I pulled out of the driveway and onto the street; all of a sudden, a faint image appeared in the passenger seat. At once, I recognized the dark, leather uniform.
“You!” the word barely escaped my mouth as he grabbed my throat. Clutching it tightly with one hand, I was forced to push the gears into neutral.
The car rolled to the curb, where it stalled. I gripped his wrist tightly, resisting his hold until his voice demanded my attention.
“Listen!” He sneered, nearing.
I focused. He wasn’t squeezing me or anything. I wondered why, with a chance like this, he didn’t just kill me?
He stared into my eyes and his mind merged with mine. And I knew beyond the wrinkled brow, and the glitter in his purple eyes, she was in pain.
Claudia was on the floor of the kitchen clutching her stomach. Sweat gathered on her brow as she trembled.
“I might despise you for taking the only thing that holds any meaning to me, but she needs help,” he growled and released me.
Before I could react, he was gone.
“Claudia, I’m coming,” I yelled.
Grabbing the steering wheel, I got the car in motion and shot out, towards her house. Once there, I leaped out of the car and raced to the front. The door was locked. Shit.
Moving around the house, I looked towards her window. It was open. I climbed hastily up the tree, onto the branch, and pulled myself inside. Then raced into Claudia’s room, down the steps, and into the kitchen.
Claudia was on the floor unconscious and unresponsive.
“Claudia!” I panicked. I lifted her into my arms and rushed out of the kitchen.
She didn’t move or speak.
“Claudia,” I called as I moved toward the front door.
Her eyes fluttered open with difficulty. “John?” She reached up to touch my cheek.
Her face tensed as sharp pain shot through her body. Connected as we were, I could feel the stabbing pain in a much lower frequency. Her face twisted in agony.
“It’s okay, I’m here,” I said soothingly, but I was afraid I couldn’t help her. I didn’t even have a clue what was wrong with her.
The pain returned as a sharp stabbing flash. Even when the intensity eased, Claudia remained in a state of agony.
“What is it?” I asked anxiously.
Weak, she didn’t answer, but shuddered. She had no strength, no energy; I sensed her pain. Something was wrong, but I didn’t know how to help her.
I carried her into my Jag. There was no time to call an ambulance, so I propped her in the passenger seat. She opened her eyes and clutched her stomach tightly. I felt the acute blows, striking inside her once again.
“I’m taking you to the hospital,” I said as I raced onto the side street.
I grabbed at my phone and began to dial Joseph.
He answered on the third ring. “Joseph here.”
“We have a problem,” I said, biting my lower lip hard when Claudia grabbed her stomach again.
“What’s up?” he asked quickly.
“It’s Claudia. I’m taking her to the hospital.”
“What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure. I found her in the kitchen. She seems to be in a lot of pain.”
“What hospital?”
“Memorial. Track me, if you need to know the address. I’m pulling into the ER now.”
“Have you notified Michael?”
“Not yet. I can call him after I hang up with you.”
“No need; I’ll grab him. He might not be able to leave. Keep me posted until I get there.”
“Got it.” I dropped the call and pulled into an empty space near the hospital entrance.
An ambulance was pulling away as I opened the vehicle door and lifted Claudia into my arms. The hospital wasn’t overly busy when we got in; a few doctors were standing around on call.
“I need help,” I said urgently as I hastened to the front desk.
The nurse looked up from the call she was on, but didn’t appear concerned in the least. I guessed, in her line of work, you saw the worst of the worst, especially in the ER.
She set a form in front of me. “Fill this out,” she said with a hand over the phone receiver. “I’ll need insurance, and if you don’t have it. I’ll need some form of payment.”
“Can’t someone just look at her? My girlfriend is in a lot of pain, please.”
“Sir, you’re gonna have to take a seat and wait your turn.” She motioned to the side where two people—a man who looked like he needed stitches on his arm and a woman who appeared to have twisted her ankle, given the purple and blue hues—were waiting.
“I need to speak to a doctor, please,” I begged.
“Sir,” she said in a familiar, stern no-nonsense tone.
“Listen, miss,” I growled, holding Claudia tightly in my arms. “I found her unresponsive on the kitchen floor. Can’t someone just examine her … make sure she’s okay?”
I couldn’t help it when tears escaped my eyes. I pressed her close to me and whispered into her ear that she was going to be okay.
I was contemplating calling Dr. Nicholson to help her. He was a doctor, after all. I would do anything he asked me if he helped her.
“Please,” I begged politely. I was willing to do whatever it took for the woman I loved.
“I can’t help you until you take a seat and fill out the forms.”
“Fuck your forms! Listen to me. I just want a doctor to look at her. I’ll fucking sign anything you want me to after! I just need to make sure she’s okay!”
“Sir, you’re going to have to lower your voice.”
I felt my blood boil and dots danced before my eyes. My heart seemed to be beating in my skull, increasing with every word that left her mouth, knowing she wasn’t listening and Claudia was suffering because of her!
Just when I thought I would lose it, a gentle voice came from behind and said, “I’ll take a look at her.”
I spun around, still holding Claudia.
A pair of dark eyes greeted me. The white lab coat seemed to enhance the tanned skin. He smiled pleasantly. “It’s okay, Denise, I’ll take care of it,” he said cheerily, placating the receptionist. His eyes once again found mine as he asked, “May I?”
I nodded.
He took his stethoscope and approached cautiously. He pressed one end to an area near her neck and put a hand to her head. She was running a fever—something I was already aware of. He looked fairly young for a doctor, but he was willing to help and seemed to have the appropriate authority.
“Are you a doctor?”
“Yes.” He glanced up with a smile.
I tried to smile confidently, but couldn’t get over the youthful appearance. I always imagined doctors to be much older, like Dr. Nicholson.
“I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but you look quite young.”
Claudia squeezed my side. John.
Even in so much pain, she still found the energy to scold me. I guess she thought I was being rude.
The doctor offered a wide smile and lifted a badge. “Well, I assure you I’m a real doctor.” His grin let me know he didn’t take offense to my line of questioning. “They don’t just give these to anyone.”
Yeah, they do, I thought.
Claudia picked up on the thought immediately. John. She tugged at me again. You would know, wouldn’t you?
It warmed my heart that she tried to make contact even in her present state.
How do you feel?
Like shit. It comes slowly; then …
I felt it just as she was about to describe it.
I’m sorry.
Why? There’s very little you can do, John Slater.
I should have been there.
You are here, John.
“Come on this way,” the young doctor said as he motioned for me to follow.
I hurried alongside him as he observed Claudia in my arms. He led me further into the hospital and into an empty room. He ordered me to place her on the empty bed.
I did.
“So, what happened?” he asked.
“I don’t know. I found her on the kitchen floor,” I said, pushing back the locks of my hair that had fallen into my eyes. I loomed over her, holding her hand. My hands were trembling. I knew she could feel it. I couldn’t think of what I would do if I lost her.
“She’s been grabbing her stomach,” I said, recalling her agonizing cries and the sensations I felt each time sharp pains stabbed her.
“Can you describe the pain, sweetheart?” the doctor asked, nearing.
Her only response was a groan.
“It’s like a sharp stabbing pain,” I said to him.
He nodded as he looked at her and began to pry her hands away from her lower abdomen.
She looked at him.
“Honey, I need for you to move your hands. Tell me where you’re feeling most of the pain.”
“My side hurts.” She motioned her lower right side.
He nodded. “This side?” He pressed and noticed the tenderness. “Ah.” As he continued the examination, his lips curved slightly. He looked rather silly. I wondered if he knew what faces he made.
As he gazed into Claudia’s eyes and pushed back her hair, he smiled. “You’ll be alright, darling.”
His words struck a jealous chord in me.
She observed him from the bed. I suspected she was trying to read him.
“Sorry for not talking much,” he apologized.
Kidney? No. Appendix? All the symptoms point to those possibilities. Claudia projected a few of his thoughts onto me, but she was weak; it made it hard to concentrate on anything but the pain consuming her.
I had no idea what other thoughts were racing in his mind, but he seemed to know what he was doing. When Claudia cringed, he acknowledged her distress. His youth had me questioning his knowledge, but what he lacked in experience, he seemed to make up for in wisdom.
“Have you ever had your appendix removed?” he asked.
“No-o.” Her answer sounded more like a question.
“She’s running a fever,” he said after taking her temperature.
“What is it? Do you know what’s wrong with her?” I asked.
“Are you family?”
I hesitated for a moment. “Yes, well, I’m her boyfriend.”
“Any family here I can talk to?”
“No, her guardian is on his way, though.”
“Well she’s going to need surgery. That’s certain.”
“Surgery? What the fuck for?” My voice rose. I inhaled deeply to ease the stress.
“It’s alright. I know it’s scary, but she’ll be okay,” he assured me.
“What’s going on? What’s happening to her?”
“I’m not certain but all signs point to her appendix rupturing. If that is the case, it will have to be removed. Of course, I’ll take a few tests to make sure before we proceed.”
I ran an anxious hand over the back of my neck.
“It’s a routine operation and not life-threatening, if treated quickly. It’s a good thing you brought her in when you did.”
I dropped near her bed, grabbing her hand.
“When will she go to surgery?”
“I’m afraid she has to go now. It has to come out immediately or her condition will deteriorate rather quickly. See, when the appendix1 ruptures, it releases toxins into the stomach. After surgery, she’ll need a course of antibiotics to make sure we tackle all eventualities. While the operation is fairly standard, if left untreated, her condition could be fatal,” he explained for my benefit. “I’ll get the nurse to come in and help get her ready.”
The young doctor stopped halfway out, smiled, and winked. “Oh, you might want to tell them you’re married; they only allow family in the room.”
“I appreciate it.”
“John,” I heard a faint whisper from beside me.
“Claudia,” I said as she stared up at me.
“What’s going on? Where am I? Was that a doctor?” She was completely out of it.
“You’re in the hospital.”
Her lips quivered whenever she felt a sharp pain. “Am I going to be okay?”
“Of course, baby. The doctor said your appendix ruptured, and it will have to be removed.” I took her hand and she squeezed it.
“Are you okay?”
I tried to smile. “No, you had me scared, Miss Belle.”
Claudia reached over to wipe away the tears that had fallen from my eyes. I felt the pain shooting through her as I caught the twisted expression on her face.
Almost immediately, a nurse came in. She carried a gown and set it on the bed. “Let’s get her dressed for surgery.”
I helped dress Claudia into the ugly medical gown. The nurse gave me a look when I told her I was her husband. Even that statement made Claudia look at me, but the nurse said nothing.
Claudia was hooked to an IV and the nurse hung fluids and began an antibiotic and saline drip.
The doctor entered the room again.
“Am I going to have to miss the prom?” Claudia asked as the doctor checked the IV and instructed the nurse on the dosage.
“Well, that’s hard to say. One to three weeks for laparoscopic surgery and two to four weeks for open surgery before a patient can return to normal. Right now, it’s looking like a rupture and we may have to drain your incision. Don’t worry, dear, I’m going to take good care of you. Okay.” The doctor looked at me and smiled as he passed a clipboard with forms to fill out. “We’re going to get ready to wheel her into surgery.”
“Are you the one performing the surgery? I’m sorry I don’t think I got your name.” I glanced at the badge on his white coat. The coat reminded me of the lab coats that Dr. Nicholson wore when he was in his lab with his beakers.
“Dr. Spencer,” he said.
“My name’s John. I’m sorry about the incident out in the hall,” I apologized. “I was just …”
“It’s okay.”
“She’s just very important to me. She’s ...”
“It’s okay. Please forgive Denise; there’s protocol that nurses have to follow. Sometimes that interferes with their humanity. I’m just glad I was here to assist. Medical care shouldn’t be denied just because someone doesn’t have healthcare. Most people end up being treated like criminals for that reason alone.”
“I’m sure Claudia has medical insurance, but even if she didn’t, I am willing and more than able to pay the bill,” I advised arrogantly.
Dr. Spencer didn’t look convinced, but grinned. “That’s quite kind of you.”
I could tell I was no more than a kid in his eyes. He didn’t understand how I would have the means to pay her hospital bill. Even if my family were wealthy, chances were my family wouldn’t be willing to foot the bill for someone else’s child. He didn’t know I made my own money, and living as I did on The Company’s dime, I hadn’t had much use for spending those funds I’d amassed; they’d had a chance to accumulate.
“Is she going to be okay?” I asked. There was no sense in fighting over my bank account.
“She’ll be fine. I’m going to have to ask you to step into the waiting room. You can fill the forms out there and give them to the nurse once you’re finished.”
I leaned closer to Claudia. “I have to go now, baby. I’ll be outside waiting, once this is over.”
She nodded stiffly and squeezed my hand. Two other nurses came in and began to wheel the bed out of the room. Dr. Spencer walked me to the door. Claudia’s eyes didn’t leave me.
Dr. Spencer reached into his medical coat. “Here’s my card in case we get shuffled around, or if you or her guardian have any questions.”
I took his card, glancing briefly at it.
In the hall, he turned the opposite way, and I watched him following the bed that carried Claudia.
It felt like hours, but it had only been a few minutes. I had been sitting, twiddling my thumbs while Denise gave me the ol’ stink eye. I’d filled out the papers and handed them to her.
I texted Joseph with an update on Claudia’s condition. He informed me that he had managed to arrange for one of the assistant principals to cover for him so he could get to the hospital. He was on his way in from the parking lot.
Michael walked in just behind him. They seemed to have come together. Immediately, he asked, “How is she? What did the doctor say? Have you heard anything?”
“First thing’s first; take a breath, sir.”
He did but was obviously unhappy about doing so.
“She’s doing fine,” I said as he let out his breath. “The doctor said her appendix ruptured, causing the pain. It’s only been a few minutes since they took her into surgery.”
“What happened?” Michael asked, glancing around with a creased brow.
I ran a tense hand over the back of my neck and began to explain. “I came to pick her up. When she didn’t answer the door or her phone, I got worried.”
Michael’s confusion was evident.
My voice dropped to a whisper. “I climbed up the tree next to her window and came in from there.”
His eyes softened, but there a realization had come to him: the access to her room was too convenient. I could tell by the look in his eyes, he was grateful for the measures I had taken, but didn’t like that I could get into her room in such a way.
“She was on the kitchen floor when I found her …”
Michael looked uneasy by the news I was giving him. The idea that Claudia was laying on the floor in pain, alone and helpless disturbed him incredibly.
“It’s just her appendix,” I assured him again. “The doctor said it’s a fairly routine procedure. He assured me she will be fine.”
“I’m glad you were there. They told me at the desk you’ve already taken care of the paperwork,” Michael said.
“I thought it would be one less thing for you to worry about, sir.”
Michael nodded. “Thanks, John. I’m glad you were able to be there for her.”
“Me, too,” I whispered.
Joseph walked over as I moved alongside Michael. He greeted Michael as we walked and took a seat.
Michael dropped onto a seat.
I took the one beside Joseph, a few spaces from Michael. “Hey,” I greeted Joseph.
“How are you holding up, kid?”
I gestured that I wasn’t holding up very well.
Joseph flipped closed the fitness magazine he’d been scanning. “What are you thinking?” he suddenly asked. He knew there was something on my mind.
“Project X,” I said quietly.
His questioning stare shot straight through me. “Why is that on your mind when your girl is in there having surgery?”
“I saw him,” I admitted.
Joseph moved the closed magazine from his lap onto the table. His mind was too distracted to focus on anything else.
“What do you mean you saw him?” He glanced around to ensure no one was listening.
The hospital was getting busy. The nurses were all at their stations and patients were spread throughout the waiting room. We had commandeered one section for ourselves with the begrudging support of the staff, but that wouldn’t last long if the place continued to fill. It seemed the surgical section of the hospital was under reconstruction and off limits until further notice; we’d been instructed to wait in the waiting room by the ER.
“He appeared in my car, right next to me,” I whispered, glancing at Michael, who was busy sending messages from his phone.
Joseph gave me a perplexed look.
I could see the questions in his mind, but before he could ask anything, I continued my account. “He was the one that told me about Claudia. He said she needed help. He showed me, actually; he projected her image into my mind. I saw her, and I knew he wanted me to help her. He was doing it for her.” I began to grind my teeth.
Joseph could tell it moved me to know another being wanted to keep the girl that I loved safe. It was hard to accept that the creature loved her just as much as I did, though. He would have to call on another she loved to protect her in his absence.
“He did?”
I nodded stiffly. “I would have eventually ended up in her house, of course, but it might have taken longer.”
“Wow,” Joseph said quietly, shock evident on his face.
It was not what I’d have expected from him. “What do you think it wants with her?”
“He’s been a constant presence. He’s attacked at least twice from what I’ve gathered.” Joseph glanced over at me. “Has she said anything?”
I shook my head.
“If she’s the source, that could be the reason he wants her.”
“But what does that mean? I still don’t understand that.”
Joseph didn’t answer. Either he didn’t have an answer, or he knew I wouldn’t like the answer he did have.
“Shit! I have to figure it out. I’m not letting him harm her.”
“I doubt he wants to harm her,” Joseph tried to calm me. “He did warn you she needed help.” I shot him a glare; was he taking the alien’s side.
“If he wants to take her away from me, then he plans to harm her.” I looked over my shoulder.
“Maybe we can give the boss the alien?” Joseph suggested.
I glowered as Joseph stared into the distance, watching as an ambulance drove up in a patient. A couple of nearby nurses were saying he had a gunshot wound.
“What do you mean?” I asked over the chaos.
“I’m saying we give the boss the alien and he moves on.”
“Problem,” I disagreed.
Joseph narrowed his eyes.
“He doesn’t want the alien, you know that.” I frowned. “He wants Claudia.”
“I know, but if he thinks the alien follows the source then, with the alien in his possession, we might be able to convince him that’s all he needs …”
“No, it’ll never work. Project X won’t stop coming after her. He’ll just lead Dr. Nicholson back to her all over again.”
Joseph huffed, realizing I was right. “Shit. Sorry, kid. I’m trying, bud, but it’s looking bleak.”
“The only thing now is getting you to do what you said you’d do. You need to make me disappear.”
Joseph nodded, but didn’t appear quite resigned to the deed. “Well, I still have a few other options.”
I regarded him closely. “Yeah? What kind?”
He grinned widely.
I caught sight of Dr. Spencer approaching from the end of the long hall. I hopped to my feet, hoping he would have news about Claudia’s condition.
Michael rose immediately. Joseph was only a step behind.
Dr. Spencer looked overwhelmed by our group; this was obvious by the way he slowed down before approaching.
“John?”
“Yeah?”
“How are you doing? Still holding up?”
“Trying to, sir,” I answered grimly.
He smiled, looking at my companions.
“Dr. Spencer, this is Michael McClellan, Claudia’s guardian,” I said as I pointed to Michael. Then, I gestured Joseph.
“And I’m Joseph, the uncle.”
“A pleasure to meet you, sir,” Dr. Spencer said, reaching over to shake Michael’s hand.
Joseph offered a smile and shook his hand as well.
“I hope you’re taking good care of our girl,” Joseph said, his tone and expression stern.
It surprised me. I glanced back at him. Our girl? Since when was Claudia his girl? It was nice to know he cared about her, but I wouldn’t deny it made me a tad jealous.
Dr. Spencer flashed him an innocent smile. It was obvious Joseph had made his presence felt; he could be a little threatening when he chose to be.
“Are you a doctor?” Michael asked.
Dr. Spencer hesitated. This question seemed to catch him off-guard and, judging by our little group, he received it quite frequently.
“You’re rather young for a doctor.” Michael realized what he had said. “I’m sorry … I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“It’s quite alright. I get that all the time.”
“How is she?” I interrupted.
“She’s doing great. In fact, they’re wheeling her into recovery. You’ll be able to see her pretty soon. Just hang in there. I’ll get one of the nurses to come get all of you when she’s ready.”
“That’s wonderful. Thank you, Dr. Spencer,” Michael said.
The doctor dismissed himself and walked to the main desk where the same nurse, Denise, was still seated. He handed her a clipboard and took another.
Another ambulance arrived. He hurried to the entrance as the paramedics pushed in the gurney.
“What do we have?” he asked the paramedics.
The voices were hard to hear, given the anguished cries of the man on the gurney. His hand was covered in blood.
“Robbery. Gunshot to the chest.”
I turned away as they pushed him by. Dr Spencer glanced at me as he tucked the clipboard under his arm and hurried alongside.
“Get him into surgery, fast,” he ordered.
Two nurses leaped into action.
I couldn’t imagine myself doing something so engaging. Dr. Spencer and the nurses disappeared behind the double doors that led to the surgical rooms.