Chapter 1
Infinite silence was interrupted first by a series of rhythmic electronic chirps, then by the subtle hum of florescent lights. It wasn't the sound that forfeited his location but the smell, the familiar scent of latex and industrial strength cleaner, a unique bouquet that comes together only in hospitals.
As the lids of his eyes began to part all was whited out by the harsh glow of florescent light. Jared closed his eyes tight and tried again, this time more slowly and as he did the white light gave way to white sheets and sterile white walls. At first the world around was out of focus until a series of blinks revealed the speckled detail of an off white dropped ceiling panel. As he focused on the craters and valleys of the panel the textures surrounding his body began to come clear: the course touch of cheap sheets, the dull ache of an IV, the squeeze of a bandage around his left forearm.
His lips were cracked and dry, his mouth full of cotton. Thirst overtook him. His eyes scanned the room for relief. To his right, atop a side table, sat a pitcher of water and small paper cup. He started to reach when he felt the cold steal tugging at his wrist.
The realization shocked him. He looked down knowing what he would see. Handcuffs, he was cuffed to the bed, but why? He searched his mind but there was nothing there. The last thing he could recall was dropping his daughter off at school. How long ago was that? A day, a week, he couldn't remember.
With his left hand he stroked his chin, his fingers brushed across an unkempt forest of facial hair. A week at least he guessed. He needed to know for sure. Why was he handcuffed, what had he done and where was his family.
“Hello”, he coughed out. Someone had to be near; someone had to know what was going on. “HELLO” he tried again.
The door swung open and in stepped a uniformed police officer. “So you’re awake. What’s the problem?”
“What happened? Why am I here? Where is my family?”
“Oh, so you’re going with that story hu? You’re telling me you don’t remember butchering your family? It’s all over the news.” A wave of terror washed over Jared.
The officer reached up and turned on the set. It buzzed to life and soon Jared was looking back at himself from the set. The officer gave Jared a cold look, flipped open his cell phone, stepped back into the hallway and closed the door.
The headline read ‘War Hero Murders Family’. Comments regarding PTSD and mental illness scrolled across the bottom of the screen. A pretty blonde woman gave her best impression of concern as she dished out the gory details.
“…responding officers found the home owner, Jared Wilson, unconscious and bleeding in the garage. His wife, Sarah Wilson, and the couple’s 3 year old son were found in the kitchen with multiple stab wounds. The couple’s 9 year old daughter was at school at the time of the event and is now in the custody of Child Protective Services. Police spokesperson Kevin Carter told Channel 10 news that husband and father, Jared Wilson, had been charged with the murders of his wife and son in what appears to be a murder suicide attempt. Court records show that Wilson, a former marine and veteran of both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, had a history of post…”
Jared knew the rest of this story. What he didn't know is what had happened since dropping Jenny off at school. Everything after that was blank. All he knew for certain was that he had to get out of here. He needed to know what happened and that wasn't going to happen shackled to a bed.
The first thing he needed to tackle was the handcuff. Only his right arm had been secured to the bed frame. Jared went about removing his IV. Using the needle he soon had the cuff off and then all he had to do was wait and cross his fingers.
To his surprise, and fortune, in stepped the nurse, a male nurse. He drew the curtain around Jared and went about tending to the patient. “So you’re awake” he started, “how are you feeling?”
“Thirsty, very thirsty” Jared answered.
“Let’s get this catheter out and then we can take care of that.”
The nurse finished his duty and then set about retrieving a cup of water. As he turned his back to the patient the last thing the nurse heard was “Sorry”, and Jared sunk in the choke hold. In a matter of seconds the nurse was unconscious and Jared made the switch.
Moments later a male nurse exited the room and made for the nearest exit. It wouldn't be long before calls for help would give away his escape. Jared had to find out what had happened, he knew he wouldn't be able to do it alone, but who could he trust?
