Written in the Stars

Chapter 9: "Ricochet"

(Chapter 9)
"Ricochet"

Saturday, February 21
10:30am

"Jill? Jill!" Jesse ran through the hospital halls calling for her sister until she finally found her sitting alone in the waiting room.

"What happened?!" Jesse came to her side.

Jillian didn't answer.

"Say something! ... Jill!" Jesse urged.

"He... he got hurt," Jillian barely spoke.

"How? ... Jill, what happened?"

"Jillian?"

A professionally dressed woman walked into the waiting room.
She wore a beautiful cotton grey top covered by a black presentation jacket, high waisted black slacks, and heels, every inch of her was nothing short of designer fashion.
She had on a diamond and amethyst covered necklace and bracelet.
Her shiny, deep brown hair was in a beautifully curled updo.
A look of worry plagued her perfectly contoured face.

Jesse turned to the woman.
"Hi, I'm Jesse. I'm her sister."

"Patricia. I'm Darren's mother," she introduced herself.

"Do you know what happened?" Jesse asked.

"He's still unconscious, but fortunately he's going to be okay. He's just a little banged up."

"I shouldn't have left him..." Jillian whispered to herself.

"Were you at work?" Jesse questioned.

"Yes. The hospital phoned me. Jillian's barely said anything since I got here," Patricia explained.

"She's probably in shock. She really cares for him."

"Oh, I know. He never stops talking about her; he's really head over heels for her. She's a sweet girl."

"She is. Thanks for taking her in last night."

"Oh, no problem. Darren said she was really distraught over something and didn't want to be at home. She certainly makes Darren very happy, so I don't mind having her around."

"I can't get her to talk to me either, do you think she knows what happened?"

"I don't know for sure, but I doubt it. She wouldn't be in shock if she knew something was coming."

"Ms. Thompson?" A young, female nurse came out.

"Yes?" Patricia answered.

"Your son is waking up."

"Excuse me." Patricia followed the nurse out.

Jesse sat down next to Jillian.

"Jillian?"

"I should've stayed with him," Jillian whispered.

"It's not your fault."

"Doesn't matter."

"Jillian, he's going to be okay... you know, he woke up."

"What?! Really?" Jillian jumped up.

"Yeah, he-"

Jillian took off running.

In the hospital room, Patricia stood next to Darrens bed.

"Darren?!... Darren?" Jillian ran into the room.

"He's awake, but groggy," Patricia explained.

"Did he say anything?"

"Not yet."

"Darren?" Jillian slowly approached him.

"Darren, I'm sorry... I shouldn't have left you," Jillian said softly.

"Jill?" Darren barely opened his eyes.

"Oh, my god," Jillian gasped.

"Darren?" Patricia asked.

"Mom?"

"Darren, what happened?" Patricia knelt by the bed.

"He... got in the house... he hit me," Darren managed to say.

"Who?"

"I don't know."

"What did he look like?"

"He was wearing a mask."

"A mask?"

"A skull mask."

END OF CHAPTER