“Ben, no!” I cry. “They’ve got her. They’ve got her,” I sob as I start to hyperventilate once again and begin to choke. The guards are all visibly upset and I lie on the deck next to my love’s blood.
“No. This can’t be happening.”
Ben cradles my head in his lap as he tries to console me and I sob into his chest. Dear god, this can’t be happening.
Beep… beep… beep, a machine sounds and a nurse quietly comes into the room.
She smiles warmly. “You’re awake, Mr Stanton. Welcome back.”
I frown and my eyes dart around the room. “You are in the hospital, sir. You have been sedated for the last two days,” she tells me sadly.
I frown. It’s real. It wasn’t a nightmare. “Natasha?” I whisper.
She stands still and puts her hand on top of mine. “I’m sorry.” She drops her head. “They haven’t found her.”
Bile rises from my stomach and burns my oesophagus. I shake my head as tears threaten. “Unhook me please. I need to find her.” I start to struggle to get the tubes out of the back of my hand. “Please,” I whisper.
The nurse opens the door out to the corridor. “Dr Stanton,” she calls. “He’s awake.”
Cameron walks in and his haunted eyes meet mine. He has an air of resignation about him.
“Josh,” he whispers as he cradles my head up against his chest.
“Where is she, Cam?” I whisper, distraught.
He continues to hold me as I try desperately to make sense of this.
“We need to find her,” I whisper.
“We are doing everything that we can,” he whispers. “Josh, the police are here. They need to ask you some questions,” he says quietly.
I pull out of his embrace. “Of course.” I wipe the tears from my face with my hospital gown and nod. Cameron goes out of the room for a moment and returns with two policemen.
The two officers shake my hand. “I’m Detective Miller and this is Detective Stevenson.”
I nod nervously. “Have you found her?” I stammer.
They exchange looks. “No, I’m sorry we haven’t.”
My face screws up in pain.
“We need to ask you some questions about what happened on Saturday night.”
I nod. “What day is it?” I frown
.
“It’s Monday afternoon, sir. You were so distraught that you were admitted and sedated against your will. You were starting to endanger your own life when you wouldn’t stay out of the water in the freezing conditions.”
I drop my head as my foggy brain brings forth the horrific memory.
“Tell us about the evening.” One of the officers gets out his pen and notepad ready to take notes.
I frown. “We were at a wedding.”
“Yes.”
“And I got a text.” I frown again as I remember what was sent to me. “Max,” I whisper. “Have you tried Max? He might know where she is,” I say hopefully and my eyes flick to Cameron.