Who: Isobel What: Another hospital visit Where: OAH2 and city streets When: Sunday or Saturday night (TBD) Warnings: None so far
It started out benign enough. Another visit to OAH2 with the intention of simply lingering in the E.R., looking unattached to any one patient, and hopefully inconspicuous enough to not draw any unwanted attention. At least that’s the way it was supposed to go. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the way anything went at all.
The first few moments were quiet, safe and easy. The clock was nearing 9pm when she arrived at the E.R., standing outside for a long while, simply watching those who went in and out, not particularly wanting to get involved in any major incoming action. There was a steady stream flowing in and out, and at approximately a quarter til ten, Isobel finally joined the few making their way into the Emergency Room. Immediately, the smell of antiseptic flooded her senses, causing her to pause for a moment just within the double doors, uncertain of where to go. One hand was wrapped around the strap of her purse, still dressed in the black pants and white uniform from the restaurant.
‘Breathe, Isobel. Breathe. Look around. Find someone who isn’t bleeding like a stuck pig, someone who might welcome a little help but not bring any attention to themselves,’ she told herself, chewing on her lower lip as she glanced around, looking for anyone who fit her very specific requirements. Walking further in, she craned to look towards the waiting area, the people sitting in those very uncomfortable molded plastic chairs. But no one there looked like they met her needs, at least not at a cursory glance.
Letting out a sigh, Isobel moved over towards a vacant seat, sitting down and hugging her purse towards her stomach, still chewing on her lip as she glanced about. Her thoughts were drifting, going every which way, when the sound of a voice interrupted them. “I recognize you,” an unfamiliar female voice said, and Isobel jumped, turning to look towards the woman, a lady somewhere near 50 in scrubs, a clipboard in hand. “You were in here last week, weren’t you? Lady in here with a little girl with a fever. She says you held the girl and suddenly, no fever. What in the world did you do to her?”
As the words continued to come, Isobel could feel a sense of panic take hold of her. Fingers curled around the handle of her purse tight enough to make her knuckles go white, trying to ignore the eyes that were suddenly turned towards her. “I... I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Isobel said as she got to her feet, edging towards the exit, though the nurse continued to make towards her.
“Don’t know what I’m talking about?” she asked incredulously. “Then what are you in here for? You don’t look sick and you’re not bleeding, so unless you can give me a good reason as to why you’ve shown up here again in less than a week, I’m calling security.” One hand landed on her hip, an expectant look given towards her. When no answer came, the nurse called out behind her to the nurses’ station. “Get security over here. Now.”
That made her squeak in surprise, not having expected the woman to actually follow through with the threat. Without a pause, Isobel skirted towards the exit, actually breaking into a run the closer she got to freedom. The sound of running feet echoed behind her, and Rescue’s words echoed in her head. Don’t get in trouble.
Running towards the doors, Isobel pushed them open hard, digging in her purse at the same time for her cell phone, struggling to pull up her contacts. The sounds of security yelling at her to stop was heard behind her, but she didn’t stop running, a difficult thing to do while trying to find an unfamiliar number. But there! There it was. Pressing send, Isobel put the phone to her ear. “Please pick up, please pick up, please pick up,” she said, panting for air as she ran, a glance behind her showing that she was still being followed. Apparently, making a little girl better was against the law.