Page 8 of Isolation

I feel Milo’s hand on my naked shoulder again, jolting me out of my momentary lapse. Shrugging his hand off, I instinctively make a run towards the staircase. I am still naked, with only a bedsheet wrapped around my body. But I have no more shame left. I am running like a crazy woman. I have to stop Reid. I have to talk to him.

“Reid!” I scream.

Reid doesn’t stop as he makes his way down the stairs with quick footwork. He heads straight to the door. I follow him down the stairs, but the length of the bedsheet is longer than my body. One of my feet slips on the edge of the silky sheet that’s trailing on the floor. I lose my footing on the stairs and feel myself tumbling down. I let out a scream at the top of my lungs.

“Shit, Rave!” Reid yells as he turns from the door to rush towards my body, which is lying motionless on the floor.

There’s a stark pain in my ass and legs. I can’t move. Did I fall?

I hear a commotion. Fluttering my eyes open, I see Milo running down the stairs. Reid tightens the bedsheet around me and collects me into his arms. I feel myself being lifted up.

“Fuck, Rave!” I hear Milo’s panicked voice and a hand stroking my hair. My head is throbbing. “Here, let me carry her.”

“Back. Off.” Reid says through clenched teeth.

“Reid, I do not have time for your shit right now. This is your fucking fault. If you hadn’t thrown a tantrum, she wouldn’t have run after you. If anything happens to her, I will put your face through the wall.”

“Enough!” Uncle Reese’s normally calm voice is gone.

What is going on? I am so confused.

“Reid, take my daughter to her room,” I hear my mother speak. “Mia, go with him and put some clothes on Raven. Tessa, show me where your towels are. We probably need a few.”

My father’s unmistakable voice is next. “Milo, go to the guest room and grab my medical bag. Bring it to Raven’s room. I am going to wash my hands and meet you there.”

“Shouldn’t we take her to the hospital?” Milo sounds incredulous.

“No. Most of the hospitals are currently overrun. There are two doctors in this house. We have enough medical supplies. We will observe her first.”

Shit. It sounds like there are actual adults in our lives who are taking charge. Too little, too late. Where were these people when we were children? Reid and Milo seem so small all of a sudden. They always seemed larger than life without our parents around.

I feel myself being jostled around. After a few moments, I am being pushed down on a soft surface. I think someone is putting clothes on me as I am yanked and moved. I try to open my eyes, but I am having a really hard time. Suddenly, I feel nauseous.

“It’s okay, Rave. I’m here.” I feel comforting strokes on my hair and Reid’s distinct smell. “I promise I’m not angry. None of that matters anymore. Nothing matters as long as you’re okay. Please be okay, Raven. For fuck’s sake, why isn’t she responding?”

I try to open my mouth to respond, but I can’t find the strength. I can’t focus, but that smell is so comforting. It reminds me of home.

“She might have a mild concussion,” a man’s voice speaks.

“I spoke to someone from Sinai. I got her a private room at the hospital and just put the deposit down. I’m taking Raven to the hospital.” Is that Milo’s voice?

“I don’t need you to throw around your money or your connections. She is staying here, and I will do a thorough assessment. I know what’s best for her. She’s my daughter.” I assume that’s my father who is speaking so sternly.

“Yet I am the one who took care of her longer than you ever did. For God’s sake, Raven fell down a flight of stairs. Why the hell are you guys acting so calm? She is not responding. She definitely has a concussion. I don’t give a shit if you are both doctors. I am not going to compromise her health so you can feel like bigger men.”

“Milo, son. Just let John and I do a quick assessment. I promise to give you my professional opinion. If she really needs to go to the hospital, then we won’t stop you.”

I don’t hear any more words spoken after that. I feel Reid’s comforting smell and the stroking of my hair vanish.

“Sweetie, can you look at this light. Try to follow it with your eyes.”

What the hell. Someone just blinds me with a light, flashing it right into my eyeballs.

Rude! I can’t focus as more directions are thrown my way. I try my best to listen to them. But I feel myself slipping away and consumed by a dark hole.

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I can barely open my eyes. There is a throbbing in my head, and my vision is a bit blurry. I feel confused. Disoriented. Lying slightly on my side, I try to move my hand to my head, but everything only moves in slow motion. As I try to sit up, two hands grab my shoulders.