Valley of Dust Read Online Free Page A

considered food. I decided for once to ring for my nurse. I wasn’t quite hungry, but if I were to be confined to a room, I would at least like my mush. The red button that called the nurse took longer than I expected. When the nurse finally came, she looked like something bad had happened to her. The way she looked reminded me of how eerie everything felt now. She wouldn’t say much, but the one thing she did tell me was that the doctor would come to see me shortly. I assumed it was to check on my stitches. Though at the moment I could still feel no pain. I imagined the nurse was still slipping pain medicine in my IV. When the doctor arrived, he was more courteous than the nurse had been. He didn’t have the disturbing, eerie look like the nurse had. He explained to me that last night there had been a bad storm and their precious hundred-year-old oak tree was struck by lightning, or that’s what they believed. I gasped at the thought that last night really did happen and it was no longer a dream but reality. I kept my mouth shut, knowing that if I said it was me I would be on a one-way ticket to the mental institution. The thought of a mental institution brought bad memories of how my parents had sent me once to break me. It almost had. The constant medication, patronizing, and learning if I did not conform to society I would never truly belong almost brought tears to my eyes. “So, Ms. Holmberg, by your face I can see you’re a nature lover too,” the doctor said. I nodded as I snapped my mind away from the past. I was glad he hadn’t thought anything else. I was always paranoid in these situations. As the doctor was peeling back my bandages, he looked surprised. The stitches were no longer there, and there were no scars to be seen. “Ms. Holmberg, this is really good news. I am curious where my stitches went, but I am pleased that you have finally healed. With this progress and some blood results, you might be able to go home today,” he said. “Really, Dr. Murphy, I can go home?” I asked. I was overwhelmed with joy; getting out of here is what I had been wanting for the last three days. This place was never for me; it only brought sadness. I didn’t even care how my neck was. I just wanted to check out of here. “Yes, Selene, you should be able to go home today assuming all your blood work comes back normal,” he said with a smile. Home , I thought, could I really consider my one-bedroom apartment home? It wasn’t much. My living room was filled with all my art media from school and side projects. My room was colored like the sky and was kept very simple. Hmm, I guess I could call it home; it was mine and a good start. Then I realized the horrible truth: I had been in the hospital for three days now and I had not called work. Oh shit , I thought, how will I pay for rent? I had very little savings and lived night to night bartending. I hoped that the doctor would give me a note explaining why I had not called. I really didn’t want to lose such a great job. After all, I was one of the owner’s favorite bartenders; maybe I could get off the hook just this once. I had so many thoughts going through my head, which surprised me since I had all this medicine in my system. I knew one thing that would calm my mind and that was some reality TV shows. Those shows always helped me to fall asleep. It would have to be a really boring one, otherwise it might not help, but they were the best cure to help stop anyone from thinking. As I was watching the television, I realized it was working and I slowly but happily fell asleep.

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    L UCIEN WAS WAITING for Anton’s return. He was sitting in dread wondering if she was healed or if there was any problems. He had already informed his police unit to be aware of the situation regarding Selene and Anton. He hoped they would take over the case when necessary. This case would not be solved. It would never be solved; after all, his brother had been the one to leave such a