickup/drop off area, looking a little miffed and unsettled. Muttering a goodbye to the hospital staff, he quickly climbed into the car, knowing how uncomfortable his dad was to be here. From the way his hands gripped the steering wheel, to the nervous twitch in his left eye, Austin kept his mouth shut until they were pulling onto the street.

"I'm sorry."

"Your mother is having kittens. I know you two aren't exactly on speaking terms right now, but really Austin? Pulling a stunt like this just to get under her skin? It's kind of low."

"Wait what? I didn't do this on purpose! There was an emergency in my ward today so I was asked to help assist the junior staff while the rest of the doctors-"

"You could have said no."

Flabbergasted Austin just stared at him, slack jawed for a while before huffing and turning away. And here he thought he had his dad in his corner. Unbelievable. Watching as the hospital disappeared from sight, he missed the sad glance his dad sent his way as he thought back to Ally. She understood. Suddenly he felt bad for leaving her. Sad and alone up that too big a room, suffering from a sudden loss. The deal they had made now seemed shallow. If she wanted a friend while she was there then he'd be just that, no strings attached. Settling back against his seat, he resolved to find out more about her tomorrow before introducing her to some friends here in South Miami. Maybe then, she wouldn't be so alone.

NB: Hey guys, thank you to all that have reviewed, followed and added this to your favourites so far! It means a lot to me. I'm sorry for the lack of updates over the year, but I kind of jumped off the bandwagon for this show and fell into some pretty depressing times due to study. But I'm back with a vengeance. Look! Other update in less than a week! Aren't you lucky? But the question still remains. I'm looking for two character names for my other two volunteers and like I said earlier, anyone who can guess why Ally is in hospital gets to name them. So, get those thinking caps on. Why is she there? I've dropped some major hints in the last few chapters (especially this one), so those that have already guessed and got it wrong, try again! Until next time guys, keep writing