“Well, like I said, at first I thought she left me, maybe to gather her thoughts, I’m not sure. Although we didn’t fight before she left, she might’ve thought she wanted to be alone or something… it didn’t make sense, how I was thinking, but to tell you the truth, I wanted to believe she left me because at least it meant she wasn’t hurt. I know it doesn’t make sense, but, I wasn’t thinking clearly then. I waited two days because by that time, I had lost my mind. Nothing made sense anymore to me. So I reported her, even if it sounded crazy or unlikely, because of how she left with her things.” He said, knowing that he probably sounded insane but not caring because he was now reliving the sequence of events during the days of Hannah’s kidnapping.
“So then what happened?” Sheriff Washington asked.
Cas shrugged, “I reported her and we went out on a search. We came up empty handed and I waited.”
“You mentioned you had met some people in town.” Detective Alexander stated looking over his notes.
“Yes we did. A woman had come to see me and she had told me that since we were new, she wanted to invite me to dinner. I think she thought I was single at first.” Cas paused since Coral was done eating. He put a towel on his shoulder and gently burped her. “So Hannah and I went. They were odd. They took OK to me, but not to Hannah. Hannah wanted me to make friends and pushed me to be more social.” Cas said quietly. “It’s not easy for me to open up, Hannah knows that. She wanted our new life to include friends; she always tried to do what’s best for me. She’s thoughtful and caring like that…” He trailed off, thinking of when Hannah had pushed him to be friends with the pack. To her, she was only trying to create a family, a larger one, one that would understand their predicament, she couldn’t know how ruthlessly maniacal they were.
The two men wrote everything he said down.
“I went to them when I initially found her missing, they were the ones who suggested that she probably left me.” Cas said quietly and then shook his head. “I shouldn’t have listened to them.”
“And these people you befriended, it was the West family who lives in the mansion on the hill? Brian and Ashley West?” Sheriff Washington asked.
Cas nodded.
Detective Alexander regarded him. “Those people aren’t…normal. Everyone stays away from there.”
Cas sighed, annoyed, “I know that now.”
“We’ve had a lot of complaints over the years from that house. The people in it are bizarre. They work in town but we don’t always welcome them. They’re funny up there.” Sheriff Washington explained.
“Like I said, I know that now.” Cas paused as Coral burped.
“I never thought they would take her. They seemed…nice, welcoming, to me at least. I think Ashley wanted to be with me, she was always throwing herself at me.” Cas admitted quietly.
“Do you think that’s why they kidnapped Hannah?” Detective Alexander asked.
Cas shrugged, “Who knows?” He felt defeated
“So how did you find Hannah?” Sheriff Washington asked pressing on for the information.
“It was the strangest thing…I was driving along the road – I’ve been doing that a lot lately, mostly because I can’t sleep and I’m just…lonely over Hannah. I knew she was pregnant and since I’m the only doctor in town I knew she wasn’t getting treated. I was worried, anxious and probably paranoid. I certainly felt paranoid at that point. Anyway, out of feeling helpless, I started to drive around town and around the perimeter of the town, in the hope she might magically show up; maybe she would be hitchhiking, and I would pick her up; maybe I’d see her walking down the street and we could talk… like I said, I was desperate.” An image of her in that horrid dungeon flashed before his mind.
“So I’m driving and out of nowhere, I see a woman on the ground. Naturally I pull over to see what’s happened and it’s Hannah. I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy and confused. She was conscious when I found her, but badly hurt and delirious. She kept repeating how they took her and how they were going to take our baby and she told me who was responsible for her kidnapping, just before she went into labor.” Cas’s voice wavered with emotion again, tears threatening to fall down onto his cheeks.
“Did she say anything else?” Detective Alexander asked.
Cas shook his head, “No, not that I can think of.” Without noticing, tears started to flow freely form his eyes. “I mean, I helped her give birth and then she passed out. If I hadn’t been driving if I hadn’t of found her… I mean, at least I saved her. I saved her, right?” He was getting panicked, thinking of all the possible scenarios if he hadn’t come when he did. “I thought she was going to be alright. I saw the blood but she was talking to me just before… before…” Cas stopped to wipe his tears.
There was silence as Cas rocked his daughter, to comfort Coral and himself. The Sheriff and Detective continued to take notes.
“Anyway, I rushed her to the hospital and it was then that she slipped into a coma, I guess.” Cas finished off.
“And how’s her progress? Will she get better?” Sheriff Alexander asked, sympathetically, moved by Cas’s suffering.
Cas sighed, “They aren’t sure, but I visit her every day and I hope she wakes up. I’m not…not sure…what…what would…” He broke up and bit his lip looking away from the men; sure he would start crying again.
“Thank you for your time, we’ll be seeing you soon, I’m sure.” Sheriff Washington said, gathering himself and standing up.
Detective Alexander followed, giving him a smile as they left. Cas watched them go feeling sick at having retold the story. He ate his dinner while thoughts of Hannah raced in his mind.
Chapter 3
Cas was outside tending to Hannah’s garden the next day, with the baby in her stroller, watching him with curious eyes. It was a warm day out and he had put the hood on the stroller up, so the baby wouldn’t burn.
“Hello neighbor!” Cas looked up and saw his neighbor, Mrs. Moon smiling at him and waving. Mrs. Moon had lived in the small town her entire life. She had married and raised five kids, all of whom, except one, had moved out to explore the world. About a year ago, Mrs. Moon’s husband died and she had taken to rescuing dogs to fill the lonely void in her heart. Cas had found out all of this in the months without Hannah. Mrs. Moon had taken it upon herself to come over once a week, to try and console him. In the process, he’d ended up consoling her.
The unlikely couple had become good friends over the course of the last few months. Now, Mrs. Moon was helping Cas adjust to having a child of his own. If he had any questions, he went to see Mrs. Moon cause she was more than happy to help him out.
“Hello Mrs. Moon!” Cas called, standing up from his place in the yard.
She smiled and came over to see what he was doing.
“And how are we, this nice afternoon?” She cooed to Coral.
Coral gurgled and Mrs. Moon clapped in glee before looking at Cas.
“And how are you?” She asked.
Cas shrugged, wiping his sweaty forehead on his shirt.
“As well as to be expected.” He said gloomily.
Mrs. Moon patted his arm sympathetically. “Well, would you like some iced tea and sugar cookies? I just made some.”
Cas smiled, “That sounds good.”
She grinned and led him into her yard. He pushed the stroller along with him and they sat on her back patio, enjoying the cool summery breeze.
“I saw the Detective and Sheriff leaving your house last night.” She said, looking over at him.
He sighed, knowing she had a penchant for prying. It was both an annoying and enduring quality.
“Did you?” He asked tiredly.
She nodded, “What was it about? Is Hannah awake?”
He shook his head and drank some of the ice tea she’d made. “They wanted to question me again.” He said bitterly.
She took what he said in while sipping some of the tea herself. “So what are you going to do when yo
u return to work?” She asked cooing down at the baby again.
Cas sighed, “I don’t know.”
She was quiet for a moment, watching him. “You know, I would be happy to take her for the day.”
“No, Mrs. Moon it would be from 8-6 every day and I’d feel—“
“Nonsense how you’d feel! I haven’t had a child in my house for ages, and since my kids are too busy exploring the world and whatnot, they don’t have time for baby making. So I might never get grandchildren! Just hush and let me watch her while you’re at work. At least until Hannah’s back.” Mrs. Moon said, waving him off.
“At least let me pay you.” He protested, not knowing how he felt about her looking after Coral. He was still edgy about her being out of his sight.
“Hush child. Your company is payment enough.” She said, sending him a smile.
He smiled back at her, not knowing how he hadn’t thought of the idea previously. “Are you sure though? She’s a lot of work.” He said, though with gratefulness creeping into his voice.
“I’ve had five children, mind you.” Mrs. Moon said rolling her eyes.
Cas laughed and looked down at Coral with love in his eyes.
“You’ll take good care of her?” Cas asked worriedly.
Mrs. Moon gave him a sympathetic smile and patted him on hand.
“The best. Don’t worry Cas, nothing bad will happen to your daughter and I’m sure Hannah will wake up soon.” Mrs. Moon said lovingly.
Cas nodded.
“Drop her off tomorrow at seven thirty so you have time to explain everything to me.” Mrs. Moon said, glancing at the baby.
Cas nodded, dreading going back to work, but he knew his child was safe with Mrs. Moon, at least until Hannah woke up.
*
Cas was still nervous the next morning when he dropped Coral off, though he knew deep down Coral was safe with Mrs. Moon. He knew he was just being paranoid (he kept telling himself). She had been his neighbor for almost a year by this time, so he knew she wasn’t a threat. He had met her children and spent hours at her house. He knew he could trust her, he was just nervous leaving his child with anyone. But he knew in order to take care of Coral he would have to return to work. He also needed to figure out a way to get Hannah out of a coma.
Even now, Cas and Coral went to visit Hannah everyday at the hospital. The doctors had yet to tell him anything different, except that she was stable. Although he was glad she was stable, he wanted to hear something else, like when she is expected to wake up. He knew the longer she stayed in a coma, the longer it would take for her to get out of it. He was becoming frustrated and decided to try and less scientific way. Cas knew that if there were people like him, supernatural, therefore, there must be people who could help Hannah with magic and such things. He was determined to find a way to save Hannah if it was the last thing he did. But if the magic didn’t work, he would have to resort to turning her into a werewolf, so she could heal and come back to him.
Cas tried to get himself to concentrate on his patients that day, but his mind kept wandering to various possibilities on how to wake Hannah up. He wasn’t exactly sure where to start looking for a witch or a warlock, and, since he’d killed the pack, he couldn’t very well ask them. Basically, Cas reasoned, magic was the better option because at least he wouldn’t have to bite Hannah and change her.
“Dr. Cas.” Cas looked up to see his secretary giving him an odd look.
“Yes?” He asked. He knew he looked probably like he was losing it, but he didn’t care.
“Dr. Sing is on the phone, line one.” She said, gazing at him a little worriedly.
He nodded and went to pick up the phone.
“And Doctor.” She said, with the same worried expression.
“Yes?” He asked, his hand hovering above the phone.
“I think you should take the rest of the day off. You look…tired.” She said giving him a sympathetic smile.
“But—“
“I’ll reschedule the rest of your day. Go home and be with your daughter, Doctor. The patients can wait.” She said soothingly before leaving the room.
He sighed and picked up the phone, bracing himself for any kind of bad news, but also desperately hoping for good news, at the same time.
“Hello?” He answered, picking the phone up.
“Hi, Cas?” Dr. Sing asked on the other end.
“Speaking.” He said, rubbing a nervous hand along the length of his face.
“This is Dr. Sing. You’re wife’s doctor.” She said.
“Yes.” He prompted.
“I have some bad news…” She began. He held steady. “Your wife…she’s worsened. She’s fallen into a deeper coma and we fear she’s not going to come out of it. I recommend you come to the hospital and we can explain everything in more detail and what steps should be taken now.” Dr. Sing said softly, in pity.
He hung up, mechanically. He was in shock. Coma…deeper…next steps. Cas’s mind reeled as he thought about a life without Hannah. He knew then that he couldn’t wait to find a witch or a warlock. He was desperate; he knew what he needed to do. He was going to have to change her as soon as possible.
Chapter 4
When he snapped out of these thoughts, Cas called Mrs. Moon immediately. He needed Mrs. Moon to take care of Coral for a few hours longer than usual. He drove as quickly as possible to the hospital, his mind racing all the while. Cas hurried to the hospital, praying he wasn’t pulled over. When he saw the hospital signs, he felt immense relief flow through his body. He parked and hurried inside towards Hannah’s room. He burst into the room expecting to see something earth shattering, but instead, she was just exactly how she’d been the last month. Asleep and breathing with a tube in her mouth with her eyes closed.
He went over to Hannah’s bed, he picked up her chart and read her about her injuries, the medication she was on, and the small notes the residents and doctors had written down.
“How are you?” A nurse asked, coming into the room.
Cas’s head whipped around, taking in the pretty brunette nurse with caution. He relaxed, knowing she had come to check Hannah’s vitals.
“I’m…” He trailed off, too anxious and tired to lie.
“I can tell.” She said, with a gentle smile, before prying the clipboard from his hands.
“I’ll go get the doctor.” She said, giving him another smile before setting the information back where it belonged.
He gave her a grateful smile, happy to not have been scolded for looking at ‘confidential’ information.
While the nurse was gone, Cas sat down beside Hannah and took her hand. He gazed upon her pallid, sickly face and heard Dr. Sing’s prognosis ringing in his ears again. His hand tightened around Hannah’s and he closed his eyes, his tears were threatening to come down his face, again.
“I’m so, so sorry.” He whispered while kissing her hand gently. “I wish you would wake up.” He added, tightening his hold and squeezing her hand. “Why won’t you wake up? Please wake up. You can see our daughter and we can be together…please, please my sweet, and wake up. I promise it’ll be worth your while.” He said rubbing her cold hand along her face. “Hannah.” He groaned, now realizing the full gravity of her situation. Cas thought about how he’d do anything to see her bright eyes beaming at him again. He wanted to shake her awake but thought better of it.
His eyes were trained on her face when Dr. Sing came in.
“How are you today, Cas?” She asked, looking over at him staring at Hannah.
He nodded slowly, “Fine. What exactly is going on?” He peeled his eyes from Hannah to turn to look at the doctor.
She sighed and came over to stand beside him, watching Hannah as well.
“I’m terribly sorry, but I don’t think she’s going to wake up. A change has occurred and she will not being coming out of her coma.” She said vaguely.
“Why not?”
Dr. Sing shrugged, “Sometimes this happens with coma vi
ctims. She has slipped deeper into sleep and it’s now only a 5 percent chance she will be able to come out of it. I really am sorry, Cas, but I think it would be best if you thought about what to do next; start thinking in the long term.” She said, before patting his stiff back.
“Please call me if you have any other questions. I’ll give you a moment.” She said before leaving.
Cas tightened his hold on Hannah’s cold hand and brought the limb to his lips to kiss. He closed his eyes and let the tears he’d been back run down his face. Without full thinking, or realizing what he was doing, he bit Hannah’s wrist, hoping his dangerous plan would work. He watched the blood swell to the surface. He licked it up and kissed the wound. He then prayed that something would change and good would finally overcome the evil. He prayed for her recovery and he prayed that his daughter was safe. After sitting with her for another few minutes, he got up and kissed her cold forehead.
Getting Physical With Doctor Wolf Page 2
