Sadi was disgusted. This was the scene of a tragedy for her and many others, yet to some it was just something to gawk at; a video to upload to the internet for a quick viral buzz. The thought that there may have been people killed, and certainly injured in the blast, filled her with rage. Who could do such a thing? And why Pearson and Person? Luke and Connor were good men who did a great deal for their community. Who would want to hurt them?
“I’m looking for Luke Pearson,” Sadi said, alarmed at how hysterical her voice was. “I’m his fiancé.”
The officer turned to look at her but shook his head. “Sorry miss. We aren’t allowing anyone past this line.” He motioned to the yellow tape that cordoned off the area.
“But I’m his fiancé,” Sadi insisted.
The officer just shook his head. Sadi could feel her frustration growing. She felt it bubble up from the pit of her stomach, choking her with rage. “God, he could be dead! I want to know what happened to him! Let me through!” Sadi screamed. She tried to push past the officer but he held fast. Another man came over to help. The second officer was much younger than the first and he looked at Sadi with compassionate eyes.
“I’m very sorry miss, but you really can’t come across this line. It isn’t safe. The best bet would be to try the closest hospital and see if he was brought there. Most of the ambulances have already left with survivors.”
Survivors. Oh god. Sadi closed her eyes, fearing for a moment that she was going to be sick. She let the younger officer steer her back in the direction of her car, all the while fighting back bile that rose in the back of her throat. Survivors. The word kept playing over and over in her mind.
“How many people are dead?” She asked the officer.
The man looked like he was debating with himself but then he shook his head with a small smile. “So far miss, everyone we got out was alive. We have yet to search the building thoroughly though.”
Sadi nodded. The relief that flooded over her was so great her knees almost buckled. “Thank you,” she whispered. She could see her car now. She let go of the officer’s arm and walked over to it. He looked at her as if he thought it was unsafe for her to be driving, which she didn’t doubt for a second, but he released her arm all the same.
“Take care now,” he said, and turned and walked away.
Sadi got in, started her car and drove to the hospital as the officer had suggested. It would be the most logical thing. She should have just tried it in the first place. Sadi’s hands shook as she searched for the fastest way to get there. Finally she got an address and her GPS turned on. She normally hated the tinny voice but in the moment it seemed strangely relaxing. Sadi took a deep breath before she drove away.
She followed the directions. The route seemed to take forever even though the female voice informed Sadi it was only going to be seventeen minutes in current traffic.
Finally Sadi approached the building. The dread mounting in her chest threatened to cut off her oxygen. Please let Luke be alive. Sadi took a ticket from the dispenser and the bar admitted her into the parking lot. She found a parking spot and hurried into the entrance.
Sadi had never been in the hospital before, but she was able to find the front desk without a problem. She gave her name and told the young woman she was looking for a Luke Pearson.
The girl at the desk looked younger than Sadi. She had long black hair that fell to the shoulders of pink scrubs with cartoon characters on them. While the girl typed something into her computer, Sadi stood wringing her hands.
She was in luck. All the air whooshed out of Sadi’s lungs when the girl said she had a Luke Pearson. The girl looked at Sadi, sympathy shining in her eyes. For a moment Sadi feared the worst. That it was over. All of it. That she would spend the rest of her life living with regret. That there were so many things worse than dying.
Then the girl glanced up at Sadi’s hair and allowed a soft smile. It gave Sadi hope. Surely someone wouldn't choose to smile at her wretched appearance if her fiancé were dead. No matter how ridiculous she looked at the moment, no one could be that cruel.
“Yes we have a Luke Pearson. He’s in room 302. I can take you there if you like?”
Sadi nodded woodenly. She didn’t think she could have found her way even in the best state of mind. As it was she could hardly concentrate on anything but seeing Luke, alive and well. She prayed that was the case. If something was seriously wrong surely she would have been told he was in surgery or in critical care and taken to another part of the hospital? Or told she wasn’t allowed to see him at all. This had to be a good sign.