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It was obvious he was exhausted and his physical condition was getting worse. There was no telling how bad the injuries on his back were and no doubt they were infected. If she were in his shoes, she would have given up a while ago. On occasion she would experience back pain and it radiated throughout the rest of her body. She could only imagine how much pain he would be in from his own injuries.
Music echoed softly from the radio as her eyes focused on the road before her. The man next to her kept fidgeting in the seat, no doubt uncomfortable and upset. The list of questions she wanted answered only kept growing.
“What’s your name?” Her gaze shifted to the side slightly. “My name is Alma.” The response she received was an annoyed click of his tongue, his gaze glued to the outside. No one could blame her for trying.
The only thing that was running through her head was a silent plea to not end up dead on the side of the road. The first impression of this man was only getting worse and worse as time went on. Her right hand was suddenly ripped from the steering wheel, causing the truck to swerve off to the side. A scream left her lips, her foot slamming on the break.
Alma felt her head spinning as the vehicle skidded to a stop. Her head whipped around in anger towards the man in her passenger seat, her breathing uneven and fast-paced. “What are you doing!?” Never had she felt so many heavy emotions at once, not for a long time. “We could have died!”
His gaze was stuck on something, her words falling on deaf ears. Her hand. He held it in his own but he was focused on what was on her finger. A ring. It had been the only item that was left by her biological parents. At least, that was what the orphanage had told her. When they found her, the ring had been tied to a chain as it was tucked into her clothing. For the longest time, she could only assume that it was one of their wedding rings.
Why was this stranger all of the sudden interested in a boring old ring? Without a second thought, she ripped her hand away from his grasp, his eyes finally moving to meet hers. “Where did you get that?” His words were more of a demand than a simple question.
Alma narrowed her gaze at the man, ripping her hand away from him and holding it close to her chest. “What’s it to you?” She snapped. This man was a complete lunatic! “Don’t touch me again.” Kicking John’s truck back into gear, Alma swerved back onto the road and kept silent the remainder of the drive.
The hospital was the most amazing sight she had ever laid eyes on. Parking in the front, she made sure to walk behind him in case he decided to bolt on her. It became obvious to her, however, that he would be doing none of that. Anyone could see how much pain he was in and how badly his body was screaming to rest. She probably looked no better.
The receptionist gave her a strange look and it was then she realized Alma was still caked in dirt. The looks she received from the staff only got worse as she explained the situation to them. The words coming out of her mouth were bizarre even to her.
A loud crash caught the attention of herself and the group of people that were around her. It was the sound of glass breaking which was followed by a few shrieks of fear. Glancing over her shoulder, there was an involuntary twitch in her eye.
He was causing problems no matter where she went.
Immediately she left her post at the desk and hurried around the side to observe the full scene before her. Contents of the fallen flower pot covered the ground and the man she had brought was face to face with….a nun? What were the chances?
The older woman raised her hand and caressed the man’s cheek. Did she know him? Was this where she could finally leave him be? A glimmer of hope sparked within her body, a smile faintly making itself known. This was the best outcome she could have hoped for.
“You poor soul. You’ve been abandoned.” The smile disappeared as quickly as it found her lips, confusion taking hold. He was abandoned? The distress behind his eyes was obvious and Alma began to wonder if this situation was not what she originally believed. “How did you become such a disgrace to the heavens?”
Alma could see the fury building inside of the man, panic flooding her body as she sprung into action not sure what was going to happen. She knew he was weak, but she had been a witness to how much power anger can strengthen the body. Reaching the two of them, she inserted herself between them, her gaze locking with the headache of a man. There was no time to focus on the words that had been exchanged, she had to make sure that things did not escalate. “Move.” He demanded, his eyes never moving from the woman behind her.
Sneaking a peek at the nun who stood behind her, Alma could see she held nothing but sadness and pity in her eyes. What was going on? “No. You calm down.”
“Move!” A few gasps echoed in the room as his voice escalated. It made her flinch in surprise. His fists were balled and his body was shaking. Whether that be from pain or anger was anyone’s guess. Light whispering reached her ears from the woman behind her. Alma somehow recognized the form of prayer. The light words only infuriated the man in front of her.
The impact of the ground against her back caused a breathless gasp to leave her lips. Her head spun from the impact and her own fatigue. She was passed by quick figures as the cries of anger and pain left the man she cared for. “Let go of me!”
Two security guards held him by his arms, instantly dragging him away from the lobby and towards the back of the emergency room. “I am not a disgrace! I will show all of you, and the heavens, that I will go back. My wings will be returned and you will all reap what you sow!” His bizarre words lingered as the doors shut and he was out of sight.
Everyone in the lobby of the emergency room was still. The split second of silence encapsulated the room, everyone processing what they had just witnessed.
As the movement picked up again in the room, Alma made her way towards the nun who had returned to her seat. “Um, excuse me, sister? He didn’t do anything to you did he?” With his bizarre behavior earlier and just now it became apparent he was unpredictable.
The lady looked over at her, a smile resting on her lips. “No. Not at all. Thank you for your help.” Alma nodded as she started to speak once again but was stopped by the woman. “You are curious aren’t you?” The girl could only nod. Who wouldn’t be after witnessing an outburst like that? “I can’t say much as it will ruin the plans, but all I can say is that you better stay by that man. Do not let him fall into the grasp of the darkness here. You two must stay together.” Her tone was serious as were her eyes.
Alma was taken aback. What? “But-,” before she could continue, the older lady stood, gave another sweet smile, and walked out the front doors of the emergency room.
What just happened?
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