Chapter 3
Auggie
I read through the first few chapters of Peter Pan before visiting hours ended. The same nurse, Newt, returned to tell me it was time to leave, but was nice enough to at least let me reach a good stopping spot in the story before escorting me out.
Normally, when I walked away from a reading session, once the book closed that was it. The book was done. Even if it wasn’t finished, there was no point saving my place since I probably wouldn’t see the same patient again.
This time, however, saving my place was as simple as hitting a button on my phone.
The app marked my place for me, so I’d be able to open it right up to the exact same spot next time.
Reading a digital copy wasn’t as satisfying as reading from a paper book, and it was harder on my eyes, but it did have its advantages as well.
Now, I didn’t even have to think about it.
I would definitely be coming back to finish the story.
On the way out, I patted the John Doe’s shoulder, in the same uninjured spot that the nurse had touched earlier.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be back. You’ve got one friend waiting for you.”
I was halfway out the door, with the many machines beeping at my back, when a new sound brushed past my ears. It was so quiet, I almost didn’t notice, and only caught my attention because of the direction it came from.
“Eli.”
My head snapped around to look at the patient lying in the bed. He didn’t stir again or make another sound. I half convinced myself that I’d imagined it until Newt stepped up next to me looking shocked.
“That’s the first new thing he’s said since arriving here.” He hurried over to the patient’s side, gently shaking his uninjured shoulder. “Sir. Sir, can you hear me?”
There was no response. The John Doe still remained unconscious.
“You heard that, too, right?” Newt asked me when I also returned to the bedside.
I nodded, staring down at the unconscious face, which now seemed to be a bit more strained, like the mind behind the flesh was struggling more than before.
“I think he said Eli. It could be his name.”
“Or maybe someone he knows,” Newt suggested. “I’ll have to check our files, see if anyone by the name of Eli has come through here.”
Now, I really didn’t want to leave, but visiting hours were over. Exceptions could be made for family members who wanted to spend the night with their loved ones, but I wasn’t this man’s family. I wasn’t even sure if I could count myself as his friend. Technically, we’d never met.
“I could look into it as well,” I offered, partially as a stalling tactic so I didn’t have to leave yet, but mostly out of sincerity. “I’m a detective. I can look into the old cases and see if anyone named Eli has been reported missing. How long ago did you say the fire was?”
While he was busy checking the monitors, Newt shot me a strange look. It was quick, like he was trying to hide it, but he couldn’t completely control the reaction.
“You’re a detective? That’s strange. My partner is a private investigator and knows most of the local detectives. I’m afraid I don’t recognize you.”
Well, fuck me. That’s what I get for trying to make myself sound more important than I am.
“Oh, yeah, I just recently moved to this city, so I haven’t had a chance to meet many people yet.”
As I mumbled out my answer, I clenched my hands around my phone. Unlike a paperback book, which could bend, the little device couldn’t withstand my manhandling. I nearly snapped the damn thing in half before I realized what I was doing and shoved it in my pocket.
Newt gave me that strange look again, his blues eyes scanning me up and down, and I actually found myself taking a step back.
How was this little nurse managing to intimidate me?
He was nearly a foot shorter than me, and I could probably bench press him.
I’d spent years fighting wars on foreign soil and taken more lives than I cared to count—though, I could count them if I wanted, I knew the face of every life I’d ended—and yet, in this moment it was clear I did not hold the authority.
This hospital was Newt’s domain, and only he could decide if I was worthy to be here.
Whatever he saw in me at that moment must have passed his silent test, because after staring at me for a moment, Newt’s strange gaze turned into a bright smile.
“Well then, welcome to our city. I hope you’ll be back to volunteer more. The kids seemed to like you, and you’re the first person to get any sort of response out of our John Doe here, so I think he likes you, too.”
“Oh, yeah, of course.” My gaze trailed back to the man lying in the bed, locked in an unnatural sleep that he couldn’t wake up from. “I’ll definitely be back.”