‘I’m taking you to the Medical Precinct,’ Hannah had said firmly when Kelly got home.
‘But, Mum …’
‘I’m taking you to the Medical Precinct,’ Hannah repeated.
So they had gone. After a long wait in Capital Hospital, they’d seen Doctor Sidhana, a young guy with deep circles under his eyes. Kelly’s lump perplexed him, and now they were waiting in his office while he collected the X-rays of her head.
‘Do you remember bumping yourself?’ asked Hannah.
‘No, Mum,’ Kelly snapped.
She did not normally speak to her mother, or anyone else, like that. She always made an effort to be friendly, but there was something about this place that set her on edge. It felt like anxiety and negativity were seeping out of the walls around her.
‘Well, Kelly,’ said Sidhana, ‘it’s definitely not just a simple bump, but the good news is that it doesn’t look dangerous. You appear to have some kind of abnormal bone growth.’
‘What a relief,’ said Kelly sarcastically.
Doctor Sidhana gestured at the X-ray. ‘If you look at the front of your skull, you can see the protrusion clearly. It’s healthy bone, even if it is growing in an … unexpected place.’
‘But what’s caused it, Doctor?’ said Hannah.
‘Well, that is the question. Spontaneous bone regrowth at the site of an injury is well documented, though it’s more common in children – but Kelly, you say you suffered no such injury?’
‘No.’
As Sidhana frowned, Kelly heard his thoughts.
I wouldn’t want to be caught walking around with that freakish thing sticking out of my head. Wonder what it would be worth to turn her in? I shouldn’t think such things, I’m a doctor! But if I don’t do it, someone else will.
Kelly stared at him in shock, but composed herself. She didn’t want anyone knowing she could hear thoughts. They would send her to the Soul Collector for sure.
‘Since you aren’t in any pain,’ Sidhana said, ‘there’s nothing for me to prescribe. I’ll refer you to a specialist who may be able to tell you more.’ He started filling out a form.
‘So that’s it?’ said Kelly. She felt nauseous, as if every patient’s worries were becoming her own. She heard snatches of them around her …
… silly nose won’t stop running…
… can’t work if I can’t use my hand…
… this medicine tastes gross…
They closed in, threatening to overwhelm her. Then her mother’s hand on hers felt warm. For a moment Kelly was comforted as Hannah smiled reassuringly – but then she heard her mother’s thoughts too.
Why is this happening to my little girl? We can’t afford surgery and specialists…
Kelly couldn’t get out of there fast enough, almost dragging Hannah by the hand. As they stepped out into the early evening, her head immediately began to clear. Outside, she could still sense other people’s thoughts, but they were much gentler, more like wisps on the breeze.
A suited man walked by, head down, dragging his heels. I have to find another job before we lose our apartment…
A young woman cycled past. It’s not right. He didn’t want to join the KG. They forced him to sign the forms! I miss him…
‘What’s wrong?’ asked her mother, and Kelly realised a tear was rolling down her cheek.
‘I … don’t know … something is … happening to me …’
Did she belong in a psychiatric hospital? Maybe she was just imagining all of this? It couldn’t be real. This kind of thing didn’t just happen out of the blue! A presence closed upon them rapidly, and as Kelly turned, a man in a drawn hoodie ripped Hannah’s handbag from her hand and raced off into the dusk.
Hannah cried out in alarm. ‘Stop!’ Her wallet was in that bag, and all her cards. ‘Please stop!’
Kelly felt a rage – her rage – that blotted out everyone’s thoughts and feelings.
She took off after the mugger.
