Howling

Cars And Claws

Everything hurt.

I was all scratched up on my neck and it did nothing but gush blood and sting.
I covered the deeper wound with my hand, my breath hissing in through my teeth.
Pain ebbed through my body from my legs-trapped under the now destroyed dashboard.

Panic set in as I remembered what had happened only minutes ago. It all began to sink in.

"J-John," I called weakly, so much of me hoping he was gone.
Seconds crawled by and I called again.

"Jen, he ran off," Korey muttered. I looked in the cracked rear view mirror. Her face, also gashed from claws, was filled with fear. Some of her purple hair had come loose from behind her ear as she began looking for something.

"Korey?"

"I'll call...call 911. You check...uh...check on Seth."

My eyes flicked over to the seat beside me.
Seth was out cold, also losing blood himself. Thankfully, he didn't look like the front of the car had trapped his legs.

"Seth, hey," I whispered in a vain attempt to wake him, "Please talk to me."

He didn't do anything, not even twitch.

"Damn," I whimpered, leaning back in my seat.
Sharp pain shot through my shoulder, making me gasp. I glanced down and what I saw sent shivers down my spine.
It was a bite. John bit me!

"Jen, the paramedics are on the...the way. Yeah."

"Korey how's your head feeling?"

"I'll be ok...okay. Really."

I closed my eyes as exhaustion washed over me.
Maybe I'll rest for just a minute, in spite of all the chaos around me. It'll ease the pain...

***

"I have never seen anything like this before. Not in my whole career."

"You really think a...tiger did this?"

"That bite was a big one. Trust me, it was no smaller than a lion or a tiger. I'd bet a million on it."

"Surprised you haven't already."

I groaned-or rather, croaked-trying to let them know I was there.
Both hushed pretty quick, leaving the job of filling the silence to the steady beeping of the heart monitor next to me.
I never thought they would be quite this loud though.

"Ms. Ledger? You're in Grey Memorial Hospital."

I tried to open my eyes and boy did I regret it. I slammed them shut again, gasping in pain. Why did it have to be so bright?

"You were in a car wreck and, well, it looks like you were attacked by a large animal."

"I...know-" I responded, beginning to cough.

"I'll get you some water ma'am," the more timid-sounding voice told me. Footsteps echoed as they hurried out of the room.

A chair creaked as the doctor sat next to my bed, "I'm sure you are wondering about the others?"

"Korey...Seth...they were attacked too. Please tell me they are okay."

"Well Korey is okay, aside from the obvious. Shock, the deep scratches. She'll be fine on bandages and some antibiotics."

"And Seth?"

Silence. I cracked open an eye to look at the doctor, waiting for his answer.

He opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by the other person (an intern I thought) coming back in with some water.

"Thank you O'Malley," the doctor told him, "I need to talk to the patient alone now."

Dr. O'Malley nodded, looking at me once more before leaving the room again.
Before I closed my eye again I glanced at my doctors badge-Dr. Sloan.

I felt the upper part of my bed rise, and a cold rim of a plastic cup a few moments later. I sipped gratefully, enjoying the feeling of rehydration.

"Seth," Dr. Sloan started once the water was gone, "Hasn't woken up since he was extracted from the car. Frankly, we were surprised that you did, you got the worst out of everyone."

"So he...can I see him?"

Dr. Sloan sighed quietly, creaking as he leaned back in the chair.

"Let's focus on getting you better before we think of seeing anyone. At least for now."

I don't think I ever felt more alone than right then.

"Okay," I agreed, feeling too tired and anxious to fight on it, "But if either can come and see me...please let them."

He sighed again, his white coat rustling as he stood up, "You have a deal. But you have to rest now alright?"

He didn't need to tell me twice. I was already half asleep.

***

Sweat soaked through my gown as panic urged my heartbeat on. I could hear it all in my head-the beeping, the beats themselves, the blood rushing. It all blended together in the worst melody ever.
The darkness around me though-that was beautiful I thought.

I looked around.
Trees lined the edges of the dirt path I stood on. My hand gripped a pointed stick at my side, the end looking like it was dipped in silver.

I forced my breathing to slow.
I was ready.
Let him come again.

"Jen."

I whirled around wildly, my eyes wide to catch any sign of the caller.

"Jen. I'm here."

Oh, I bet you are John.
I bet you are.

"Jen!!"

My eyes darted open, squinting as I detected light from beside my bed. Someone had turned on the lamp and sat next to me. I forced myself to take slow, deep breaths.
He was human-now-but being near him made me feel so uneasy.

"John what are you doing here," I mumbled.

He looked so ashamed of himself but he didn't say anything.
I didn't know how to feel. Whatever happened to him, it wasn't his fault.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," he whispered, his eyes settling on my shoulder as he teared up.