“Just take your hands away from your face!”
She shakes her head furiously, clutching both hands to her face as though it’s the only thing that might anchor her.
“My face!” She screams, louder than anyone else in the room, even though there are sirens and people shouting she is louder than all of it. So loud it carries to every inch of the building. A cry of agony and despair.
“Please! We can help you! Just- you’ll have to let us- sit down please- what’s your name-“
The words merge together and there could be a dozen people speaking but it’s like there’s something wrong with her ears because she can’t understand how she can almost hear the words before the people say them.
“Her face! Her face! Oh god don’t make me look-I won’t you can’t make me-“
She won’t calm down. She’s becoming almost hysterical. And of course here in this epicentre of calmness, of wellbeing, that isn’t tolerable so it shouldn’t be surprising that she soon falls into a deep whirlpool of sleep. But still, strangely, her hands remain attached to her pale face.
One of the nurses attempts to tug them away. His eyes widen with shock as they stay exactly where they are. Another nurse reaches over to help, and their combined efforts finally succeed.
It would have been better if they hadn’t tried.
The small gaggle of people stare down at the girl, faces painted almost comically with horror and fear.
“She…..”
She has no face.
