Chapter 17

                                    

                                          
I stood outside Lambarra General hospital, a dumb look on my face. Sure, I had made it here, but things did not go as expected. I thought Bark and June would come with me, but June had insisted I should go alone. Not to mention, the leave form was weird too.
                          
To leave school grounds, students had to fill leave application forms. These forms would then be considered by admin and approved if there were no issues. Typically, the process might take a few days, but my form was filled in hours.  I'm certain Josiah had something to do with it, but I don't know anything for certain. I really should go and see him again, but that can wait. Right now, I have to see about a girl.
                          
Clearing my head, I checked the hospital. It wasn't very big, tall sure, but only one building. Though, I suppose it is a small town. 
                          
I haven't spent much time in hospitals, so upon entering I made a beeline, past the waiting area and a small café, to the reception desk. A Nurse in a blue uniform smiled sweetly at me from behind a monitor.
                          
"Hello, what can I help you with?" She asked pleasantly.
                          
Smiling nervously, I stuttered a moment. "Um, I'm here to visit someone."
                          
Seeing my awkwardness, the nurse nodded in understanding. "Of course, dear. Who are you here to see?" She waited expectantly, ready to check the patient register, but she didn't need it.
                          
"Evelyn," I said, before freezing. I don't know Evelyn's last name. It's been months now, how do I not know her surname?
                          
Looking up from the monitor, the nurse's jaw fell open. Realisation dawning, a massive smile split her face. "Ah, you wouldn't happen to be J?"
                          
Frowning, I nodded slowly. "That's right."
                          
Standing, the nurse seemed pleased with herself. "Excellent. Good to meet you, J. I'm Hilda. I'll show you to Evelyn's room, if you could just wait a moment."
                          
"O-okay," I answered, hesitantly stepping backward. What is going on here?
                          
Hilda smiled at me once more before walking into a walled office behind the reception desk. A moment to myself, I curiously spun in a slow circle. This place definitely seemed bigger on the inside. To either side of the entrance was a small café and waiting area. The reception was in the middle of the floor with elevators and stairs to both the left and right. Opposite the entrance I came in was another entrance which boasted a small gift shop to buy get-well cards and presents.
                          
Ignoring the clamour of voices coming from the nurse's office, I approached the shop. Browsing quickly, I picked out a small bouquet of flowers. Though, when I went to pay, the cashier smiled knowingly and told me they were free of charge. 
                          
After thanking the man, I turned around, very confused, only to find that Hilda was waiting, watching me happily. Several nurses were gathered at the reception desk, staring like birds of prey.
                          
"Right this way," Hilda said, moving towards the elevators.
                          
Following her, I entered the elevator. The flowers, the gawking nurses, something is off at this place. Thinking that, I couldn't stand still. Biting my tongue, I shifted my weight back and forth between my legs. Breathing slowly, I pictured the feather and remained calm.
                          
The elevator dinged and the doors opened. Hilda hurried out and moved past a nurse's station. Grinning at her colleagues, she subtly pointed at me and whispered something, but I didn't catch what she said.
                          
Spinning on her heel, Hilda turned into a room and called, "Evelyn, you have a visitor."
                          
"Lucky me," Evelyn drawled, clearly not in a good mood.