The door opened, and Doctor Marianne walked back in, holding a chart:
"We've reviewed your scans. Everything looks in order. It looks like you have a mild concussion."
Black Gold jumped up and Doctor Marianne quickly added:
"But no serious injuries. You'll need to take it easy for a while, but you should recover fully.
-A mild concussion?"
Doctor Marianne looked at Black Gold gently:
"Don't worry, it's nothing serious. She just has to rest for the following days. She will be perfectly fine.
-Are you going to keep her here?
-There is no need for further observation.
-But what if she isn't fine? What if it gets worse? She should stay here until she is perfectly fine."
Doctor Marianne maintained her gentle smile:
"I understand your concerns, but I assure you, we've thoroughly checked everything. Mild concussions usually don't require extended hospital stays.
-Usually?
-Madame Dred just needs rest and to avoid any strenuous activity.
-You said usually.
-Yes, usually. In rare cases, symptoms can worsen, which is why it's important to monitor her closely for the next 24 to 48 hours. But from what I've seen, there's no indication that will happen here."
Black Gold still didn't look convinced.
"And if something does happen?"
Doctor Marianne handed Black Gold a paper that she started reading very seriously:
"This is a list of symptoms that you should watch out for. If any of them appear during the following days, you should bring her back immediately. But, statistically speaking, she should recover without any complications.
-Wouldn't it be best if she stayed here so if something happened she could immediately be taken care of?"
Camie patted Black Gold's arm:
"I'll be with my father and knowing him I won't be left unsupervised for a second. If anything happens I'll immediately let him know."
Black Gold took a deep breath.
"Alright... But if anything happens, you should immediately call an ambulance.
-Okay, I promise."
Black Gold finally nodded which made Doctor Marianne smile.
"It's settled then. Just make sure that you get plenty of rest and stay hydrated. If you need anything or have any questions, don't hesitate to call."
The Doctor handed Camie her personal number:
"If you need anything at all, don't hesitate.
-Thank you.
-Now all that we need is your legal guardian's signature and you will be good to go.
-My father is on his way. He will be here soon.
-Great. Until then I won't be far.
-Thank you for everything.
-Please, I am simply doing my job."
Soon after, Camie's father rushed into her room:
"Camie! Are you okay? I thought I would have a heart attack!"
Her father almost squeezed life out of her and she had to hit his back:
"Dad! I can't breathe!
-I'm so sorry! Where is the doctor? What happened to you? Do you need an organ? I'll give you mine.
-Dad! I'm fine.
-She has a mild concussion."
Camie's dad finally noticed Black Gold but he was more interested in Camie's condition than the reason for Black Gold's presence:
"A mild concussion?"
He looked like it was the end of the world and Black Gold wasn't helping. She continued enumerating everything the doctor said and both of them seemed to agree on Camie staying longer in the hospital.
"She has only been here for a few hours. She's fine now but who knows when it could get worse. She should stay some more.
-That is exactly what I suggested.
-Then we agree. I will immediately talk to the doctor and have Camie stay for two more days in observation."
Black Gold quickly nodded and Camie had to jump up to grab her father:
"Don't! The Doctor was adorable, she doesn't deserve this. She said I was completely fine. I just need to rest for two days. I will be able to rest way better at home."
That was when Camie's friends showed up and seeing Camie grabbing her father made them frown:
"What happened? Who hurt you?
-Who do we have to beat up?"
Everyone ignored Black Gold again and Théa did find it unusual to be left behind. Not that she minded. She was way too focused on Camie who's father filled the girls in.
"Camie, you should stay here. Who would be better to observe you than a doctor?
-But maybe she really will rest better in her own space.
-But she won't be looked after every second.
-She will. I won't leave her alone for a second."
Hearing things getting out of hand, Doctor Marianne came back into the room with a professional smile:
"I apologize for the disturbance but could you keep it down? Madame Dred needs rest."
Everyone immediately looked at Camie and apologized.
"It's okay."
Camie didn't remember how but they finally agreed that Camie would be better off at home. They spent the next few seconds gathering Camie's things and preparing to leave. Once ready, a nurse came in with a wheelchair which made Camie frown.
"Hospital policy.
-Oh... Okay."
Camie thought that it was better than having Black Gold carrying her again and she sat down. Black Gold pushed the wheelchair, still wanting to help any possible way. Camie asked her if she was sure she wanted to follow them outside. She was still worried about the journalists. Fortunately she didn't see any of the patients or members of the staff take pictures. They did stare at them discreetly and Camie couldn't be mad at them. Who wouldn't stare when they saw Black Gold? But the journalists weren't going to be that respectful.
Camie's father put a hand on her child's shoulder before smiling at Black Gold:
"Thank you for your help."
He let her push his daughter's wheelchair without questions asked and they made their way to the exit together. The hospital hallways were quiet, and Camie felt a mixt of relief and exhaustion. She started having a hard time keeping her eyes open now that everything was over and she felt like she had spent four days in the hospital.
Once close to the entrance, Camie woke up and turned to Black Gold, worried. She could already hear the journalists outside:
"Wait!"
Black Gold did stop but instead of waiting inside, she bent down towards Camie:
"Could you please give me a second?"
Camie didn't have time to answer that Black Gold was already outside. All she could see was black and soon after Black Gold walked back inside.
"I'm sorry."
She pushed Camie outside and the latter wasn't even surprised that there weren't journalists left. She looked up at Black Gold and she could feel Black Gold's smile through the black smoke.
Black Gold helped Camie sit inside the car when she really didn't need any help.
"I should probably go now. I am leaving you in good hands."
Black Gold didn't have time to turn around that Camie grabbed her arm:
"Thank you! I... Thank you for everything.
-You don't need to thank me. I'm just glad you're safe."
Camie's father finally calmed down a bit and could remember Black Gold. He rushed up to her before grabbing her hands in turn:
"Thank you so much for saving my daughter. I am forever grateful to you. If you ever need anything, you can always count on me.
-I didn't do it for recognition. I just...
-I know.
-I..."
Black Gold didn't seem to know what to say and she lowered her head embarrassed:
"Thank you."
Camie's father hugged Black Gold and the two of them exchanged a few words that Camie couldn't hear.
Little bonus:
Once ready, a nurse came in with a wheelchair which made Camie frown.
"Hospital policy.
-Fine, but just to make sure Black Gold doesn't carry me all the way out."
Black Gold smirked:
"No promises."