Keeva and the Sword-In Progress, Minimal Editing

Keeva and the Sword Part 3

In case you haven't guessed, I was a pre-med major at the start of this tale. I have attempted to reign in my descriptions. A scene here is inspired by the Great Dr. Wilson and Mercedes Lackey.

For a few days, Dr. Hollowell kept Keeva on almost complete bed rest, with the only exception being lunch and dinner on the patio along with the twins. It was after lunch and Keeva was lying abed muddling her way through the storm of emotions that was beginning to surface as her medications were being reduced. First and foremost was her concern about payment, school, her belongings, and her health. Dr. Hollowell repeatedly told her that it was all covered, but she still felt indebted to him. She was also relieved that, for a time at least, she was living in comfort with plenty of food, good clothes, and secure shelter. Mostly, she was wondering "Why?". Why here instead of a national clinic, why did Joni and Tate follow her, what made them take interest and want to concern themselves with her. As she gingerly shifted, her hand brushed something cold and hard under her pillow. Keeva twisted slightly to see what it could be underneath the pillow. "The Medallion?", she murmured, "How can this be?" Keeva studied the warm bronze for a moment before leaning over the edge of the bed to tuck it under the mattress. Shortly after she hid the medallion, Dr. Hollowell and Nurse Taylor entered followed by two men and a woman that Keeva did not recognize. Keeva attempted to sit up, and was gently restrained by Nurse Taylor, who then raised the head of the bed and helped her shift to a more comfortable position. "Ms. Heartridge, this is Deputy Brown, and Dr. Hansen. Deputy Brown is the officer in charge of your case, and Dr. Hansen is part of your medical team." Keeva smiled and said, "Hello", while glancing at the woman. The woman watched and raised an eyebrow slightly. "Deputy Brown, I believe that you had a few questions for Ms. Heartridge...?", Dr. Hollowell inquired. "Ah, yes, Ms. Heartridge, just a few things that I need to confirm for records. First, how old are you?" "19, sir." "And who are your parents?" Keeva's heart raced and her face paled, when she looked to Dr. Hollowell, he simply nodded. Gripping the sheets tightly she began in almost a whisper, "Mother was Sonya Heartridge, she died when I was a toddler, I was raised by her parents, when they passed, I lived with Uncle Rodrick, until two years ago anyway." "And your father...". Keeva could not speak, could not bear to look up at anyone in the room. "I see, very well then. Tell me this then, why did you choose to live in the abandoned shed, instead of applying to stay at one of the student centers or even one of the shelters?" Keeva tightened her lips and paused before answering, "All of my school needs were provided for, and the café provided enough for food. If I had applied I might have lost my sponsorship while my...situation... was determined. I just did not want to cause trouble is all, it was only supposed to be until graduation this spring." Deputy Brown made no audible reply, but his look of dissatisfaction and the length of notes he was taking made Keeva feel as if her stomach and heart could sink no lower, and sweat cooled on her back and palms. "That's all I need for now, Ms. Heartridge, Dr. Hansen, Dr. Hollowell", and with that the deputy excused himself and left.

Keeva slowly released the breath she just noticed that she was holding, and shakily opened her hands, freeing the sheet. Nurse Taylor placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and smiled at her. Dr. Hollowell turned to the woman, who had positioned herself in the corner opposite the door, "Well?", he raised his eyebrows and looked over his glasses at her. "I concede, my assistance is needed, especially if HE will be liable to poking his nose about where it is not welcome." "Thank you, Lady Sorenson. Now I am afraid I have several other matters I must attend to for a while. Keeva..." "Yes, Dr. Hollowell?" "You can trust them. Answer any questions they have as best you can, and then they are going to check you over to see how you are healing." "Yes, Sir." "And Dr. Hansen, you had best keep a watch on those monitors, she's had enough stress for the day." "Hollowell, do you think that I would ever intentionally overstress one of my patients without a vitally good reason?" Dr. Hollowell simply shook his head and left.