65
After enjoying the festivities of Celia’s birthday, they prepared to make their way back. As Nelly stepped out of the corridor and reached the staircase, a ring echoed in her ears. It was a call from Donna. Nelly answered with a cautious tone, “Hello?”
“When will you be returning, Nelly?”
“I’m heading back now. It’ll take approximately half an hour…”
Unbeknownst to Nelly, Tommy and Ross were engrossed in their own conversation and failed to notice a figure hastily approaching. Pushing a trolley along the corridor, the individual sprinted towards Nelly. As Ross observed Nelly taking the call, he suddenly caught sight of something amiss and yelled, “Be careful, Ms. Jackson!”
Nelly turned around, only to have the trolley collide with her back, causing her to lose her balance and tumble over. In the commotion, Tommy and Ross immediately rushed to her aid.
Fortunately, the staircase was not steep, allowing Nelly to instinctively grab onto the railing, preventing herself from rolling down. “Are you alright? Are you injured?” Ross inquired.
Still in a state of shock, Nelly glanced up at the culprit standing at the top of the staircase. He appeared to be in his mid-thirties, his face pale as a ghost with long hair obscuring most of it. A devilish grin played on his lips as he glared at her with a deep-seated hatred and hostility.
Tommy approached the man, his voice filled with concern. “What’s the matter with you? Do you not comprehend the danger you’ve caused?”
The man remained silent, refusing to utter a single word.
“Do you believe this ordeal will simply conclude if you remain silent?” Tommy’s frustration grew, his voice growing louder.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
Yet, the man continued his silence, his eyes fixated on Nelly with a malignant and menacing gaze.
“Are you incapable of speaking? Say something!” Tommy’s agitation peaked.
In that moment, a nurse and doctor hurried over upon hearing the commotion. Their attention immediately turned towards the man. “Gary, have you gotten yourself into trouble again?”
Their eyes shifted towards Tommy as they quickly expressed their apologies. “We deeply apologize. He is a patient in our hospital, without any family members. He experienced a significant traumatic event recently, leaving him mentally unstable. We are truly sorry.”
Upon hearing their explanation, Tommy’s heart softened. “However, this is an incredibly perilous situation! What if he harms someone?”
Once again, the doctor apologized, although it was clear he had no involvement in the man’s actions.
“You should not be apologizing to me…” Tommy’s gaze shifted towards Nelly, realization crossing his face. The doctor followed his line of sight and turned to Nelly. “Are you injured?”
Nelly averted her gaze from the man and shook her head. “I’m fine.” “Apologies on his behalf,” the doctor expressed sincerely. “He is not usually like this. Nevertheless, I will continue to apologize on his behalf.”
Nelly shook her head, rejecting the need for apologies. “We will take him back with us,” the doctor informed.
With Nelly’s tacit approval, the doctor and nurses escorted the man away.
Before leaving, the man sneered, “You deserve to die!” flashing a malevolent smile towards Nelly.
“You…” Tommy seethed, his anger directed at the man.
“Gary!” the doctor shouted before turning to the others. “Once again, I apologize profusely.” With that, he dragged the man away.
Watching their departure, Nelly furrowed her brow.
“He’s deranged!” Tommy exclaimed, his fury evident as he approached her.
“The doctor mentioned that he is mentally unstable,” Ross added. “Are you alright, Ms. Jackson? Did you sustain any injuries?” Tommy asked.
“Help me retrieve my phone,” Nelly requested.
Ross promptly retrieved the broken device. “The screen is shattered.”
Accepting the phone from Ross, Nelly attempted to turn it on, but to no avail. “Let’s go,” she declared, though her limp betrayed the underlying pain. “Are you hurt?” Tommy inquired.
“I twisted my ankle. It’s nothing serious.”
“Are you certain? It may not be a mere sprain. We’re at the hospital, so we can have it examined immediately!”
“Enough. Let’s go!” Nelly insisted, walking away.
In the meantime, the call with Donna had abruptly disconnected upon Nelly’s fall down the stairs. Donna paced anxiously within her home, consumed by worry.
“What should we do? Has something terrible happened to Nelly?”
Tony attempted to call Nelly once more, but the call failed to connect. “Should we try to track her location?” Ben suggested.
Tony was about to agree when his phone rang. Though the number was unknown, he instinctively knew it was Nelly. He answered urgently, “Hello?”
“It’s me,” Nelly’s voice resonated through the line.
“What happened, Nelly? Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. My phone accidentally fell and broke, rendering it useless. Don’t worry, I’m nearly home,” Nelly reassured.
Hearing her words, Tony finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Understood.”
“This is my coworker’s phone. I’ll end the call now. I’ll explain everything once I return home.”
“Alright!”
After disconnecting the call, Ben and Donna stared at Tony intently. “Nelly said she’s fine. She’ll be home soon,” Tony conveyed. “I’ll go pick her up.” Donna hastened downstairs.
Tommy and Ross escorted Nelly to her house, and the moment she stepped out of the car, Donna rushed over. “Nelly!”
Suppressing the pain in her foot, Nelly embraced Donna. However, Donna still sensed something amiss. “Nelly, what happened to you?”
“I twisted my ankle.”
Pain etched across Donna’s face. “Nelly…”
“It will heal in a couple of days.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” Nelly nodded. “I’ll support you.” Nelly nodded once more.
Meanwhile, Tommy and Ross couldn’t help but stare at Donna. She was as adorable as a living doll.
“Is she your little sister, Ms. Jackson? We had no idea you had one! She’s so cute, unlike you,” Tommy exclaimed.
“You’re blind,” Nelly retorted. Donna glanced at them. “Who are you?”
“We’re your sister’s friends. I’m Tommy and he’s Ross!” Tommy explained. “What’s your name, little girl?”
“Donna!”
“Donna? That’s a fascinating name. Little girl, is your sister fierce at home?” Tommy whispered.
Donna lowered her voice and replied, “I dare not answer that in front of her.”
Tommy chuckled. “You’re absolutely adorable! Much cuter than your older sister!”
Unable to contain herself, Nelly rolled her eyes.