A Highland Wedding

So Close

Anna

How long have I been in this hospital? Panic was my constant companion and every time I had a panic attack they would send in the doctor or nurses to sedate me. I was beginning to feel like this was another form of Hell.

I tried to explain to them that I was kidnapped, I even talked to a police officer, and from what I could understand. He just thought I was another drunken tourist that was mugged. The days were blending together and I just wanted to go home.

How were my animals? How was Caleb? My heart sank, poor Caleb probably thought I abandoned him. My heart rate started to spike and the monitor was going nuts again. If I didn’t calm down, they were going to come in and sedate me again.

Someone had to find me, I would even accept Gregor walking through that door to take me home. The worry couldn’t be good for Sinclair. Tears stung my eyes and I sniffled as I stared at the wall.

I heard the door open and my heart stopped, it was either going to be someone to give me more medication. Or Claire found me and she managed to manipulate the doctors into believing I was her deranged sister.

I breathed a sigh of relief when it was the young orderly Silva. She was a sweet girl and she was the only one who didn’t treat me as if I were a nut case. She brought a paper bag and two paper cups of coffee with her.

The aroma of baked goods made my mouth water. She smiled and closed the door softly behind her. I hoped she had some good news. I told her to try and get a hold of Jer or Alexei. The one thing about relying on cell phones, you sometimes can’t remember a simple phone number.

She hurried over to my bedside and rolled the small table between us. She was practically bouncing in her seat and hope filled me. She glanced over her shoulder again and motioned for me to lean in closer.

“Your friend Jer did not have a cellphone number. I did however manage to contact Alexei Nikolaev’s office and they said he was out of town.” The small bubble of hope had disappeared. He probably had to go back to Russia for his grandmother.

“Thank you, Silva.” I smiled at her and she grinned back.

“This is good, no? Your boyfriend could be coming here.” She was so optimistic, I loved that she still saw the world in a positive light.

“You’re right. He could be on his way here now.” I didn’t have the heart to tell her that he sometimes left the country on business as well.

“Oh, I have more good news. You are to be released in a few days.” That was good news. I might be able to leave the country on my own.

There was a knock on the door and my blood ran cold. Claire walked in wiping her eyes, she gasped and threw herself at me. My eyes went wide and Silva looked confused.

“Oh my goodness Anna! I was so worried about you!” She was gripping my shoulders tightly and I winced in pain.

“Why? Worried that I would tell everyone that you kidnapped me?” The room went silent and Claire’s face clouded over in anger. Then she started crying and wailing.

“See what I mean? She keeps lying about me because she is angry about a little disagreement.” The doctor looked uncomfortable and Silva was watching with narrowed eyes.

“We have been treating her for some psychiatric issues, we were under the impression that it could have been related to her injuries.” Claire hugged me again and leaned in near my ear.

“If you say anything else I will make sure I find out where you are staying and poison every last animal you have. Then I will burn that house to the ground too.” She was practically strangling me and I was pleading for help with my eyes.

The doctor seemed oblivious but Silva seemed to understand that I was under duress.

“Miss, come with me and we can discuss your sister’s aftercare treatment. She will be with us for a few more days and then you can take her home.” Claire let go of me and she continued to cry her crocodile tears.

She shot another look at me and then smirked as she closed the door. Silva shuddered and scooted closer. I had to get a message to Alexei. If he was on his way here. I didn’t think he was going to get here in time to save me.

“That is the one who kidnapped you and did this right?” I nodded and she glared at the door.

“She is a master manipulator. Do you have a pen and paper? I need to write a note and then you need to get out of town for a bit until that psycho is taken care of.” She chewed her lip and then nodded. I could hear Claire’s voice coming back down the hall.

I scribbled a note and then shoved it into Silva’s hand. She gathered up her things and scurried out of the hospital room. I lay back and closed my eyes. I was so close to getting out of here, and here I was caught in the spider’s web again.