Henry Hudson put down his chopsticks, an unintentional glance out the window caught his eye. It wasn’t completely dark yet, the dim nightfall faintly painted the entire sky, the horizon was adorned with misty clouds, it was beautiful.
After cleaning the table, Charlotte Thompson heard Henry say unexpectedly, "Charlotte, let’s take a walk."
Upon hearing his words, a slight surprise crossed her face. She followed his gaze to the outside and slightly grinned, nodding in agreement.
Elsewhere, outside the hospital.
The man leaned back in the driver’s seat. Despite the cool weather, he was feeling inexplicably irritable.
He tried to calm down his mood. Justin Battleson looked at his wristwatch, his attractive eyebrows slightly furrowed.
Charlotte Thompson had been inside for nearly an hour now.
Was delivering a meal supposed to take this long?
Especially when he was waiting for her outside.
A lingering uncomfortable feeling arose within him. He clenched his fists, the knuckles turning a shade whiter.
With half-lidded eyes, Justin Battleson emanated a deep and profound light, as if making a certain decision. He got out of the car and stepped into the hospital.
The dusk hadn’t fully settled, yet the lights in the hospital had begun to flicker on. The warm yellow light reflecting off the off-white floor was strangely pleasing to the eyes.
The corridor was incredibly spacious. Every now and then, patients would emerge for a casual stroll. The soft footsteps were particularly evident in the quiet air.
Justin Battleson stepped into the elevator, pressed the button for the floor he needed. Before long, he was at Henry Hudson’s room.
The hallway was still eerily quiet. Justin Battleson stepped out of the elevator, facing the room placard and partially ajar door.
It was indeed the right room.
Justin Battleson furrowed his brows slightly.
The room was dark, devoid of any voices.
He advanced with quick strides, pushed the door ajar and scoped the room, confirming that there was no one around.
From behind came the silent sound of footsteps. He turned his head around.
A nurse, carrying a tray of medicine, passed by him.
"Miss nurse." Justin Battleson spoke with a tinge of urgency in his voice, "Do you know where the patient from bed 34 went?"
Upon hearing his question, the nurse turned her head thoughtfully. After a few seconds, she seemed to understand, "Are you talking about Mr. Hudson? I saw a young girl helping him towards the garden."
He muttered to himself, quickly realising, and then with a bitter smile, stated, " I understand, Thank you."
With that, he immediately turned around and headed downstairs.
They seemed to be at leisure, taking a stroll in the garden at such an hour.
There was indeed a garden within the hospital premises, for the patients to get some sunlight and take a walk.
Already familiar with the path, a few minutes later after taking a few turns, Justin Battleson stopped at the entrance. He looked up and his sight landed on the scene before him causing his pupils to shrink abruptly.
From where he stood, he was able to clearly see not more than ten meters away, in the centre of blooming flowers, Charlotte Thompson with a gentle smile on her face, carefully assisting a man in his walk. Her eyes curved in joy, filled with an unbelievable tenderness.
Justin Battleson had never seen this side of Charlotte Thompson.
Though he was a little distance apart and couldn’t hear what was being said, he could hear Charlotte’s laughter. Each laugh, each moment was a harsh reminder to his eyes. His hands clenched as they hung by his side. He looked away, closing his eyes. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on nοvelfire.net
His eyelashes cast a shadow playing a melancholic pattern below his eyes. His expression couldn’t be seen clearly.
He paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and turned away.
The loneliness and desolation in his departing figure were overwhelming.