Emerging From the Haze novel Chapter 6

Scarlett spent three days in the hospital.

Calvin and Eugene stopped by frequently, though their visits never lasted more than a few minutes before they'd head out again.

They never said it, but Scarlett could tell they were busy looking after Sharon. Every time they came, Sharon would send her snide texts.

"Calvin made fish chowder for me. I told him I couldn't eat it all, so I had him bring the rest to you. You've probably already had a taste of the leftovers, right?

"I dozed off for ten minutes, and Calvin and Eugene went to see you, didn't they? I mean, it makes sense. They're always busy trying to keep me entertained when I'm awake. How would they have time to think about you otherwise?"

Her eyelashes fluttered as memories of the time she'd been hospitalized for appendicitis at 16 came rushing back. Back then, Eugene and Calvin had stayed by her side without leaving for a second.

They took turns blowing on her soup to cool it down before she could drink it. Every time she went for a check-up, they were more nervous than she was, worried something might go wrong.

But everything had changed for good. She no longer needed a boyfriend or a brother like either of them.

On the day she was discharged, Scarlett took care of the paperwork on her own. She saw Calvin, Eugene, and Sharon when she reached the entrance.

Sharon took her hand and offered her a warm smile. "Calvin and Eugene have been so busy trying to find time for me that they've fallen behind on work, Scarlett. How about we all head back together?"

A chill ran through Scarlett at the look on Sharon's face, and she turned her down without hesitation. "I'll take a cab."

Calvin's and Eugene's expressions darkened. "You're not fully recovered yet. Why take a cab? I'll have the driver take you both home."

With that, they shoved Scarlett into the passenger seat and closed the door. After Sharon slipped gracefully into the back, the car pulled away.

The persistent feeling that something bad was about to happen kept gnawing at Scarlett.

When they reached the outskirts of the city, Sharon, who hadn't said a word the entire ride, suddenly ordered the driver to pull over. She sent the driver on his way, slid behind the wheel, and turned to face Scarlett.

"Relax, it's been five years. I've gotten a lot better. I'm not going to get us killed this time," she said.

Cold sweat prickled Scarlett's skin, her hand reaching instinctively for the door handle. But Sharon snapped the locks shut, slammed her foot on the gas, and shot the car forward at full speed.