Wrath of the Sea Queen

by Cynthia Woods

  "Eight o'clock! I've got to call Caeli. She is really going to be worried." Vin started disconnecting wires from his forehead and fingers. Alarms immediately began to buzz on the medical equipment surrounding him, and a nurse came running into the room. Dr. Simmons followed closely on her heels.

  "Sir, you can't do that. You need to leave those attached," the nurse tried, unsuccessfully, to stop Vin from pulling loose the last of the wires.

  "It's all right, Kara. Mr. Harding is not inclined to remain our guest any longer than necessary. Just turn off the monitors and alarms please. Then you can go. I will take care of Mr. Harding." Dr. Simmons politely dismissed the nurse.

  "You are right about that. I am even less likely to stay now than I was before," Vin confirmed.

  Dr. Simmons stood beside the bed where Vin now sat up. Once Vin calmed down, the doctor insisted on performing a few basic neurological assessments to ensure that his current condition matched the unexpected test results.

  "Don't worry. I have no reason to stop you this time. Your tests came back perfectly normal. You were right, Mr. Harding. Luck was definitely on your side today. I would have bet money that you had internal bleeding from that head wound, especially given the symptoms you displayed. As it is, you have a mild concussion."

  "I can live with that."

  "I certainly hope so. Still, it would make me feel better if you would stay overnight and let us keep an eye on you. There is something unusual about your injury. I just can't put my finger on it."

  "Good healing sort of runs in the family. Besides, my wife's aunt is a doctor, and we are here on vacation with her. She will make sure I'm miserable enough when she learns about my concussion. Don't feel bad about not getting to observe me. Salma will more than make up for it." Vin offered the doctor a few conciliatory words for all the hassle he had caused.

  "I suppose that will have to do. I hope you don't mind that we took the liberty of gathering your information from the cards we found in your wallet. I have already completed the paperwork, and you can leave whenever you are ready," Dr. Simmons concluded.

  "Great! It saves me the time, and I appreciate it."

  "Well then, take care, Mr. Harding." Dr. Simmons shook Vin's hand and left the room.

  Vin got up and made a quick trip over to a nearby sink to splash some water on his face and gulp down a cup of water. Feeling better, Vin returned his attention to the sheriff who waited patiently.

  "Does that offer for a ride to my hotel still stand, Sheriff Obrey?"

  "Yes it does. In fact, I will make a deal with you. If you will tell me everything you can about the lighthouse incident, I will still take your statement on the road. I think you've been delayed here long enough. I don't know how much longer this weather is going to hold, and I would like to get home to my family, too."

  "You've got a deal."

  "It's getting late. Please don't hold Max's supper on mine or Vin's account. I don't know when he will get back. He would not want you to wait on him. I am not hungry, but I would like to help you in the kitchen. Between you and me, if I have to stay out in the lounge and let Salma force me to drink even one more sip of water, I think I might burst like an overinflated balloon," Caeli said in a low, conspiratorial voice to Apela.

  Max had been grumbling about food for the last two hours. Apela had given him a snack to hold him over, but the boy was hungry for a substantial meal. He was used to eating dinner much earlier.

  "I suppose we could go ahead and start cooking. It will help distract you. Perhaps Vin will be here by the time we are done. I can show you some of the ways we prepare dishes on the island if you would like," Apela offered.

  "Yes, please, and it will keep me out of trouble." Caeli glanced at the clock on the reception desk as she walked by. Fifteen minutes after eight. Would the pain Rika caused Vin force him to stay overnight at the hospital? She had not been able to reach him at all since Rika's tantrum earlier, and Ben made it very clear that he was not going to let her leave the hotel. He had been keeping a close eye on her in case she got the notion to try and sneak away again. When she asked Apela about his truck, Ben immediately took that option out of her reach by ensuring that Apela kept a tight hold on his keys. While she did not want Ben or Salma to fret over her, Caeli had been beside herself with worry over Vin all evening. It was eating away at her not to be able to run to his aid.

  As they neared the kitchen, Caeli heard the door at the far end of the hall open. She looked toward the entrance in anticipation, and her heart nearly jumped out of her chest in excitement.

  "Vin!" Caeli rushed down the hall to greet him.

  "Caeli! You're such a sight for sore eyes." Vin hugged her tightly, lifting her off her feet and spinning around as he kissed her. He was vastly relieved to see her out of bed and moving about as if she were nearly recovered. Although she still felt frail to him, Caeli seemed much improved.

  "Whoa!" Caeli grabbed hold of Vin's arms to steady herself as a wave of lightheadedness courted her after the spin.

  "Sorry, are you all right?" Vin held her steady. Maybe he assumed too much and let himself be deceived by her appearance and his wishful thinking.

  "Yes. I'm fine. I'm a little lightheaded, but no need to worry. You've always had a dizzying effect on me," Caeli joked.

  "Good to know that hasn't changed. I have missed you and been so worried. Yet, look at you. You look great! However, that doesn't mean that I'm not still concerned."

  "Me? I think my symptoms were simply the result of a very bad flu. But you; I was scared for you. I am not the one who nearly got swept out to sea, got shot, and had a crazy lady trying to make his head explode. My hair should be gray! I was so worried about you today."

  "And yet I returned in one piece thanks to you on at least two of those accounts. Although, thank you and a kiss hardly seem sufficient for what you did for me today. You, and your gift, are amazing." Vin hugged her close again, ever thankful for the twist of fate that brought Caeli into his life.

  "Gift? That is still open for debate. But, I am glad I was able to help you. Knowing that you are all right, and perhaps another kiss, is all the thanks I need," Caeli smiled as she ran her hand through Vin's dark hair; the bullet wound was barely visible.

  "Gladly, but don't tell Salma about that particular method of payment. Ben would knock me down a few pegs if I attempted to thank Salma with such a kiss," Vin joked and obliged Caeli's request.

  "As would I," Caeli returned playfully.

  "Undoubtedly, so let's change the subject. You know we need to sit down and have a serious talk about a few things, right?"

  Caeli glanced down the hall to see Ben and Salma standing near the lounge entrance. They were aware that Vin had arrived, but were giving them a few moments before intruding.

  "Yes, but I don't think we are going to get that chance right away. I have to warn you that both Ben and Salma are somewhat irritated with me. Apparently, I am not a very cooperative patient."

  "Honey, that's not true at all. You are a delightful patient as long as you are too sick to deny it," Vin laughed.

  "You are hopeless. Besides, how is that any different from your refusal of treatment?"

  "I never deny that I'm sick. I simply prefer to choose my own treatment plan."

  It was true. Never once had Vin taken all of his prescribed medicine, returned for a follow up visit, or stayed in bed when he ran a fever. He would not even listen if Salma casually reminded him to use an umbrella on a rainy day. He never once completely followed through on any instructions Salma gave him. It wasn't in his nature, even though he trusted Salma completely. Vin knew he was a terrible patient, and it was a long-standing, good-natured joke between them. Caeli, on the other hand, simply did not like it when others had to wait on her or when she was unable to do things for herself. It grated on her independent spirit. She did not like to admit that an infirmity could require her to ask for assistance.

  "You, in most cases, won't acknowledge the fact that you
are sick because you don't want anyone to fuss over you."

  Vin laughed with her as she chuckled again.

  "That does sound accurate, if not exactly how I would have phrased it," Caeli admitted with a grin.

  "Come on. Let's go join the others. I'm eager to hear what Salma learned from her tests."

  "Actually, I was getting ready to help Apela start dinner. Why don't you go ahead and keep them company. I shouldn't be too long."

  After having no luck convincing Caeli that she should be resting, Vin poked his head into the kitchen to say hello to Apela. They exchanged a few words privately before Vin continued to the lounge. As Vin walked the short distance, a dozen thoughts ran through his mind. He considered everything that had happened during their brief trip and even before they left home. Vin added his personal suspicions to that mix. After what Vin learned from Apela earlier that morning and what he experienced firsthand, he was more curious than ever to hear the remaining details from Caeli. He already did not like where his tentative conclusions were leading.

  "Hello Ben, Salma."

  "Vin, I'm glad you're back. What took so long?" Salma asked with a hug.

  "Complications that I don't want to get into right now. We have a lot to catch up on, but let me say hi to Max first. I need to ask a favor of him."

  "Be easy with the boy. He is still upset about Caeli," Ben cautioned.

  "Why? What upset him about Caeli?"

  "We'll explain in a minute. Just take it easy on him," Salma added.

  Vin walked over to the small table where Max was coloring quietly.

  "Hello Max. How are you? Thanks for letting me borrow your Papa today. He helped me more than once."

  "Papa is brave."

  "What are you coloring? It looks familiar. Max, where did you get that picture?"

  Vin noticed the image that Max was re-creating from an older photograph that he knew well. For a kid so young, his drawing was incredibly detailed. Standing over Max's shoulder and looking at the picture on Max's drawing pad, Vin easily recognized Caeli as the subject of the drawing. Max had taken the liberty of detailing her completely in shades of blue.

  "I'm drawing pretty Caeli. She gave me a picture when we were on the big plane and Papa made me go to my seat. Mr. Vin, I kept an eye on pretty Caeli. She was talking to the Sea Queen. I tried to stop her. I was trying to help her."

  "I don't doubt it, Max. Thank you very much. You did such a great job that I would like to ask another favor of you. Would you help me keep an eye on her again?"

  "Sure." Max stood up and started to walk toward the kitchen.

  "No, Max. Not like that." Vin held Max by the arm and then whispered in his ear. Max giggled and clapped his hands excitedly.

  "Yes, I can do that, Mr. Vin. That will be fun."

  "Ok, go back to your coloring. I will tell you when." Vin ruffled the boy's hair and then joined Ben and Salma at a bar-like counter across the room. He sat in a tall stool across from the two Ben and Salma occupied, positioning himself with a strategic view of the kitchen doorway so he could see Caeli as she shadowed Apela.

  "Where shall we start?" Vin asked after a moment.

  "Tell us what kept you at the hospital so long?" Ben said.

  "Initially, I had to wait for a doctor, and then the weather pummeled that area. I had to wait until the storm eased up and they permitted commercial vehicles on the roads again. I intended to catch a taxi, but then I got delayed by the sheriff. He's the one who finally gave me a ride," Vin brushed hurriedly over his adventure. He wanted to hear about Caeli.

  "That has to be what Caeli was doing out there. She knew you were stuck at the hospital because of the storm," Salma commented.

  "Out where? Caeli said she worked on the storm. What did she do?"

  Ben and Salma explained what happened on the beach and how Max reacted.

  "It is even more complicated than that, and some of it I cannot share with you yet." Vin added some additional details, but withheld the information about Rika. He wanted to discuss that with Caeli first. He wanted to find out more about Rika. There is more going on with Caeli than any of them knew.

  As Vin mentioned Caeli, he noticed that she had been out of his line of sight for several minutes. He nodded across the room to Max, and the boy got up and skipped into the kitchen. He returned a few minutes later chewing on a small slice of apple. Max walked over to Vin and handed him a slice as well. Vin thanked Max, grinned, and ate the apple slice. He did not offer an explanation to Ben and Salma.

  "Salma, what did you find out from the tests you ran? Caeli is doing much better. Was it really just a bad flu? Caeli didn't seem worried at all."

  "I have not shared the test results with her yet. I have treated her, but she does not know the cause of her symptoms," Salma replied quietly.

  Vin wanted to know what Salma discovered, but something in Salma's words struck an ominous chord in him. He was suddenly too upset to listen, instinctively knowing that he was not going to like what he was about to hear. Vin could feel his tension rise. The draft blowing through the lounge responded in kind. He could not stop it. Vin had learned an unforgettable lesson regarding the need to reign in his emotions before he did anything else.

  He excused himself and went into the bathroom in his room, closing the door. Vin stood there in the dark leaning heavily against the sink for nearly half an hour before the world stopped spinning around him. Caeli was his world. Without her, his life would have no meaning and serve no purpose. Even though she was sick, Caeli had risked her own health to heal his gunshot wound. Vin knew that she would not hesitate to do it again. He could still see the lingering weariness in her eyes as well. She was putting up a good front, but Vin easily saw through it. He needed to find a way to ensure that she would finally get the rest she needed. And, of course, Salma's diagnosis awaited his return. Vin would find out why Caeli had been so sick and whether her recovery was permanent or temporary. For some reason, this scared him more than anything else. He feared what Salma was going to tell him.

  Vin, his emotions finally under control, believed himself ready to deal with the situation calmly and rationally. He left the bathroom and rejoined Ben and Salma in the lounge.

  "What is it, Salma? What did you find?"

  "Vin," Salma whispered, "I want you to listen to everything. Don't go getting upset out of the gate. As you can see, she is going to be fine."

  "I am thrilled to see her improvement. But, I have seen that before."

  "Take my word for it. We caught it in time. Caeli will recover."

  "Recover from what?"

  "She was accidentally poisoned."

  Salma and Ben still had a slight disagreement about the accidental part, but Vin did not need to know that just then.

  "What?!"

  The air around them, only recently calmed, now stirred quickly back to life with Vin's reaction. Though he thought he had prepared himself to handle bad news, Vin was rattled by the completely unexpected findings. Nonetheless, he did not want Max to overhear any of this. Vin nodded again and sent Max happily hopping toward the kitchen.

  "Vin, calm down. I said accidentally. Please, listen to me. I was looking at the results of Caeli's blood work, and I found a combination of harsh chemicals that should not have been there. They are the kind of drugs you would expect to find in a cancer patient undergoing intensive treatment. If you put these drugs into a normal, healthy body, they will break it down and tear it apart. That is what Caeli has been fighting. That is why she has been sick and experiencing such severe pain. The symptoms she has had over the past several weeks make perfect sense now, including the nausea, fatigue, lack of appetite, and all of the allergy and flu-like symptoms. It actually accounts for what she believed to be the cause of her problems. Sadly, she found out a few hours ago it was not the case," Salma accepted with disappointment that Caeli's illness only made her think she was pregnant until her monthly cycle returned. She agreed with Caeli that there was no need to share that pa
rt with Vin now, but gave him a moment to digest the rest of the news before she continued.

  "Thankfully, Caeli's body craves water when she's sick. And, though your wife can be as stubborn as you at times, she has been actively trying to satisfy that craving. Caeli has been drinking water at every opportunity. It has been keeping her condition from accelerating more rapidly. It has kept her healthier than she should have been. Caeli's illness got drastically worse the last two days because, in addition to overexerting herself, she was stressed, dehydrated, and near exhaustion. Her body could not rally fast enough to put up a proper defense. So, it shut down instead."

  "I don't understand, Salma. How did this happen? How do you know it was an accident?" Vin stared toward the kitchen from which Max returned. This time he had a small, sweet pickle impaled on a plastic fork. He handed a second one to Vin before he returned to his coloring. Vin caught a glimpse of Caeli. The color had already returned to her cheeks, though perhaps that was more wishful thinking on his part.

  Ben picked up the next piece of the explanation.

  "Salma and I were discussing that very question, and I happened to be holding one of Caeli's energy bars at the time. Salma explained the strange results of the blood work, and the length of time it would take for the chemicals to reach those levels. It occurred to me that the only significant change I noted in Caeli's habits was her frequent munching on those snack bars. I held the answer right there in my hand. Salma tested the bar to confirm it."

  "Sure enough, I found the same chemical compounds in the energy bar that I found in Caeli's blood. I hooked her up to an IV and started treatment right away. Vin, I think she must have gotten bars from a contaminated batch. Heaven only knows how that happened or how many more are floating around out there. I will have to report the incident, of course. Nonetheless, I believe it was an accident," Salma concluded, exchanging a meaningful look with Ben.

  She did not want him to mention the other possibility yet. After noting the uncertain look that passed between Ben and Salma, Vin turned away. He walked over to the window, sending Max on yet another run to the kitchen as he walked by. Vin felt his anger sizzle beneath his skin. He stared out at the ocean, not wanting his friends to think he was upset with them. Poisoned? Bad luck did have a way of finding Caeli, but it typically started out belonging to other people. Caeli typically got caught up in the trouble only because she was trying to help someone else through it. This was different. How much bad luck could Caeli endure?