"I thought you were never going to wake up. I have other things to do this morning you know." mocked Cybil gently.
Harry blinked. He'd been searching dingy hallways with a weak torch in the night. He must have gone straight back to his dream after Rachel sent him to bed. Either that or it was all part of the same thing. Had young Albert really collapsed last night? Was Harry his unlikely savior?
"Are you with me Harry?"
"Sorry," he slurred, "not really awake yet."
"I guess it's a little selfish of me to wake you up. I got back from Brahms in the middle of the night. You were still missing when I had to leave and I haven't been able to get in touch. I wanted to make sure you were okay."
"You could have waited till later in the morning." he moaned, rubbing his eyes.
"It is later in the morning. I have to report to SHPD soon…
Harry…
What happened to you in that school?"
"I'm not sure. It's practically a blank." lied Harry, "The only things I can remember don't make sense. Hopefully it's something to do with my bump on the head; otherwise Kaufmann is sending me to the nuthouse."
Guilt weighed on his shoulders. He rubbed them in a futile attempt to relieve the tension. He hated to keep the truth from her, but her support was vital. And he couldn't be sure that it was true.
"If my opinion counts for anything" she said reassuringly, "I don't think you're crazy. You are, in fact, one of the most normal people I've met. Just a regular guy caught up in unusual circumstances."
"Excuse me; sorry to interrupt." interrupted Nurse Mahoney, "There's a Detective Briggs at reception for Officer Bennett."
"I guess that means I'm in trouble. Don't disappear on me again."
"I'll do my best."
"I'll be around for a few days. Let me know if you start to remember things. The phone networks are down but you can probably catch me at the station. Take care of yourself.
Thank you Rachel."
He couldn't force any words from his throat as she gracefully took her leave. The weight on his shoulders lifted and he sighed with relief.
"Guilty conscience Mr. Mason?"
"No." he coughed, "just a little tired."
"Still tired? It's late Harry. You slept straight through breakfast." Rachel scolded.
"I don't think I could eat now anyway."
"Well you will be eating your lunch if I have to feed you myself. All that fuss last night prevented you from getting a decent rest. You must build up your strength. Even heroes have to eat their greens."
Harry didn't feel like a hero. He felt like a fraud.
"Anyway, seeing as you're up, I thought you might like to see your friend in the ICU."