Paper Trail
732 Words
“What do you mean it’s your uncle? Did you even see the person they took?” John asked, his voice laced with confusion.
“No... I didn’t,” Isabella admitted softly, her tone dull and distant.
“Then let’s go check.” John grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the ambulance in haste.
But to their misfortune, the ambulance had just driven away.
“Crap! We should’ve been quicker,” John groaned.
“Let’s head to the hospital. That’s where they’ll take him, right?” Isabella said, her voice anxious.
“Taxi!”
They flagged down a cab and rushed to the hospital, arriving as fast as they could.
John dashed to the reception desk, panting. “The patient who was just brought in—where is he?”
“He’s on the 10th floor, Room 5,” the receptionist replied calmly.
Without wasting a second, they ran to the elevator. The 10th floor of the hospital housed patients in critical condition, those undergoing emergency operations. Isabella’s mother was also in this ward, in Room 10. But Isabella had no time to think about coincidences.
As they approached Room 5, a doctor stopped them. “I’m sorry, but the patient is in critical condition. You can’t go in right now.”
Helpless, they sat in the corridor, waiting.
“John, you should head back to work,” Isabella said, trying to compose herself.
“No, I’m not leaving you alone in a moment like this,” he replied firmly.
After what felt like hours, the operation concluded. A doctor stepped out, his expression somber.
“Doctor, how is he?” John asked.
The doctor sighed. “He lost too much blood. I’m sorry... we couldn’t save him.”
John froze, pity welling up for Isabella. She, however, rushed into the room, unable to bear the thought of losing her uncle. John followed close behind.
“Isabella, stay strong... Everyone faces pain like this in life. I just want you to—”
“It’s not my uncle,” Isabella interrupted, her eyes wide with surprise.
“What?” John asked, stunned.
“The dead person... it’s not him,” she repeated.
John exhaled deeply. “Well... that’s good, I guess.”
But Isabella didn’t seem relieved. Instead, she murmured, “Yes... that’s it,” before abruptly leaving the room.
“Isabella, wait!” John called, chasing after her.
10 years earlier
“Here’s the ice cream you wanted, my dear,” her uncle said with a warm smile as he handed it to her.
“Thank you, Uncle!” Isabella beamed.
Her uncle seemed distracted, his thoughts far away. (Isabella, my dear, I never wanted you to be in this situation. My sister is stubborn, but she’s the only one who can keep you safe...)
A sudden thud snapped him out of his thoughts.
“What was that?” he asked, alarmed.
“It’s me! Haha,” Isabella giggled.
He looked down and saw a few papers scattered on the floor. “What is this, dear? You’ve knocked over some important documents.”
He quickly gathered them.
Present – Accident Site, TwinBroad Street
“Why are we here again, Isabella? Why did you run out of the hospital like that?” John asked, his frustration growing.
Ignoring him, Isabella frantically searched the damaged car at the scene. “Not this... not this...”
“Can you please answer my question?” John pressed.
Suddenly, Isabella stood up. “Let’s go, John!”
“Go? Where?”
“Sorry, Uncle. By the way, what’s this paper? It looks different from the others.”
“Oh, that one? It’s my address.”
“Your address? I can’t understand it.”
“Of course you can’t. You’re still just a child,” he said with a chuckle.
“But why do you keep your address in your car?”
“Let’s say... if something ever happens to me in the car, it can help them bring me home. Don’t you think?” He laughed heartily.
“Uncle, don’t talk like that!” Isabella cried.
“Hey, hey, don’t cry, dear. I was only joking,” he said, comforting her.
“So we’re heading to your uncle’s place now?” John asked, glancing at her.
“Yes,” Isabella replied, her voice resolute. Her eyes were set ahead, her mind seemingly racing with unspoken thoughts.
- Writer
