Mercy’s Grace

Two days later, the hospital quieted down to a less than normal flow. Dawn piled the tray higher than usual and went down to see Kid. She had only had time the past two days to watch him eat before she had to leave, so she was excited to talk with him. When she entered, she saw him jumping around the room, and she just laughed. He stopped and smiled sheepishly. “Food!” he cried. When he noticed the amount, he asked, “Are you finally going to eat with me?” She smiled and nodded. Once they finished, he asked, “Can we play a game?” “A game?” “Yeah. I found a ball yesterday, but I think it would be more fun to kick it around with someone else.” “Okay.” “It’s better than jumping around, I figure.” She smiled so she wouldn’t laugh. “Sure. Let’s play.” “Great.” He ran over to where he had last kicked the ball. From there, he passed it to her with great accuracy. She, however, was less able to keep the ball rolling straight. Kid had to run over to the door to retrieve it. At that moment, Joshua walked into the room, looking frantic. “Joshua!” Dawn exclaimed. “What’s wrong?” “Our cover patient just regained consciousness. He’s in perfect health and quite impatient to leave. I have to release him, which means Kid’s got to go now. Here are some of my clothes and plenty of money for you, Kid,” Joshua said as he handed them to him. “Dawn, please hurry back upstairs. I’ll need you by me when the Senior Physicians arrive.” “Why do I have to leave now?” Kid asked. “I’d just feel safer for you,” Joshua said. “If those doctors don’t buy our story, then they’ll come looking for you.” Kid swallowed nervously and nodded, not really knowing what else to do. Joshua turned to leave but then hesitated. He clenched his fists and crossed the room to reach Dawn’s side. “What is it?” she asked, worried. He embraced her and kissed her hungrily, as if he’d never be able to again. After he released her, he quickly left. She stared after him, dumbfounded, blinking rapidly. “Wow,” Kid said. “That was overdue.” He chuckled, clutching the bundle of clothing Joshua had given him. “I’ll go change.” Once he was dressed, Dawn handed him the book she had concealed in the oversized pocket of her apron and said, “Remember the group that was destroyed?” He nodded. “This book came from them. It’s the main one the Pendtars have tried to burn. I guess somehow it scares them. Joshua’s read this book. And he’s a good man. The best. I want you to become a good man, too, so read it. Please?” He nodded again. With that done, she led him through a maze of corridors to a discrete exit. No one was around, so she pulled Kid out after her and hugged him tightly. “Never let anyone know you have money or that book. They’ll definitely kill you to steal the money. And anyone with a book gets killed immediately if they tell the wrong people. Head to where the sun sets. Don’t look back and don’t slow down.” The tears finally threatened to fall and her voice quivered. “And though you may want to, don’t ever come back. Just know that we’ll miss you.” “Okay,” Kid said. “Promise me something.” She wiped away the tears. “What?” “Marry that man.” Then he turned and ran. When he was out of sight, she rushed back upstairs and composed herself in the stairwell before she calmly returned to her floor. She went first to the Kid’s old room. It was empty. Then she searched for Joshua. She found him in the lounge getting a cup of coffee. “Hi, Dawn, how are you?” He asked regularly enough. “Thinking that sounds like a great idea,” she answered, pointing to his cup. “Coffee?” “Oh, yeah, I need it.” “I’ll get you a cup.” He turned to the attendee. “Another one, please.” After they received their orders, they returned to the reception desk. Since no one was around, Joshua felt it safe to talk. “Is Kid gone?” She nodded and sipped the hot beverage. “The other patient just left, too. But no one’s down here yet.” “Oh, no!” she said in alarm. “I left the tray in rehab. And the bed!” “It’ll be fine. We’ll get everything patched up tonight.” She breathed deeply and picked up a chart. “I have a promise to keep now, you know.” “Oh.” He raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?” “I have to marry you.” She grabbed his cup before he dropped it. “Kid’s orders,” she explained. “I knew I liked that kid.” She almost released a laugh when she saw them. The doctors stepped out of the elevator and stared straight at her. “Here’s your coffee, Doctor,” she said loudly enough, handing him back his cup. Quickly, she raised hers to hide her mouth as she whispered, “Showtime.” Then she took a sip. Realization overtook his brief confusion, and he grabbed the cup. “Thanks, I’ve been needing one of these.” The doctors walked right past them and into the freshly vacant room. Joshua and Dawn donned their best confused masks as they watched the scene unfurl. Not a single doctor seemed happy. “Where is this patient?” One asked, approaching Joshua. Joshua lowered his cup. “I released him, sir. The boy was anxious to leave.” “He was in a coma for eight months!” “I assumed it was all right. Was I wrong?” “Why did you release him without consulting us?” “I was just following policy, sir. It doesn’t say to consult you. It says that if any patient desires to leave, and they check out fine, then we let them leave.” The doctor breathed heavily from his anger. Dawn held the cup to her mouth hoping the aroma would overpower the doctor’s stale breath. After a few minutes, with Joshua delivering a stellar performance she noted, the doctors left. They both sighed but displayed no more reaction. After a safe amount of time had passed, Joshua jumped on a subject he’d long pondered. “So, when’s the wedding?” He smiled. She smiled coyly. Her smile quickly faded as his cup fell to the floor, and he went limp. She dropped hers in order to catch him. A sharp pain went through her chest. Her eyes locked on to the eyes of death – the eyes of a Slave. Both died quickly. The Slave removed his sword and returned to the chief physicians’ meeting room. “Those were the two with the most contact with the boy?” he asked. The doctors nodded, too afraid to speak. “No one else knew about him?” Almost in unison, they shook their heads, a few gulping. “Liars,” the Slave said brusquely. “You all knew about him, too.” The Slave left the room, leaving it void of life.