3

McDermott hospital.

"Evelyn..."

"You must rest or I'll ask the nurse to force you to sleep," Evelyn threatened.

"Just this once, Evelyn. I'm really not lying. Someone important to me is dying and needs my help" Vanessa said again close to tears.

"Nurse?"

The nurse injected a sleeping drug into her arm and Vanessa fell asleep immediately bringing about a sigh from Evelyn who facepalmed.

"I only tried to play a joke on her and then mend our friendship but what's this? I don't know what to do." Evelyn muttered to herself.

"Do not worry! She'll be fine" the nurse consoled.

"Yeah! She will." Evelyn nodded.

**********

At Lisa's room, things were turning bad.

Her BP had been 89% and they brought it down to 39 who knew that it would immediately deteriorate to 22%.Some nurses cried. It wasn't because they'd lose their jobs but because this poor sweet Lisa was going to die. She hadn't even enjoyed life yet. Lisa's father removed the headphones.

"Is she stiff yet?" he asked with a deadpan face shocking the medical staff in the room. His baby girl was fighting for her life, and he was praying for her death. Exactly how heartless is he? The doctors didn't know how to reply and her father shook his head.

"Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! Best doctors? Really? I feel that you guys are the best clowns. She won't survive anyway." he walked to Lisa whose lips were becoming pale.

"She's already dead. Now I won't have to deal with her annoying disturbances. I won't close this hospital," he then pulled off the oxygen mask from Lisa's face.

"I will leave her here. Do what you wanna do with her. I will give you guys 500 million each to keep mum about this issue. It's best if one of you takes her home for burial. As of today, she's not my daughter. Dead people aren't my relatives but only LIVING PEOPLE," Lisa's father said with a smile that sent shivers down the medical staff's spines.

"Alright! We're done here" Lisa's father then walked out of the VIP room wearing headphones and this time listening to rap music even humming along. All the staff looked at each other and back at the little Lisa.

"Did he just disown his only child? He's too heartless!" a doctor said.

The majority of them left Lisa to the head doctor who was a female. She sighed and shook her head before leaving the room. Lisa's father had forbidden them from helping her so they could only pray.

***********

Back at the VIP ward, Vanessa woke up and screamed attracting the nurse's and Vanessa's attention.

"What is it?" Evelyn asked in concern. It shocked her and the nurse that the medicine did not affect Vanessa for long.

"You must take me there. She's dying," Vanessa cried.

"Now the person has turned into a female?" Evelyn sighed.

"I'm very sure of this" Vanessa defended. Her eyes held anxiety in them.

"You... just rest. It must be a nightmare" Evelyn tried to console Vanessa but she wouldn't take it.

"Miss.. please rest and free your mind. This worry isn't good for you," the nurse said but Vanessa shook her head.

"Forget it!" Vanessa threw down the blanket and put her legs down.

"What are you doing?" Evelyn and the nurse cried out in alarm.

"Nothing can stop me this time," Vanessa said and stood up.

"Vanessa sit down. You can't walk" Evelyn cried out again in fear.

"We'll see," Vanessa said and began running out of the room stunning Evelyn and the nurse.

The nurse Regina, and Evelyn looked at each other with surprise and uncertainty.

"That... that wasn't a ghost, right? My Vanessa wasn't fake, right? My Vanny can't walk for now. How did she muster strength in her legs and ...." the nurse cut Evelyn off.

"No dilly-dallying. After her!" Regina screamed and both ran out of the room in haste.

Evelyn caught a glimpse of Vanessa making a bend, and they ran in her direction. They were extremely worried about Vanessa. She is a patient and Evelyn's best buddy. None of them could lose her. It got to the point where, Evelyn had to take off her heels, put them in hand and continue the chase. Vanessa, on the other hand, kept running but not aimlessly.

She ran towards the direction of Lisa's room and stopped exactly opposite the room which was left unlocked and turned to see a little girl lying unconscious in bed. She felt much more pain in her chest and immediately concluded that this was the girl.

She turned around and saw that Evelyn and Regina were coming although their speed had slowed down because they were getting tired.

"Stop right there Vanessa, stop," Evelyn yelled.

"Don't you move! Stop," Regina cried.

Vanessa shook her head and entered the little girl's room then she locked the door and kept the key in her pocket. She walked slowly to where the girl lay. Her lips and skin had become pale and her body was cold. Vanessa parted the hair that covered the little girl's face, and her eyes widened in surprise.

"Lisa?" she cried out upon recognizing the little girl.

"How can this be? How can this be? My lively Lisa...Lisa? Can you hear me?" Vanessa took a chair to sit on beside Lisa and took her left hand which was cold.

"Lisa, mummy is here. Lisa, my beautiful girl, open your eyes now. Mummy is here. Sorry for not coming early. Mummy is sorry. Lisa wake up," Vanessa said in a whisper and began crying while rubbing Lisa's hand hoping to warm her up.

"My dear Lisa, don't scare mum. Open your eyes and we'll go eat anything you want. We'll buy everything in the world that you like. Lisa... Lisa open your eyes" Vanessa cried.

Evelyn and Regina who had just reached the door started knocking on the door but Vanessa did not open it. She kept kissing Lisa's small hands and rubbing them.

"Lisa... Mum is at a loss for what to do. Lisa.."

"Vanny, open the door now" Evelyn yelled from outside but Vanessa did not reply. All she cared about now was Lisa.

"Lisa... please open your eyes," she whispered again.

Slowly, Lisa's fingers trembled and the cold in her body vanished allowing the trapped heat to return. Her pale skin was regaining colour again and her lips were again rosy.

It surprised Vanessa at this turn of events. This wasn't short of a miracle. She was just so happy that Lisa was alive. Nothing else mattered.

"Baby, I know you can do it. Baby Lisa" she called out softly to the unconscious Lisa whose eyelids trembled.

"Lisa..you're a sturdy girl. Let Mama see your beautiful eyes again," Vanessa whispered again.

Her words seemed to do magic as Lisa opened her eyes in two minutes.

"Lisa" Vanessa called out and kissed Lisa's forehead."Lisa..do you know how worried I was?"

"You said you are my mama," Lisa said in a parched voice.

"Yes, I'm your mama," Vanessa said with a nod.

She doesn't even know why she referred to herself as Lisa's mama but so long as it'll make Lisa happy she'll agree for now. She'd agree to any request from her little princess. She'd also go to any length to fulfil them.

"My beautiful Lisa. My dear Lisa. Don't scare me like this next time okay?" Vanessa said as she hugged Lisa.

Lisa nodded and smiled.

"Mama, please be my real Mama. I don't have a true Mama. Mama is gone. Lisa wants Mama. A pretty Mama. Sexy and nice Mama" Lisa said after Vanessa offered her a glass of water.

"Err... yes. I will be your mama."Vanessa said with a nod. A smile had finally found its way to her lips.

"Mama?" Lisa called out to her excitedly.

"My beautiful Lisa. What is your request?" Vanessa said with a smile as she petted Lisa.

"Lisa loves Mama,"

"Oh? Why do you love Mama?" Vanessa asked pretending to be confused.

"Mama is sexy. Mama is nice. Mama is everything," Lisa said happily.

Vanessa wondered if Lisa was really that pale, unconscious, dying girl she met alone just a few minutes ago.

This girl really was a wonder. How then was she connected to her in the first place? She felt serious pain when Lisa was fighting for her life. Now that Lisa is okay, the pain has disappeared.

Forget it. What matters is that little Lisa is alive.

"What about Papa?" Vanessa asked.

"That demon incarnate isn't my Papa," Lisa retorted.

"Eish! Calm down, Lisa. Calm down. It isn't good to be angry. Mama won't bring him up again okay?" Lisa nodded and placed a kiss on Vanessa's head.

Vanessa smiled and hugged her wanting to give her more warmth.

While they were sharing a moment of warmth and love, Evelyn and Regina who were gravely worried got Lisa's father's bodyguard to break the door only to see this lovey-dovey scene.

All were shocked. Lisa separated from Vanessa's hug and shot the intruders a baleful look. The bodyguards shuddered a bit for some reason.

Evelyn ran to Vanessa and shot her a querying look.

"You... I dunno what to say." Evelyn managed to say but Regina shook her head.

"Little miss, forgive us for being late" The bodyguards went to one knee and bowed.

"Vanessa, let's get out of here," Evelyn said and pulled Vanessa up from the chair she had been sitting on only for Vanessa to fall to the ground.

"What's wrong with you?" Evelyn asked in worry.

"I... I feel no strength in my legs. I also see five of you, Evelyn. Do you have some superpower?" Vanessa asked before passing out.

"Vanessa?" Evelyn cried out.

"Mama?" Lisa cried out too and got off the bed after removing the drip. The bodyguards seemed not to be shocked about this. One of them even sighed secretly when Lisa wasn't looking.

"You fools! What are you waiting for? Hurry, do something," Lisa yelled as she ran to Vanessa.

"You mad lady, leave my mama alone" she yelled at Evelyn stunning her and Regina.

The bodyguards also seemed to be used to this stunning both of them even more.

'Is this girl really three years old?' They both thought.

"If anything happens to my Mama, YOU," Lisa pointed at Evelyn "will be dead meat." Lisa threatened. Evelyn was shocked at her outburst. She also felt a chill run down her spine like she was afraid of Lisa.

One bodyguard quickly carried Vanessa bridal style and hurried out of the room with Regina and Evelyn following. The other bodyguard lifted Lisa and made her sit on his shoulders and then went after the others.

*************

30 minutes later...

Vanessa's VIP ward.

Vanessa opened her eyes and felt a slight headache. Her vision was blurry for a bit but after some seconds it cleared up. She turned her head to see Lisa crying silently while Evelyn was standing close to the door. She seemed afraid to come close.

"Lisa... Evelyn" Vanessa wanted to mutter these words, but all that came out was unclear sounds.

She couldn't speak!

'What's going on?' She thought in fear. Why couldn't she speak? What happened to her?

"Mama? You're awake? Mama," Lisa wiped her tears off and started smiling though it looked rather forced.

"Mama, it terrified me. Lisa is scared," Lisa said in an emotional voice. Vanessa wanted to speak but all that came out were unclear sounds that made Lisa and Evelyn worried.

"Vanny, are you alright?" Evelyn asked and Lisa turned her head to look at Evelyn. She shot her a baleful look, and Evelyn quickly shut her mouth blinking her eyes twice.

"Mama, I... are you alright? Mama, Lisa is terrified. Mama, what happened to your voice? Please speak to me." Lisa begged but Evelyn rolled her eyes.

Vanessa shook her head and closed her eyes.

"Mama, please don't scare me," Lisa cried again.

Vanessa opened her eyes, raised her right hand and caressed Lisa's head. Lisa looked at her expectantly but all Vanessa could do was smile.

"Mama..."

Vanessa couldn't hear any more of Lisa's words because she fainted again.

"Mama? You" Lisa turned to look at Evelyn again.

"What did I do wrong now?" Evelyn asked.

"You dare ask me? Are you crazy, you ugly lady?" Lisa thundered.

"I didn't make her faint this time and wasn't responsible for her earlier fainting. If it wasn't for her stubbornness, she'd be resting and chatting peacefully with me right now," Evelyn thundered back. She'd gotten fed up with this Lisa. This little demoness is preventing her from going close to her friend!

"You dare yell at me? Do you know who I am?" Lisa yelled.

"Of course, the one her dad calls ugly. You dare to call me ugly when you are the queen of the uglies," mocked Evelyn as she pointed at Lisa.

"You... I'll make sure you regret ever being born," Lisa barked.

"Ha! Little runt like you? Dream on!" Evelyn brushed Lisa's words off.

"For my Mama's sake, I won't have you whipped," said Lisa.

"And for my friend's sake, I won't smack your butt and offer you as a sacrifice," said Evelyn.

"What? You wanna offer me as a sacrifice? Who do you think you are?" Lisa yelled.

"And who do you think you are? You're just a powerless mosquito" Evelyn cursed. She was losing her sanity with this demoness around. How was she a cute three-year-old? She's more like a hidden troublemaker with high intellect!

"You are a scarecrow and a chicken," Lisa didn't want to back down. If this stupid lady hadn't barged in and yelled her mummy's name, frightening poor mummy, would she have fainted and been in this condition? It's her fault! She deserves to be beaten, tortured and given to cannibals to feast on. That is even a light punishment for her.

"Oh really! You're a yam head," Evelyn didn't know that the little girl was already cooking schemes against her.

"Blockhead,"

"Foolish girl,"

"Die!" Lisa spat. She couldn't lose to this ugly lady.

"You are the dead meat,"

"Shut up," Lisa's anger was reaching the apex. Regina who was outside the ward shook her head with a sigh. Could these two be more serious? A pity that kid wouldn't let her in. She didn't sound like a 3 years old at all. Sigh!

"Ugly duckling,"

"I forgot that you're the queen" Evelyn rebutted with a smile.

"You... stop calling me that. I'm not ugly. I'm very handsome" Lisa said but as soon as she realized what she said she covered her mouth in shock.

Evelyn burst out in mirth.

"Handsome? Yes, my dear Lisa, you are handsome. I wanna marry you. Marry me, please!" Evelyn mocked adding salt to Lisa's wounds.

"Shut up!" Lisa yelled.

"Why?" Evelyn asked with a smirk on her lips.

"Hey!"

"What's 'hey!'? You know I really wonder. Are you really a three-year-old? I've been wanting to ask you that question," said Evelyn seriously.

"You... AHH,"

"Why are you yelling?" Evelyn asked lazily.

"Forget it! I admit defeat" said Lisa as she sat back in her chair and rested on Vanessa's right hand. She would deal with Evelyn later. For now, let her bond with mummy Vanessa.

"Mama loves me" she muttered before closing her eyes. She ended up falling asleep soon.