His collateral

Chapter 13

The sound of a door slamming shut echoed through the hallway, followed by frantic and heavy footsteps. Elena pressed her ear against the door of her room, listening. Hushed voices drifted through, almost inaudible. She pushed her hair back, leaning closer.

"Doctor, is he going to make it?" She heard Sara ask, her voice heavy.

"The bullet removal surgery went well. We can only hope for the best." A man's voice answered.

"Then why isn't he awake yet? It has been hours now." Sara's voice cracked. "I can't bear to see him this way." She broke down, her shaky sobs filling the air.

Elena straightened, a long sigh escaping her lips as she walked back to her bed. She sat at its edge, staring at the marble tiled floor. The situation was more serious than she had thought. She had always wished him dead, prayed for harmful circumstances to befall him, but now that it was happening she couldn't help but feel sympathetic.

Wasn't this self betrayal?

Pitying the very man who held her hostage. His death would mean the end of her imprisonment and probably lead to her freedom. Yet she couldn't bring herself to be inhumane enough to wish for that right now. Her gaze drifted to the window where the silver glow of moonlight filtered through the open curtains. She stood slowly and moved toward it, staring at the full moon outside.

The moon held memories precious to her. Growing up at the orphanage she and her sister would sneak to the backyard during bedtime to watch the moon and stars while eating snacks they had saved during the day. It wasn't her idea of fun back then, but she sacrificed her night's rest just to keep her sister company. Her sister's dream was to become an astronomer, and Elena had sworn to help make that dream come true until one day it was shattered.

Her sister was suddenly adopted by a couple who had always wanted a child. The memory of her crying and begging for Elena to be adopted too was still fresh in her heart.

"It was for the best." Elena had tried to coax her sobbing five year old sister. "You always wanted to be an astronomer. Having a family will make that dream come true faster."

"But I don't want to leave you behind. You said sisters are meant to stick together."

"We'll still be in contact. They promised we'd speak on weekends." She had said softly, even though her heart ached at the lie.

Now the only memory she had left of her was a teary girl clutching a teddy bear while saying goodbye. If she had known her sister would be treated badly, labeled a problematic child and driven to run away from home at sixteen, Elena would have fought for them. Made a scene when the adoption was happening. But what could the protest of a nine year old do? She would have probably been dismissed and locked away.

The sound of the door slowly opening pulled Elena out of her thoughts. She quickly wiped her tears before turning. Anne entered carrying a tray with covered dishes and a glass of water. Elena studied the woman's face carefully, and for the first time in weeks noticed something different about her. The usual controlled, almost robotic and neutral expression was gone, replaced with an indescribable sadness.

"Here's your dinner." She said, placing the tray on the table. She straightened. "I'm sorry I couldn't make much tonight. Make do with this and I'll make sure you're served a full breakfast in the morning. If you need snacks I'll send a maid to bring some."

"Don't bother. I still have the snacks you sent the other day. I'm not much of a sweet tooth."

"If you say so." Anne said with a weak smile. Her eyes moved to the laundry on the bed. "Aren't those the washed clothes from last week?"

"Yes." Elena said, moving to the bed. "I've been meaning to put them away but I've been lazy lately." She explained, laughing nervously as she gathered them up.

Anne watched as she grunted, struggling to zip the suitcase after forcing the clothes in. "I know this is out of place given that you've made clear you have no intention of using the closet. But don't you think this is making things harder for yourself?"

Elena paused, lifting her gaze to meet Anne's.

"I'm sorry if I've offended you, miss. I'll take my leave now. Feel free to call if you need anything else." She bowed and turned to leave.

Elena watched her walk to the door, fiddling with her fingers in silent contemplation. She should ask. Not out of concern. Just sympathy.

"Mr. Black." She blurted out before she could change her mind. "How is his condition?"

Anne's hand stilled on the door handle. When she turned, Elena caught a flash of surprise on her face before it was quickly concealed.

"The surgery went well but he hasn't woken up yet." She answered, sighing softly. "It was a shot to the back. The doctor said it's close to the spine."

Elena's breath caught. It was a critical situation.

"Why wasn't he rushed to a hospital? There's more equipment and more experienced doctors there."

Anne shook her head sadly. "We can't. The estate is the safest place for him right now."

"Safest? We're talking about his life. What could possibly go wrong at a hospital?" Elena said, feeling her patience slipping. "You could request a private room and have his men guard the door."

"It isn't that simple, miss. A lot of things could go wrong with that logic."

"Like what?"

Anne smiled faintly. "The men could get distracted and leave their posts. A wrong medication could be administered. Treating him here gives us complete control over everything around him while he's still unconscious." She explained. "But I'm glad you're concerned for Mr. Black. With the experienced doctor attending to him here I can assure you he'll be well soon enough."

Elena's eyes widened. "I'm not—" But Anne had already left the room before she could finish.

Elena slumped onto the bed, replaying the conversation in her head. No matter how she looked at it she couldn't find an ounce of genuine concern in anything she had said. She was simply being sympathetic. Pitiful. She was human after all.

It was like seeing a stray dog drenched in the rain and feeling sorry for it. Nothing more.

The door opened again and she sat up quickly. Anne stood in the doorway.

"When you're done with your dinner you are free to come to the room at the end of the hallway. That's where Mr. Black is staying. You're welcome to confirm that he's being properly taken care of."

The door closed without waiting for an answer. Elena sat still, blinking at the wall.

She wouldn't go. That was final.

She lay back on the bed, pulling the blanket over herself. The flowers she had brought from the garden sat in the vase on the bedside table. A single white rose among them.

She had been sure not to pick any. Yet somehow it had found its way to her room. She closed her eyes, drifting into nothingness.

The room at the end of the hallway felt impossibly close in the dark.