Sitting Target by John Townsend

Author:John Townsend
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Badger Learning
Published: 2014-08-23T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 5

THE TOP FLOOR

The clinic was a maze of corridors. At last Lee came to a flight of stairs with the sign: ‘PRIVATE WARDS – top floor’. There was no way he could get up there in time. He’d have to take the lift.

As he skidded into the lift, Lee thumped the button for the top floor and the doors slid shut. It was only then he thought, What do I do now? He was about to ask for a list of names from a stranger who was dying. It all seemed hopeless. He’d never get to the room in time. Not if he still had to get past the police guard. And where was the dreaded Zeta?

The lift stopped and the doors opened. Lee raced out into a long corridor full of hospital smells – but no people. The shiny floor and white doorways were empty – apart from a cleaner in green overalls. And at the far end, on a chair by a door, sat a policeman. Lee headed towards him. A doctor in a white coat swept past without taking any notice. That was a good sign. Lee clearly didn’t look out of place. A nurse came past with a trolley. “Hello, love,” she smiled.

The policeman was reading a book, but he looked up as Lee got closer.

“What can I do for you, young man?”

Lee pulled an envelope from under his cushion. “I’ve made a card. A ‘Get Well’ card.”

“Really?” the policeman frowned. “Who for?”

Lee looked up at the door. “For the person in room 12.”

“Do you know him?”

“I’m doing a project at school. To visit sick people. Can I give it to him?”

“Afraid not, son. No visitors allowed. Give me the card and I’ll pass it on.”

Lee feared this would happen. He’d have to use the pin in his pocket. He jabbed it into his leg and his eyes watered. “But I’ve come a long way and I made it all by myself. I just want to cheer him up to help him get better.” The tears spilled down his face. “I used to be in that room. After my accident. I know what’s it’s like to be stuck in there with no visitors. Please let me say hello. My teacher is waiting for me downstairs. I won’t take long. It’ll make my day. Please.” He sobbed into a hanky and waited.

The policeman sighed. He peered through the small window in the door. “He’s awake but it’s more than my job’s worth. I guess it won’t hurt. You don’t look like an assassin! Just say hello and give him the card. That’s all. Be quick. Come straight out again. Is that clear?”

Lee’s face lit up. “Thank you!” He pushed through the door, which swung shut behind him.

A man lay propped up in bed. He looked very pale, with dark rings round his eyes. He was young, but totally bald. His eyes were closed as he listened to an iPod. Lee’s chair knocked the bed and the man opened his eyes – startled.

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