CHAPTER 5:

Zaria’s Nonsense

“You’re lucky. You got here just in time, and you didn’t take that big of a dose.” A nurse said, writing something on her clipboard. “I knew I wouldn't,” Zaria replied and smiled. What seemed like hundreds of tubes connected to her arms. IV tubes everywhere, almost getting tangled in each other. Sending her fluids, sedatives, and antidotes. Her heart monitor was beeping steadily but her breathing was a bit heavier. It was one of the smarter things Zaria has ever done in her life: Purposely give herself poison. Though others may think it was stupid, Zaria thought it was a huge benefit. Especially now that she knows how Sandra died.

It had been a few hours since she drank ink. The sun wasn’t hiding in the clouds anymore and it was the afternoon. Visiting hours finally start, which Zaria is delighted but irritated to find out. She wants to share what she found out but doesn’t want to sound weird while talking. And her being interrupted by ‘Are you okay?’ and ‘Why would you do that?’ and ‘Are you stupid?’ 

As soon as the door opened, Alexander busted in, accidentally pushing the nurse. “Are you stupid?!” He said, slightly raising his voice. ‘He had hours to think of the first thing to say to me and that’s the best he could do?’ Zaria thought, rolling her eyes and her brother came in. “I second that.” He commented, pushing Alexander out of the way and coming to Zaria’s side. “What were you thinking!?” Leon yelled, and then followed a nurse telling him to lower his voice. Samera then came through the door, the only calm one in this situation. Then followed Max and Diana, her coworkers. Five people surrounded her and waited for her to talk. To say anything, explaining what she did. She didn’t. So Samera had to push.

“Why would you do that, Zaria?” Samera asked, gently. Holding her hands in concern. Zaria smiled and started giggling. Confusing everyone but her brother. “Zaria.” Leon said, in a serious tone. Zaria focused her attention on him. “You promised you wouldn’t do something like this anymore.” As soon as that came out of Leon’s mouth Zaria quickly chuckled loudly, forcefully. “Wo-ah-oh! It’s not that deep, no need to get all serious.” Zaria exclaimed, clearly hiding her discomfort behind that misleading grin of hers. “I thought we were past that–” “Listen.” Zaria insisted, her smile faltering for less than a second. “I was just doing what I was assigned to do. Samera wanted justice for her sister.” Zaria turned her attention to Samera. “And that’s what I’m going to do.”

“What do you m—” Max was cut off by Zaria. “No need to dwell on what my dumb brother is talking about.” She flicked his head and Leon backed up. “Anyways, I know how Sandra died. And unless you guys want to know, I suggest someone write this down.”  D.A. Alexander asked for a piece of paper. Samera hurriedly took a piece of paper out of her purse and handed it to D.A. Alexander. He reluctantly took it and took a pen from a nearby table. “Go ahead.”

“A little bit before five pm yesterday. I had left the mansion an hour ago. For some reason, Sandra’s ink pen was tampered with. Because a regular ink pen can’t just kill you like that. Not that quick. So, Sandra bites into her pen. She wants to get it off her clothes but I didn’t see any napkins or paper towels in her office so she goes down to the kitchen. She passes by Issac, the janitor, and into the kitchen she is. A little later, Thorn, the nanny, followed her in. There was a third person but Issac couldn’t recall who it was. After a while, Issac saw Thorn leaving with ink—not blood I think—on her apron and she threw it away. The mystery person had also come out with Thorn but Sandra stayed inside.” Zaria took a breath before continuing, her throat felt like sandpaper. 

“When I took whatever was in that pen, it made my muscles feel weak. It made me really sweaty even before I had started running. It was cutting my breath short and it felt like I couldn’t breathe. And when I fell, it felt like my whole body was being paralyzed. I couldn’t control how I was falling. That likely happened to Sandra as well. She grabbed the water bottle from the fridge to get the bitter taste out of her mouth and that's when the symptoms started. Maybe she grabbed the napkin before or after but she definitely grabbed it in a hurry since it was so crumbled up. The paralysis probably started kicking in and she fell backwards. Not being able to control where she was falling, she falls and hits her head on the table behind her and gets knocked unconscious on the floor. Later, whatever she took killed her. Something failed in her body. Maybe her lungs? Bronchi? Trachea? I have no idea. That will have…” Zaria yawned and felt her eyes getting droopy. “...to wait. Until the doctor gets back.” Zaria slipped under her covers, lying down and closing her eyes. “I’m not sleeping,” She stated clearly, “Just resting my eyes.”

From that information-dump, Max was very confused. Diana was too, way more than Max. Something clicked in Alexander when Zaria finished. Leon was annoyed but ultimately understood what Zaria was putting down. He had no idea what his sister had been doing since yesterday at 6. All he had to do was trust that the D.A. wouldn’t let her get into too much trouble. That’s the reason Alexander even came with Zaria in the first place; And Zaria herself just realized that too. 

“So what does that give us?” Alexander announced, arms folded and leaning against the wall. “A timeline.” Zaria mumbled quietly, "the first time ever since she was nineteen that she’s been quiet. “Thorn and someone else saw Sandra moments before she died. And I bet Sandra didn't know her pen was poisoned, so she didn’t rush to get anywhere like I did. Which is ultimately why she died and I didn’t. Thorn or that other person had to have seen Sandra going through the symptoms. Sandra came in after Thorn and that mysterious person. Not saying that Thorn or this mystery person is the culprit because now we know she was poisoned way before, not murdered in the kitchen suddenly.” 

Diana came up to Zaria’s side and held her hand. “Kid, please don’t do more dangerous stuff like this.” She said, her voice caring and sweet. “I know you wanted to prove a point—” “It’s not just that!” Zaria exclaimed, slightly raising her voice. “It would have taken me weeks to figure out what actually happened if I had waited for forensics.” Zaria looked away from Diana and looked at Samera standing near her feet. “Samera asked for me so that wouldn’t happen.” Everyone fell silent and stared at Zaria. “Just don’t overwork yourself.” Diana said finally. “I never do.”

After what felt like hours to Zaria, the doctor and nurse finally came inside. Finally giving answers to the questions in Zaria’s head. “Okay, being in a room with attorneys and what seems like a detective in a hospital bed, I’ll just give in full detail so you guys don’t bug me later.” The doctor came to Zaria’s side. Zaria had opened her eyes now that the doctor had arrived. “We think you were poisoned. To be more specific, Pyridostigmine Bromide.” 

“A Cholinesterase Inhibitor.” Alexander said. Everyone looked at him in awe. “I can know random facts too. You act like that’s reserved for Zaria.” Zaria chuckled a bit before the doctor continued. Leon stared at her. Not annoyed. Not even mad. Just scared. It was the kind of laugh he hadn’t heard since—no. He didn’t want to think about that. “Basically it can lead to internal failure in ten to thirty minutes, depending on how much you take. You were lucky you got here so fast and didn’t take that much or you would have had respiratory failure.” “So Sandra died from respiratory failure?” Samera asked, and the doctor nodded. “It’s possible.” 

Zaria seemed…disappointed in what the doctor had said. She knew he was going to say that but she felt weird about it. If only Sandra had known what was going on. If only someone caring would have realized what was happening. ‘If only…’ That thought kept repeating in Zaria’s head. She started feeling…regretful. Guilt. Shame. Sorrow. Every synonym for regret she could think of. Being here—at the hospital—with everyone that she cares about. It makes it feel like deja vu. She started feeling ways she hadn’t felt since she was a teen. She hated it. She hated dwelling on the past. It made her think of Zero. It made her think of Zero’s life. And she hated that. 

She sat there in silence while the doctor was explaining to everyone else the next step. She then heard the doctor mention that she would have to be in the hospital for two to four days. And as everyone—but the doctors—knew Zaria hated waiting. Her eyes widened and from that moment on, she started planning how she would get out of the hospital. Not only would she be put on pause from the case but her medical bills would run so high she wouldn’t be able to catch up anymore. 

“Zaria, please do better sweetheart.” Diana said as she was getting ready to leave with Max. “Take care Z!” Max jokingly saluted and so did Zaria back. They both headed out and she was left with Leon, Samera, and Alexander. “I should get going.” Leon whispered, leaving Zaria’s side. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” “Wow, can’t you stay with your sister all afternoon?” Zaria jokingly said, laughing but her voice was still raspy. “I’m busy. I have to cover Alexander’s shifts since he’s helping you adjust to the case.” Leon felt Zaria’s head with the back of his hand before sighing. “Don’t give the nurses a hard time.” He finally spat out while Zaria started laughing. “Don’t worry,” Zaria reassured him, “I won’t be in here long.” Little did Leon know that Zaria didn’t mean staying in here for two to four days, but leaving right as he would walk out. 

As soon as Leon hesitantly left, moments after Zaria started tugging at her IV cords. “Hey— What are you doing?” Alexander said, visibly concerned as to why she was trying to take off the things that kept her alive. “It’s boring here.” Zaria started scratching at the tape until Samera grabbed her hands. “Zaria, you need to stay.” Her voice was anxious and worried. “If I would have known I’d be staying two to four days, I would have never even come to the hospital.” Zaria sighed, “I would have just taken a vitamin or something.” Zaria started trying again until Samera stopped her. “Listen—I know you don’t want to be here but I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.” Zaria smiled bright and gave a thumbs up. “Listen, I can’t stay here for days. In days, that murderer is going to catch on. If they were smart enough to leave no trace with Sandra, they'd realize and amp. up their game!” Sandra stared at Zaria, knowing she was right in this case. Alexander let out an agreeing sign. “Plus, who wants to be stuck in a hospital gown getting room service? Where they check your blood every ten minutes.” Samera let out a laugh before letting go of Zaria’s hands. “You better not pass out anywhere or die later because of this.” She said, joking but meaning what she was saying. Zaria nodded and started picking at her IV cords again. 

“I’m definitely going to have blisters and red marks all over my arms.” Zaria said, carefully pulling out her last IV cord. Her arms were now a dark shade of red; being able to see it with her shade of complexion was worrisome. She had carefully pulled out the needles attached and told herself she would deal with the consequences later. She threw over the sheets and took off her heart monitor. She found her clothes sitting on a nearby chair and kicked Alexander out of the room while also making him look out. “Get out.” She said, grabbing all her clothes and her shoes. “Why?” “Because I’mma change and I don’t trust you not to look in the vending machine reflection.” Alexander, offended by Zaria comment muttered something as he walked to the door. “I can’t believe you dragged me into this,” He muttered as he opened and shut the door behind him. 

“I hope you know what you’re doing.” Samera said, grabbing her bags and everything. Zaria was now dressed in her usual chaotic outfit, ready to get back on the case she was deeply invested in now. “If I don’t see you after this Samera,” Zaria said, about to grab the door, “Thanks.” Samera flashed her sweet and caring smile and Zaria held the door for her. “Any nurses or doctors?” “No, you're fine.” Alexander said, leaning on the wall next to the door. “Well let’s get to steppin’!” Zaria looked around each corner before slightly jogging down the hallway with Alexander following. They made it all the way to the entrance and out the door despite many doctors and nurses seeing them. “Wonder why they don’t care.” Zaria asked, and Alexander gave a sly reply. “Well you’re allowed to leave on your own accord if you want. But considering you're crazy, they probably just didn’t want to stop you.” 

Zaria had stolen some bandaids on her way out to cover the marks on her arms and shoulder. “Whatever. I’m gonna solve this case with or without my veins intact.” She muttered while walking to Alexander’s car. 

“You’re weird.” Alexander commented, out of the blue. “Ya’ I kinda know that. Thanks for clarifying.” Zaria ran around Alexander’s car and jumped in the passenger seat. Resting her feet on the dashboard. “Drinking poison, knowingly; Pulling out your IV cords; Running away from a hospital.” Alexander mentioned, “And that’s only today. What about tomorrow? Are you going to do something reckless for the sake of being right? Of proving a point? Proving that you're better than everyone else?” Zaria didn’t even think before saying, “That’s tomorrow.” She sighed and slid back in the chair. “People who think of tomorrow, and people who think of the past are stuck. They’re like…pill bugs.” Zaria said, she started shivering as she mentioned it. She hated pill bugs so much, she refused to call them their nickname: Rollie Pollies. “Super slow and small. Never thinking about it at the moment. Always thinking of tomorrow or yesterday but never today. If we spent everyday wondering about the future and the past, how would we get anywhere? We would just stay stuck. Forever.” Alexander hesitated for a second, visibly shocked at the life lesson Zaria had just given him. But the moment was ruined as soon as he noticed that her shoes were dirty. He rolled his eyes and scoffed, grabbing the wheel and driving back to Elle Summer’s house. What Zaria said had stayed in his head for a while. “Always thinking of tomorrow or yesterday but never today.” Was she telling the truth? “We would just stay stuck. Forever.” Would we all just be stuck forever if we never thought about today? Zaria made a good point, and Alexander knew that. He just refused to admit a woman who had just drank poison was giving him a good lesson on life.