NINETEENTH CHAPTER:

---Merida’s POV---

*Monday! It’s Monday… Meaning I get out of here.* I shrieked in my head. I knew Nadia was still resting but every now and then I would feel her reach out to me. Really it was more nudges of encouragement or images of things. Things that I would not like to imagine or even group with Larry. I mean yes, he is good looking but he’s Lucy twin and I don’t want to cross that line. Not that Lucy would mind, I think. Plus Crispin gets weird when these images pop up, yes I know he can see them but they shouldn’t bother him.

“Hey Meri, you ready to break free from this place?” Sarah asked as I left the bathroom, finally dressed in actually clothes, not that the hospital pj’s weren’t comfortable. But there was nothing like wearing denim jeans and a polyester cotton shirt. Even the bra I was wearing was a welcome discomfort if it meant I could get out of this place.

“I am so ready to feel the sun again, I think I will run to the exit!” I excitedly said as I hopped to her. She was busy checking everything got packed, even though Ericson and Crispin already lugged the bags down to the car.

This really surprised me when I was told that I was being released into Ericson’s care. Though I was also told it was temporally as I would have to report to the social services building upon getting out. Today my guardianship was being transferred, to whom I wasn’t truly sure as Mr. Walker didn’t say Friday when he was here. He just told me that the guardianship had been moved up and that things had changed due to the truth coming to light. I wasn’t sure want he meant, but I understood my parents were in trouble.

“Hey Sarah, where do you guys live again?” I asked, remembering that they never specifically told me. Not like it really matters as I’m not returning to school after today and next year I’ll be in High School. But I really want to be able to see my friends or at least have them over.

“Meri, we have a big house, but I’m not sure where actually it is. Ericson made all the preparations while I stayed with you.” Sarah responded as she exited the second quest room with something. “That lunkhead never checks his room.”

“What’s that Sarah?” Theresa asked as she walked in backwards while pulling a wheelchair along.

“Oh, it’s my brother’s sweatshirt.” Sarah reveals as she holds it up to show. “His favorite one that our big brother Steven gave him. Here Meri use it as a cushion.” Sarah runs to Theresa as she folds it up and plops in the wheelchair. We all looked at each other then started laughing.

“Ok, ok cut you two we need to leave,” seeing me twisting for the door, “Meri get in this chair and no running.” Theresa demands.

“Oh, come on I can walk…” Seeing them both stare me down. I slowly turned to them and dragged myself to the wicked looking chair. And it was, given it didn’t look like one the hospital would supply, plus it was a mixture of blue and red. Which created purple hues at the joints and really looked kewl. It was also slick, not bulky like most I have seen.

“Meri you are not to push yourself today. Now come on I’m hungry.” Theresa announces as I sat down. I had to admit it was comfortable, especially since it didn’t have siderails and plus I was seated on Crispin’s sweatshirt.

“Wait what’s going on?” I asked, twisting in the chair to look to them. “Plus, where did you get this chair? As well it’s lunchtime or well be soon so yeah, we all are hungry.”

“Yes, and that’s why we have to get this show on the road, so we can get lunch.” Theresa somewhat explains as she pushes me out the room and we start our journey out of here.

“Meri just relax and understand we are getting food after your meeting for guardianship. Um I think Ericson got you the chair!” Sarah says as she falls in step next to me. Then after a while, she whispers to me, “Everything will become clear afterwards, trust us.”

Well, I do trust them, so I just settle back and wait to see what happens, that is until we are in the elevator. That’s when a thought hit me.

“Wait Theresa are you coming with us?” I ask her as I twist in the chair again. Sarah was resting against the back of the elevator and just smiled at me. Theresa looked to her then back to me but before she could answer the doors opened to the private garage. Crispin was standing there with the biggest smile and a twinkle in his eyes. “What is going on?”

“Meri, sweety I was hired to help you while you get settled in your new home. Plus, I’m off today, so I’m here entirely of my own accord.” Theresa answered.

“We need to get going. Everyone is waiting for us.” Ericson announced. Seeing him standing in front of a Jeep, I get excited but then wonder if we can all fit in there. That is until I see the 3rd row. Sarah and Theresa climb in and sit on the middle two-seater. Leaving the entire back seat for me.

I can walk short distance and get on the bed in the hospital but how I’m going to climb into this monster. The bed ca be lowered or raised depending on my needs, but this Jeep is tall. Yes, I am small but sitting in the wheelchair means I’m as big as one of the wheels of this thing. So yeah, it’s a climb for me.

“How am I going… aww” I start to say only to scream as Crispin picks me up and then climbs into the jeep and settles me on the far sit with my legs situated on the middle sit. I don’t know where they got the pillow from, but with it under my knees, my feet just barely touch the sit. I’m not taking up the entire seat but there is no space for anyone else now.

“There all done. Now we can get going.” Crispin says as he climbs out, only to climb into the front passenger seat. Then before I can ask him where Ericson is. Ericson appears at the door with the wheelchair, only now it’s collapsed, and he easily puts in the jeep next to Sarah, who just holds it while the door is closed.

“Here idiot, your sweatshirt.” Ericson says as he gets in the driver’s seat and throws it at him.

“Hey where was this?” Crispin asks as he looks to us and then back to Ericson.

“Well since I found it in the wheelchair, underneath Meri! I’m guessing you left it behind!” Ericson states as he starts the jeep.

Crispin just gawked at me as we pulled out of the garage. Looking away I noticed Theresa and Sarah putting on sunglasses. *Why are they putting them on?* Looking back to Crispin I see him donning on a hat as well as sunglasses.

*Was he wearing that earlier? Or did he also just put them on, but why?*

*Sometimes I really worry about you girl!* Nadia whispers.

*How are you? And don’t chastise me about this. I really don’t remember Crispin wearing the hat when he was holding me.* I argued back. I heard Crispin coughing and looking at him, I see him looking back at me through the mirror on his visor, as he pulls the sunglasses off. He winks at me as he adjusts the hat and then shakes his head.

“Ok stop the flirting and Meri please remember to mind your thoughts. Crispin is a real muttonhead around you.” Sarah remarks. Seeing that they really want to wait until lunch, I settle back and watch the scenery as we leave the hospital.

Though as we passed the welcome sign I jumped in surprise. Crispin and Sarah turned to me, but Theresa tells them to turn around and ask me if I’m ok. At first, I don’t speak but as I look back to the sign, I see no one there so I tell her I’m ok.

Though I’m positive about the guy I saw there. I can’t really describe him only that he felt familiar, especially those grayish blue eyes of his.