Next of Kin

Chapter 5

Marinette was completely dead to the world when a sound disturbed her slumber. She was having a good dream too about Adrien and she was almost certain that she had heard him call her Princess last night, but maybe that had just been part of her dream. It took a few moments for her to register that the sound she was hearing was actually her phone ringing. Reaching over, she realised that her phone wasn't where it normally was. It was at this point she opened her eyes and remembered she had spent the night in Adrien's apartment and she vaguely wondered if he was already gone or not. She didn't even remember coming to bed.

Reaching to the other side, she briefly saw the time was 5:30am before she pressed answer. Who on earth would be calling her at this indecent time of the morning?

"Hello?" She said groggily.

"Hello, is this Marinette Dupain-Cheng?"

"Um...yes?" She said questioningly. "Who is this?"

"My name is Peter, and I'm a paramedic with the Parisian ambulance service. Does your boyfriend Adrien ride a motorbike?"

"My boyfriend?...oh Adrien isn't..." It was at that moment Marinette sat bolt upright in the bed. "Wait, did you say you're a paramedic? Did something happen to Adrien?"

"He's alright." The voice on the other end said calmly, trying to reassure her. "He's conscious and is currently in an ambulance on his way to the hospital, but his leg is badly broken. It looks like he took the corner too close to the curb, but there were no other vehicles involved."

Marinette could hardly believe what she was hearing. Tikki came close to her and listened in with a concerned look. There was something about the way she was looking that made Marinette worry.

"Are you still there?" The voice said down the phone.

"Yes, yes I'm here."

"I know it's a shock, but try not to panic - he's okay. Are you able to make your way to the hospital? He's going to need some support."

"Yes, yes. I'll be there. Thank you."

Jumping out of bed, Marinette threw on the dress she had packed in her overnight bag and tied her hair back into a ponytail. Tikki watched her anxiously. The red Kwami knew Plagg would be beside himself and she was anxious to check on him. Marientte took out her phone and called Alya. The reporter was fairly indignant at the early morning call, but when Marinette explained the situation, Alya was soon wide awake and offered to come with Nino and drive Marinette to the hospital.

She found Adrien's spare apartment key near the door and made sure to lock up before making her way down to the street to wait for Alya.

It was only a few minutes before Alya arrived with Nino, nursing a tray of coffees. "You're a lifesaver." Marinette said, gratefully taking one of the hot beverages.

"What was Adrien doing so early this morning?" Nino asked.

"Fencing practice." Marinette replied. "It was the only time he could slot in because he had commitments for his father today."

Alya swore under her breath. "You know I always said that man would be the death of him, but I didn't mean it literally." Alya's phone dinged with a news alert. "Can you check that for me babe?"

Nino picked up Alya's phone and unlocked it, reading the alert. Marinette saw Nino frown.

"It's not an akuma is it?" She asked. That was the last thing she wanted right now.

"No, it's about Adrien. The accident has already been reported in the news - Breaking News, son of fashion mogul Gabriel Agreste was reported to have had an accident on his motorbike shortly before five this morning. Officer Raincomprix refused to comment on the situation except to say Adrien was stable and no other vehicles were involved."