Vices and Maces

Chapter 68: So Many Things Happening At Once

CW: blood, gore, implied death

Roman swiftly put the car in park and turned off the engine. They were parked in an area that they can easily escape if need be. Janus left the car and shut the door, Roman and Remus staying just in case they needed backup.

Of course Roman wanted to go right in and find Virgil, but he can't do that. He needs to wait for some sort of signal, if there will even be one. Hopefully there won't be a need for one... Hopefully Virgil isn't badly hurt.

Janus didn't get too far from the car before shifting into a small field mouse. They ran to the wall of the hospital, waiting for someone to open the door. The moment they did, Janus ran in, hugging the wall and staying out of sight.

They made their way around the waiting room, until finally someone with a wheelchair rolled by. Janus risked it and ran under it, staying hidden under it and avoiding the wheels. As they passed the check in though, a woman said something that caught their attention.

"I'm here to see my brother, Virgil."

Janus almost froze, glancing over to see the receptionist pull out a sign in sheet. They didn't have much time as the wheelchair was still moving down a hall, being pushed by a nurse who would no doubt see them if they stopped, so they kept going.

They sniffed the air, trying to catch any familiar scent. A lot of it was heavily covered by chemicals, then there was the smell of blood, sweat, and medicine. They weren't even sure they were going in the right direction until they caught the familiar scent. Oil and coffee, two things that were practically ingrained into Virgil's being by now.

Janus jumped between the spokes of the wheelchair, barely missing getting caught. They ran towards a door and squeezed themself under it. Although they couldn't see who was on the bed, the scent of oil and coffee filled the room, along with everything else Janus had been smelling.

They shifted back to their human form and made sure to lock the door, glancing over at Virgil. The dragon seemed to be asleep, though his eyebrows were pulled together, making a line between them.

He was pale, and Janus could see the giant bruise on his cheek. There were definitely more injuries, possibly covered by the hospital gown and blanket. But he was breathing... He's alive. Janus almost wanted to cry in relief, but they could do that later, they were running out of time.

"Virgil," they whispered-yelled, moving towards him.

As always a light sleeper, Virgil flinched before his eyes widened in panic. The purple irises landed on Janus, and he seemed to relax.

"Jan?" he asked, his voice scratchy. "Wha-what are you...?"

"We don't have much time, we gotta leave," Janus said, heading towards a wardrobe and looking through it. They found a doctor's jacket, which should be enough for Virgil for now, as well as a plastic bag with what seemed to be Virgil's stuff.

However footsteps were coming down the hall, and no doubt the nurses would be able to unlock the door.

~~

Remus had his arms folded and tapped his foot on the car floor. He made a popping noise with his mouth that was really starting to annoy Roman.

"If you do not stop..." the vampire growled.

"Stop what?" Remus asked before making another popping noise.

"Stop that!"

The halfling smiled. "Whatcha gonna do about it?"

Roman rubbed his face. "I'll choke you out."

"Hm, I'd rather Janus do that." Remus looked back out his window.