Chapter-Two:Death Creeps In.
A tube of blood is extracted from Ivy's vein and the test begins. “To be able to help you, we need to get some vital information from you”, the first nurse told her and started the conversation with her. “I’m…”, Ivy stammered. “Just do well to tell us when you are no more comfortable and want us to stop”. “Okay”, she responded. “What happened to you? Can you remember anything?” “Yes, I can. I was in my room reading a novel when my stepfather walked in on me. I didn't notice him immediately. So, I felt a slap on my back as a recognition of his presence. He asked if I didn't see him and immediately, I apologized. He is a hard person with a hot temper so, he refused to accept my apologies and grabbed my hands to my bed. Threatening to strangle me, he told me all he would be doing as a result of my insult. He ti...ed my two hands to the bed…”, she broke down in tears. “It's okay, we’ve got you”, the second nurse reassured her. “Tell us when you want to stop”, the first nurse added. “I want to say it all”, she said and wiped her face with the white face towel that was given to her and continued. “He was stronger than me which made my efforts to shout or escape meaningless. I was thrown to the bed but because Mum's room was closer to mine, he pulled out his belt and dragged me down to the sitting room and hit my head on the table. My pants were ripped off immediately and recklessly”, she paused, “his fingers penetrated my urinary tract. It was so painful”, she paused again to look at the nurses who were already emotional. “We are so sorry. Want to continue?” The doctor asked. “Yes, I do”, with a shaky tone, “I thought he would let me go but was wrong when he tried all his fingers into my body. I tried to scream but his other wide arm hand was pressed to my mouth. Not long, I felt something bigger and hard walk through my tight legs and I knew my whole life would never remain the same. That is all I can remember”. “Hmm, I'm so sorry. We have tested you. We will be right back”, the doctor said and walked the nurses out to pray for their patient. In the waiting room, Luc’s hair is shabby as a result of reckless scratching and overthinking. He is seen walking around with blood stains on his t-shirt. “He will pay for this!”, he said, “I will make him pay!” The doctor walked in. “We have tested her and her blood is safe. The only problem is that she has lost much blood and has a severe injury on her private part which includes internal bleeding. Free medication has been given to her. Before we can proceed to treat her, you will need to pay to get blood for her and treat the injury”, the doctor said, as he read the reaction on Luc's face. “Oh my God! How do I?”, he started crying but held himself, “how much do you want?”, he asked. As the doctor was about to respond, the two nurses that worked in Ivy's room rushed out to meet the doctor. “Please sir, we need you… immediately!” One of the nurses said and rushed into the room. “Please, wait here”, the doctor said, trying to calm him before joining the nurses in Ivy's ward. The cardiac monitor beeped faster changing from green lines to red. With gloves on, they assessed her heart, and were found ‘gone’. Her heart movement stopped and death got hold of her. The second nurse broke down and steadily held herself out of the room. Silence filled everywhere with goosebumps surrounding the skin of the first nurse. The doctor looked broken but still entered his office to pray before going to meet Luc. As the doctor approached him, he ran down to expect the news he was not prepared for. “I'm so sorry. We lost her. She lost too much blood before we even realized. Please, be strong”, the doctor said and quickly moved away to avoid crying for every other person to see. Luc let loose of the tears. He tried enough to hold himself but no way, “not when I have lost my peace”, he thought. To everyone passing by the waiting room, his cry was the loudest. With his tattered appearance and dirty hands, one would call him a house-boy. The world stopped moving. Everything was gone! Everyone had sympathy for him and tried to console him to no avail. After watching him in agony for hours which turned into midnight, a grown man; about fifty-seven years of age, who worked in the hospital as a cleaner dropped his mob stick, walked briskly, pulled his hair with his face lifting up, and sat just beside him!
