Angel of Mercy

Note: This is only the beginning of a story I have been told should become a novel. I am making a number of revisions and have done a lot of research, and it is simply scary how everything is fitting as if a puzzle being put together. It has large religious overtones. I love using imagery as dialogue tends to pollute my plots. Please leave comments so I may revise accordingly. I only have the first section done so far, so please bear with me.

Time slowed, the crescendo and decrescendoing whoosh of solid metal shafts tore through the warm evening air, the heaviness forcing the helicopter over the city holding its breath watching in disbelief. On the ground, blinding white spotlights held their unblinking gaze towards the building roof, keeping their ghostly target in sight. Police officers restrained bystanders - pedestrians, drivers, those who witnessed the event on television. The broken pavement held in suspension, mystically floating in teh soft amber shadows of the falling sun as dusk claimed the land. Their creation a mere three hours earlier had stopped all traffic, the squealing tires and burning rubber resulting in car pile-ups in every direction. Onlookers raised their stairing eyes as the little girl ascended each makeshift cement block step as it tore itself from the ground raising to meet her silent sure footsteps. The city held its breath in anticipation. On top of the tallest building, the girl finally lowered her unseeing gaze from the heavens and opened her eyes.

"Congratulations, it's a girl!" The doctor handed the newborn to its mother and father. "Have you chosen a name for her?"

Mary looked at the father and smiled widely. "Jessica. Her name will be Jessica." She looked down into her daughter's large knowing grey eyes that watched her. "It's a miracle she was ever conceived. When we found out we were pregnant, we decided it was because God saw our everlasting faith and granted us our greatest desire," she continued, "Jessica is Hebrew for 'God sees.' It suits her very well." The doctor nodded in agreement and left the couple to greet the new member to their family. Minutes passed in the pink and orange glow of the welcoming morn that found its way through the open window, the quietness slowly surpassing their content happiness. Mary and David became distressed with the increasingly disconcerting absence filling the room. Something felt unnatural. "Doctor! Please come quick!"

Panic increased in Mary's voice as nurses came to calm her, the doctor appearing behind them. "She isn't making any sound - my baby - why isn't she making any sound?" The nurses took the baby away from the concerned parents, setting her on a table for the doctor to perform a thorough test. He lowered his stethoscope from his ears and met the mother's tear-filled eyes.

"I am sorry, but your daughter is incapable of producing sound. She is mute." He turned to a nurse, "take Jessica to check for any other defects that may not be readily apparent." With that, the medical entourage escorted the young Jessica away from her worried parents.

>>>fast forward time>>>

White walls filled Jessica's grey eyes as the six year old observed her surroundings. Everything appeared serene and peaceful contrasting the distraught and worn expression on her mother's contorted face. Her mother's hand completely engulfed her own small hand as they walked towards the reception desk. A sign engraved into the marble desk read "Zion Children's Mental Institute, dedicated to making all children healthy." Jessica's eyes wandered down the hallway off to the right, glimpsing a middle-aged man pushing a silent cart full of small white cups. The quiet tinking of a bee against one of the large front windows in the seating area drew her attention away as her mother began speaking to the receptionist.

"I made an appointment today to see one of the doctors and the facilities. Last name, Christianson. First name, Mary. He'll be seeing my daughter, Jessica." Jessica's gaze fixed on the window, watching a gathering of bees and butterflies fluttering just outside of the glass.

"Please have a seat right over there. The doctor will be with you shortly. He'll want to do a short physical on your daughter as well, for our personal records. We'll need your consent with these papers you can fill out while you wait." Mary let go of her daughter's hand and took the clipboard from the receptionist. Without blinking, Jessica moved towards the window, fixated on the objects on the opposite side of the pane. Mary walked towards the nearest seat, face down reading the papers. Jessica placed her hand on the window, catching the receptionist's attention. "That's a pretty daughter you have there. Quiet though."

Mary looked up from her writing and looked at the woman behind the counter. She seemed young, too young to be working at a mental institute. "She's mute." The woman looked back at Jessica apologizing. Calmly and well versed, she replied, "it was God's will. I was at least blessed with a child." She took the finished form back to the receptionist as the doctor emerged from the hallway.

"Hello, Ms. Christianson. My name is Dr. Smith. I will be taking care of your daughter during her stay here. Let me show you around, we have several play areas I am sure your daughter will enjoy." Mary nodded and looked back to Jessica.

"We don't understand what is wrong. She's not ill... we just don't understand." Dr. Smith nodded and they sat in silence for a moment before Mary called to Jessica. "Come here, Jessica. Dr. Smith is going to show us your new room." Jessica turned towards her mother meeting her gaze. Mary quickly looked away and held out her hand for her. The three of them walked down the hall as the doctor explained the medical research progress of the staff. The receptionist looked up at the window to see the insects through the glass in the shape of a handprint.