Spy School: British Invasion

Chapter 23: The Hospital

A/N  Well, you get an early update! This is a cliffhanger (evil laughter). Enjoy!

Erica's POV

The E.R. waiting room

A Hospital in Downtown London

April 2

1700 hours (5:00 p.m. in the afternoon, in case you don't know)

The doctor didn't say anything for a couple seconds. I was ready to strangle her because she wasn't telling us any information. Then she broke into a smile, and I felt a huge rush of relief. This girl was trolling us. I looked at her posture, because that told you almost everything.

The lady was relaxed, and she didn't look tense. That was a good sign. When people had bad news to spill, their posture was usually tense. I looked to her eyes next. Mine were guarded, impossible to read. But hers were very open. They did not have any sorrow. I took this as a good sign. But people always said, "don't count your chickens before they hatch."

"So?" I asked, harsher than I indented. Whatever. She deserved it for scaring me.

My mom flashed me a warning glare. Normal people didn't know how to make their voice that threatening. As it was, the nurse was shrinking under my gaze.

"The surgery went smoothly, and he is alive. He sustained a bullet wound to the chest from a .45 ACP. He also had three cracked ribs, presumably from CPR. There were many side injuries form the bullet wound, some extremely dire. But he is stabilized, and on painkillers."

Everyone collectively sighed in relief. I don't think I've ever been so relived in my life.

"When will he be awake?" I asked forcefully.

"Are you his girlfriend?" she asked. I narrowed my eyes, and looked at her ID. Her name was Georgina (Anyone here see the movie "Isn't it Romantic"?).

"Georgina, he is not my boyfriend. He is my friend. And I want to know when he'll be awake." I said. I thought she was a moron, but she didgive me a good idea. But the question was, could it work?

"What else?" Catherine asked.

Cyrus looked to be wondering the same question.

"Well, he'll need major physical therapy for three months, and a checkup every month for a year afterwards." Georgina stopped and looked uneasy.

"What?" Mike and Zoe asked at the same time.

"Well..." she started.

"Just answer the question!" Alexander snapped.

"He already appears to have severe PTSD." Georgina said. "He was muttering during surgery some very disturbing things about violence."

I sighed, but this was not unexpected. People who go through very traumatic experiences usually have PTSD.

"What's PTSD?" asked Murray.

"Seriously?" Claire asked him.

"What?" Murray said defensively.

"PTSD is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder." Chip said.

"That's not good." Jawa said.

It was true. Having PTSD complicated spying a little bit. But it was controllable, so that was ok. I'd help Ben get through it.

"Though, I do have one question." Georgina said. "How did this happen? A Thirteen-year-old boy should not have a gunshot wound."

She looked very apprehensive, but we could not tell her.

"That's classified." I said.

"Oooookayyyyyyyyy." Georgina said, clearly wondering why we were talking like spies.

Just then, a nurse came out of Ben's room. She had an urgent look on her face, and my heart tightened. She whispered something in Georgina's ear, that everyone wasn't supposed to hear. But I wasn't everyone.

"He just woke up, much earlier than expected." The young nurse said.

Georgina's eyes widened, and she turned to run to the room.

"What does that mean?" I asked.

"We gave him enough painkillers to keep him out for at least another hour. It's very unsual that he is awake."

"Oh." Zoe said.

"Wait here." Georgina said, then followed the nurse back to Ben's room.

As much as it went against my heart, I waited where I was. A minute later, she came back with relief on her face.

"Who wants to see him first?" Georgina asked.

"I do." Zoe and I said at the same time.

Georgina looked uncomfortable and looked to the adults. "I'm assuming you are in charge?"

"Erica can see him first." Cyrus said, and Catherine agreed. I smiled at mom and grandpa gratefully.

Without another word, I swept past everyone and went into Ben's room. There was a nurse in there, and I said two words to them.

"Get out."

"Are you sure ma'am?" he asked.

"Yes." I said.

He walked out, and I turned to Ben. I had had a shower in the bathroom when we had arrived and got new clothes at the shop on the lowest level on the hospital. I had a light blue shirt on that matched my eyes, and a pair of black jeans.

He ginned at me, and I felt my heart do a tap dance. However, I kept my expression stoic. It would be more surprising to him that way. The tap dance in my heart sped up until my heart melted. I sat down in a chair and took a deep breath.