12 Plot Points Of Christmas: A Writer's Challenge

Chapter 4: A Change In Scenery

Beverlee woke up abruptly to the sound of a patient in distress that seemed just outside her room - or maybe was it next door?

She then discovered that she was covered with a flannel blanket. With a grateful smile, she pulled it closer around her then took a deep breath to calm herself.

"Loki?" she whispered, checking if he was still with her.

She felt the sensation of his hand on her shoulder.

"I'm here," he said, softly. "How are you feeling?"

"Physically, I feel fine," Beverlee replied, keeping her voice low, just in case any medical staff entered her room without any warning. "But mentally..."

"That's to be expected."

"It's not that I was shot. I mean, I understand I might have to deal with the aftermath of this later, but it's the statement I have to make to the officer that's causing me concern."

She felt his hand stroke her cheek, "My clever girl, you'll do fine. I'll be right here with you."
****

Another nurse stopped by Beverlee's room. Giving her a patient gown that was easy to slip into, the nurse informed Beverlee that an officer from the NYPD was ready to take her statement.

When the officer arrived in Beverlee's room, he looked like he had been proverbially put through the wringer. Taking down statements from other patients who were harmed by the shooter had to have taken a toll, no matter how strong a mindset one had with their profession. He introduced himself as Officer Malone, then flashed his badge to her.

Pulling up a nearby chair, he sat at her bedside. From his shirt pocket, Malone took out a standard-issue notepad and a pen.

Beverlee knew she wasn't in trouble, but felt very uneasy, considering the circumstances that had brought her to the mall. She hoped that the questions would be simple.

Flipping open the notepad, Malone asked her the basics; name, where she was from and what she did for a living.

"Canada, huh," Malone said. "How long have you been in New York?"

"Not long," she replied. "Just got in a day ago."

"Business or pleasure?"

"Pleasure," Beverlee replied, "I have some friends here."

"What brought you to the mall last night?"

"Friends," Beverlee shrugged, then winced as it caused a twinge in her arm. "I was supposed to meet them at a bar there, but then..." she trailed off, her other hand instinctively grasping her arm.

"I understand this might be hard for you, but I need you to tell me everything you remember, what you recall happening."

Beverlee nodded and took a deep breath. She was about to begin when she felt the sensation of a hand on her shoulder. Pursing her lips for a moment, she tried to hide the smile the sensation elicited.

"It all happened so fast..." she started. "I had just entered the mall when the shooting began. It was loud and just got louder. I thought there was some kind of show going on, but when I turned around and saw the man with the gun..." she paused for a moment, thinking, "I knew I had to run, there was no other choice. It was like being in an action film, but it wasn't thrilling. It was terrifying."

Beverlee was starting to tremble as she kept thinking about that moment. She then noticed Officer Malone press the call button for the nurse.

"I think you could use some water," he said.

Beverlee gratefully nodded, then heard a whispering in her ear, "You're doing fine."

After a few minutes, a nurse popped her head into the room, and Malone requested a glass of water for his interviewee. He then gave Beverlee a chance to breathe until the nurse returned with a foam cup.