“Hello. I’m Doctor Randle.” She held out a hand and I shook it. “How are you today?” She was glancing through my paperwork but spared a glance at me for my response.
“I’m good,” I said, “and yourself?”
“Wonderful.” She set the papers down next to the built-in sink. “Thank you for asking.” She pulled out a stool with wheels that I had missed earlier, sat down and crossed her legs. I noticed her outfit beneath her lab coat was completely white as well. “What brings you here today, Will?”
“Where to start . . . where to start,” I said, laughing as I ran my hand through my hair.
“Would you like me to go through a list of symptoms or would you rather try and describe it to me?”
I looked at her, unsure which I wanted. Describing the symptoms was a hassle. I always felt like an idiot telling people I was too strong or that my ears were too sensitive.
“Okay,” she said, speaking when I remained quiet. “How about I’ll read a list of symptoms and if I miss anything you can let me know?”
Like they’ll be able to guess my symptoms. I had to work to suppress a grin with this all-white clinic thinking they knew better than the countless doctors I’d already seen. “Sure, sounds good.”
“We will start with the basics.” She flipped to a fresh sheet of paper and began. Over the next few minutes I told her that I had no trouble sleeping, didn’t believe I had a fever, my appetite was fine when I wasn’t nauseous, I hadn’t lost any significant amount of weight, I was taking two antidepressants but that was a story for another day, and other various things. When she asked if I had suicidal thoughts I had a very telling pause, so I had to answer with a yes. I never thought I would be that guy. Oh, and when she asked if I was sexually active I said no. But my mind wandered to Kristen. Sometimes my mind was incredibly unproductive.
She tapped her pen to the chart and flipped it once more. “Great. Now for the more specific symptoms. You wrote some of them down but we have been able to narrow down some telltale signs of what we believe you have.”
Did she say they’d had cases like this before? I nodded, eager to hear more, my faith and hope in this Dr. Randle increasing slightly.
“You mentioned sometimes your body fails to register pain. Does it seem to be an on and off switch or does it ebb and flow?”
“On and off.”
She nodded and scribbled my answer down. “As for your random strength increases, have you noticed any patterns behind them being triggered? Maybe when you want to be stronger or are feeling trapped or scared?”
“It’s usually when I’m doing something and my mind drifts to the act of lifting or pushing.” Her questions were eerily accurate. “Distractions keep me grounded.”
“Very nice.” More scribbling. “What do you believe causes your lack of sturdiness when walking? Can you tell what the root of the problem is? I know that is mostly my job but often a patient’s intuition can help me get there faster.” She smiled and I couldn’t help but return the gesture. It was disarming and nearly hypnotic.
“It’s almost like drunkenness. Except it feels like my body wants to move faster than it can.”
“Okay,” she said, smiling still. “That’s more helpful than you know.”
“Oh!” I raised my hand. “I got it. When I get all topsy-turvy, it’s almost as if my sense of balance . . . like my senses are out of sync with my physical body. Like they aren’t on the same page, as if my mind and body aren’t calibrated properly.”
“Mmhmm.” Her eyes remained on the page as she continued her notes. “Okay. I think I have enough for now. If you think of anything else, let the nurse know when they come in to take a blood sample. That should give us a definite answer. Any questions?”
“What do you think I have?”
Dr. Randle’s smile swiftly left her face, leaving a tight frown in its place. “I’m sorry. I can’t speak of that until we have the results.” She opened the door and slid my paperwork into the plastic pocket on the door.
“But—you said others—”
The door shut. She had been in quite the hurry after my question. Had she misspoke earlier when she mentioned previous patients? With a balled fist, I lightly hit the examination table, more out of disappointment than anger.
Two brief knocks sounded on the door.
“Come in,” I said.
“Hello.” A petite older woman poked her head through the door. She wheeled in a cart and let the door shut after her. “How are you today?”
“Good, thank you.” The hope had been sucked out of me. This was just another let down, only I had come thousands of miles for this one.
The nurse didn’t speak any further. As she had me lay back while she took my blood, I let my eyes rove over the ceiling. I wasn’t scared of blood but I didn’t look forward to such a sight. Who liked blood? Maybe vampires but there were none of those in this story.
“All done.” The lady wheeled her cart out before my eyes even left the ceiling. I was left alone again with no instruction. Only an open door that led back into the hallway. Was I done?
I waited a minute before standing up and peeking into the hallway. It was empty. I frowned. “Okay then.” I made my way back through the hall to the waiting room. I entered and turned to ask the receptionist if I was done only to notice she was gone. Where was everyone? I leaned over the reception window and looked around—empty. I sat in the waiting room for about ten minutes before giving up. They had said it was free but I expected to get some sort of paperwork, or maybe even a goodbye.
Once outside on the sidewalk, I pulled open my phone and opened the Lyft app, requesting a ride home before I went and worked on the food truck for the rest of the day. The driver arrived in his red Volvo and I gave one last glance at the institute before climbing into the backseat.
The driver and I exchanged pleasantries and we were on our way.
“So, where you coming from?” He was a chatty driver with much too blonde hair. Seems like everyone dyed their hair nowadays.
“Just had a doctor’s appointment.” I stared out the window, looking to see what I could recognize from the earlier drive with Daichi.
“Oh, very cool,” he said. “My name is Todd by the way.” He glanced back at me. “Nice to meet you. I’d shake your hand but you know.” He wiggled his fingers on the steering wheel before letting out an abrupt laugh.
“I’m Will,” I said, now a little weirded out. “Nice to meet you too.”
Several minutes later he had not stopped chatting but he pulled the car up in an empty parking space outside my new house. I reached for the handle when Todd looked back.
“Weird,” he said, looking out the back window. I followed his gaze to a black SUV pulling up directly behind us.
“What?”
“That truck has been following us.” His voice had now gone up a couple octaves and resembled nails on the chalkboard.
“Ah.” I noted the truck but climbed out. I’d take my chances with the truck over this shrill overly friendly driver. I opened the door and stepped out. “Thanks.”
“Five stars, plea-” he yelled as the car door shut, cutting off his voice.
I rubbed my temples with my forefingers as an engine revved in the background. I turned. My driver was still parked but his head was poked out the window. Once again I followed his eyes and saw it was actually the truck starting its engine. I was just about to put it out of my mind when I heard the screech of brakes from the other direction. In the matter of seconds it took to turn my head, a teal sedan which looked to have already jumped the curb, was heading right toward me. I saw the wide eyes of the driver as he twisted the steering wheel away from me. That only served to crash the teal sedan into another car. The sedan bounced off the parked car and I heard a scream from Todd as I realized I was frozen in the direct path of the oncoming teal car. My left was blocked by Todd while I doubted running backward would allow me to outrun the oncoming teal deathtrap.
I took t
wo steps toward my porch while the car skidded right for me. Even if I made it, there was no guarantee I’d be safe. There was very little cover. I dove for my front door, willing it to open. It didn’t. I crashed into the door at the same time I felt something clip the back of my head.
Five
Kristen
When it came to getting schoolwork done, I was starting to realize boys were my weakness. Whether it was Cooper asking me to order our fourteenth pizza of the day, or some random boy I just met running through my mind, boys always came between me and my work. It was the latter this time. I don’t know why it bothered me, though. College wasn’t my thing. Why did I bother? My parents, possibly. Maybe because I didn’t have any other choice.
I shut my computer, exhaling through clenched teeth as I officially gave up on making any progress with my homework. That Will kid was just so irritatingly present in my mind. I stood and pushed my chair in before flopping onto my bed. I rubbed my temples in an attempt to prevent the headache I could feel beginning to set in. I grabbed my phone and called Chris. She’d come over and I could stop cursing my existence. Chris always knew what to say.
“You’re living with a guy?” Chris asked. “Oh, lordy. Cooper’s gonna have a fit.”
You would think she wouldn’t be smiling for that last statement, but she loved herself some drama. I could never stay mad with her wild gestures and excited screeching.
“Well, he would if he was going to be around.”
“Kristen! You’re gonna kill him?” She raised an eyebrow.
“No, no.” I couldn’t tell if she was being serious. “I was just planning on breaking up with him.”
“This guy moving in must be quite the looker, then.” She winked.
I shook my head but felt the warmth rising to my cheeks that indicated otherwise. I grabbed my water bottle and took a sip. “He’s cute, but a little awkward. Funny, though.” Not quite Brad Pitt, but someone who could apparently make me forget about Cooper . . . I took another few sips and swished the water back and forth.
“Hello! Kristen!” Chris snapped her fingers. “You didn’t call me over here so you could daydream about a new boy. But if it’s going to get you out of your mood, then by all means, daydream aloud.” She leaned forward and placed her chin in her hands, her face resembling a child’s on Christmas.
A shout and the squealing of tires permeated the windows of my room as I opened my mouth to speak. Chris and I hurried to the window. Outside there was a pileup. At least two cars were on the sidewalk. I placed my head against the glass to get a closer look. There was a blond male, bloodied and woozy, getting out of the red car closest to the road. A SUV quickly finished a three-point turn and drove off in the opposite direction. Almost directly underneath the building there was a teal car, completely totaled. The driver was unconscious in the driver’s seat.
“Come on,” I said, already peeling away from the window. “Let’s put those first aid classes to good use.”
We made our way out of my room and down the steps. I dialed 911 and put the phone to my ear. I opened the door and saw several bystanders, all staring at the wreck from across the street. Looking down, I dropped my phone, almost tripping over a body. Will’s body. My phone glanced off the porch and bounced once, resting in a pile of blood. Will’s blood.
Chris peered over my shoulder. She gasped. I bent down and felt for Will’s pulse. It was fairly strong. How, I had no idea. The wreck was a lot closer than I had realized. I hadn’t even seen him when looking out the window. I turned back to Chris who staring with her hands over her mouth. “Can you get the first aid kit?” I asked. “It’s in my bathroom cupboard.” I turned back to Will and began to apply pressure to his wounds as best I could.
I heard the dispatcher speaking through the phone and picked it up with my free hand, ignoring the fact I was no doubt smearing his blood all over the side of my face.
“911. What is your emergency?” The dispatcher’s muffled voice came through the phone.
“Car accident. At least two victims.” I gave him the address and traded the phone for the first aid kit when Chris returned.
I tuned out her talking as I opened the kit and did my best to focus on Will. He was unconscious, crumpled against the left side of the porch, barely protected by the concrete railing of the stoop. The car’s front tire hung over him, lifted from the ground. The stoop railing had protected him from the brunt of the impact but it appeared Will wasn’t able to get his head low enough to avoid a glancing blow.
From the first aid kit, I retrieved the gauze and placed pressure on his head. The minutes passed like hours as the onlookers stared and took pictures. I looked down and was relieved to see blood hadn’t soaked through the gauze yet.
“How long has it been?” I craned my neck to face Chris.
“Three minutes.” Okay, so not bad. The bleeding was manageable. I felt his pulse again and my brow wrinkled. Surprisingly, his pulse was getting stronger.
“How close is the ambulance?” I asked, then heard the sirens coming. “Never mind.”
Six
Will
“How did you remember all that?” a female voice met my ears.
“I don’t know,” Kristen said. “It just all came to the forefront of my mind. Like my brain knew it was needed.”
“Well, damn.” The other voice sounded impressed.
I opened my eyes to an incredible overload of senses. First, there was the beauty of Kristen, then there were the bright lights on the ceiling, the noises throughout the building, and much more. The crying baby would have likely been enough to drive me insane if Kristen hadn’t jumped out of her chair and approached my bed. My hospital bed. I was in the hospital. My eyes went wide as memories flooded back. The Lyft and the car crash. Kristen watched me as I glanced over my body, making sure everything was intact.
“How are you feeling?” she asked.
“Good,” I said. That was an understatement. I didn’t feel any pain. I met her eyes. “Do you know what happened?” I only remembered diving toward the door.
“I only know what I saw. You were unconscious on the porch and I put pressure on your wound.” She looked at the back of my head and her eyes narrowed. “Which is quite small for the amount of blood on the scene.”
I reached up and felt the bandages over my wound. “Weird,” I muttered. I meant it but I was getting pretty used to odd things occurring with my body. I chuckled suddenly.
“What?”
“Of all the times I could have used my super strength,” I said, grinning. “I forget to use it the one time it would come in handy.”
Kristen raised an eyebrow. “Super strength?”
“Didn’t I tell you about it?” Oh no, that was Dr. Randle. I rubbed my face. “Uh, what have I told you?”
“Nothing about super strength, that’s for sure.” She sat on the end of my bed. “I’m listening.”
I sighed. This would be explanation number 2,362. I went through my symptoms, the random roulette super strength, the increased senses and sensitivity to stimuli, the nausea, the wobbly walking . . . everything good and bad, I told her.
Once I finished she was silent. Kristen exchanged looks with the other girl in the room, who I assumed to be the other voice from earlier.
“I’m Chris, by the way.” The other girl introduced herself.
“Nice to meet you,” I said, “I’m—”
“Superman?” Chris interjected for me with a smile.
I laughed. “You know—it sounds like it, but I think Superman would have avoided the car—or picked it up.” I shrugged. “Hey,” I said, a thought coming to me. “The driver of the car that hit me . . . and my Lyft driver, what happened to them?”
“The Lyft driver? The guy with really blonde hair?” Kristen asked. I nodded and then winced. So the wound was still capable of hurting. I was almost relieved. “He was deemed good to go and checked out.” Kristen paused and lowered her voice. “The driver who struck you is in a com
a in the next room over.” My stomach sank. Despite his inadvertent attempt on my life, I felt bad for the guy. Looking into his terrified eyes before he hit me had been spooky. I closed my eyes. I imagined the guy watching his life flash before his eyes.
“Did they say what went wrong with his car?” I asked, opening my eyes again.
Kristen shook her head.
“Ohh, Willlll.” A voice I’d know anywhere carried down the hall and into my room. I rolled my eyes. Two seconds later Daichi walked into the room. “Finally,” he said, still too loudly. “I checked, like, five rooms before this one.” He looked to Kristen and Chris. “Roommate?” he asked, offering his hand. Kristen shook it and nodded.
“Now that you’ve got company,” Kristen said, “we’ll be off. See you at home.” She smiled and turned, walking out the door. My eyes followed her, unable to give up a visual of her if there was one. Only when she had disappeared from view did I turn my eyes back to Daichi. He rolled his eyes.
“You’ve known her for what, an hour and you’re already in love?” he said.
“Well,” I said with a shrug and a grin, “she did potentially save my life.”
“Fair enough.” He sighed and sat down. “So, I’m guessing I shouldn’t expect you at work anytime soon?”
“You’d have to ask the doctor,” I said. “I actually just woke up.”
“Eh, doesn’t matter.” He waved a dismissive hand in my direction. “The truck is just for fun, not like we need the money or anything.” He was right. I didn’t know where his financial security had came from but I had saved up ever since I came up with the idea of moving for my last days. Living at home had its perks.
“Woah,” I said, blinking. A wave of exhaustion washed over me. I wasn’t sure if it was the meds or fatigue from the accident, but it was suddenly a challenge to keep my eyes open.
Transfer_An Urban Fantasy Romance Page 3
