Gerald arrived at the company but was surprised to hearthat Ciara is yet to resume for the day. He wondered what might be keeping her at home, after almost three hours of waiting for her but to no avail, he decided to call her.
He tried several times, but her line was unreachable, he was deeply worried and doubted she'll be doing just fine on her own. -in as much as he tries to keep up with positive thinking, he couldn't ignore the eerie feeling he keeps having within himself.
After a while, Gerald decided to try calling Ciara's home number, hoping to speak with her aunt that resides with her. After a few rings, someone picked up.
"Hello...?" Came a female voice on the other end of the line.
"Hi, is this Ciara's home line?" Gerald asked. "I'm trying to reach Ciara, but her phone is unreachable."
"Yes, I'm her aunt." Aunt Elsie replied. "I'm afraid I can't help you at the moment, she has left for the hospital a couple of hours ago."
Gerald felt a twinge of concern. "Hospital, you say?" He repeated to be certain he heard her right.
"Yes. Dwayne is at the brink of death, and it's really severe, I doubt if he'll survive it though." Aunt Elsie explained casually. "She has left since with the ambulance, and I haven't heard any word from her."
Gerald felt his heart sink. Something must have happened to Dwayne for Ciara to go to the hospital. "What happened?" Gerald asked, his voice trembling slightly. "Is Dwayne in an accident orsomething?"
"I wouldn't say it's an accident." Aunt Elsie replied, hertone strangely flat. "It's a long story, you might as well come to the hospital. I'll be waiting for you."
Without thinking, Gerald hung up the phone and rushed to his car. He drove recklessly, making it to the hospital in record time. Aunt Elsie was already waiting for him at the reception area, immediately Gerald sighted her on one of the seats, he walked towards her.
"Ciara's aunt, I guess..."Gerald enounced. He was able to recognize her at just a glance, since he had seen her with Kent two or three times -back in those time when he was tailing the three brothers.
"You must be Gerald -your voice sounds familiar with the one I heard on the phone." Aunt Elsie said. "Come, I'm still yet to see Ciara though because I promised to wait for you."
Gerald nodded and followed Aunt Elsie as she led the way to the waiting area for the family members of patients. They both sat down on the seats in the corner.
"I still haven't heard anything from Ciara, but something tells me something is wrong." Aunt Elsie explained, looking a bit unsettled. "It's not like her to leave without explaining what's going on. I'm getting really worried."
"What could possibly be wrong?" Gerald asked, trying to stay calm. "She seemed happy the last time we spoke."
Aunt Elsie sighed and looked around the room. "Dwayne had an accident in the bathroom, the outcome was severe; he broke his head and when Ciara would notice something was off-he was barely breathing."
"Ah -this is worse than imagined. I wonder what state she would be in at the moment." Gerald muttered, his voice laced with concern. "Can we go see her now?"
"I doubt if we'll be able to see her now, the doctors said she is currently with the specialists -that she fainted." Aunt Elsie replied.
"You gone inside already?" Gerald asked, wearing an obfuscated look. "I thought you've been sitting here waiting for me, as you claimed."
"No, while waiting here, I met one of the doctors, and I was asked to hold on for a while that Ciara fainted, and she's been attended to." Aunt Elsie enunciated in explanation. "The reason she fainted is yet to be disclosed. Let's just wait here until we hear something. I can't help but worry, I hope she is doing fine."
Gerald nodded and took a deep breath, trying to get his racing thoughts under control. "It's obvious, she fainted due to shock." He theorized. "You should have gone with herwhen she brought her brother here; your presence would have calmed her down a bit." "I can't..."Aunt Elsie was quick to protest, earning a surprised from Gerald, his brows raised in questioning. "I mean...I can't leave Herzl alone in the house. The incident was too sudden, and he hadn't left for school then -I had to take him to school before coming here."
Gerald's eyes widened as realization dawned on him. "Oh yes, I forgot you have a toddler at home." He remarked, nodding slowly. "You have your hands full of him, I suppose."
"Of course." Aunt Elsie stated, glad that he was able to buy her excuse. "But it's worth it, he's such a lovely child. I would have died of worry if he was left alone in the house -coupled with the crises at hand."
Gerald nodded curtly in understanding before cupping his face with his hands, his mind barely at rest. He wondered if any of the siblings were in a good state and couldn't help but worry.
Aunt Elsie, on the other hand, was wearing a feigned disturbed look, but deep down her, she hoped nothing had jeopardized her plan at all. There are many outcomes she's excepting but at most, she really hoped for Dwayne not to survive it.
Several minutes had passed before the duo were being approached by one of the doctors. "Is anyone of you perhaps Ms. Fellers' relative?" She asked, snapping the duo of their train of thought. "Or maybe have a closed relationship with her?"
Gerald nodded his head affirmatively. "Yes, I'm her trusted friend, I will say, and she
-" He paused, referring to Aunt Elsie. "...is her Aunt. Is there anything you want with us, doctor? Where is Ciara, is she okay?"
"I'm afraid we can't discuss such news in the reception area." The doctor countered. "You will have to come with me to my office to discuss this better -that is, if you are extremely worried about her."
Aunt Elsie insisted on hearing whatever news the doctor had to share immediately but seeing that she had no intention of saying a word to them else they follow her to her office, Gerald, and aunt Elsie were left with no choice but to do as requested.
**********
The doctor's office was quiet and smelled of antiseptic. Dr. Bethany, a middle-aged woman with graying hair, sat behind a large oak desk, reading over a chart. In front of him, Gerald and Aunt Elsie were seated on plastic chairs, waiting anxiously.
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." Dr. Bethany said as she looked up from the chart, adjusting her glasses. "I know this is a difficult time for you both."
Gerald and Aunt Elsie nodded, theirfaces drawn and worried. Dr. Bethany cleared her throat before resuming her speech. "I'm afraid I have some difficult news to share." She began, her voice somber. "Ms. Fellers suffered a severe shock when she heard about Dwayne's death, and this has had a significant impact on her mental health."
Gerald felt his heart sink as he heard the doctor's words. He looked at Aunt Elsie and saw the same fear and worry reflected in her eyes too.