CHAPTER SEVEN: The Hospital Visit

Kevin could still feel Loretta’s pains from that day—even though it’s been almost a year since she has been tortured to death. He wished so desperately to forget what had happened—that’s part of the reason he had moved into Burnout with Cedric.

Standing there in the hallway, watching Natasha through the large transparent window, upset his emotion. Then he realized he had tears in his eyes and took out a handkerchief to wipe them off.

He still couldn’t understand how T-Rex had gained pleasure from torturing Loretta that way. He got even more upset that the cops couldn’t find T-Rex or the masked man that’d kidnapped him, even after months of thorough search. It was harder even to find the masked man since no one could identify him. The case had gone unsolved for almost a year now with no new lead.

Returning to the present, he noticed that Natasha was awake and having a conversation with her friends. She seemed to be in a pretty bad shape and could barely sit up straight. She just laid there on the bed, talking to them weakly.

Madelia and Dreda kept looking in his direction while talking to her, and he knew, without doubt, that they were talking about him. Then Natasha slowly turned to gaze at him. Their eyes locked on like magnets. Kevin stood staring at her through the window with both hands dipped in his pocket. He felt awkward standing there, just staring at her.

She looked with fixed eyes at him and grunted in pain as her lips curled in a weak smile. She had to endure considerable pain to maintain that smile. Then she raised a hand weakly to wave.

Kevin recoiled in shock. Never expected it. He thought she’d turn away at first glance—but instead, she smiled and waved. Maybe there is still a slim chance that they could both be friends. Just friends and nothing more.

Kevin smiled back, even though that was the last thing he wanted to do. His smile was awkward and he knew it. Those smile threatened fear in him—almost felt as though he was finally opening up to accommodate new friends again, and his conscious was severely punishing him for such error, one that he couldn’t afford to make again, except he was willing and ready to pay so terrible a price for this new friendship, to watch her suffer a brutal and agonizing death, just as he did with Loretta. As soon as his smile appeared, they simply vanished, leaving his face neutral and free from any emotion.

“You should have seen the look on his face when we told him about what had happened. He was really worried.” Madelia reported.

“He even drove us down here to come to see you.” Dreda added.

Madelia directed her gaze towards the window. “Maybe he’s not a total dick after all.”

Natasha turned to look at him. “Why is he just standing out there? Why won’t he come in?”

“We insisted that he come in with us but he bluntly refused. Said he’s a lot more comfortable standing out there.” Dreda hissed, rolling her eyes. “Crazy huh!”

“He’s shy, maybe.” Madelia chimed in, trying to study the look on Kevin’s face.

Natasha stifled a chuckle. “On your way out please say hi to him for me.”

“Sure thing.” Madelia answered.

Natasha reached for her hand and grabbed her finger, glancing up at her with a weak smile. “I’m so glad you two visited. It’s so boring here.”

“Where is your phone? I tried calling earlier and…” her voice trailed when it hit her. “Wait a minute … did they take your phone from you?”

“They took everything from me, along with the wristwatch mum gave to me before she left.” she sulked, “That watch is the only thing that connects me to her until she gets back.”

“I’m sorry about what happened.” Madelia comforted her, fiddling with her hair. “Your Dad is doing everything he can to catch those guys. I’m sure soon enough he will get them.”

“I know; he was here earlier to see me.” Natasha said, “Said if everything should go as planned, I’d be discharged tomorrow so I can finally go home. Although he scolded me just a little for staying out late last night.”

“… Just a little?” Madelia raised an eyebrow and smiled. She knew when she was lying. “You had another falling out with your dad, didn’t you?”

Natasha turned to rest her head on the pillow, staring at the ceiling. She became cross. “It felt as though he had visited just so he could scold me. Could you believe dad blamed me for everything? Said if I hadn’t stayed out so late last night, this wouldn’t have happened. He kept on reminding me about how often he warned me not to stay out late. That was literally the only thing we talked about when he was here.”

Madelia let out a laugh. “You wouldn’t blame your dad, would you? He loves you so much and wouldn’t want to lose you.”

“We better get going now.” Dreda interrupted, turning to look at Kevin. “I think we’re keeping him.”

“Yeah… we should get going now.” Madelia added and tackled Natasha in a tight hug.

“Ouch!” she cried out.

She quickly let go. “Sorry.”

“Get better ok.” Dreda hugged her gently. “And don’t worry, we’ll come to visit tomorrow as soon as we get the chance.”

“Thanks… both of you.” Natasha smiled, following them with her eyes as they left.

They met Kevin outside. He was still watching Natasha through the large transparent window. Saw everything that’d transpired.

Madelia came and stood by his side, also staring at Natasha through the window. “She would’ve been thrilled if you’d come in to meet her.”

He said nothing.

She twirled to face him. “Is there a beef between you two which I’m unaware of? Because I’m sensing some really negative energy coming off every inch of you, and it’s warning me to keep off.”

You should, he wanted to say but it never came out loud.

He took a moment to stare at Natasha before he finally answered, and without a side glance at her, “I just feel more comfortable standing out here than in there with her.”

“Just out of curiosity, why did you came all the way here to see her, but refuse to come in?”

He shut his eyes, glancing down at his feet. “You wouldn’t get it.”

Madelia was taken aback.

“And by the way, she said hi.” Dreda interrupted their conversation and walked past without a glance at Kevin. “I’ll be waiting outside for you two.” her voice echoed as she moved further away.

“Ignore her, she’s just pissed. Natasha’s present condition is really getting to her, and Dreda is just not used to seeing her this way.”

Kevin said nothing. Only kept on glancing at Natasha. The bruise on her lips was all he noticed each time he turned to look at her. This angered him. “Do you know where I can find them?” he muttered.

“Who are you talking about?”

“The guys that did this to her,” he finally turned to look at her, his eyes held a fierce gleam. “Do you know where to find them?” his voice was controlled.

“They usually hang around Pittsburgh bar late at night, waiting for an unsuspecting victim to walk past.” Madelia revealed, “If it’s a guy, they would beat him up and rob him of all his possessions, and if he is lucky, they would let him live. But if it’s a girl, she would be raped—just as they did her.”

She returned her gaze back to Natasha. “Right now, her dad is doing everything he can to catch does guys. He works with the cops.”

Kevin bit his lower lip, not uttering a word.

Tonight, he clutched his fist tightly. I will make those bastards pay.