"Yes," both men replied.
"I thought I recognized you across the way. I see you have successfully rescued your ladies." Noticing the wheelchair that Ben sat in, Jeremy continued.
"It looks like you may also have found some trouble along the way."
"Yes, we did, but we're all right. Thank you for checking on us. Is your team intact, Jeremy...I'm sorry, I don't recall your rank. What was it again?" Ben asked.
"Lieutenant, Lt. Jeremy Franks; and yes, we're intact, Sir. The weather has done a lot of damage to this island over the past week. We'll be hard pressed to get the major repairs completed before the big storm hits. Actually, that is the main reason I came over. The last downpour caused another levee to break loose. We already have some of the locals prepared to help our existing repair effort, including your friend here, Apela. However, we sure could use all the extra hands we can get. The weather is supposed to get pretty bad, and storm surges are predicted over twenty feet in some areas. That's why we need to get this particular levee fixed as soon as possible. We have shifts working through the night. I am looking to fill another crew for tomorrow morning."
While the lieutenant reacquainted himself with the guys, Caeli quietly excused herself to find a restroom. Salma's medicine was wearing off already. She felt nauseous and her stomach pain was getting significantly worse than it had been all day. Her fever returned in full force. The cramping episodes were suddenly getting stronger and more frequent.
She walked slowly around the nearest corner and found a women's facility about midway down the hall. Caeli went inside and was immediately sick in one of the stalls. Then she made her way over to stand unsteadily holding onto the sink, staring at herself in the mirror. I look like a train wreck, she thought. The dark green sweatshirt and pants given to her by the Coast Guard made her skin look much paler than normal, and her hair was a shambles. Caeli thought her face looked gaunt, as if she were severely dehydrated. That was probably a valid assessment. Caeli placed one hand on her stomach and spoke to herself in the mirror.
"I hope that what I did today with my new gift has not hurt you in any way. I would give it up in a heartbeat if I had to choose between you and it. I'm sorry if my illness is causing you any discomfort, and I certainly hope you are not the cause of all these symptoms. If so, we're going to have to negotiate a truce. Just please be all right, my little guy."
Turning on the water, which only trickled out of one faucet, Caeli placed her hands beneath the thin flow. As the cool liquid ran over her fingers, calmness began to pervade her senses. She cupped the water in her hands and splashed it on her face several times. It did not help as much as it had at the hotel, but she would take whatever relief she could get. Caeli took a few sips of the cupped liquid and could feel the tension in her body ease ever so slightly. It would have to do. Hopefully, it would be enough to tide her over until she could get some rest. When she felt steady enough to endure the remainder of the road trip, Caeli filled one of the small paper cups, belatedly discovered at the other end of the counter, with water. She carried the drink with her and turned toward the exit.
After only a few steps, Caeli got another sharp pain in her stomach. This was far worse than any pain she had ever felt; and she had endured a lot of pain in her life. The agony was so intense that it brought Caeli swiftly to her knees. She dropped the cup of water and tightly clenched her midsection with both arms, doubling over with her forehead on her knees. The pain came as a series of strong spasms, one right after the other, each unbelievably more painful than the last. The pain extended throughout her body as if she had grabbed hold of an electrical wire.
"Vin! Oh, please, Vin. Help me." Caeli could neither stand up nor force herself to move.
"He cannot hear you. Are you ready for my help yet?"
"Not now, Rika!" Caeli hurt too bad to internalize her voice or to entertain an uninvited guest in her mind.
"I can ease your pain. Let me help you."
"Why? What do you want from me?"
"I want to be your friend. Let me help you." Rika's voice was soothing.
Another wave of pain jarred Caeli's body, and she tumbled over onto her side. For a moment, she detected an odd sensation of another presence connecting with her. It was Rika's presence, and she was sending ripples of energy into Caeli. The energy engulfed her and eased the spasm in her abdomen. It gave Caeli a minute of greatly welcomed relief.
"How did you do that?" Caeli asked in amazement as she caught her breath.
"I told you. I can help if you will permit me."
Rika repeatedly requested Caeli's permission, setting off warning bells in the back of Caeli's mind. It told her that there was something more at stake, though she still had no idea what it could be. At the moment, Caeli did not care. Although she was reluctant to consider Rika's offer, Caeli could not ignore the relief; and with the level of pain she had been experiencing, that aid carried a lot of weight.
"What do you get out of it, if I agree?"
"Nothing more than you can handle, Caeli. We would become friends, and then it would be extremely rewarding for both of us."
"That's not really an answer. And if I refuse?"
Caeli's pain immediately returned and, if possible, it became even more intense. Caeli thought she could feel Rika's energy now bolstering the wave of pain.
"I would prefer to be your friend, but, of course, it is your choice. You can try to beat this alone, but you will most likely fail. At the very least, you will kill your precious cargo in the process."
The pain increased further, and Caeli got the hint. However, it did not have the encouraging effect Rika intended. It was still unofficial whether or not Caeli was actually pregnant, but Rika could have read the notion from Caeli's thoughts. Regardless of how she knew, Rika crossed a line by including the potential child in her poorly veiled threat.
"Go away! I don't want your help. I refuse your offer," Caeli insisted and made a concerted effort to block Rika from her mind. Just like that, Rika's presence vanished. Almost immediately, Caeli was suffering her original pain again.
"Vin! Please help me!"
Caeli knew that if she called, Vin would come to her aid. Why wasn't he here? Had Rika been telling the truth? Was Vin unable to hear her? How long would it be before he missed her and came looking for her? The pain struck her again, acutely persistent. Caeli was unable to lift herself off the floor. Tears of pain were streaming down her cheeks. What is wrong with me? She wondered. In her mind, Caeli screamed in pain.
"You want me to help fix a levee? I don't know anything about levees," Vin answered Lieutenant Franks.
"That's not a problem. All we really need from you is physical labor. It's repetitious, tiring work, but it should only be tomorrow morning."
"Vin, since you are not familiar with the area, I would be happy to drive you to the site," Apela offered.
Vin considered the situation. If not for the assistance of Jeremy's guard unit, he would not have been able to help rescue Caeli. This would also benefit people like Apela who had befriended her. Lending a helping hand was the least Vin could do. His only hesitation was leaving Caeli when she felt so poorly; but, then again, Salma would be with her. She would be in good hands.
"Ok, Jeremy. I will help. Sign me up. I would like to ask a favor of my own. The six of us seem to be without a ride at the moment. I was wondering if you might have access to a military jeep or another vehicle for a brief trip. We only need to go a few miles down the road. Do you think you could take us? I wouldn't ask, but my wife has been sick, and Mr. Erickson is wounded. Also, it would be best if nobody knew where you were taking us because of the media frenzy surrounding Dr. Erickson."
"I understand. I think I can arrange that. Can you give me about twenty minutes?" Jeremy answered with a pleasant smile.
"No problem. Thank you, Jeremy. That will be a great help," Vin graciously accepted, and the younger guardsman turned and walked away.
Without warning, Max cried o
ut, jumped up from where he was sleeping in Ben's lap, and flew into his father's arms with his hands pressed tightly over both ears. At almost the exact same time, Salma suddenly put her hands to her temples and cried out as well. However, she managed to keep her outburst much quieter than Max.
"Papa! Papa, make it stop!" Max was frantic.
Apela tried to soothe his son, telling him it would be all right. He rubbed Max's back as if this sort of thing might have happened before. Max calmed down, but still kept his hands firmly in place over his ears. Apela moved a few steps away from the others, toward the Arena door.
Ben and Vin both reached out to Salma when they heard her cry out.
"What's wrong, Love?" Ben asked with concern.
"Salma, are you ok?" Vin asked almost simultaneously.
It took Salma a moment to regain her composure, but she finally answered.
"I'm sorry. It was unexpected and so intense. Vin, didn't you hear it?"
"No. Why would I?"
"It was a scream of great pain very close to us. I have never felt such a strong sensation through my gift before, not like that. She is hurting very badly," Salma explained.
"Who?" Ben asked.
"I think you should ask Max while I go and find her," Salma whispered.
"I think the boy might be sensitive to others, like I am. Did you see the way he responded? I think he may have heard her cry. It was agonizing, as if she were being ripped apart. I could barely stand it, so I can understand why it would terrify a little boy."
"I noticed how Max jumped up. Apela certainly wasn't surprised by Max's behavior. You are probably right, and it is probably not the first time the young pup has experienced it," Ben's conclusion agreed with Salma's thoughts on the matter.
"She needs my help. I have to go to her." Then, with one last puzzled look at Vin, Salma turned and headed along the same hall that Caeli had wandered down, intending to find out where she had gone.
"If you don't mind, I'm going to sit near the door with Max. He gets a bit shaken up sometimes. The smell of the fresh ocean air will help calm him down. I will be over there waiting when you are ready to leave," Apela returned as Salma walked away. He wanted to explain Max's behavior before walking off again with Max held tenderly in his fatherly embrace. He didn't mention anything about the specific reason for Max's outburst. Max still had both hands clamped over his ears.
Ben noticed a dark-haired woman wearing medical scrubs greet Apela by the door and talk with him briefly in the shadowy alcove. Ben assumed her to be Apela’s sister. She only stayed a few minutes before returning to the triage station. Ben also noticed that the manila envelope she had been carrying when she walked up to Apela was not in her hand when she walked away. He did not see where she put it. It was none of Ben's business, so he filed the observation away as irrelevant.
Salma was drawn toward the restroom in the hall. The feeling was very strong there. She entered the restroom and was shocked to discover Caeli curled up in a ball on the floor.
"Dear heaven! Caeli, what happened? Did you hurt yourself? Let me have a look. I know it hurts, but you have to let me see. Come on, Dear, talk to me," Salma tried to get through to her.
Unfortunately, Caeli was in so much pain at that moment that she was not able to do anything except endure it. Salma gently rested her hand over Caeli's arms, which were still clinched across her midsection. This, obviously, is where Caeli was feeling the pain. Salma closed her eyes and tried to locate the source of the problem. She was unable to discover anything due to the strength of Caeli's pain. It blocked everything else from Salma's gift.
"Water, please." Caeli managed to catch her breath long enough to ask for the help she wanted.
Salma rushed to the sink and located a paper cup dispenser at the far end of the counter. She filled one with water as quickly as the faucet's trickle would permit. Salma carefully helped Caeli up from lying on her side to a kneeling position. The task was slow and unpleasant. Every inch seemed to cause Caeli more pain, but she eventually managed to get her upright. Then Salma held the cup in front of Caeli's mouth so that she could drink. After Caeli drank the entire cupful, Salma got her a second and then a third. Caeli was on the fourth cup before she had enough to quench her immediate thirst. Caeli sat up a little further on her own.
"Thank you," Caeli said through clenched teeth.
"I heard you cry out for Vin. Your pain was like a physical blow to my mind. Tell me more about it. Is it constant?" Salma asked. The professional tone took over in her voice once again.
"Comes and goes; almost constant right now; worse each time." Caeli forced each phrase out.
"Each time; Caeli, how often has this happened? How long has it been going on?"
"Several times since the crash," Caeli answered succinctly.
Salma was surprised at the admission. She knew Caeli was sick and her most recent episode in the hotel room had been bad; but she was astonished to discover that it had been this severe for so long. She also wondered why Vin had not heard Caeli's call. Apparently, Caeli was wondering the same thing.
"Vin?"
"I'm the one you need right now. Can you move your arms away and let me have a look?" Salma asked, reaching to help Caeli gently remove her arms from her abdomen.
"It hurts so much, Salma."
"I know, Dear, but I need to see what's going on," Salma replied calmly.
She knew that the reflexive holding action was the body's way of comforting the mind. It didn't actually help reduce the symptoms, but it was a strong reflex to overcome.
"Caeli, I need you to trust me as your doctor and your friend. You know that I'm trying to help you," Salma continued calmly.
"Yes."
"I wouldn't do anything to hurt you."
"I know."
"Please, move your arms away," Salma gently encouraged her.
"I want to, but I can't make myself do it."
"Can I?"
"Do what you have to, but I can't move," Caeli's voice carried so much fear that it almost sounded panicky.
"Ok, ok. Not yet then. Calm down. It's all right. I am going to help you, Caeli. You don't have to move your arms yet. Tell me what you're feeling. Does it feel like a stabbing pain or like a pulled muscle?" Salma distracted Caeli with questions while she slowly inched her hand far enough away to be able to place her own hand against Caeli's stomach.
"Both and like the worst cramps ever. Salma, I'm worried about the baby."
"I understand, Dear. Give me a few more minutes. I need to discover a bit more of what you are experiencing before I can do anything."
"It feels like something inside of me is breaking apart," Caeli answered after another wave of nearly unbearable pain coursed through her body.
Salma kept her hand over Caeli's abdomen and gave the matter her full attention, trying to imagine what could have happened to her niece.
"How long did you say it has it been like this?"
"Since the crash, I think. I thought I pulled a muscle when I was thrown from my seat."
"Thrown from your seat? I don't remember you mentioning that."
Caeli apologized for the oversight. There had been a lot going on at the time.
"Was there anything else? You said something about a cut. How bad were you hurt? Actually, never mind. I'm going to need to check you out more thoroughly than I can do here. I'm afraid we really do need to get you to a hospital. I know you don't like the idea, but you might be bleeding internally. If so, I'm not surprised that it's getting worse, and you have been walking around in pain all this time. Caeli, you should have said something."
"I told you I was sick; but it wasn't this bad before."
"This could be very serious."
"I'm well aware that it's serious." Caeli did not intend for it to sound mean, but her pain and exhaustion were getting the better of her at the moment.
"Of course you are. I'm sorry. That was a thoughtless thing for me to say. First thing we have to do is see if we can
reduce your pain level. We won't make any progress if I can't examine you properly. I need to find some pain medicine."
"No more medicine."
"What? Caeli, you aren't thinking clearly."
"I don't want to hurt the baby."
"I would never give you anything that would do that. I am going to ask Dr. Jacobs if he has anything, but I'm not leaving you alone. Call for Vin again."
"I can't. I tried twice, but he didn't answer."
"Caeli, this is important. I know it's difficult, but focus and try again. I heard your call. He should be able to hear you if that's what you want. I think your mind might be misleading you because of your pain. Try it again." Salma would not accept her refusal.
While Salma could easily have called Vin on Caeli's behalf, she did not. She wanted to know if this problem involved Caeli's special talents. This was a good way to test it. If it failed, then Salma would call Vin. She knew Caeli would feel better once Vin was there. Salma also wanted Vin to prevent Caeli from doing anything foolish, like trying to get up and walk while Salma went to fetch the medicine.
"It won't work. I will be fine until you get back. The water helped a little." Caeli was struggling to get each word out through her continued pain.
"Humor me and try anyway." Salma was stern with Caeli in order to let her know that she was not going to back down. In this situation, Salma would not permit Caeli to second guess her. Salma's instincts told her that Caeli was in trouble. Vin needed to be here.
"Ok, I'll try."
"How did your talk with Caeli go?" Ben asked casually.
"We were interrupted by the agent from the car rental place before I could get any definite answers. We had to put the conversation on hold again. All I know is that there is definitely something wrong with her and that she was injured in the crash.
"She was?" That surprised Ben. Caeli neglected to mention that during their brief chat.
Wrath of the Sea Queen Page 23
