I don’t know what has happened in the past few minutes. The last thing I remember is watching them take away my daughter. I am now sitting on the side of a hospital bed with a man and woman around me. There is no sign of Luke. I look around the room, but the curtain is closed around me.

“Miss Madden?” the lady says, bending down in front of me.

I shake my head. “Yes,” I say, but I don’t hear anything. I don’t hear my voice.

“Miss, can you talk to me?” she asks.

“Yes, I can,” I say, but I still don’t hear myself.

“Riley, can you go and get Dr. Black for me?” the lady asks.

What is going on? Not even a minute later, Riley reappears with a tall, dark-coloured man.

“Dr. Black, Miss Madden isn’t talking. Even though she is trying, nothing is coming out,” she informs him.

“Hi, Miss Madden. I’m Dr. Black, but call me Karl. I’m the head doctor on shift today. As my junior doctor said, we think you are in shock from the trauma of today’s events. There isn’t anything we can do to help your voice return. It should come back in time.” He pauses. “If there is anything you need, please let one of my team or me know.”

“How is Lucy?” I ask, rocking my arm back and forth.

Karl looks at Riley. “Keep an eye on her. Take observations every half hour. I will be back to check on her later. I will let you and Kathryn sort out her back and arm. Give me a shout if you need anything.”

I feel so trapped. I can't get their attention. Why can't I speak? Seriously, is this from the trauma? I have a statement to make. I need to know that my daughter is okay. I need someone to help me.

"Hey, babe," Luke says as he walks around the curtain. I can't help but smile. Finally, someone I know.

"Sir, Miss Madden can't talk. Her body has reacted to the trauma by affecting her voice. It might be a short-term thing, but we don't know as of yet," Karl informs Luke.

"She doesn't like being called Miss Madden. It’s Megan," he adds, slowly taking a seat beside me. "Trust me. I learned that a long time ago. Now, who is going to keep me under control with all these hot nurses running around?"

"First time I have been called ‘hot’ at work," Riley says, winking at him.

"Oh, man. I don't swing that way," Luke says, letting out a nervous laugh.

“How is Lucy?” I ask, rocking my arm back and forth again. Luke looks straight at my lips, trying to read them.

“Oh, Lucy?” Luke pauses. “She is being looked after. She is still asleep, babe. They are doing all they can.”

Tears start rolling down my cheeks. I want to be with her. I need to see her. I promised her I wouldn’t leave her alone. I can’t break my promise.

“Megan, I’m just going to check your back and shoulder.”

I just sit there, not moving. What’s the point? No one is paying any attention to me. Luke keeps talking to me, trying to keep me calm. I don’t care about my back or my shoulder. Yes, they hurt like hell, but I need to see Lucy while I can. Has everyone forgotten I’m a murderer?

“Megan, this will hurt. I’m going to take the shards of glass out of your back,” Kathryn says, pulling them out slowly one by one.

“So, how long will this no voice thing last?” Luke questions.

“Well, it’s different with each person, as it’s a psychological issue. It depends on Megan.”



“Okay, then,” Luke says, giving me a funny look. “Oh, Jenny is on her way.”

“What?” I yell, or at least, I think I yell.

“I can’t understand you, babe. How about typing your response?” He passes me his mobile.

Using the keyboard, I type what I have been trying to tell him.

WHAT?

“I rang her. I thought you would need the support.”

I type another response.

I need to see Lucy.

“Okay, hold on.”  He looks over to Kathryn. “Can Megan go and see her daughter?”

“Yes, that’s not a problem. I will get the porter to go to Lucy’s side room to get Megan when he is ready to take her for her shoulder x-ray,” Kathryn states.


“Perfect,” Luke says.

I can’t help but smile at him. Finally, I’m getting somewhere.

“I’ll get a chair,” Riley says.

A chair? I type.

“Why does she need a chair?” Luke asks.

“Just to be on the safe side, sir. We don’t want her hurting herself any further,” Kathryn replies.

As Riley walks back into the little area, I stand up, getting myself straight into the chair. Come on. I want to see my baby girl.