Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

"Zip it! Don't you know the condition my grandma's in? How could you just leave her alone in a strange place? It's a miracle nothing happened! What if she really got burned? Could you live with the consequences?" Andrea kept scolding.

"This old lady seems a bit off."

"So she really is out of it, huh? In that condition, she shouldn't be left to wander."

The bystanders, listening to Andrea's words, shook their heads in disapproval at Mrs. Bernice Madden. Mrs. Bernice Madden kept her head down, not saying a word. Lizetta quickly walked over, took Mrs. Bernice Madden's arms in her hands, and bent down to ask softly.

"Grandma, are you hurt anywhere? Did you get burned?"

Mrs. Bernice Madden looked up at Lizetta, her eyes brightening with recognition. She nodded like a child who had found a parent after being bullied.

"Elsa, I didn't wander off, I was looking for a doctor. It hurts here, blow on it..."

hand, revealing a red patch with two blisters on the back of

she hadn't come to see you." Andrea immediately

let's get that looked at." Andrea led the old

patient from before. If it weren't for them, it could've been more than just a burn on the back of the hand. It seemed like that young person got burned on the arm..." "Hey, where

Lizetta paused, instinctively

her surroundings. At

of the hallway by the emergency exit, she thought she saw a tall figure in a hospital gown push through the door. Could

for a moment, Lizetta quickly made her way toward the emergency exit. Pushing the door open, she wasn't sure whether to go up or down when she caught a glimpse of a figure in the corner. Lizetta spun around,

person

to come through the door. The onlit cigarette hung from his lips but the lighter's flame hadn't been extinguished