After her talk with Tinaksite, Laven left the room and waited out in the hallway while doctors worked to stabilize Wolframite. She really didn’t know how to feel, anger was at the forefront of her mind however, helplessness and worry were overcoming it, but not by much. While, while she tried to keep her mind from playing out scenarios, jumping to even more devastating conclusions, or dwelling on regrets, the officer on-call was kind enough to explain the difficulties they were facing.

“Wolframite is a half-youma, his biology is different than a normal human. Unfortunately, the doctors were not particularly trained in how to treat someone as unique as you two are. If he was a full-youma, taking him to the Rift might be an option. But the creatures there would likely take advantage of his current state and…” his voice trailed off, not wanting to give rise to those more morbid scenarios.

Laven’s gaze remained fixated on an arbitrary spot on the textured laminate floor. Nothing of what he said was new to her. It’s true, between his ears and paws, Wolframite’s appearance was different enough to give them a reason to approach things differently. But his organs should still be all in the right place, or so she thought.

“Keep in mind,” he continued. “He does not bleed like the rest of us. His blood runs almost black.” The officer speaking would know best since he had to de-sanitize the waiting area after Tinaksite was taken to the other room. “The molecular structure is not what the doctors are used to seeing. It could be part mutation like the venom he secrets, or it could be dietary. Either way, it’s an indication that certain procedures or medication may not work the way we expect them to. Morphine, for instance, may have adverse effects, or no effect at all. At this point, it is really just touch and go.”

“You mean trial and error.” There was no need to sugarcoat the situation. Laven knew he was just trying to put her mind at ease, to convince her that the Doctors really were doing all they could to save Wolframite’s life.

But it wasn’t enough.

She needed to see him, to reach out and touch him, hold his hand… do something except wait outside in the hallway just a few feet away from the door that separated them. It took all she had to keep her youma nature in check and not fight past the officer to get to him. Her will was not strong, and as the minutes passed she could feel it start to crack under the anxiety and worry that weighed heavily upon her shoulder.

Then… the light turned off… and the room became very silent as the doctor walked out, dard-red almost black blood swiped across the front of his once white apron. “We were able to remove the last bullet,” He spoke with an even tone but the worry lines that creased his brow did little to give Laven any comfort that Wolframite was in the clear. “He’s stable,” the doctor clarified. “But I’m not confident that nows the time to move him into another room.”

Laven looked between the two men and took a side step to walk around the older man but was stopped yet again. “I’m sorry, I can’t let you see him. Not yet. I suggest you go home for now and we will call you once he’s been relocated.”

“No!” She jerked her arm away. “Please just-.” Again tears began burning her eyes and try as she might to keep her emotions in check, that resolve was quickly slipping. “Just let me see him, please? I won’t go inside, I just…” The strength in her legs waiverd and when she moved to take another step, Laven’s knee buckled beneath her, however, the officer that had been talking to her earlier was quick enough to catch her before she hit the ground.

“I’m sorry-” the doctor shook his head but the officer looked up at him imploringly on her behalf. He sighed then stepped aside, “If this was a normal hospital we’d both be fired.”

Laven was too emotionally and physically exhausted to say thanks, her breathing was already ragged and labored as it was, saying anything would not come easy and so the officer thanked him for her instead.

While each staggering step brought her closer to him, it felt like the door was retreating further away, and only when her hand touched the smooth surface did her mind snap back to reality. “Only from here, don’t go inside.” It was a sterile environment and it was best that things remain as they are.

Only after she nodded her head did he open the door.

A clawed hand raised to cover her mouth if only to muffle the audible gasp and sobs that followed suit. Wolframite had been injured before but nothing could prepare her for seeing him like this.

After a moment pased the door was closed and she was left standing there in complete shock. “Don’t let this be the last memory I have of him…” It was a struggle but Laven managed to look up at the doctor. “Bring him back. Save him, please.”

“We’re doing our best,” he replied. But to her, that response wasn’t good enough.

“Please…” she all but begged. “I’ll do anything. Just… don’t let him die.”

Everything about this felt too surreal, too familiar. However this time she didn’t have her family or friends to lean against. Just being here already put her on edge but the similarities between now and when her brother died were just too great to be ignored.

“We will let you know if-”

“No! I’m not leaving.” Laven shook her head and held fast onto the doctor’s sleeve. “I’m not leaving.”

“Ok…” he turned to the officer, “Keep an eye on her then. We will let you know if anything changes.”

She nodded and after a few seconds hesitation, she let go of the fabric she had been holding onto. “Thank you…” Her voice was no higher than a whisper as she turned to sit down on the bench nearest his door. If anything happened she wanted to be the first to know.