Daily Writing Challenge 2020
Day 4 -- Breakthrough/Broken
When Ande arrived at Golden Tree Sanitarium, she was met, for the first time, with a smiling face. “Ah, Ms. Daystar, you’ll be happy to know we’ve had a breakthrough. Ms. Palesworn is responding to treatment. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”
Ande simply nodded. “Thanks. That’s what I’m payin ya for, afterall.” She barely hesitated and headed for room 202.
Shit Shit Shit...that girl was gonna tell all. If she ain’t already. This is gonna be a shitshow.
“Ms. Daystar! Please do still be careful. We think she’s still quite fragile!”
She threw up a hand in acknowledgement as she continued down the hall. Two brief knocks and she walked in the room.
Deysendra smiled as Ande walked in the door much to Ande’s relief. “Hey there. That’s a right pretty smile you’ve got.”
Deysendra nodded. “Thank you. I didn’t know if I’d see you again. I’m very glad you came.”
Ande leaned against the door jam. “Hey, I’m glad you’re able to talk again. Had me worried back there. How’re they treatin ya? Ya think you’re gonna be okay?”
“Most of them are fine, really. There are a few that are really persnickety about getting me to talk. I know better though. I won’t tell.”
The blonde drew in a deep breath and sighed. This was an interesting development. How did she know?
Before Ande could say a word, Deysendra continued, “I know what happened. I think I know what you did. You fixed it all, right? You took papa away so no one would find out what I did.”
Ande’s brow raised. What. The. Fuck. “Listen girl, what’re you on about?”
Deysendra gave a little shrug. “People don’t always realize I’m there. Or they talk about things as if I’m not there. I hear things….” She smiled. “I know things.”
Ande went cold. Breakthrough my ass. This girl is downright broken. Had this all been a plan? Had she only appeared to be in shock when Ande found her with her badly burned father? The girl had been here three...four months? Longer? Hadn’t spoken a word until now. Was it all a ruse? The look on Ande’s face likely told Deysendra exactly what she was thinking.
“Don’t worry. You could have left me there but you didn’t. Your secrets are safe with me. So long as mine is with you.”
“I wouldnt’ve done any of it if it weren’t gonna be hush hush. Your secret is my secret. It’s all taken care of, but you can’t ever talk about any of this. To anyone. Got it? If ya feel like you’ve gotta go blabbing about somethin’ you talk to me.” Ande stared at Deysendra for a long moment. “Got it?”
Deysendra waved a dismissive hand. “Oh fiddle, of course I’ve got it. Now, you put me here. What shall we do about getting me out?”