Chapter 9 - The Medical Emergency-9
The rain was lashing against the windshield of Damien’s car in blinding sheets as he drove recklessly down the highway toward the city center. His phone was connected to the Bluetooth system, ringing endlessly with no answer from Mara.
He called the archive shop directly. Still nothing.
Finally, out of sheer desperation, he dialed Sarah, his executive assistant, who was still managing his emergency corporate communications.
"Mr. Mercer? It's Sunday—is everything alright?" Sarah answered immediately.
"Sarah, listen to me very carefully," Damien said, his voice tight and frantic as he navigated around a slow-moving semi-truck. "I need you to contact Dr. Harrison at City General Hospital immediately. Tell him I need an urgent pediatric hematology consultation scheduled for Monday morning for twin boys, five years old. Pull whatever strings you have, pay whatever retainer is necessary, but make it happen."
"Twins, sir? I—yes, right away," Sarah stammered, sensing the absolute panic in his voice. "Is there an emergency?"
"I don't know yet. That's why I need the appointment," Damien snapped, hanging up without waiting for confirmation.
He pulled up in front of the Veritas Archives building ten minutes later, sliding his car half onto the sidewalk in his haste. The shop was dark. The “CLOSED” sign hung on the glass door.
Damien slammed his fist against the wood-framed door. "Mara! Open up!"
No answer.
He rattled the brass handle, but it was firmly locked. Panic, cold and sharp, clawed at his chest. He remembered Mara mentioning that Sunday was her day to take the boys to the children's science museum across town before heading to the grocery store.
He sprinted back to his car, tires screeching against the wet pavement as he pointed the vehicle toward the museum district.
Ten minutes later, he slammed on his brakes in front of the grand stone entrance of the museum. He pushed through the glass doors, breathless, his raincoat dripping onto the polished marble lobby.
He scanned the crowded atrium filled with families, science exhibits, and interactive displays.
And then he saw her.
Mara was sitting on a low wooden bench near the dinosaur exhibit, holding Julian tightly against her chest. Julian was crying softly, his face pale, clutching his stomach with both hands. Leo stood beside them, looking frightened, holding his mother’s coat sleeve.
Damien crossed the distance in seconds, dropping to his knees in front of them.
"Mara! What happened?"
Mara looked up, her face drained of all color, her gray eyes wide with terror. "He... he started complaining of severe abdominal pain about twenty minutes ago. I thought it was something he ate, but he passed out for a few seconds. I called an ambulance, but traffic on the bridge is blocked because of an accident."
Damien didn't hesitate. He scooped Julian into his arms, the boy whimpering softly against his shoulder. Julian felt alarmingly heavy and warm—feverish.
May you like
"Forget the ambulance," Damien said, his voice commanding and absolute. "My car is parked right outside the entrance. We're going to City General right now."
Mara didn't argue. She grabbed Leo's hand, her own fingers trembling uncontrollably, and followed Damien as he bolted through the museum lobby toward the exit into the pouring rain.
