Elle Joyner
Fracturer of Fairytales
The Candidate
"Good evening, New York. Justine Strandberg here with the nightly report. Tragedy struck the political circuit last night, when Presidential Candidate, Senator Gerard Gibbs was killed in a traffic accident on the JFK Expressway. Gibbs' daughter was also in the car with the Senator - no word on her condition at this time. Gibbs' campaign manager, Charlie Strathmann reports there was no foul play involved in the incident, but sources reveal an invesitagtion has been called for. Senator Gibbs' brother, Rupert Gibbs was found murdered earlier this spring in his Fort Lauderdale home, and police suspect the senator's death may be related. No word yet on how these developments will reflect in the political race.
"In other news, St. Mary's Chapel in Belleville is under investigation for the deaths of three Russian men found in a van outside the ch--"
The dull drone of the newscaster on the television was muffled by the sound of a knock and Elia shifted her gaze to the door as a nurse peered into the room, "You have a visitor, Ms. Gibbs..."
Slowly, Elia nodded and the nurse stepped back to allow the figure behind her inside, "El, Baby girl... How are you?" The stout face which peeked in behind the nurse belonged to her guardian, Charlie Strathmann. He was a large man with a bright, red face, devoid of any hair and a wide, fat neck, squished by a necktie he insisted on wearing, no matter the occasion. Stepping into her room, Charlie sank down into a chair beside the bed, his overstuffed suit jacket buldging out as he breathed a heavy, somber sigh. Out of respect, he waited for an answer - though none ever came - and when he continued a moment later, Elia simply turned her face back to the television set.
"I'll be giving a press statement this afternoon. I just wanted to stop by and check with you... If... if you've got anything you'd like said?" Silence fell through the room again and Charlie leaned forward, resting his chin in his hands, "El... You'll have to talk, sooner or later."
Steel grey eyes moved slowly back to the manager, narrowing in silent, obstinate defiance. Charlie straightened and blinked a few times before he rose to his feet. He wouldn't argue with her.... He couldn't. The doctors had said it would take some time for her to recover - and even after the fact, there would be damage. Whether her silence was a result of the PTSD or simply a parallel of emotional pain she was in, it wouldn't help to push her until she was ready...
"Alright, El. I'll check back in a few hours. If you need me, call me..." But even Charlie knew... She wouldn't call for anyone, no matter how much she needed them - regardless of what happened.
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