Aka. "Destination Anywhere", "The Boy and Girl from County Bavaria"... After a very intense year in Würzburg (Germany), I'm back in Salamanca. I probably won't have that many experiences to write, but there's always an excuse to post a new entry!

24.

The way to hospital was eternal, agonic. It felt like ages had gone by until they reached the building due to the uncertainty of her friend's state. Flo had to drive, since Sharon was too shocked. She had to use any red lights to stop and calm her roommate down, who couldn't stop crying.
"I'm sure she'll be alright" she repeated for the umpteenth time as she got out.
"What if something happened to her baby?"
She couldn't answer that. The response "It's probably nothing" wouldn't be of any help; besides, she wasn't even sure herself. Instead, she rubbed her back in a friendly way and took her by the arm as they both crossed the parking lot.
The sliding doors of the emergency room opened as they approached, welcoming them into a world where people in uniforms rushed around; some of them were pushing stretchers, while others simply wandered the long corridors. Seeing the desperation on people's faces, Flora held her breath; now it was even harder to try to give Sharon an optimistic message. Even the light gave the whole place a gloomy touch. Doing her best not to make up the visitors' stories in her mind, she led her friend to the crowded counter.
"Sharon!" a voice called behind them before they got there.
It was Cristina. Although she had only seen her twice, Sharon could tell that she was not her usual self, cheerful and lively. She seemed very tired.
"She's in that room over there, 112" the Italian explained "They didn't let me in, so I was waiting right outside."
"What happened?" was all Sharon could say.
"I was just getting home and found her on the kitchen floor, bleeding and holding her stomach. She fainted, so I called an ambulance. We got here about twenty minutes ago."
The tallest girl frowned. Certainly, that didn't sound like a good sign. She did have some basic knowledge of medicine and therefore knew that it didn't necessarily mean she had miscarried, even if it was a small possibility. Although she didn't know Johanna too well, except for that brief encounter at Baby Mamma's World and the stories Sharon had told her, she couldn't help but worry about the girl as they followed Cristina through the corridor.
"How is she?" Sharon wanted to know.
"They didn't let me in, but I believe she's still unconscious" the shorter girl said "I tried to call Marco, but I couldn't reach him. He's out of town until tomorrow."
"So he doesn't know yet?" the Dutch girl exclaimed.
Flo felt a pang of sadness, putting herself in his place. The thought of going back home after a trip and finding out her lover was in hospital and had probably lost the child she was expecting gave her goose bumps. Instinctively, she took Sharon's hand in hers and squeezed it, hoping to give her some comfort. The brunette smiled weakly as the three of them sat down by the door.
"I'm gonna go outside to smoke" Cristina told them "I'll try to contact Marco."
Sharon nodded. Flo wrapped an arm around her roommate's shoulders, watching the tiny brunette walk away from them. Welcoming the gesture, the other woman laid her head on her shoulder, sighing.
"I'm scared" she mumbled.
"Sssh, she'll be fine" Flo stroked over that long dark hair, the words repeating like a mantra.
They remained silent for a while, the sound of sirens and quick steps at the background filling the space. Sharon closed her eyes and breathed in. Flo was swinging her legs without noticing, as she did whenever she was nervous. The movement was affecting her whole body, rocking the Dutch girl softly. After the tension, her head now felt heavy, as though she was about to fall asleep soon.
A few minutes later, Cristina returned. She had her mobile phone in her hand and put it back in her purse before sitting down.
"I've just spoken to Marco. Unfortunately, he can't come back until the delivery is done, which he's doing tomorrow morning. He'll try to be here as soon as possible; he's really worried."
Of course he's worried, Sharon thought to herself. She sat up slowly, tidying her hair. At that moment, a woman in a lab coat came out of the room.
"Excuse me, are you Miss Settels's friends or family?" she enquired.
"Yes, that's us" Sharon stood up immediately "How is she?"
"She's stable" the doctor replied "Still unconscious, but her vital signs are all normal. Probably in a couple of hours she will wake up."
"Thank god" Cristina sighed in relief.
"We would like to keep her under observation for a few days, nevertheless" the other woman continued "The operation was complicated; we'd like to avoid as many risks as possible."
The listeners nodded. Knowing that her friend was alright, the Dutch girl's anxiety was eased. However, there was still something else she needed to know.
"What about the baby?"
The woman in white's expression saddened. Sharon felt her heart shrinking.
"I'm afraid we couldn't do anything to save the foetus" the physician looked down.
"She lost it?" Cristina cried, covering her mouth with her hands.
As the doctor nodded, Sharon felt her knees weaken. She held onto Flo, bitter tears streaming down her cheeks. That could not be happening. Not to her friend. Not to her baby sis.
Even the giantess had a lump on her throat. The pain seemed contagious. Without saying a word, she merely embraced her friend and roommate tightly.
"Can one of us spend the night here with her?" Cristina wondered.
"It's recommendable" the professional responded "Yet it should only be one person. When she wakes up, she will be too weak."
"I'm staying" Sharon swallowed her sadness "I'll take care of her until her boyfriend comes."