Sanctuary

Any other day

The day my life would change forever, the day my future as I envisioned it was cut off abruptly, had started as any other day. It had even continued as any other day. I hadn't even realized how much this day would influence the rest of my life until later on. But just because I didn't realize it at the moment, doesn't mean it didn't happen.

Josh was already sitting at the table when I came in that morning. He was coloring a drawing he'd made earlier. He was 9 years old and very into dinosaurs, they were all he'd draw. I usually had to wake him up a couple of times every morning, but he was already dressed. I looked at the clock: 8 am. Shit. I had to be at school in half an hour. I usually always woke up early, but I was up doing homework until 2 in the morning yesterday.
"Have you had breakfast yet, Joshie?" He didn't immediately answer so I started pouring his cereal and milk in a bowl, guessing the answer'd be no. "Joshie?'"
He put his drawing away. "Sorry Jenna, no." he said with his mouth already full.
"Grab your bag as soon as you're finished okay, we're leaving in 15 minutes!"

I ran upstairs while undressing and completed my entire morning routine that normally takes me 30 minutes -showering included- in half the time. When I raced downstairs, Josh was already waiting for me in the garage. I ruffled through his hair and grabbed my bike. He climbed on the back, keeping his legs wide as we biked to school so they wouldn't get caught in the spokes again -yes, it had already happened before and hadn't been pretty. He was obviously old enough to bike himself, but unfortunately we only had 1 bike at home. It is really old, rusty and ready to fall apart any moment, but we couldn't afford a new one. It was also the only way of transport we owned, mom went to work by bus.

Josh's school was only a block away from mine, so I quickly dropped him off before racing twice as fast to the big ocher building that I was trying to escape from as soon as possible. The second bell had already rung when I arrived at school.
When I reached my Wednesday morning history class, everyone was already seated. I didn't have many friends -actually, I didn't have any friends- so I took place on the only one person desk in the classroom, like usual.

The hours at school crept by, and I hated the fact I was obliged to go to school until I was 18. Well, I didn't have to go to school, but I had to keep learning, and since we couldn't afford homeschooling...
I felt like I was just wasting my time. We didn't have any money for college and I wasn't hoping for a scholarship. I would much rather spend my time working. We could definitely use the extra money. Mom already worked 2 jobs. But instead, I was stuck here, wasting my time on trying to understand algebra. But during third period, something interrupted Ms. Walter's whining. Tom, the school's secretary -we could call him by his first name- called me out of class. Something had happened to Josh. He was in the hospital. I didn't hear the details. No time to lose.
It took me 5 minutes to bike to the hospital, although it normally would have taken me at least 15 minutes.
I raced to the front desk, sweaty and out of breath. "Josh Cole. 9 years old. Brown hair, brown eyes, dinosaur shirt."
The woman behind the desk let out a sigh and forced a smile on her face. "Let me check." She couldn't have been much older than 45, but she acted like every muscle ached and took way to long. I nervously tapped my fingers on the desk, until she finally looked at me, adjusted her glasses, and said, "Room 205."

Josh was lying with his eyes closed in a hospital bed, a bandage wrapped around his head and an oxygen mask over his mouth and nose. A nurse was adjusting his IV. "He had a severe concussion and broke his right ulna. But he will be fine. Monkey bars, right?"
I couldn't say a word. I walked over to Josh and stared at him. He looked so vulnerable as his little chest slowly went up and down.
"You are his sister, right?" the nurse asked. Before I got the chance to wonder how she knew, she added, "You have the same eyes."
Right at that moment, Josh opened his eyes. I bent over until he could easily see me without having to look up. "Hi, Joshie, how are you feeling?"
He smiled when he saw me. "Jenna... My head hurts and my arm hurts even more."
I nodded understanding. "It will get better soon, okay?", I promised, although I had no idea how long these things normally took.
"Is mommy coming?", Josh asked. I was registered as Josh's person in case of emergency. Mom worked a lot and got in trouble for leaving for something like 'a sick child'.
"I haven't told her yet."
"Don't. She'd only get worried."Josh said, sounding way to responsible and adult like for his age. "Do you have anything to drink, Jenna? I'm kind of thirsty.", Josh said, back to his little boy's voice.
"I'll go get you some water."
Josh smiled. As I started to leave, he asked, "Jenna, is mommy coming?"
I frowned my eyebrows and walked towards him. The nurse, who was still in the room, checked his levels again. "Josh, you already asked that, remember?"
Josh puckered his lips a little and frowned his eyebrows, his thinking face. "I..." He put his non-broken arm against his forehead and groaned.
The nurse turned to Josh. "He should take things slow for a while. Mild amnesia is normal for grade 3 concussions, but I'll mention it to his doctor."
I nodded thankfully and asked her to stay with Josh while I got him something to drink.

I thought there would be water coolers almost next to any room in the hospital, but I couldn't find any. When I hadn't found one in the entire hallway, I turned right and started following a smaller hallway. I probably should have asked someone. I kept walking and changing hallways, taking turns, and there was nobody else. Just me. I wanted to turn around, give up, before I was completely lost, when I saw something move at the end of the hallway. Someone. A tall, skinny man. He was about to enter a room.
"Sir!" I yelled, stopping him. "Hi, uhm... do you know where I can find a water cooler?"
The man gave me a severe look. "This area of the hospital is forbidden for patients and visitors." The man's voice gave me chills and I desperately wanted to turn around and run.
"I didn't see a sign." I said.
The man didn't say anything, looking over his shoulder to the door behind him every 5 seconds. It bothered me, it felt like an impolite thing to do.
"What's there?"
No response.
"Why can nobody come here?"
"You should leave."
"Can you at least tell me where I can find a water cooler?"
"Vending machines in the entrance hall."
"Nothing free?" I sighed.
"Why, you can't afford a bottle of water?" he barked.
I diverted my eyes, annoyed by his directness. "Forget it." I whispered, walking away.
"Oh, you really do have money troubles... How much do you need the money?"
I turned around, resentfully. "What kind of question is that?"
The man sighed. "Would you do anything for money?"
My anger turned into horror. What was he insinuating? When he saw the look on my face, he explained, "Would you risk your life for 5000 dollars?" My heart started racing as I spoke the following words, "What do you want me to do?"