You're The Only Hope For Me

The two of them huddled together on the ground, with their backs against a tree trunk waiting until the police arrived. Hazel was now grateful to both Frank AND Gerard for the same reason and although she was shaken from the events, she felt that she was comforting Gerard as equally as he was comforting her. They didn’t speak but both shook as they stayed wrapped in the other’s arms, Hazel was half crying and Gerard was white and shaking. Hazel presumed that Gerard had been greatly unsettled by the act of shooting the man even though he hadn’t killed him, but she didn’t say anything. Instead she held him as tightly as possible and he kept his arms around her in return, both of them offering support for the other.
Hazel couldn’t tell how long it was until the police arrived, but it was beginning to get light as the van drew up on the road a few yards away from them. A man and woman got out and Gerard sighed heavily as he got to his feet, puling Hazel with him and keeping a tight grip on her hand. The police caught sight of them and hurried over.
“Are you alright?” The man asked in concern, taking in their streaked faces and shaky movements.
“Yeah, we’re fine now.” Gerard replied, trying and nearly failing to make a small smile.
“Could you tell us what happened please?” The women asked, glancing from Gerard to Hazel.
“Of course,” Gerard responded, this time sounding slightly surer of himself, “Although we would be much more comfortable if you could make sure these men can’t escape.” Gerard gestured to the men on the ground beside him, still unconscious. The women nodded and talked into a radio on her belt, two more officers came out of the back of the van with handcuffs and fixed them onto the men before picking them up and carrying them to the van.
“Oh, by the way,” Gerard quickly added, “you should know that they’re both unconscious and one is injured, they may need medical attention, although it’s not too serious.”
The women nodded, and spoke into her radio again. She then gestured at Gerard to speak.
Gerard took a breath, “It started a few months back when these men abducted Hazel, she can fill you in on that in a minute, but tonight-”
Hazel felt herself relaxing as Gerard recounted the story, she felt safe knowing that the men were confined and that if anything was to happen the police would keep her and Gerard safe. She was brought back to reality by Gerard squeezing her hand, prompting her to tell her own part of the story.
Hazel started by talking about when the men had first kidnapped her; talking about how Frank had saved her and how that had led to their present circumstance, she then spoke about seeing the man in the hospital, Gerard passing out and her being taken, and then finishing with Gerard finding her and them fighting with the men. He then showed them his bloody wrists from the tape and explained about how the men had weapons, how he’d managed to take the weapon, and finally how he’d shot Jeff in the leg and Hazel had knocked him unconscious.
Once finished, the two of them exhaled and looked at the officers for verdict. The man had been scribbling into a note book and once he’d finished writing had a whispered discussion with the women whilst Hazel and Gerard looked on anxiously.
“We believe you.” The women finally said, “Although it’s slightly more complicated because there was the use of a weapon and someone was injured, however, you freely admit to that and have explained why it was required under the circumstances.”
Hazel relaxed, she hadn’t realised just how tense she’d been.
“We can’t do anything really just now until these men awaken and are in a fit state to tell their side of the story, but we can assure you they will remain in custody until and after then. We do require your details though so we can contact you and arrange to take whatever legal action is required when it’s necessary. Until then we can allow you to return to your business, or get some rest,” She smiled kindly at them, “You both look like you could use it.”
“Thank you ma’am.” Gerard replied politely with a smile and obligingly wrote his telephone number and address into the police notebook.
The police man pocketed his writing pad and they both smiled before walking back to their van. They waved to them both as the vehicle pulled out into the main road and drove away, shattering the still and perfect silence of the night.
“Thank god for people like that.” Gerard muttered then turned to Hazel with a grin, “It’s over! We’ve made it! We’re safe!”
Hazel grinned back and hugged him, “Thank you so much! I couldn’t have done it without you, I owe my life to you now! We’re going to be okay! Now we just need to get Frank and-” her face fell as she remembered, “What about Frank?”
Gerard’s smile turned into a haunted grimace, “We should go back.”
“Yeah.” Hazel replied, anxiety building up inside of her and replacing her exhaustion.
Gerard set off at a fast pace walking in the direction of the hospital, Hazel didn’t know how to get back to the hospital but he seemed to have a good idea. He looked back and noticed that Hazel was having difficulty keeping up so he took her hand and lowered the speed of his stride.
Hazel muttered a grateful thank you and the two of them hurried back towards the building where hopefully Frank was holding onto life.
The walk was uneventful, it seemed to take forever and both of them were breathing heavily.
They walked back through the doors into the white reception area for the second time that night, although this time they were dry as the rain had stopped.
There was a different lady at the reception desk and she must of heard them entering because she kept her eyes downwards to her desk when she spoke to them. Hazel noticed that her tone was cheerier and somewhat kinder than the last lady who’d been there. She was quite attractive with straight redish hair, big brown eyes and a light golden complexion that seemed to shimmer healthily.
“Hello! Can I help-” She looked upwards and broke off as soon as she saw them, “Oh my god, are you two alright? You look about dead on your feet! What happened?!”
Gerard steadied himself against the desk and looked at her with a smile, “We’re completely fine, we’re just super tired, that’s all.”
The lady smiled back reassuringly, “That’s a relief, sir, and how may I help you at this quiet time?”
Gerard squeezed Hazel’s hand encouragingly before answering, “Well, first of all could you please tell us the time?”
“Certainly,” The women smiled and laughed good naturedly, “If you turn around you’ll see a clock on the wall that reads quarter past four!”
Hazel felt her anxiety ebb away slightly as Gerard laughed, “Oh well, can’t argue with that, but that is in the morning, right?”
“Yes, indeed it is!” The nurse smiled even wider, showing quite small teeth, “My name is Clara, by the way, is there anything else you’re needing help with?”
Gerard smiled back at her, “It’s nice to meet you Clara, I’m Gerard and this is Hazel. We’re here to see someone who was admitted here via ambulance last night, I know it may be difficult but it’s really important that we see him, if that’s alright?”
Hazel tightened her grasp on Gerard’s hand, god this felt so familiar.
Clara pursed her lips slightly and flicked her brunette hair over her shoulder, “I’ll see what I can do for you. Could you give me his details please?”
Gerard told the receptionist for the second time that night about what had happened with Frank, Clara tapped at her computer keyboard and Hazel held her breath.
“Riiiiigghhht,” Clara leant back in her chair and studied the two of them, “I have found the man you’re looking for, although-”
“Is he dead?!” Hazel blurted out, unable to stop herself. She was dreading the answer but she had to know, she felt Gerard squeeze her hand slightly, giving her support.
“No, he’s not.” Clara replied and Hazel’s entire body relaxed, beside her Gerard let out a long breath.
“Although he is quite badly injured, his condition is stable, he has a ninety-five percent chance of survival.” Clara smiled at them and they both beamed back at her.
“May we see him?” Hazel ventured and Gerard nodded at her side.
“There’s not any staff available to take you at the moment and regulations firmly state that it’s forbidden for you to go unaccompanied,” She paused for a moment and glanced at the clock, “However, my shift finishes in ten minutes, I can take you after that if you like?”
Gerard smiled even wider at her, “Yes, that would be amazing, thank you!”
Clara smiled back in return, before beckoning them to come join her behind the desk. They both accepted her invitation and were soon sitting with her on white chairs that were surprisingly comfortable.
“I’m going to get you some more robes,” She said as she stood up, “those ones are looking, shall we say, slightly worn?”
Gerard laughed and nodded in thanks, Hazel cracked a small smile and watched Clara walk into the office and return with the clothes. She handed them to each of them and turned away as they changed, Hazel noticed they were thicker than the last ones they’d been given. Clara binned their old robes after they’d finished and sat down with them.
“We don’t usually get a lot happening here at night, although someone always needs to be here, just in case you know? We had one women, one man with his daughter and two others come in tonight, but that’s all. I have a feeling that the two others were you two earlier though,” She laughed when they nodded, “of course I wasn’t here then, but it is documented in the computer.”
Gerard indulged in polite conversation with Clara about her job and Hazel sat thinking about Frank. She would be seeing him soon. She was slightly worried about what kind of state he’d be in though, and whether he’d be permanently maimed in any way, what if he had concussion and didn’t recognise her? She pushed the thought away but still felt anxious so turned to Gerard for support.
Clara saw Hazel reaching for Gerard’s hand and asked, “So are you two a couple?”
Gerard smiled at Hazel before looking back to Clara, “No, we’re not.”
“Is Hazel your sister then?” Came the response.
Gerard laughed a little as he squeezed her hand, “Nope, although I do feel like she could be after how she’s acted since Frank was admitted. She’d certainly make a badass sister, I can tell you that!” All three of them laughed before Gerard continued, “Nah, she’s Frank’s girlfriend.”
“Oh, I see.” Clara replied, her voice seemed to send Hazel sympathy and Hazel was grateful she didn’t ask anything else about Frank.
“I’d like to be your sister.” Hazel said to Gerard and he winked back whilst Clara laughed.
“Alright, I’ll accept you into my family as my younger sibling.” Gerard replied and Hazel laughed.
Their conversation was cut off by a door opening to the left of them and a man entered, he exchanged a few quiet words with Clara then sat down.
“That’s my shift over now guys, if you just follow me we can go see Frank, yeah?” Clara asked as she stood up.
Hazel nodded and her and Gerard followed suit, Hazel tightened her grip on Gerard’s hand and they followed Clara through the reception and into a maze of corridors. They didn’t say anything to one another but listened to the sound of Clara’s heels clacking on the white floor a few meters ahead of them.

Notes

*heavy breathing* sorry if y'all worried about Frank, you'll just have to wait to find out!!;)
Sorry I didn't update it yesterday...... I didn't get a chance but yeah, I have now so s'all good ^.^
Feedback is always welcome guys c: