Silent Fracture

Chapter Six

Every suit in front of them grew very uncomfortable. It blew Frankie’s mind that these people, designated to protect the innocents of her country, had been so hesitant to help. After nearly an hour of debating they finally came to a legitimate settlement price per household. Charlie East was voted the representative of the group for having the most legal knowledge in the group.

After the issue had been resolved, the men then informed the homeless group of where they would be residing until the apartment complex was either rebuilt or they were able to move into more suitable housing. In an organized line they were taken into one of the buildings and then shoved into a small waiting room. Hours went by as people were questioned and then provided the proper contract to sign which would allow them the agreed upon terms and funds.

Frankie watched, one by one, as the faces she had not taken the time to get to know, moved on with their lives through the tiny, grey door. She sat in the room with all white walls and no photos or decorations realizing as the numbers of individuals dwindled she felt herself growing more and more anxious.

Was this the sort of feeling her patients had? This feeling of being trapped in a small room until otherwise instructed? Her head began to hurt. It wasn’t as much like the pain before but more of a migraine. If they didn’t let her out soon or at least give them some water she might have had to kill someone.

When the last couple was called, only Charlie and Frankie remained. Charlie had taken an abandoned chair and kicked her feet up. Frankie had not spoken much. As usual, she had withdrawn from the scene and tried her best, even at her size, to fit in. Charlie had peeked up at her a few times over the past few hours they’d been waiting, though. Frankie didn’t know what to say, not a social person by nature, and focused on her growing levels of anxiety.

And she was so hungry. It was beginning to creep up on her again rapidly. This time, not only did she want meat but she wanted blood. The sensation of warm liquids running down her cheeks to her chin nearly excited her until she realized how strange the idea even was. Her cravings had most definitely gotten the better of her and yet she would not give in.

Whatever had been happing to her would not get her. She was just sick. That was all this was. Maybe she would even have to commit herself. But it would not get the better of her.

“So what do you do?” Charlie finally ended up asking her.

Frankie shrugged, “I work at Crescent Hills Mental…”

Charlie cut her off, “Get out! I tried getting a job as an orderly there. Bunch of sexist pigs if you ask me. You are a nurse?” Frankie nodded her head, “I thought so. You have that nurse… thing about you.”

The door opened. The man looked directly at Charlie and she smiled.

“It was nice to meet you um…”

“Frankie. Just call me Frankie.”

Charlie laughed. Even Frankie was able to find the humor in that. With a nod the two were the separated and Frankie had been left alone. It took the longest for them to get to her as she had been the very last person to be spoken to. Once they finally had called her in, the fatter man, Roger, was nearly asleep in his chair with a stack of signed papers. Near Alan was the stack of unsigned papers. It was now just a single sheet which he picked up and slid across the desk to her.

The feel of the room was rather intimidating. At the entrance was a man standing guard as if Frankie was there to harm them. Both individuals in front of her had been watching skeptically. She wasn’t sure why but it had turned into more of an interrogation than anything else.

She sat back and crossed her arms over her chest. She then provided a half smile and cleared her throat.

“What do you need from me, gentlemen?”