After a serious case of writer's block, I'm back. Terribly sorry for the delay, I simply could not write anything for a while. Fortunately, I went on a trip and immediately I was able to write again. In fact, I actually finished the story today. I feel like I've kind of come full circle on it, because I finished it on a trip to the same place that I started it.
Another thing, I apologize for being totally uncreative and using "Destler" as Erik's surname… I really hate using it, but it seems to be generally accepted as his last name, and I can't think of anything better.
Anyways, I'm pretty happy with this chapter. I like the way it turned out. I'm not sure if this would ever actually happen at a hospital, because I've never been to the emergency room for myself, only been with one or two people who had to go. Then again, this is a Phantom of the Opera story, and I don't feel the need to keep it completely logical. The whole story in itself was a bit… farfetched. Lol. Anyhoo, here goes nothing… Enjoy!
--- --- ----
--- --- ----
Erik kept his gaze carefully on the ground as they entered the hospital. He almost hoped that if he couldn't see the people there, then maybe they couldn't see him. The approach didn't seem to work, because he could feel the curious stares of numerous people.
Why had he ever agreed to this? He wished desperately that someone would shoot him, but he was obviously out of luck in that department as well.
"Jessica? Why don't you and Eric sit down, alright?"
Jessica nodded and took Erik's hand. "Come on, Eric." She pulled slightly on his hand, already on her way to the far wall, where a row of unoccupied chairs sat. Erik followed obediently. He was too fatigued to argue, and his head was pounding furiously.
"Let's sit here." Jessica said, tugging at Erik's sleeve as she sat down. Erik complied, giving a slight groan as he did so.
A few minutes passed in silence before Candice hurried over to them. "I need to know your full name." She explained.
Erik hesitated. Finally he blurted out, "Erik-with-a-k-Destler." letting each word run in together.
Candice looked slightly confused, but nodded and hurried away.
She returned a few minutes later and sat down beside Jessica. "It will just be a few minutes." She explained.
Erik nodded miserably. He was in no mood to be examined by a doctor who would no doubt ask too many questions and wind up telling him something that he didn't care to hear.
These pessimistic thoughts continued for a few minutes until a young woman in scrubs came through a door that Erik hadn't even noticed was there. "E-Erik Destler?" She called, fiddling nervously with her name badge.
Erik, Candice, and Jessica stood up in one movement and began towards her.
The nurse looked worried. "It's not really hospital policy to let people- uh…" She began in a way that clearly suggested 'first day on the job'.
"I mean… besides the patient… other people aren't exactly allowed…" She looked into two pairs of eyes that simply dared her to stop them. "This way…" She said nervously.
--- --- ----
After a good bit of arguing, Erik finally found himself waiting nervously for a doctor to come into the examining room. Candice and Jessica were still with him at the time, and they didn't seem to have any intentions of leaving. Erik sighed again, asking himself why he had agreed to this. It was going to be a disaster.
Suddenly the door opened and a middle aged man holding one or two peculiar looking medical instruments came in. "Mr. Destler?" He asked, glancing in Erik's direction. The masked man nodded miserably. The doctor gave him a reassuring smile and stated, "I'm doctor Hawthorne," He glanced at Candice and Jessica. "I'll have to ask you two to leave."
Candice nodded grudgingly and stood. Jessica followed hesitantly as they left the room.
Doctor Hawthorne turned to Erik. "Alright, Mr. Destler. First thing's first…"
--- --- ----
It was over an hour later when Erik emerged from the examination room, a look of absolute fury on his face,
Candice and Jessica, who had stood like sentry outside the door stepped directly in front of him.
"What-" Candice began.
"Viral Pneumonia." Erik hissed through clenched teeth as he shoved a slip of paper covered in illegible scrawl that presumably represented the name of some sort of medicine into Candice's hand and stomped away."
--- --- ----
--- --- ----
Poor Erik. I love making his life miserable.
Anyways, as previously stated, this would probably never happen in a real hospital, but… oh well. If you happen to know, please don't tell me, because I'll go into Adrian Monk mode and start obsessing over every little detail that I got wrong. I will literally lose sleep over it.
Anyhow, thanks to all who reviewed. You keep me going on this story.
