___________

At this point I had no idea where my life was going. Was I on a right track or not? I hadn't talk to Ethan about the truth, even if he had told me he'd listen, I wanted to show him prove of my innocence that's why I sprinted as fast as I could when Nurse Julia said Grace made a very little progress.

She tried to speak again.

It made me so happy that I came straight from school after we planned about our trip earlier.

I had to find her phone before this vacation.

The sun was bright cascading it's charm on our still bodies resting on this wooden bench. Grace and I were sitting out here in the garden since the past fifteen minutes but she just keep looking forward.

Her body was aware of my presence but her eyes were lost by lack of love or attention. I knew her parents were coming here every Saturday or Sunday but that wasn't enough. Never ever I thought they would neglect her like that.

So she was just sitting here with me. I didn't try to initiate about her cellphone, didn't want to trigger anything since she looked in a calm peaceful mood today. Maybe because I gave her a visit.

Julia told me she's been restless since past few days.

Maybe she's remembering clearly and that's what disturbing her?

"You know Grace tournament is on next Monday. Everyone is missing you, even cafe lady. Remember how you used to vlog her. Your last year's tournament vlog hit 1M views too," I cheered joyously seeing towards her face for any sign.

She grinned slightly!

"Is there something you wanna share with me? How's everyone here with you? If anyone's hurting you, tell me and I'll kick their asses!" I hit my fist in air.

She grinned again but it faltered down. Her fragile appearance was tearing me apart. Once she'd start to speak and walk again, I'd get her out of her.

I caressed her hair out of her face and tucked them behind her ear.

"You know I still can't sleep at night sometimes, restless me'," I shrugged amusedly before held her hand over my palms, gave it a slight squeeze.

Looking around the garden, there were other patients in the same white gown with blue polka dots with their respective relatives or assigned nurses.

"You see, all these people here, they all are fighters Grace. Maybe their fights are different from us but everyday they're up for this battle they've to came across with," I spoke as a gale wind surrounded us. "You know what that battle is for? It's not for tomorrow. It's not for this life either but for this small moment they own Grace."

Her fingers flickered and she blinked but there was a slight aliveness in them. They weren't completely dead.

I sighed before rest my head on my stiff shoulder, not hardly to not hurt her in any way. My hand continued to caress her veiny dorsal side as I shut my eyes closed.

"Just give me one hint Grace, something that'd help me finding your phone," I whispered lowly hopelessly as we sat there when she spoke again.

"Four-r nine..

"Grace," I sat straight as I called out and held her hand shocked. "Grace, Hey...what did you say?"

That moment, for the sake of finding a little hope, my heart was hammering so rapidly inside my chest. I looked around for Julia but she wasn't there.

"Fo-ur...n-ine....one," She breathed out still looking forward but her eyes were glimmered with unshed tears, reflecting me in that ocean.

"Four nine one," I repeated, looking down thinking about it. "Four nine one what? Grace. Is it..Is it a classroom number?"

My muscles ached from nerve contraction. The goosebumps were never ending.

Her body was shaking as her dirty blonde wavered in air. The time was ticking, visiting hours would be over in less than five minutes.

"Hey Grace," I kneeled straight in front of her, making her eyes in line with mine. "Listen to me, calm down, It's okay calm down, we'll do this some other-

She slightly shook her head, her jaw clenched, tears flowing out of her eyes and her hands squeeze my fingers very slightly. There was no nurse near us and if this was the reason, I knew this was it.

"Okay then tell me, Is it a classroom number?" I softly spoke caressing her cheek wiping her tears. I knew no one can understand her at this moment. How hard it must be for her to speak the truth when it was her nightmare we were talking about.

She nodded her head and then her eyes cut to mine.

She looked at me...

She looked at me after almost a whole year..

"Wall..i-nside...Four..ni-ne..one....A-ria," She stuttered but didn't stop. My tears left sliding down my cheek. A sob left my mouth as I hugged her standing on my knees. A muffled sob cried out of me but I was happy.

Beyond happy.

"Oh my God! Thank you Grace, you have no idea what's this clue can do." I backed away wiping my eyes. "We can finally bring justice to Beth and You. It'll all end finally. He will be behind the bars. I promise you that."

I didn't mentioned Max's name because it always made her situation worse.

Her eyes were stuck to mine and her lips were trembling. She clearly understood my words and smiled very slightly through pain. I prayed everyday for her recovery.

I lost Beth but I couldn't lose you, Grace.

The nurse came to take her inside as the weather started to get bad.

Patients started to walk back too. I stood up after biding my farewell to her and promised her to come back again.

The sudden change in wind made me frowned as the litter on the grass started to move around. Grey clouds were howering and just then it started to rain heavily but I didn't move.

Four nine one, inside, A wall...

Even it was just pieces, it was enough. All I had to do was think of possible things it'd mean. For sure I knew it was a classroom but still.

"It's more than nothing and I know I can do it, for you Beth," I looked up closing my eyes for a second. My body was completely soaked just then.

"We got it Beth....We finally got this," A smiled grew on my face but I didn't ignore this unsettling feeling in my chest. This uneven heartbeat of fear.

"Ma'am you're soaking, please come inside, it's a storm!" A nurse called out from inside as I looked behind over my shoulder before to the sky.

My eyes roamed around the dark clouds and the silence before I walked back inside but the loud thunder that roared made me flinch and I covered my ears with my hands.

It was louder than bombs.

What was happening?

I wasn't afraid but this all always has made sense in some way so it made me a little worried. I took my coat and wore it before left the hospital. I had to think something for tomorrow.

All the bus ride I was thinking about her answers. Four nine one could be a classroom number but what was wall & inside? If I remembered enough four nine one would be on the second floor and last year there was some construction happening on that floor.

And that was the floor Grace fell.

The bus stop as I stepped off in a puddle and with another loud scary thunder I closed my eyes tightly but right then something clicked inside me.

My eyes widened.

Four nine wall, A wall.

Oh my God...

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