Joy Hecate Hardbroom is in a deep slumber when alarm bells within her subconscious begin blaring. She rolls onto her side, and peeks at the red digits on a clock on her bedside stand. The racing pulse inside of her suggests something is horribly awry. With a sharp inhalation she listens with her supersonic hearing. For a brief second her hypervigilance screams about a first year pupil in deep distress. She has barely managed to rise to her feet before she transfers to the quarters of Isabella Jones.
With a snap of her fingers she brings illumination to the dark room. Isabella screams out, and thrashes in her bed. Hecate gently places her hand on the girl's shoulder so as not to startle her.
"Mistress Jones," she whispers.
Isabella's eyes open widely, and stare at the deputy headmistress in confusion. "Have I overslept?"
"It is half past three," Hecate responds sans her timepiece. She scrutinizes the girl who is drenched in her own perspiration.
"I didn't mean to disturb you Miss Hardbroom."
Without a word Hecate presses the anterior aspect of her hand to the young pupil's forehead. Izzy clenches her jaw as she attempts to sit up in her bed.
"Miss Jones I believe you're ill. I am going to go wake…" before Hecate can finish the thought Isabella leans forward, and vomits all over her. Isabella expects a tongue lashing. Instead she finds Hecate's hand offering her a toothbrush, and toothpaste.
"I'm so sorry, Miss Hardbroom."
Hecate combs the recesses of her mind. She recalls Izzy's sluggish disposition earlier in the day.
"My stomach really hurts."
Hecate situates a cauldron on the bed for Izzy.
"Are you going to give me a potion? I'm sure it's nothing serious. I've only vomited a few times."
"Miss Jones the cauldron is a receptacle for your emesis. Sit tight. I am going to wake Miss Cackles."
"Is that really necessary?"
"I will be back in a flash."
"Please don't go," Izzy begs as her eyes fill with fear.
In silence Hecate carefully secures the pupil's hair into a tight braid. She applies a wet washcloth to her forehead.
"You are a brave girl. I'll return before a single hand makes it entirely around the clock."
"Ok," she nods feeling less than reassured.
Thirty seven seconds later Hecate returns in clean attire with Miss Cackle's at her heels. Ada kneels next to the sick pupil. She carefully applies a thermometer to her temple. The pair of faculty shoot each other looks as the thermometer announces her temperature.
"I know a minuscule amount about typical ailments, but I am concerned she is suffering from appendicitis," Hecate remarks.
"We have no choice but to take her to the hospital."
"I don't want to be alone," Izzy cries.
"We won't leave you alone," Ada reassures her.
"I can stay behind and phone her father."
"Miss Hardbroom please go with me," Izzy begs.
"Miss Cackle is far more qualified for the job."
"Please," Izzy vomits into her cauldron once again. Hecate begrudges her human emotion, and the pity she feels for the sickly pupil.
A short time later Isabella Jones is tucked into the safety of a hospital bed. An IV line is tethered to her to foil any plan for her to quickly escape. Hecate is uncomfortably perched at the edge of a vinyl cushioned hospital chair. Izzy rolls onto her left side to face Hecate.
"Do you need this emesis basin?" Hecate inquires.
Izzy rolls her eyes, "I doubt would actually hold any amount of emesis I have to offer. It is the size of a thimble."
"If you are feeling I'll there is a waste paper basket nearby."
"I feel horrible, but not as if I want to vomit at the current moment. I feel really horrible that I vomited on you."
"No worries. It was beyond your control."
"How much longer do you think it will be before my dad arrives?"
Her shoulders shrug in an upward direction in unison, "I do not have a crystal ball on the subject."
"They are going to take me to surgery once he arrives. I'm scared."
Hecate digs deep to find the tools needed to comfort the first year pupil. "I have witnessed you demonstrate feats of bravery in your time at Cackle's."
"This is dreadful. I end up in the hospital on the eve of the last day of school. I have the worst luck."
Footsteps approach the door. Hecate hears a voice outside the room talking to one of the nurse's.
"It sounds as if your dad is outside," Hecate reports.
"You have canine hearing."
"Don't be daft it is just years of training for the worst case scenario in the midst of a sea of girls," Hecate answers as she moves towards the adjoining bathroom. Izzy watches as she ducks into the bathroom. The door to her room swings open, and her father races in. He wraps his arms around her, and squeezes her tightly.
"I have mixed feelings about your presence," Izzy admits.
"I'm sure you aren't happy to see me given the circumstance."
"Did you sign consent forms for me to be carted off for surgery?"
"Your appendix is about to rupture. What choice do I have?"
"None, I suppose. I think HB ducked out when she heard you. I get the distinct feeling this sort of thing makes her highly uncomfortable."