It had been a long day, a non stop shift with him attending two serious RTAs in RESUS. Cal needed a quiet night and he knew Ethan wouldn't mind staying in. Not only had work been stressful but, the past week has been stressful. The week had been even more difficult to deal with since he found out that their birth mum had Huntington's and there was a chance that he or Ethan might have inherited. When he found out he knew he had to tell his brother but, when the time came Cal couldn't bring himself to do it. Noticing his brother was not himself Ethan thought it had something to do with the loss of Matilda and instead of correcting him, Cal just went along and said it was to do with Matilda. Upon entering the flat Cal noticed it was unusual quiet. Normally when Ethan was in before him he would have put on the TV but this time it was deadly silent. Maybe, Cal thought he had gone out to do some shopping. But, he was wrong. As soon as he entered the living room he saw Ethan lying crumpled on the floor, blood oozing from a head wound.
"Ethan!" He said as he collapsed by his brother's side.
"Eth? Can you hear me, mate? Please say something." Cal begged as he shook Ethan's shoulder in hope to get a response.
There was no response from Ethan. Cal began to panic. Suddenly, his doctor instincts pushed through and he played two fingers on his brother's neck to check for a pulse. It was there but, faint. He grabbed his phone from his pocket and dialled 999.
"999 operator, what service do you require?" the voice on the other end asked.
"I need an ambulance."
The operator ended the call. Cal placed Ethan into the recovery position until the ambulance arrived. It wasn't long until he heard a familiar voice.
"Paramedics!"
"Dixie, in here." Cal shouted as the two paramedics entered the room.
"Cal?" Dixie inquired as she and Iain rushed over. "What happened?"
"I don't know. I came home to find him on the floor. He has a nasty head laceration and pulse is there but, very weak." He told them.
"Iain, I need a head and neck collar." Dixie instructed. She turned to Cal. She could see that he was really worried for Ethan.
"He's going to be alright." Dixie reassured him. Cal smiled weakly at her.
Cal jumped in the back with Dixie as Iain drove on their way to the ED. Arriving in the ambulance bay the three of them were met by Zoe, Charlie and Robyn. They all rolled into RESUS. Cal wanted to be with Ethan but, was halted by Charlie before he could enter.
"No, Charlie. I want to help. Please, I need to help." Cal said as he struggled to get pass.
"Cal, you know the rules. No family members allowed. He's in the best hands."
"NO! Don't you dare tell me I can't help!" Cal shouted. He didn't know why he was shouting, he was just worried about Ethan and it was not helping the situation with Charlie blocking his entrance.
"You need to calm down. You're not helping, Ethan."
"Then let me treat him."
"You can't. We'll let you know when we know more."
Cal stepped back and Charlie returned to RESUS. Hovering behind the doors Cal peered into the room and saw his friends hooking Ethan up onto machines and checking vital signs. In the corner of his mind, Cal had a nagging feeling that his worst fear had come true. Could Ethan be showing early symptoms of Huntington's disease? Deep down Cal hoped he was wrong, but if he did then Ethan needed to know the truth before it was too late.