"...You'll be alright, Zack? Do you need someone to drop you off at your place?"
"No, thanks. I've already been enough of a burden this past week."
"…Okay then. See you around," the nurse said with a gentle smile.
"See you too, Jena." I waved as I stepped out of the hospital's main reception.
Jena had been the nurse who checked on me when I woke up. Over the days, we'd grown closer…not exactly friends, but bound by the quiet understanding between a nurse and her patient. Her calm presence helped me break through my shyness, and I found myself at ease whenever we spoke.
My bloodstained clothes had been discarded, replaced with whatever the staff could find: a plain white shirt, navy slacks, and a grey hoodie to shield me from the chilly weather.
Ding… ding…
The automatic doors slid open, and the city greeted me with its usual chaos…cars honking, footsteps rushing, voices blending into the hum of life.
My apartment was only five blocks away.
My backpack hung loosely from one shoulder; the staff had returned it to me as I'd requested. I checked my phone: 3:24 p.m. The sky was heavy with clouds, the wind brushing past in restless bursts. No messages. Not that I expected any.
I tapped open my music app, slipped on my wired headphones, and let a chill track wash over me. For the first time in days, I smirked. A fragile sense of ease crept in.
…..
Five blocks later, I stopped…not at my apartment building, but at another hospital. Pulling out my headphones, I stepped inside.
Ding… ding…
The reception's automatic doors closed behind me.
"Oh, hello there. How can I help you?" the nurse asked kindly. She reminded me of Jena.
"O-oh, hi," I stammered. "I was wondering if there's a… patient here with the last name Grey. I'd like to meet her."
"If I may ask, what's your relationship with her?"
…Shit. I hadn't thought about that.
"U-umm, we're… acquaintances," I said, fumbling.
"Acquaintances?" She raised a brow, unconvinced.
"I-I'm actually her son's friend."
"I'm sorry, young man, but I can't let you see her. She doesn't know you." Her tone was gentle but firm.
"It's important… I have to see her."
"Sorry, b—"
"…Her son died."
The nurse froze. "…Oh."
"Her son visited her every day. She's very sick, and now she must be deeply worried about him. I just… I wanted to comfort her." The words spilled out, raw but true.
Her expression softened. "Alright. I'll look for her room. Please wait here."
"Thank you," I whispered, sinking into a cold steel chair.
As I sat there, my thoughts drifted back to the day I learned about Jay's death.
… I was scrolling through my phone when I stopped at a sudden news article. At first, it seemed unimportant…until I saw Jay's face. I clicked.
The article described Jay's recent crimes, backed by video evidence. Thankfully, they didn't mention me by name, though they confirmed there was a victim.
It read: "A report came in, and it was the Police Officers who subdued and rescued a stabbed victim."
Then came the line that made me sick: "The predator's head was shattered by a silenced shotgun, blood spraying across the hospital room. The killer remains unknown, and the police investigation is still clouded with unanswered questions."
I was so shocked that I threw up after seeing… the attached photo. In today's world, nothing is hidden; everything ends up on the internet.
And yet… guilt gnawed at me. Somehow, I felt Jay's death was connected to me. I know I shouldn't think that way, but the question haunted me: What if?
That's why I'm here now. Looking for the predator's mother…the mother of the one who stabbed me.
But something else bothered me. None of the articles mentioned the second victim…the girl. I don't know why, but her absence felt wrong. Don't get me wrong, it's better for her not to be dragged into this…, but it felt like someone was pulling strings behind the scenes.
I leaned back in the chair and sighed.
'…Who would've thought my ordinary life would take a 180-degree turn and turn into a crime thriller movie?'
"Young man," a voice pulled me out of my thoughts as someone gently touched my shoulder.
"Oh, sorry… I didn't hear you," I said, smiling nervously, scratching my head.
"It's okay. I've found her room…room 42."
I got up, thanked her, and headed forward.
The room was on the first floor. Thankfully, no elevators or stairs.
Knock… knock.
I pushed the door open.
What greeted me was a woman around forty, gazing out the window. Her head was bandaged, hiding what lay underneath…Cancer.
The room felt drained of color, lightless, as if grief itself had painted the walls.
She turned to me, and I saw her eyes…eyes carrying an emotion no mother should ever have to bear.
I straightened my back, trying to meet her gaze.
"Hello, Ms. Grey," I began softly. "I know you don't know me. I'm Zack Foster…" I paused.
She just looked at me, not saying a single word.
I froze as I caught a single tear sliding down her cheek.
"…You're not Jay," she whispered, her voice trembling.
I stood there, speechless.
"…O-oh, Jay," she whispered his name between her breath…as calling him would ease her pain.
"You're not… my baby boy." She raised her hands to her mouth, muffling her quiet sobs.
"…"
I stepped closer and gently touched her shoulder, offering what little comfort I could.
"…I know. I'm not Jay. Nobody can be him… nobody can be your baby boy."
Her sobs deepened, her body shaking with every tear.
…..
"Thank you again for letting me see her," I said to the nurse afterward.
"It wasn't only for you," she replied softly. "I knew Ms. Grey when she was here. We were on friendly terms, and after her son stopped visiting… she became quiet and detached. She really loved him, and these past nine days without him have been hard."
Her smile faded, tinged with sadness.
That's why she let me see her even though I was a stranger. She risked her job to let me comfort Ms. Grey. She was truly a kind person.
"Don't worry, I'm planning to visit her every day if I have the chance…" I said, giving an awkward smile.
"I'll hope on that," she replied, easing a little.
"Later then," I said, waving as I headed outside the reception room. She waved back.
I checked my phone: 5:27 p.m. Nearly two hours had passed while I was with Ms. Grey.
A small smile crept onto my face. The guilt I'd been carrying eased, just a little. Seeing her had made it bearable.
Outside, the city greeted me again. Rain fell in slow drops, tapping against the pavement.
'Now I have to go to my part-time…'
My boss hadn't fired me. He understood my situation, and we agreed I'd return after discharge, which was today.
'Fuck, I even have school tomorrow…' I sighed weakly, pulling my hoodie's hat over my head. Money doesn't grow on trees.
But then…
'Someone's following me.'
I caught the reflection in a car's side mirror...a figure in a black hoodie, trailing me even after I turned down the fourth street.
I quickened my pace. He did too.
"…Fuck," I muttered, paranoia rising.
I pulled out my phone, ready to call the cops. Always call the cops in situations like this.
"…!?"
Two more figures appeared, tagging along with him.
'Shit escalated real quick.'
I broke into a run.
They ran too.
No time to explain between breaths. I just had to find somewhere safe.