" I'm not CRAZY! " I scream at Jana.

" Sure looks like it," I hear someone mutter.

I jump off my hospital bed and glance around to look for the culprit. There are six beds, most of them have green curtains drawn around them. A teenage boy sat on the bed opposite me gives me a nod.

" You sure are, newbie-" He takes a look at the wall behind me. I twist around and see there is my name written on it for all to see," Linda. "

Eurghh, why does everyone assume that I like being called Linda?!?

" It's Melinda to you . . . Jim Stewart," I say after glancing at his whiteboard-majigy.

He sighs," Lucky I'm out of here soon. Your people are a yawn. "

How dare he say my people? How dare he say I'm a yawn! I'll show him!

Jana appears by my side," Oi, Stewart. We ain't a yawn, now leave Linda here alone." 

He gives her a sarcastic salute," Well, Linda. Welcome to the world of mad."

Linda? You think, I have better people to be welcomed by! Oh, and I might be crazy but I'm not barking mad.

Jana smiles at me," Don't mind him, anyways there are people thousands times better here to see you. "

I instantly feel guilty as I remember that one girl I know who can't see anyone because she's so ill.

Jana doesn't notice, and says," One sec." 

She strides through the aisle in between all the residents of this hell.

" The one on my left is Hector, the one on my right is Sid. The one on your left is Dina, the one on your right is Lily. And Katherine used to be in your bed, she was a right bore. "

Okay, that's enough champ, I'm not stupid.

" It's not her fault Katherine was a 'right bore', it's not anyone's fault so get lost will you? "

I race to the green curtains and swing them around  my 'room.'

" Can't," I hear him retort from outside my 'room,'" Thing is I'm stuck here, with you. 'Least I'll be out of here soon. "

" Can't wait," I call back.

He needs showing who's boss.

I walk around my room, staring at its emptiness and loneliness. I think of Helena, saving my life and me, being a stupid idiot to her. She's a huge stupid, idiotic brat, that I am sure of. But I'm not so sure if she's heartless or not. But it's 100% true she's stuck in hospital close to death because of me-

My curtains fly open. My hands curl into fists, if it's that bratty Stewart-

Grim, worried adults enter my room. Mum and Dad look at me with hopeful eyes. It's a bit like the kidnapping only I can sense there's less tension and a lot more hope. 

Tears seeped out of Mum's eyes," W-when we got th-the phone call we-we were worried . . . "

I know what she means, she was worried I was Helena. I really really wish I was.

Dad ran up to me and gave me a hug.

I feel someone staring at me, uninvited. Stewart.

I yank my head around and catch him in the act. He looks at me guiltily then turns away to look at some magazine.

I begin whip the curtains around my room. Dad holds his hand up. I pause.

" There's someone else," he says.

A small figure slips through the small gap that the curtains aren't taking up, dragging something behind him. Dad goes to Kick and helps him with a large bag?

Kick looks at me. Not a I'm-only-doing-this-because-I-have-to look or a I'm-only-doing-this-because-I-have-to-fit-in-and-pretend-to-love-you-being-my-sister look but a little smiley look.

I feel an uninvited stare on my back ( again ) and shut the curtains completely.

" Hey, " Kick said shyly.

" Hey, " I nodded at the large bag," That couldn't be for me, could it? "

" Melinda! " Mum sighed," Really girl, what to do with you? "

Dad just laughed and left an uncomfortable silence. Jana had slipped off.

My heart thudded unsteadily. 

" Mum, " I whispered, " Is-is Helena all right? "

Dad gave me a small smile, " I was wondering what the full story is. I'll see Jana about it, coming Rick? " 

Rick followed him, I watched him look sad. He still hasn't got anything for his room. Everything's about me. My problems. But no one's given him much thought. It's not fair. 

My stomach feels empty, not hungry but lonely and I feel even more guilty.

Mum is quiet and looks at my room, " It's lovely, I love it. "

" Mum? "

" She'll be fine, oh yes, just a little smile and a bandage and she'll live to her forties . . . nineties, look Linda, she'll be fine. She's Helena, she's brave and strong- I mean isn't she? " 

She's trying to convince herself as well as me . . . It must be bad.

My face crumples up.

" Oh love, I know she is. " She ruffles my hair and looks more worried.

" Mum, tell me the truth. Is she un-unconscious, is she ill, is she in ICU, has she got cancer, is-is . . . " I couldn't bear to say the word," d-d-dea-"

" No, of course not. She's just a-a little ill," I raise my eyebrows then crumple into tears.

" She hasn't got cancer, she's just broken a few bones and lost a little-lot of blood. She was hit in the stomach and is having breathing difficulties . . . It's not that bad. " She added feebly.

I broke down, breathing difficulties? I feel like I'm next.

My breaths came out in shaky rasps.

" Linda! " Mum instructed, " Breathe in, a-and out. In . . . Out. In . . . Out. "

She kept that up for a while and eventually I calmed down a little.

" Linda, I'm ever so sorry but Sara's at home with some random friend of Ms Clawner's called Friha. Freyha? Oh I don't know, and the couple that smashed into you are mad and saying it's all your fault. Oh it's not love. And the police want to know more about the kidnapping and what just happened and- " 

She was talking rapidly, her brow creasing into a forever frown.

" Mum," I say firmly and gently ( I hope )," You go where you need to go, I'll be fine. Love you. "

I smile and wave as she goes, a tear trickling down my cheek.

The curtains are open, and Stewart walks to me and tries ( but fails ) to shake my hand, " You might not be here long either. I'm Jim. "

I know, Stewart.

" Thanks, but no thanks. " I slam the curtains shut. 

Wow Linda, you go. You just lost the one and only person that can help you in this place. Jana peeps through the curtains. Well, maybe not . . .