Day 13: Weight of Guilt

Kam’s parents arrived at the hospital to find out how their daughter was doing.
The doctor explained that Kam only had some bruises and a couple of broken ribs.
But the girl who had been admitted with her —Sally— was in critical condition. She had multiple fractures and was in a coma.

Kam’s parents asked if they could see Sally.
The doctor agreed.

When they entered the room, Kam’s mother broke into tears.
Her father clenched his fists tightly.
Seeing Sally like that felt like seeing their own daughter.
Guilt washed over them.
They had done everything they could to help her…
But the reality was that sometimes, no matter how much you want to help someone disadvantaged and minimized by the system…
In the end, the weight of that same system ends up crushing both sides.

“So close… yet so far,” the father whispered, holding his wife.

They left the room and went to see Kam.
Her mother hugged her.
Kam woke up confused.

“Where… am I?” she asked.

“In the hospital,” her mother replied. “Yesterday we tried to contact you, but you didn’t answer. We were very worried. We also called Sally, but she didn’t answer either.”

Her father added:

“If we hadn’t heard anything from you by morning, we were going to go to the police and file a missing person report. But the hospital called us. They said you and Sally were brought in urgently… that at least eased us a little.”

With a trembling voice, Kam asked:

“And Sally…? How is she?”

Her parents stayed silent.

Kam got up from the stretcher.

“Father… please. I want to see Sally.”

Her determination convinced him.

They accompanied her to the room.

The moment Kam crossed the door, a scream echoed through the hallway.
She threw herself onto Sally’s chest, crying uncontrollably.
She couldn’t believe the state her friend was in.

Her parents tried to comfort her… until a police officer entered to ask Kam for her statement.

“Why does my daughter have to give a statement?” her father asked.

The officer replied:

“Kam and Sally were found injured… alongside six dead people. Thanks to a security camera, we were able to see part of what happened, but we couldn’t identify the killer.”

Kam wiped her tears.

“You want my statement? I’ll make it clear for you.

The one you’re calling a ‘killer’ saved me and my friend.
And I’m glad Sally’s bullies are dead.
This way, they won’t be able to hurt anyone ever again.”

The officer lowered his gaze, apologized, and left the room.

Kam leaned toward Sally’s ear.

“I know you’re going to wake up soon…”

When she left the room with her parents, a hooded figure entered silently.
He approached Sally.
He gently took her hand.

“Did you miss me?” said Sally.