Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 235(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 235(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Her eyes light up with surprise as she turns to me, and I feel a flicker of surprise myself.
“Would you like to go for a walk?” I lean in and grasp the back of her wheelchair. I navigate through the hallway and out the door, pushing the chair down the winding path until the ocean is in view and we can feel the breeze on our skin. “Your progress is incredible. How does it feel?” I can hardly believe this is the same girl who’s been silent, absent and still for all these years.
Her lips twist into a smile, and I think she’s feeling pretty good about herself. It’s a pleasant change from her usual silence. Her color is better now, and she seems more alive. It’s hard to believe this is happening. Finally.
I take a seat on the bench at the viewpoint and absorb the splendor of the day. And Olivia.
Thoughts whirl in my head, a mix of fear, excitement and the delightful buzz of adrenaline. Tired? Not me. I thrive on the chaos, on the pieces falling into place, each one a minor victory in my twisted game of justice.
Dr. Atkins steps up, interrupting my visit and I’m a little surprised by his audacity. This should have been a private moment between me and my sister.
“Mr. Wolfe, I’ve been monitoring the responses of Olivia, and they are incredible. This is more than I hoped to expect this soon. How is your conversation going?” He’s clutching a tablet, showcasing a collection of her brain scans.
“Have you been listening to me? I told you my conversations with my sister are private.” I stand, ready to take this guy on.
“Oh, no, Mr. Wolfe,” he says quickly. “I can’t hear a thing you’re talking about. I can only see the results on the screen. Don’t you worry about that. I know how important your privacy is to you and Olivia.”
“Good,” I answer easily. “I’m happy you understand how imperative it is to protect our privacy.”
Atkins nods. “Definitely, sir. Now before you leave, I’d like to talk to you about what we’ve found and the progress we’re making. Do you have a few minutes?”
“Sure. I’ll find you when we go back inside.”
“Of course,” he nods, his gaze already fixed back on the tablet. “Enjoy the remainder of your visit.”
I turn back to my sister, looking at her closely. She seems so much more at peace, less haunted, but can that really be true? Her ability to speak again doesn’t erase the demons she’s battled for years. Does it?
I grab the handles on the wheelchair again and start walking back to her room. When we get there, I place her in front of the window, noticing more paintings on the wall from Chelsea.
I kneel in front of her and ask, “Olivia, are you happy with the progress?” I need to know that this is what she wants, that dedicating my life to her recovery hasn’t been in vain.
For a long time, she doesn’t respond. She doesn’t even acknowledge that she hears me, and instantly, panic rises. Is her progress just a fluke? Finally, she sighs and nods. “Yes,” she says, her voice strained but clear. The light in her eyes is back. I’m so overwhelmed right now that I have to fight back tears.
I let out a long breath. “Okay. Good. That’s really good, Olivia.” This isn’t how I imagined conversations with my sister would be at this point in our lives, but it’s more than I expected. I lean back against the chair, filling her in on my life, knowing she’s absorbing every detail.
After a while, she yawns, and I reluctantly rise to my feet.
“You’re tired, and I should let you rest.” I glance at my watch, realizing how much longer I’ve stayed than I planned. Gently, I run my hand through her hair and sigh. “This is so incredible, Olivia.” I bend down, bringing us eye to eye. “Keep up the great work.” I kiss her cheek and pull her into a hug.
“They…know.” The words come out in a whisper, strained and deliberate.
They know?
“What?” My heart skips a beat. “Who knows, Olivia? What do they know? Who’s they?” I grab her arm, desperate for answers. “Olivia!” Her eyes widen with fear and I pull back immediately. “Oh, my God. I’m so sorry.”
FUCK!
A nurse pops her head in. “Everything okay in here?”
I nod to reassure her. “Yep, just got a little excited at my sister’s progress.” As soon as she’s gone, I turn back to my sister with a serious expression. “Olivia, who knows? What do they know? I need a name, something. Please.”
Her expression is blank. Shit, shit shit. Did I send my sister back into darkness? I know better than pushing her now, no matter how badly I want answers.
Who knows and what the fuck do they know?