Chapter Ten
beep..beep..beep, a machine beeped loudly in the room. Elsa found herself shocked and in disbelief. She sat up on the hospital bed, pulling on the drip connected to her veins. The area turned a bright shade of red and she winced in pain. Nick furrowed his brows before gingerly getting a pack of ice for her.
"Nick", she started, her voice now carrying with it a hint of emotion: fear. "What do you mean by targeted assassination? Who would target someone like like her, why?". Nick patted her pillow before gently guiding her head onto it. "Linda was the target of a mass assassination against a targeted group of people. It was planned and it was intentional and it could have been you", Nick's voice trailed off towards the end of the statement, his expression turning cold. Elsa shivered, and a realization dawned on her . The mysterious stranger from earlier that morning, could he have a hand in it? No, she shook her head, he seemed too convincing. Too hurt. Elsa turned her focus to Nick, who had resumed his seat. She knew now he was her only chance at getting answers, her only chance at knowing who she was.
"Was it because of me?", she asked. Nick gave her a confused look. Elsa took in a deep breath, fearing the answer.
"Linda, was she killed because of me?". For some time a loud silence filled the room save for the sounds of the machines. Elsa could not look Nick in the eye for they said a thousand words. She knew she had a background so complicated that numerous people were unaware of her existence, thinking her dead. And somehow, if Linda was one of them, then wouldn't that mean..."No!", the reply was resolute and firm. Nick held her arm and rubbed it gently,
"Linda had her own sins to atone for". No more, no less, just an assurance that she was not the cause of her friend's death. Yet Elsa was not satisfied. What did Nick mean by 'she had her own sins to atone for'. That statement reminded her of those said by the stranger that morning, 'Ooh and, tell Nick to go to hell'. Elsa's mind was a jumbled mess.And the only thing she knew could settle some of it, was a single message from someone. She turned her head and gazed intently at her mobile that was placed on the chair next to Nick's, deep in thought.
They allowed her to leave early the next morning, the doctors, only after reminding her to check her diet and not stress herself. As the two sat in the car, Nick driving and Elsa in the passenger seat, a strange atmosphere clouded over them. Elsa was staring intently outside of the window, too weak for conversation. Her mind would occasionally wander off to a place farther from the present location. She looked drained of all life and severely ill but this all added to her beauty and charm that was capable of attraction the attention of all. She had on a grey hoodie on blue jeans, looking youthful, not feeling so much as it. Nick looked at the figure curled up in the seat behind from the rearview mirror and sighed. This was all to protect her.
The car screeched to a slow halt in front of the grand villa. Elsa immediately went to the bedroom upon exiting the car, her shadow a pale hue of grief. She anxiously went through her wardrobe, pulling out documents and clothes, her breathing erratic. She finally, with a shaking hand, held up a bottle of pills before frantically popping one into her palm and proceeding to gulp it down. Nick, who stood at the door, watched everything with indecipherable eyes, arms in pocket. He watched as his wife scattered the wardrobe, took out the pills, gulp it down, and a minute later, the once shaking figure began to be subdued under the influence of the drug. Elsa breathed out in relief then placed her anxiety pills back into the wardrobe and organize it neatly. She ran her hand through her hair, her eyes now bloodshot red. She turned her gaze to the door, there was no one there. She exhaled again, and slowly lyin down on the huge bed, she allowed her tears to flow out freely.
***
The funeral was simple and personal. There were Linda's parents, who were beside themselves with grief, and her two younger brothers. Elsa, adorned in black, puffed eyes shielded beneath dark glasses, sat behind in the church, along with Nick. She watched the somber mass with tentative attention, barely winking. She listened as tributes were read one after the other, describing what a lovely person Linda was. There was not a single dry eye in the room, save Nick. When it all ended, Elsa walked up to Linda's parents. She had only met her once, during a visit to Linda's house a while ago to deliver some items. The once vibrant middle aged woman had suddenly aged by decades, and her husband was faring no better. The couple were tending to people who were there to offer their condolemces and donations as a sign of respect. When Elsa and Nick appeared before them, they froze and turned stiff. From behind her shades, Elsa noticed the strange reaction of the duo and deduced only one source from it: Nick. He threw them a casual glance as Elsa gave Linda's parents a bow. "Mr Montenaro, Miss Montenaro", she said, raising her head. "I am Elsa, we've met before. Linda was a very good friend of mine, and I wish to communicate to you my deepest condolences", she ended. Linda's mother sniffed, her father giving her an encouraging pat on the shoulder.
"Elsa, how could we forget you. Lin lin was always speaking marvelously of you", Madam Montenaro said, her tone filled with longing. "It was our daughter's honor to have had a friend as wonderful as you", Old Master Montenaro added. Elsa shook her head passively,
"No, the honor is all mine".