I knew revealing the name meant “DANGER” to me personally. I confess that I did think over it in the beginning. But then she was the only friend I had. She was more than a family member to me and not a mere friend or a roommate. How could I be quiet about the facts then?“Miranda” is what I had told the FBI agent standing outside Allison’s hospital room.
Unable to follow me she had asked if I cared to repeat.
“Prime suspect is Miranda.” I said louder than before maintaining a direct eye contact.
Giving me a suspicious look, she asked me to follow her to her boss. I am here since then and they have been questioning me on this for the last 28 hours. All I can do is laugh at them because the prime suspect is still out, free and blissfully ignorant of how the world is turning against her.
It was four days ago that I had received a call from a mate informing that Allison has had an accident and is hospitalized. I was completely taken aback. I parked my car on the side for about 10 minutes to regain my senses. Without wasting any more time, I held onto the reverse gear, turned the steering wheel to the right, hit the accelerator and was on my way back to Cardiff. I could not leave her alone solely because without her I would have been a loner myself and I know how much that sucks. Just outside the hospital, I brought her favorite white lilies. It had taken me an entire 6 hours to drive back to Cardiff and I had not got any update on her condition.
Entering into her room was not as easy as I thought. There were FBI officials all over the floor. They demanded ID card and details of every visitor. I was no exception. I remember divulging a little too many details about myself than asked for and also sensing a suspicious look from the face of the exact FBI agent I had revealed my statement to. With a little shaky voice, I had told “Hi! I am K- Kr- Katherine Miller”. Finally, when I got into the room the sight before me almost took my breath away. It did not take too much time for me to realize that she is in Coma. A nurse came by and whispered into my ears- “That was quiet a fall I must say. Since you are the first visitor to come in, I think I should tell you that she has hurt her head quiet bad.” I had looked at her with tears in my eyes and then barged out of the room. Thankfully, no one stopped me. I remember sitting in my Car the entire night sipping coffee. A lot of emotions took over me but as always somehow, I couldn’t cry out loud and make myself light.
The call from the FBI forced me to go back to the room, freshen up and meet them at the FBI office. My hostel was functioning as always. Mrs. Lewis was sweeping all the leaves that had fallen the previous day while Mr. Fletcher was completely involved in Gardening and there were some students around. It was when I got out of my Car that I heard someone calling out my name. I knew it had to be Grace since I did not really have friends around except Allison who was hospitalized and Grace.
Not even waiting to take a breath and panting heavily she said- “She fell through that stairs as she was heading outside to meet someone. Anyways, where have you been the whole night? I couldn’t believe they let you see Allison. None of us were let in. Anyways, how is she doing?”
I looked at her feet and replied- “She is in bad shape.”
She then pointed to a corner and said that the black soil was from there and she had accidently stepped into it. I just smiled in return and informed her that I had to leave to the FBI in some time. As she accompanied me to my room and tried discussing what had actually happened to Allison. I had to ask her to stop talking in the corridors and that we would discuss it in the room. It seemed like she was dying to speak her heart out. On reaching, she slammed the door behind her and was about to sit on the chair, when I insisted her to clean her feet. While she was away, I took a clear view of our twin shared room. Nothing seemed out of place.
“There was not a single drop of blood Katherine” Grace yelled as she came out of the restroom. “I can’t believe she is in Coma.”
“Internal Hemorrhage” I said unloading my luggage and ensuring that her feet is clean. “intern… what?” She continued. “How do you know so many things Kate?”As soon as I stepped into the restroom I stepped out, turned around and asked Grace- “How did you know about Allison being in Coma?”“Through Miranda’s roommate” was her instant reply. Miranda was Allison’s identical twin. Though they both had very different aspirations and circle of friends, they were amicable to each other. I couldn’t help but worry on Miranda’s whereabouts when Grace claimed that she couldn’t get in touch with Miranda. I was rejuvenated after a bath and another cup of Caffeine. Later, I went to check on Miranda’s roommate who was just leaving for an entire week holiday and learnt that she has been to Derby for a cultural fest. The next very second I was on my way to the FBI. Mr. Joshua greeted me into his office where another 3 officials were already seated. Minutes into the conversation I had realized that they are not only far from identifying the criminal but also where nowhere close to the specifics. Flabbergasted to learn that they had not known about Miranda until I mentioned it, I couldn’t help but mention that it was very disheartening to see them investigating it with such low gusto. I was then asked to leave with an intimation that I can be called in anytime. As I drove to the hospital, I received a call from Miranda. Another shocker came in when I heard that she wasn’t aware anything about Allison. Finally, she dropped the call telling she will come in directly to the hospital.It was almost one and a half hour that I was sitting in a chair adjacent to Allison. I had gulped 2 cups of Caffeine more, read some pages of bible, on a very low pitch played her favorite Jukebox Hero by Foreigner from my cell phone when there was a knock on the door. A FBI agent came in and handed over to me all of Allison’s belongings ensuring to inform that they have just arrived from the forensic department. I took them and unsealed the cover only to notice that Allison was wearing my Red Gown which was now tattered. On a detailed check I observed that the black stilettos, the pearl bracelet and the silver pendant were all mine. I couldn’t make sense of anything and looked over to Allison with a blank expression. She couldn’t help me out too. As I sat down, I recollected that Allison had mentioned about going to a prom and had checked if she could wear my gown. Sadly, either she hadn’t mentioned when it was or it was me who couldn’t recollect. It was right then that Miranda arrived.She barged in and went right to Allison and began to cry. I have always screwed up trying to console people and chose to remain quiet noticing the some strange footprints on the floor. Just then, Miranda looked up to thank me and said that she had to directly come from Derby as she was the only one for Allison since their parents had passed away in a crash 3 years ago. She also mentioned that she had reached half an hour back but FBI wouldn’t let her in until the questioning was done. I was completely bemused considering what I was discovering. Even though she kept mumbling things I chose to walk out of the room. On finding the FBI agent outside I had told initially with disbelief and later with conviction- “MIRANDA”.I know the threatening situation will now arise. After all when the investigation proceeds I will have to now reveal to them that I am not Katherine Miller.To be continued....HPK!
