DIANA'S POV
Driving through the darkest day of my life, I stepped on the gas transporting a very important patient I've ever attended to. The bumpy ride was difficult for her, as she groan at every rough and pitted surfaces we run over. I tried to slow down, but this is no longer a race against evil werewolves. This is a chase for time. A missed moment may loose Kate forever. And so, I speed up despite her loud wails in the backseat reach the roof of my truck.
It took me an hour to locate a decent hospital.
Kate stabled after a series of immediate life saving care at the ER. However, the medical facility we ended in was small and partially equipped with surgical and medical supplies, that they almost didn't accepted us. Moreover, they lack surgeons to perform a critical surgery. If not for my expertise and loud pleas, they wouldn't take us in.
Kate is losing light.
Adrenaline pumped in my veins as I head the surgery. The hospital's director and I had to argue before he made a tough call. I had to do it or else, their resident surgeon who's drunk at this early in the morning will have my best friend's life in his hands. After speaking with my influential contacts and powerful networks that knew my name, I was decked as Kate's head surgeon following a few signed documents.
Losing my father at the cavern earlier today, I can't bear to lose another family. I cannot afford to lose the only person who can see right through me. The thought terrifies me that I cried no tears. Or maybe, I've already cried so much until I taste them, that not a single tear falls on my cheek at the moment.
Kate started to show severe blood loss.
Pale skin, shortness of breath and weak pulse. The OR readied in no time. While they prep her in there, I had to make a few preparations for myself too. The facility is not too bad. The basic surgical instruments and antiquated equipment are complete, and the medications I expected are sufficient. The staff were too kind to lend me a clean set of plain blue scrubs, after I clean the stink off my hair and skin. Before entering the battle room, I sighed with a prayer stuck in my head. May the Lord guide my hands.
Thankfully, no major organs were hit.
After six hours of stitching Kate's body tears, she was able to fight for her life just fine. Almost five blood bags were transfused to completely get her out of danger. Few hours later, Kate was transferred to a regular room. While Kate recuperate, I lingered in the hall, sitting on the tiled floor. One of the nurses kindly lent me her phone for me to make an important call. Kate needs more tests, and stronger medications that aren't available in this hospital. Add the absence of ambulatory service to that. I had to transfer her to a better facility.
The cellular reception in this place is horrible.
After several attempts to reach Dr. Blackwell, his phone finally rang. He immediately arranged Kate's transfer to DW Medical Hospital. He was still saying something when the line went static until it was dropped. Drained and weary, I sighed tilting my head back. I smiled with one life I saved. However, in the silent corridor, an old thought dawned on me. My father was living at peace in his tiny cave before I brought jeopardy along. His probable death stained my hands, and will forever haunt my conscience.
Then, I thought of Scott.
Another life I shouldn't fail to protect. Wondering how he is, I couldn't wait to tell him that I found a cure. He would be surprised with the stories of my incredible and dangerous journey. I dialed his number but, it was out of reach. I sighed in disappointment. Maybe, I'll just tell him in person.
My eyes went heavy.
Too heavy that I could no longer lift them. The adrenaline have stopped surging. The exhaustion struck me senseless, numbing all my limbs. I stopped thinking of the ticking time, and paused in reflecting on all my actions as the world slow down. And in that quiet spot in that hospital lane, I slept like a rock.
The few minutes of shuteye in the corridor felt like a good night's sleep. I woke up from the nurse calling my name, telling me that Kate have woken up. On my feet that almost failed to carry my weight, I wobbled my way inside Kate's room. And there, I saw my friend looking at me with a hint of a smile gracing her lips.
The next day, Dr. Blackwell arrived with a convoy. An ambulance. Three black SUVs and Dr. Blackwell's deep purple sedan. Talk about a grand entrance, the people in the small hospital thought the president of the country have arrived. Dr. Blackwell greeted me with a warm embrace just like the old times. "Long time, no see", he smiled like sunshine after the rain. "Well, if it isn't the best time to get a call from you".
I expected an earful from him for being MIA these days. Gladly, he didn't choose to scold me at this time. "Not too long, Doctor", I chuckled softly, finding comfort in his warm snugs. "You didn't have to personally pick us up. I know you're busy. And what is with this entourage?", I asked, looking at the men in black tailored suits hovering around. The kind of old money bodyguard outfit in midnight black suit, muted burgundy matte silk tie, crisp cotton white linen shirt, and a pair of impeccably polished black leather oxfords. Look at you, Dr. Blackwell!
"You know how dangerous these days have become", he simply said. "And you.", he looked at me with those round eyes, lowering his chin down. "You have a lot more of explaining to do. You got me all worried", Dr. Blackwell clicked his tongue as he rub my shoulders. "Let our team handle the transfer, and you can ride with me to the hospital.", he said, as I agree to his plans. Unsure when did Dr. Blackwell had so many protective men, I kept my cool despite feeling their stares pinned on me.
I gave my thanks to the medical facility at the reception. Gave my word to return with my gratitude. My apology messing with the system in their hospital wasn't enough, knowing I overstep my boundaries as a doctor. They eagerly accepted my amends, but strongly refused a tit for tat - thinking that what they have learned from me, and I to them was enough. I left embarrassed.
As the DW Medical Team push Kate's stretcher to the ambulance, I approached Kate and held her hand. "Everything's going to be fine", I promised, as she nodded drowsily from her doses of anesthesia. I watched how she was carefully brought inside the ambulance, with the flashes of red and blue lights starting to blink endlessly. As soon as the door closed, I headed on to Dr. Blackwell's car.
I was told that my truck will be driven by one of the 'men with ties', as what Dr. Blackwell referred them to. No names, no formal titles. Just that. I started to become suspicious. While I sat beside Dr. Blackwell in the back, two of the men with ties sat in front - the driver and his assistant. It was something new, but I could bear it.
No one dared to talk.
There's no music in the radio to kill the oppressive silence. The humming of the car was all there is. Dr. Blackwell's constant finger taps on his lap. And the sound of his metallic wrist watch jiggling in his wrist every time he checks the time. All the time. Too frequently, I'd say. Fidgety as he was during our trip to the hospital, I smiled at him telling him to relax. Long trips are usually boring with the wrong company. It was then I noticed dark eyes stealing glances from the driver's seat. His companion mouthing words that I could hardly lip read from the side mirror. I remained silent and trusted my instincts. Something is wrong in this dense mood.
Dr. Blackwell finally gave in and broke the silence. He leaned towards me, eyes ahead. "I've never meddled in your personal life. But when I do, you know it's something that I needed to do for your own good", Dr. Blackwell whispered as he keep his eyes on the men with ties.
"Of course. And I'll always be thankful", I replied. Dr. Blackwell just smiled. He then kept mum all throughout the trip going to the hospital. Dr. Blackwell has always been protective of me. However, his indifference in the presence of his men accessories bothers me.
It was almost sunset, when we arrived at the lobby of the DW Medical Hospital. The weather in the city is scorching hot, that as soon as the car door opened, the sweltering heat swaddled my body. The men with ties didn't followed either Kate or Dr. Blackwell. They all stood by me, with their eyes fixed on me. "There goes my friend", I laughed dryly to one, yet he didn't even acknowledged me.
The ambulance door opened, and Kate was immediately brought in the lobby. Her friends, family, and co workers flood the entrance, swarming Kate's stretcher. Giving her well wishes, asking what happened. I never realized she had this much people who looks out for her. Her mother was in tears grabbing her hand and that was when I felt awful. The blunder went troubling, and Dr. Blackwell need help to remove the crowd. While everyone was busy building a chaos, I took the chance to slide into the elevator going up.
As I pass by the nurses station, I swiped a face mask to cover my identity. Put on a hair cap to tuck in my hair, and blend in the crowd in my borrowed blue scrub suits from the previous medical facility. No one recognized me at all. I acted naturally until I reached my old office. In there, I found the main room already empty. Thankfully, Kate's table was still there, exactly how she always leave it after work hours. I opened the drawer and hoped her laptop is there.
And it was.
Turning on the laptop, I pulled the piece of paper my father gave to me. Written on old parchment page ripped from a book was the cure he told me about, along with the other ingredients to be used and the step-by-step procedure on how to concoct it. Opening a browser, I immediately typed in the words written at the top of the paper as it says, "Ipo.. Ipomoea Alba". I smiled at the plant that instantly appeared on the screen.
While I was immersed on the screen, I gasped when Dr. Blackwell suddenly appeared by the door. Was he there a long time now? I should always keep my senses up. People sneak on me without me noticing their presence. "Yes, Doctor?", I straightened up, folded the paper and kept in my chest pocket. "I'm sorry I took the liberty to come up here", I admitted immediately, as if getting caught red-handed.
"I knew you'd be here", he entered the office with his hands in his pockets. "Where else would you be...", he smiled. "Kate will be admitted in room 3046. She's still in the ER. Would you like to go up with me to check the room?".
As far as I could remember, the rooms on that floor are for high profile patients only. I don't think Kate would like to be placed in one of those rooms. She never preferred to be treated extravagantly, much more be treated with improvident attention. "Aren't there any other rooms available?", I cleared the history search of the browser without removing my gaze on Dr. Blackwell.
"She said the same exact thing", he said.
"I know. That room is too much. Maybe we can get a simple private room for Kate?", I insisted, turning off the computer, closing the lid and putting it right were it was kept.