Nick was slightly light headed. His mind was numb and his eyelids fluttered at times threatening to close for a wink of sleep but Nick would force himself awake. He had drunk about four cups of coffee already so the effects of caffeine were wearing down faster than usual. Nick looked back in the room where Holly was sleeping, her mother were forced to leave due to the lack of space but Nick promised to keep an eye out for her daughter and to call them if anything happens. A small groan escaped from the cracked door and Nick immediately went inside. Holly tossed and turned as she slept fitfully. Her Wesen form would occasionally surface but only briefly before retreating. Nick leaned up against the doorway with a sigh, exhaustion seemed to be winning this battle.

Pain flowed through his veins like strong wine. His mind struggled to put a single thought in and his whole body ignored any attempts of movement. He felt something crawl underneath his skin and he realized that it was his Wesen form trying to surface but even he was too weak to transform. His nails turned into claws long enough for him to dug deep crevasses into the loose soil before turning back into human nails. His eyes changed briefly and he let out a weakened growl. He could still feel something cold between his muscles up near his shoulder and every time he inhaled, the long deep cut on his chest would open causing him more pain than needed. Monroe prayed that someone would be here, that someone was in the forest but he had laid there for almost an hour now and hope was slowly fading.

Nick dreamt he was in the hospital, however there was something about this hospital that he didn't like. That was because he was the only one in the building, the only one alive of course. Around him were sheet covered bodies, Nick feared lifting a sheet up for he was concerned what was underneath. He cautiously walked into Holly's room and a sheet was over top of her body too; dead. Nick wanted to wake up, he knew that he was dreaming, he wanted it all to end. As he was ready to close the door he heard loud noises, voices and that excited him. He ran towards the voices, calling out too in hopes that someone would answer or hear. As he came to the door where the voices were coming from he woke with a start.

His eyes scanned the area, he was still in the chair but there were bodies moving around him; going to and fro. Nick sighed with relief and was ready to check on Holly when people burst through the emergency section doors. Nurses gathered around and ran with the stretcher talking amoungst the paramedics who had picked up the person. Nick noticed that blood was dripping from the railings and realized that one of the paramedics was bleeding; however that didn't stop her from doing her job. He moved closer for a better look and then gasped in horror at the person on the stretcher.

Monroe blinked hard as a sudden light danced in his vision. As low as it seemed his first thought was: Don't go towards the light. He groaned and tried to turn over but hands suddenly grabbed him in attempts to hold him still. This triggered his Wesen instincts and his nails temporarily turned into claws and he struck the person to his right. A loud shriek pierced his ears and he immediately felt regret. Something was slid underneath his back and an array of straps held down his legs, torso and arms. Monroe tried to struggle against the bonds but a single turn would not only send him in uncontrollable spasms of pain but also drain him of energy completely. More lights clouded his vision and the Wesen felt something prick the back of his hand however he was drained of whatever energy he had or will have. His form didn't even attempt to surface.

"Sir, sir can you hear me?" The voice was strong and filled with command. Yes, Monroe answered mentally. I hear you. He closed his eyes and slipped into a deep sleep.

Horror, fear and rage raced through his whole body. Nick wanted to hit something preferably himself while the other half of his conscious wanted him to think things through carefully. Nick didn't feel like doing either. This was all his fault. He caused pain to both Holly and Monroe and he felt low. Really low. Nick watched as they whisked Monroe into surgery and sunk into the chair with guilt. He should have thought this through more. He should have understood the risk of going after Stachelschwein. Nick buried his head in his hands, he remembered seeing a slender knife stuck just under the collarbone on Monroe, Nick remembered that he didn't even see Monroe shift as most Wesen do in dire situations in order to scare off other threats. Nick prayed that Monroe was still alive.

Holly woke slowly. The commotion outside was responsible and that made her curious. Her side didn't hurt as much and her muscles only burned when she twisted or moved too fast. Even shifting into Blutbad sometimes it pained her but she managed to get through it. Holly moved towards the door with the IV stand rolling behind her. She looked to see Nick was sitting outside, she could sense that he was distressed and worried. She could smell his fear and anger radiate off him and Holly noted his small position. She quietly pushed open the door and then asked, "Are you alright?"

Nick jumped at the noise and this startled Holly who shifted uncontrollably. Nick quickly pushed Holly back into the room as gently as possibly trying to save her from pain.

"How long have you been up?" Nick asked surprised.

"Whatever was going out there," Holly pointed to the hallway, "woke me up." She sniffed and recoiled. Holly could smell the stale and new blood on Nick. "Are you…"

"It's not me," Nick reassured.

"But-."

"It's Monroe."

Holly froze. Her expression went from concern to fear and worry.

"Is he…?"

Nick took in a breath and then muttered, "He was attacked by Reapers."

Holly took in a shaky breath. Nick turned to see one of the paramedics who had driven Monroe here and into surgery walked up to the desk to fill a report.

"I'll be right back," Nick said promising Holly. He walked out into the hallway and went up to the paramedic. Nick flashed his badge at the paramedic and said, "The man that you just recently brought here, what happened to him?"

"He was found by a family dog originally and the owners called us."

"What were his injuries?"

"He had a long deep laceration on both torso and back, both around the same length from his waist line to near his shoulder. Also a knife was embedded on the left side of his body just below the collarbone."

"May I see the knife?"

"The doctors are currently taking it out."

Nick thanked the paramedic and turned to see the door slightly ajar meaning that Holly was eavesdropping. Nick sighed and walked into the room.

"Will he be alright?" Holly immediately asked upon Nick entering. "What is going to happen to him?"

"He's in surgery right now," Nick explained, "They're going to stitch him up and take out the knife."

Holly nodded and Nick noticed that she was slightly swaying.

"Come on." Nick led her to the bed and helped her in. She shifted briefly as she swung up her leg too quickly. Nick put the hospital phone by her and said, "She's worried about you Holly."

Holly nodded and gave herself a small smile. She took the phone and started to punch in her number.

Rosealee restocked some spices that had just arrived today. She liked to work on mindless tasks at times it allowed her to think clearly on other important things; things like Monroe. She hadn't heard from him for about five hours now. It worried her to no end. Monroe didn't have his cell phone on him which Rosealee thought was strange and unlike him. She was so concentrated on Monroe that she had completely missed the counter completely and the jar of Skullcap fell to the ground. The shatter shocked Rosealee into her Fuchsbau form as she jumped back avoiding the shattered pieces. She breathed heavily and tried to calm her heartbeat to normal. She closed her eyes thinking about how careless she had been. Perhaps she should call Nick to make sure that Monroe was alright. As Rosealee headed towards the back the door opened and she quickly hid her true form.

"Hello," she said in a false cheery voice. "May I help you with something?"

"I'm just looking, "the man said waving his arm lazily in the air. Rosealee took this as a time to at least grab the portable phone from her office. What she should have noticed as the man shifting into his true form.