I'm not the only one in my reflection.

Part thirty-two

When Gale was brought to the hospital, Katherine, having learned that Anika was still in the same hospital, asked to see her. They haven't been informed about Weathers yet anyway.

Walking quietly into Kayoko's room, Macher smiled when she noticed a girl who was lying on a seemingly comfortable bed and dozing. Of course, she had already visited her earlier, but the injured girl was asleep and her friend did not wake her up, but just sat next to her, asked the doctor how her health was and left.

— Hey, Anika. — Roman's daughter cheered up, noticing how the girl Mindy was moving and opening her eyes, which almost immediately focused on her.

— Katherine! — Anika exclaimed and, sitting up on the bed on her hands, she lightly hugged her friend and lay back down. She was smiling, and she looked healthy.

— Hey, you look like you're fine. — The brunette joked awkwardly, trying to relieve the inexplicable tension she felt.

— Yes, it seems that way, but hey, wait, I'd like to thank you first. You saved me, in fact.

— You don't have to thank me, I didn't do anything special.

— No, I just have to thank you! If you had done as your uncle asked and go first, I would have died on those stairs. And I wouldn't even have the chance to find my mom and-

— Anika, stop this chatter. — The former redhead reached out and took the other girl's hand, squeezing it tightly in her own palm. — Let's make a deal about something, okay? After we get rid of this fuckhead, I can help you find your mom if that's what you want, okay? How does that sound?

— I wish we could. But unfortunately, my mom died. I will no longer be able to find her, look into her eyes, and perhaps finally find the mother I've wanted all my life.

Stu's niece froze, looking at Mindy's girlfriend, but, coming out of her stupor, she reached out to the other girl and put her hand on her shoulder as a sign of support. — I'm really sorry to hear that, Anika. Does Mindy know? Should I call her? I know she just left, but I can ask her to come back, it's not a problem.

— No, you're right, Mindy just left, there's no need to worry her any more, she's already on edge with all this.

Katherine looked down at the floor and squeezed Anika's hand again. It really broke her heart to hear that Anika's mother had died before her daughter could come to her.

— So, again, if you want, we could go to the cemetery, at least visit her grave. Did your father tell you where your mother was buried?

— My father? Oh, he wasn't the one who informed me of my mother's death. — Kayoko said in a casual voice, looking into her friend's eyes.

— But then how-

Tara burst into the room, throwing open the door, interrupting her best friend in mid-sentence.

— The doctor came and informed about Gale's well-being. We're discussing the next steps now, Kat, you're needed there.

— Duty calls. Rest, Anika, rest and gain strength.

— See you later, Katherine. — Mindy's girlfriend raised her hand and waved her fingers, saying goodbye to the other girl.

Macher hurried after Tara down the wide corridor of the hospital and, noticing Samantha, who was sitting next to the others with her head down, she immediately hurried to her.

The former redhead sat down next to her lover and immediately hugged her, pressing her head to her chest. When she sees Mindy looking down the hall, anxiously biting her lip, she smiles at her and mouths that Anika is fine.