Indian summer

Chapter 32

A dense fog hung over the parking lot as we pulled in. The rag I was holding against Embry's wound was soaked with sticky blood. His breathing had been labored the whole 20 minute ride to the nearest hospital and every once in a while I would watch with panic as his eyes would roll back in his head with agony. The bullet wound was in his right shoulder. I thought back to human physiology and tried to remember what vital organs were around that area. I had no idea if it was low enough to have punctured a lung or not. With him coughing up blood I was worried that the bullet hit his lung. I wished I had paid more attention during science classes.

Embry refused to let us go get a gurney for him. He insisted on walking into the hospital, although I have no idea why.

"What happened?" Asked the receptionist at the front desk of the ER.

"Accidental shooting," I replied, glancing over at Rhett. He looked away.

Embry seemed even tenser now that we were at the hospital. He would flinch whenever someone would go near him and he was always looking around.

"Call Carlisle now." Embry rasped as nurses buzzed around him.

"He's running a fever." A nurse muttered to another.

"That's how he always feels." I said, touching his face while grabbing my cell phone. Embry let out a small groan of frustration and pain.

The nurse eyed me but went about her work. I quickly dialed the number I had wrote on a napkin and prayed it was correct. I looked around while it rang and realized Rhett was nowhere to be seen. I remembered how uncharacteristically silent he had been the whole ride here. I didn't get to ponder that much more because someone picked up the phone.

"Hello?" Asked a sweet musical voice.

"Hi," I machine gun answered, "Um... is Dr. Cullen there?"

"Hold on one moment," The girl on the other line replied. There was a shuffling sound as the phone shifted.

"This is Dr. Cullen."

"Hi, this is Dixie..." I flinched along with Embry as the nurse cleaned his wound. "Embry's imprint."

"Hello, Dixie. How can I help you?"

"Embry has been hurt. He was shot and we took him to a hospital because I think he needs medical attention. He wants you to speak to the doctor."

"Yes, that would probably be a good idea. Let me speak to him."

I looked around. "Umm... which one of you is the doctor?"

A couple nurses stared at me with confused expressions. "I am," Said a deep voice from behind me. A man had just walked through the door and was quickly assessing the situation. "I'm Dr. Oudman."

I held my cell phone out for him. "This is Embry's doctor. He needs to speak with you."

Dr. Oudman nodded and took the phone from me. A nurse put delicate hands on my shoulders. "Sweetheart, we're going to have to ask you to leave."

Panic swept through me. "No," I refused, squeezing Embry's hand tighter. He looked up at me with frantic eyes.

"I'm sorry, you can't stay in here. You can wait in the waiting room and we will inform you what is happening."

"Don't hurt him." I pleaded, not really thinking coherently as the nurse pulled me from the room. Besides Embry's agonized eyes the last thing I saw was Dr. Oudman on my cell phone staring at my imprint with an absolutely horrified expression.

Rhett was sitting in the waiting room looking mortified. His elbows were resting on his knees and his head was in his hands. I walked over silently and sat down next to him.

He sighed and looked at me, "You really love him?"

"With all my heart." I replied, rubbing his shoulder. It was funny. You'd think I would be upset with my idiotic brother or even hate him. But, all I felt was pity. He was trying to protect me from a nonexistent threat.

He rubbed his face tiredly. "Dixie," He looked me straight on with hard brown eyes. "What really happened to you? Why can't Embry see a regular doctor? Why was he even in the woods in the first place when he's supposed to be in Washington? I want the truth."

I bit my lip before answering. "What happened to me, more or less, is Embry was pulling me out of danger and we tripped and fell off a cliff into the ocean. He saved me from the waves. He's here because he couldn't live without me, just like I can't live without him."

"And the reason he can't see a real doctor?"

"Oh he can see a real doctor; it just takes a special kind." Rhett glared at me and I half smiled. "It really isn't my secret to tell."

He sighed again and ran a hand through his hair. He looked like he was about to say something but stopped when the doors opened. Dr. Oudman walked through the door with an expression that plainly read shock. He sat down in a chair across from us and paused. "I've never really encountered a case like this before. I'm guessing you both know why?"

"I do." I answered.

Dr. Oudman glanced at Rhett but continued anyways, handing me my cell phone back. "I spoke with Dr. Cullen about our patient's... condition. Do not worry, I have been sworn to secrecy and I plan on keeping it. Patient confidentiality." He let out a short laugh at his own joke before continuing. "The bullet hit Embry's right shoulder and grazed the lung wall. There is a lot of internal bleeding but Dr. Cullen believes that it will all heal on its own." Dr. Oudman shook his head. "It doesn't feel right saying this but there is nothing I can do. Dr. Cullen assured me that we just needed to clean and dress the wound. He said that Embry's body would burn up any anesthetic we used if we tried to operate. I do insist, though, that Embry stays practically immobile for the next week while his lung heals itself. Dr. Cullen told me that it would be best if he returned to Washington where Dr. Cullen can monitor his recovery."

I nodded, taking it all in. Embry was going to have to return to La Push. I should have expected it. But I had wished he could have stayed here a little longer. Guess I'm going to have to say goodbye to my friends again.

"I'll take him home today." I answered, ignoring my brother's aghast expression.

"Alright," Dr. Oudman nodded, standing back up. I stood up with him and Rhett followed. "A nurse is wrapping up his wound. Afterwards he can leave. It is important that you get him to Washington quickly."

"I understand," I shook his hand, "Thank you Dr. Oudman."

He flashed a quick smile and laughed. "Learn something new every day, huh?"

"Tell me about it." I replied, sighing with relief. Embry was going to be ok. I glanced at Rhett who's expression was unreadable. Maybe bringing Embry back to Forks will be harder than I thought. "Can I see him, now?"

"Yes, come on." Dr. Oudman led us down the hallway to a different room than the one Embry had been in before. A nurse was swiftly attaching a gauze bandage to his chest. Embry grinned when he saw me.

It took all my strength not to run and hug him, then. "I'm taking you back to Washington," I told him at a normal tone. Then, in a whisper so low no one in the room but him heard, I said, "But I'm not leaving you there again." Embry's grin widened.