by Marcus Weber
Paige’s eyes darted up to the television hanging on the wall in front of her bed. The television volume was muted, but close captioning was turned on. Antonio’s face flashed on the screen.
FORMER NBA PLAYER, TURNED CRIMINAL,
SHOT ON HIS WEDDING DAY.
Irritated, Paige moaned, gagging against the tube again. The heart monitors reacted with a high-pitched screech.
“What’s going on?” the nurse returned, hands on her hips.
“Something upset her,” the other nurse stated, following Paige’s line of vision.
Paige’s eyes were glued to the television screen. Warm tears flowed from her eyes, trailing into her hairline. She strained against the arm restraints. Her entire body tensed. Heated daggers of pain shot through her back and shoulder with every movement.
“I think she wants to hear this,” the nurse said, nodding toward the television. She grabbed the remote and raised the volume. Paige relaxed her head on the pillow as she listened to the tail end of the newscast.
“Police authorities say when the smoke cleared, four people were found dead, including two alleged gunmen. Six others were seriously injured. So far, police have not offered any speculation about a motive for the tragic wedding day massacre. Police say that Antonio Roberts was working for reputed crime boss, Emil Cartwright. There is not proof that his ties to Cartwright is directly linked to the shooting.”
Scenes from the wedding flashed across the screen before the newscast went to commercial. Paige shifted restlessly in her bed.
“Shhh. . . . You have to stay calm,” the nurse comforted as she plunged a sedative into Paige’s intravenous line. “This will help,” she whispered as the medicine entered her bloodstream. Paige squeezed her eyes shut, and Antonio showed up on the insides of her eyelids. She didn’t know if he was dead or alive, or how the rest of their lives would turn out now. She felt more afraid than ever.