Reality Bites - Wattys 2018 Shortlist

Chapter 67 - What the Fuck Happened?

It turned out Mom had a compound fracture in her right arm, shoulder, and clavicle. It was pretty serious and might require surgery in a day or two, but for now, they'd X-Rayed and set it, hoping for the best. On the plus side, it looked like her nerves, and blood supply hadn't been compromised, so while it would take time, in the end, she'd hopefully be ok.

The most significant thing, in all that, had been Baba. He'd been freaked but ok throughout the Strigoi attack – but when Mom had screamed in agony as they were resetting her bones, he'd completely fallen apart. She was pretty drugged up, now, but he had her sitting in his lap and was whispering loving things in at least three languages as far as I could tell. He wouldn't let anyone near her, even to check the blood supply in her wrist. After Dr. Olendzki had impressed on me the importance – e.g., Mom could lose her arm, I went and gave them each a kiss, sitting at their feet, leaning my head against Mom's side as Baba cradled her. While he might not let anyone else near Mom, Baba appreciated I had an equal claim to his own. Accordingly, I sat holding her hand and quietly making sure I could feel her wrist pulse. And the three of us cuddled together.

Lissa, Christian, Adrian, Baba, Mom, Suzanne and I were now in a side room. Stripped of its bed and equipment, visitor chairs had been brought here as a makeshift waiting room. It was cold, blank and sterile. There was a huge window facing out across the oval and across to the trees in the distance – but at this time of night, it was pitch dark out.

Finally, at 2.30 am, Alberta got word through her earpiece that the first of the Guardian vans was returning. We didn't know what to expect other than she said they were the most serious casualties, and as such the infirmary was being prepared. She hadn't been able to stay to explain, but looking through the doorway, I could see outside was chaos. People were running everywhere, and I couldn't help but feel that it didn't bode well?

Then the first van arrived. And it was a massacre. I couldn't make sense of what I was seeing. It wasn't just Mazur Guardians – there were Academy Guardians injured, too. Most of them were burned or had smoke inhalation rather than Strigoi inflicted injuries per se. It hadn't been what the infirmary had anticipated, so they were scrambling to play catch up.

Over the PA I could hear an urgent campus-wide call out for blood donations. They were requesting for any Dhampir or Moroi over twelve years old with specific blood groups to present to donate blood.

What the hell had happened?! I was looking at Mom, and while I knew she was drugged up, I could see she was sharing my concerns. When we'd left, it had been all but over. Why were the Academy Guardians injured? They were meant to be there just to wrap things up?!

The only positive is Kirk had not yet returned with Pavel and Dimitri. If they'd been badly injured, they'd have been sent back in the first van. While I was still concerned, I was reassured a few minutes later when I saw Alberta racing past the doorway shouting "Pavel's just reported in – second van is about to leave – expect more incoming. We need more blood!"

It was twenty minutes before the next van arrived – and at least this time they could, mostly, walk in. But they looked shattered. The Guardians were looking shell-shocked. One or two were even crying. What the fuck had happened?!

By this stage, someone had obviously accessed the campus medical records. Now they were calling specific student names over the PA to present to the infirmary to donate blood. A nurse came in and looked at me.

"Novice Hathaway? I'm so sorry to ask – but you're a less common blood type. We need you to donate..."

I didn't even stop to think. "Of course – what do I need to do?"

She led me to another room, and in a moment I had a needle in the crook of my arm. I was tired and dehydrated, so they had me drinking as much water as I could while they were taking as much blood as they dared. I was taking longer than anyone else in the room – but I guess they'd not fought and killed six Strigoi today, so I didn't feel too badly...

They took almost twice a normal donation – pretty much the limit – because the need was so extreme. I was feeling tired and drained, but in the back of my mind, something was still bothering me.

Adrian came in to talk with me while they were finishing up. "How're you going Little Dhampir?" he asked.

"Worried. What happened, Adrian? I'll feel better when Dimitri gets back."

He just nodded, holding my hand and sending me as much healing as he could. I was just thinking that Lissa could do a much better job when Adrian said "Lissa could do it better, but she's saving herself in case she's needed elsewhere tonight" I nodded in understanding. Me feeling a bit lightheaded was not a priority right now!

Adrian was leading me back across to the waiting room when I heard one of the nurses come past saying "Pavel and the last Guardians are heading back now."

I immediately felt relief! I just wanted Dimitri back to explain what the hell had happened!

I was slumped in a seat next to Adrian when I all but passed out. Lack of food, exhaustion and two units of blood donated could do that to you. I was fighting to stay awake when I saw Pavel in front of me. And then Kirk was beside him. I was so damned tired, but I looked up to them smiling.

"Oh thank God! Where's Dimitri?" I asked – at this particular moment not caring who heard me call him by his first name and not 'Guardian Belikov.'

Kirk dropped his eyes to the floor and wouldn't look at me. Pavel stepped forward, leaning forward to take my hand. And at that moment my entire world fell apart.

"I'm so sorry, Rose. He didn't make it."