Page 87 of Revealing Mark

“We’re going to take her in,” he said to the cop.

I held my phone even when the call to my brother abruptly ended and the paramedics moved me onto a gurney. I expected my phone to ring but instead I heard someone yelling my name and then a disheveled Matthew appeared by my side, looking alarmed.

“Matty,” I cried, feeling some relief since my ordeal had begun. He was like sunshine breaking through a dark night.

“I’m here,” he soothed. He grasped my hand and kissed my cheek. The rain trickled down his face.

“I don’t…know...” I tried to explain.

“Don’t worry. I’m here now, everything will be fine.”

They wouldn’t let him ride in the ambulance with me but he followed them.

Once I got to the hospital, I was rushed inside for a doctor to check me out. They needed to do x-rays to ensure I hadn’t broken any ribs but the gash on my head was going to need stitches.

It was a blur of activity and I was floating by the time theygave me some strong painkillers. I don’t remember much about getting the stitches but I felt the bandage on the side of my temple.

“The good news is you don’t have any broken ribs, they are just badly bruised,” the doctor told me. “The bad news is you’ll have to stay overnight. You’ve hit your head pretty hard.”

“I want to go home, Matty,” I pleaded, I didn’t want to have to stay overnight. All I wanted was to be back in the safety of my own environment.

“It’ll be okay,” my brother soothed beside me. “Tomorrow we can take you home.”

I frowned. I wanted to go home now but I saw that determined look in my brother’s eyes and I knew there was no chance I was going against what the doctor had ordered.

“Fine,” I mumbled.

The doctor left.

“Where’s my phone?” I asked, trying to sit up.

“Take it easy, Tracy.” He pushed me back down. “Here.”

I took the phone. I tried to call Mark but my head felt too fuzzy to concentrate. I frowned.

“Who do you want to call?”

“Mark. I tried before but he didn’t answer.”

“I called him as well but he isn’t picking up. I’ll call him again and you rest. Okay?” My brother raised an eyebrow at me. I nodded in agreement.

Where was Mark? I felt tearful again. Then I realized Sophie would be worried as I was on my way to her.

“Sophie.” I felt alarmed.

“She’s outside in the waiting room with Mom and Dad. They won’t let us all in here.”

My bottom lip trembled. “I’m sorry, Matty. I shouldn’t have driven in the rain.”

“Shh. It wasn’t your fault.” He gazed down at me andbrushed a piece of my hair out of my face. “Some guy hit you from behind. There was nothing you could do.”

I remembered the sound of the screeching behind.

“Matty,” I murmured.

“I’m here.” He took my hand.

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled. I was sorry for a lot and couldn’t quite put it into words.