Torin (Hope City #9) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,63
my ears is temporary.
Still woozy, she leaned her weight on one of her hands placed on the thin mattress. Memories slid through her mind, but it was hard to separate them. Afghanistan melded with Hope City. The base morphed into the streets. John’s broken body became Torin’s body that she’d held. Her chest heaved again, and a tear fell unbidden down her cheek. She lifted her hand to her heart, the ache almost unbearable. Lying her injured head gingerly onto the pillow, she curled into a fetal position, willing the movie reel of memories to stop playing.
After a few minutes, she squeezed her eyes tightly shut, forcing her thoughts away from the past and on to the man somewhere in the hospital undergoing surgery. The sound of a TV in the room next to hers met her ears.
“No one can believe the destruction happening today at the Hope City Marathon where two bombs were set off near the eighteenth-mile marker. At this time, the assailants have not been apprehended, although the Mayor of Hope City has declared a state of emergency and the Governor is vowing full support. The National Guard has been called in to assist with making sure the streets are cleared and everyone is located. There are already four confirmed deaths and hundreds of injuries, most of which are being transported to the local hospitals. Many of the runners collapsed from the suddenness of the race’s end from shock and dehydration, and rescue personnel are treating as many at the scene as they can. Ambulances have been taking the injured to various hospitals, but it appears that the majority have gone to Hope City General. Unfortunately, the streets are packed with over a million spectators, and with the confusion and panic, most cannot get transportation to check on anyone they might know. Cell phone service is overloaded, rendering it even more difficult to check—”
I can’t do this. I can’t just lay here and wait for someone to tell me he’s dead.
Pushing upward again, she slid off the bed again and looked down at the IV in her hand. She shuffled to the supply tray and grabbed a gauze pad. Carefully, she pulled out the IV, pressing the gauze pad firmly to the area. Checking it, she then grabbed a roll of tape and ripped off a length with her teeth, tightly applying it over the gauze. Blowing out a breath, she bent and clutched her running belt, checking to see that her ID, keys, and phone were inside. Satisfied, she walked to the curtain and peeked out. The ER was chaos, the sounds slamming into her. With a deep swallow, she stepped out and made her way gingerly to the back where she knew elevators would be located.
She felt sure that in a less-manic environment her presence would be noticed, but now, no one paid attention to one more person in the hall. Entering the elevator, she pressed the button to the third-floor surgical area, not knowing what she would find.
As she approached the waiting room reception desk, she glanced down at her bloody running clothes and bandages. Pressing her lips inward, she hesitated. The woman at the desk looked at her, sending her gaze up and down Erin’s body, her eyes widened.
“Can I help you?”
“My… Torin. Torin Flanigan is in surgery. I need to know what’s going on.”
The woman made a few clicks on her computer and then lifted her gaze again. “And you are?”
“I’m his… fiancée. We were running together. We…”
“Oh, my dear, I’m so sorry.”
Her heart stopped, and she grabbed the edge of the desk. “Sorry? Oh, my God, no…”
The woman blinked before her brows lifted to her hairline. “Oh, no… I didn’t mean… no! I just meant that I’m sorry that you had to experience that. He’s out of surgery and in recovery. They should be taking him to his room soon.” She looked down, appearing still flustered, muttering, “Let me see if I can tell what room he’ll go to. Oh, yes, here it is. In about fifteen minutes, he’ll be in room four-twelve. You can go there and wait.”
Barely able to speak, she nodded. “Thank you,” she whispered and turned, making her way slowly to the elevator again. Once on the next floor, she walked down the hall, ignoring the stares from the others around. Reaching his assigned room, she entered. Slumping into a chair, she lay her head back, steeling herself for whatever she would find when he came out