21. A Hospital Room
Her back to the room, Asherah looks out the window. Her blue outfit contrasts with the white walls around her. From time to time, a loudspeaker broadcasts a stifled call.
Suddenly, a man’s voice startles her.
THE WOUNDED MAN
Who are you?
Asherah turns around. The man lying in the only bed in the room has several drips attached to his arm. The machines that are beside his bed seem to be disconnected.
Asherah moves towards the bed.
ASHERAH
I’m the sister of the woman you helped. The nurse said I could wait in your room until you woke up. You are the last person to have seen my sister alive, —
THE WOUNDED MAN
I’m sorry…
ASHERAH
… and I would like to hear from you the details of what happened. But if it’s not the right moment for you, I can come back another time.
THE WOUNDED MAN
No, it’s alright. Anyway, it will never be the right moment…
Take a seat.
Asherah sits beside the bed.
THE WOUNDED MAN
I left work early that day to buy a gift for my wife, it was her birthday. I was going home when I heard the voice of a man in the small alley that always stinks of urine… He didn’t shout or anything, but it struck me because he sounded so furious… so threatening. It was dark, and I couldn’t see much, so I took a few steps in the alley. Behind a container, I saw two men pinning a woman to the ground. I thought that they were…
He stops, ill at ease.
ASHERAH
Raping her?
THE WOUNDED MAN
Yes. But there was something funny.
ASHERAH
What do you mean?
THE WOUNDED MAN
The woman didn’t struggle, she didn’t even move. I immediately thought she was dead.
The man who had his back turned to me seemed totally wound up, shouting things like: “You’re going to pay for this, bitch.”
(embarrassed)
Excuse me, I shouldn’t have said that.
ASHERAH
No, don’t worry about me, go on.
THE WOUNDED MAN
I wanted to call for help, but there was no one around. So, without really thinking, I jumped on the guy whose back was turned to me.
When I saw the knife, it was too late. I felt a horrible pain in the belly and I collapsed.
At that moment, I think I heard someone say, “she’s dead,” but I’m not really sure about that.
It’s only after the operation that I regained consciousness. The doctor told me that the body of your sister was savagely stabbed. He thought that it was the work of a jealous boyfriend… Dreadful! It’s really monstrous.
ASHERAH, impassive
Yes, and they will never be caught. The police said that they have neither the resources nor the time to deal with this crime. However, they say that if these monsters get caught for another crime, they will end up paying for this one as well because traces of their DNA are all over the place. They told me that I have to be patient.
Anyway, I want to thank you for what you did for my sister. I hope you get better very soon.
Asherah stands up, thanks him again while shaking his hand, and leaves.
In the hallway, Asherah goes to Marianna, who is waiting for her. She is also dressed in blue, as she would be after a burial ceremony.
MARIANNA
And? What did he say? Did you learn something new?
ASHERAH
Yes. Come, let’s get out of here.
As they head towards the exit, Asherah tells Marianna what the man said.
