The Bakeneko Brothers

Chapter 3

I squinted at the light filtering through the rotting wooden boards. I turned over to see Hiro. He was still asleep, but he didn't look so great. His forehead was hot to the touch, and beads of sweat had already formed on his skin. A fever was the last thing I needed right now. I poured some water onto a rag and pressed it to his forehead. He stirred at the contact, his eyes fluttering open.

"Tadashi?" He rasped, coughing.

"Hey buddy, how you feelin'?" I asked.

"I'm on top of the world bro." Hiro croaked, showing off a crooked half-smile.

"C'mon, I gotta get you to the hospital." Hiro grunted as he sat up. I lifted up his shirt to check out how his wound was doing. I winced at the sight. It looked infected. The skin surrounding the injury was a fiery red colour, and it looked painful. I let his shirt fall back down as I helped Hiro onto my back. The morning air was crisp and cool. Our breath came out in puffs of vapour as I walked. I avoided the main streets and took mostly to alleys and quiet streets with barely any traffic. It took a little while longer, but we needed to lay low, especially when in such a vulnerable state.

A/N: I know that in real life hospitals, there's a lot more information needed to be exchanged to get checked in at a hospital, but it's a fic. Just note that it is DEFINITELY not this easy to get into a hospital on such little information. I am not a medical expert either!! I don't know proper medical procedures or the treatment of a bullet wound. Keep this in mind while reading please.

"Put on your hood." I whispered to Hiro. He didn't say anything back, but I felt one of his hands leave my neck for a moment. I pulled on my own hood. Hopefully there wouldn't be much of a wait. I knew that was unlikely, but I could hope. I wanted to stop here and leave as soon as possible. It made me skittish to be in such a public place without my mask.

"What are your names?" The secretary asked us, eyeing us suspiciously. She had a cranky edge to her voice, and looked as though she loathed children. Perhaps that wasn't the case. Maybe she had just had a long day, or forgotten her lunch.

"Daniel. Daniel Callakan. This is my brother Ryan."

"I didn't know Callaghan had any sons, or children this young." She stared daggers at us through narrowed eyes.

"No no, it's Callakan, not Callaghan. Don't worry, it's a common mistake." The lies slid off my tongue so easily.

"Well Daniel, you can sit over there with your brother. I'll let you know when Doctor Bradinsky can see you." She gestured to the seat in the lobby. I nodded and let Hiro slide off my back onto a chair. We were lucky and only had to wait twenty minutes before the secretary notified us that the doctor could see us. Hiro jumped onto my back and we entered the emergency room.

"Hello boys! What appears to be the trouble?" A man greeted us with a booming deep voice, and jovial spirit. He was a bit on the heavy side, and his face was round and jolly. I let Hiro slide off my back. He clung to my arm and hid behind me.

"My little brother has been complaining of stomach pain."