Chapter 6 - DAWN AT ST. CATHERINE’S
By 6:30 a.m., the fierce freezing rain that had battered the interstate highway all night finally began to relent, softening into a gentle, grey morning mist against the eastern windows of St. Catherine’s Hospital. The frantic surge of the midnight emergency shift had subsided into the steady, methodical rhythm of daybreak.
In the hospital cafeteria, the hum of the coffee machine provided a comforting background noise to the quiet stillness of the corner booth.
Nurse Rosa sat across from Ellie, who was finally eating a proper breakfast—a stack of warm pancakes smothered in maple syrup and a glass of orange juice. The oversized hospital scrubs had been replaced by a clean, comfortable yellow sweater and a pair of matching sneakers donated by the hospital’s family support fund.
Officer Vance walked over carrying a tray with two fresh cups of coffee, sliding into the booth next to Rosa.
“How are we holding up, kiddo?” Vance asked gently, offering a warm, reassuring smile.
Ellie swallowed a bite of pancake and looked up, her dark eyes clear and bright for the first time since she had walked through the hospital doors hours ago. “I’m okay,” she whispered. “Is the bad man gone?”
“He’s gone, Ellie,” Vance confirmed softly, placing a reassuring hand on the edge of the table. “He’s going to a place where he can't hurt you, or anyone else, ever again. And the social services team is already working on finding you a safe, permanent home with people who will love you and take care of you properly.”
Ellie looked down at her lap, her fingers tracing the edge of the large leather purse sitting safely on the bench beside her. Inside it now rested her mother’s silver Celtic ring, safely recovered and locked away from harm.
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“Can I see her?” Ellie asked, looking up at Rosa with hopeful eyes. “Can I see Audrey before I go?”
Rosa smiled, her heart swelling with warmth. “Of course you can, sweetheart. She’s awake, and she’s asking for you.”
