Monkey Wrench

Chapter 11

I wake up to doctors and nurses surrounding me. There's no sign of Dax. I panic, "What the hell is going on?"

"Good. You're awake. I'm your doctor, Doctor Ripley. We came in at the sound of monitors going off. We just got you stable again."

That's not good. I calmly ask, "What happened?"

"Your oxygen intake dropped severely which caused your heart rate to increase. That friend of yours got us right before the monitors went off."

"Dakota. Where are they?"

"Waiting on us to get you stable. You almost coded. That friend of yours was good to be concerned."

"What happened?"

"Dakota was concerned because you were mumbling in your sleep about a headache, then you started wheezing."

"Shit."

"We have you stable now. We secured and increased your oxygen."

"Get me Dakota," I demand.

Dr. Ripley looks over at the nurses, and they leave the room. Shortly after, Dax comes in. Dakota comes in talking in a very worried and protective voice, "How you feeling hon?" As Dax comes into the room talking, I hold out my arms so they can come hold me. That's all I want right now.

I can tell Dr. Ripley picks up what's going on, and he - I don't know the doctor's pronouns - doesn't seem angry at all. I look over to Dr. Ripley and ask, "Are you going to stop my medical treatment now?"

Dr. Ripley puzzles, "Why would I do that?"

"You can clearly tell that we're queer," I state. Dax knows where this is headed. They just hold me tighter as we face the doctor.

"That doesn't bother me at all. If it did, I would have a problem with myself. I have a husband guys. And, I knew something was up when they said that your brother was here. I was not going to let a minor rule stop you guys from seeing each other," Dr. Ripley assures us.

I am completely shell shocked but relieved that I get to keep getting medical treatment because with everything that's happened and almost coding, this shit is serious.

I find myself saying, "I don't know what to say. Thank you for allowing Dakota in here."

Dr. Ripley reassures us, "You don't have to say anything. I went into this field to try and help combat the medical disparities that our community faces. Every little thing that I can do is a win. So, it looks like y'all are good in here, I'll be doing rounds if you need me."

I look up at Dax, and they seem just as puzzled. They begin, "Well . . . that went well."

I sigh, "There aren't many people like him in the world." I lean back into the embrace and bury my face in Dax's chest. "But, there's definitely some people we need to steer clear of."

"Like who Ollie?"

I am barely able to speak his name. It's barely audible, and it comes out completely shaken. "My father."

"I figured considering, but based on how you said that, there's more to it."

I explain, "He's the biggest queerphobe that I know. Some of the stuff that happened to Blair was more than just being an asshole of a parent. When I said that if my dad finds out about you. . ." I can't finish it. It's too painful. I just start crying, and Dakota holds me tighter.

All Dakota says is, "We'll kill him before he gets the chance."

I lean back a little to look them in the eyes. "Do I even want to hear how?"

Dakota elaborates, "You heard part of it, but I'm pretty sure you were zoned out because that's when you kicked everyone out. When Sky gets here, we'll iron out the details."

"What time is it?" I ask hesitantly.

"Noon."

I turn away from Dakota looking out the window. "Shit. This isn't good." My brain is firing on all cylinders trying to analyze what's been happening.

"What isn't good?"

I elucidate, "If it's noon, that means from the last time I remember the time before any of this happened was well over 12 hours ago. We were supposed to be done at the club around midnight and head back to your flat. I just woke up from almost coding, and it's been 12+ hours. I don't know what I was injected with, and it could be reacting to the alcohol in my system." I look at Dax with all the seriousness I can muster, "If it's taking me this long to stay stable, something is seriously wrong. What was I injected with?"

"Frost Growth," Dakota answers. "You don't look happy I said that."

"You need to go get me the labs they ran," I instructed. They can see the seriousness on my face. They don't hesitate or ask any questions. My father is definitely out of prison. I'm not surprised he got to me because he probably thinks he can get to Blair through me. Sky was gonna lead me to Blair. This shit just got more fucked up.

Dr. Ripley comes in with the labs handing them to me. "Is it true that I was injected with Frost Growth?" I interrogate.

"Yes." I start scanning those labs with every fiber in me.

"What are you not telling me? I can see that brain of yours is working trying to figure something out."

We don't have time for this back and forth. I disclose, "I'm pretty sure the formula for Frost Growth has been changed."

"And, how would you know that?" Makes sense. I am some random person in a hospital. I could be considered crazy for all they know.

I look over at Dakota. This doctor isn't picking up on the seriousness of it all. I know that Dakota can see it written clearly on my face. I concede to the only thing that will stop this waste of a time conversation, "My father created it."

Dakota rages, "Motherfucker." Dax looks like they're about to break something. Dr. Ripley notices how serious we are and the growing desire to kill in Dax, and leaves.