Blood Test (Thursday Afternoon, July 12th)
"She's just trapped in there with her thoughts," Evie frowns, as she watches Mal sit on the edge of the mattress in the padded room.
Ben looks at his mother, "Is this really necessary?"
"Mal's safe in there," Belle simply answers.
Ben nods, before he looks back and sees Mal stride towards them and place her hands on the glass. "Ben?" She pounds on it, "Ben. Get me out of here!"
He looks at the doctor, "She can see me?"
"She's seeing your heat, dear," his mother informs.
"I said get me out of here," she shouts again.
"Should I go in there?" Ben unsurely says.
"No," Dr. Roberts answers. "If she hypnotizes you, there's no telling what could happen." He turns to Evie, "Before you talk to her, you will need to place anything sharp in the box. That includes your earrings and hair clips."
Ben watches Evie discard of her jewelry, eyeliner, and nail file, before his eyes widen and mouth gapes, "Mal." She has a sharp nail pointed at her neck.
"Let me out," she commands. "Ben. I know you can hear me."
"She's not going to do it," Ben frowns. "She did this in jail too."
"But she still went through with it," Evie reminds him. "Mal plays the odds, but if it doesn't go her way, she will do it."
The grey-haired man pushes the button, "Mal. It's Dr. Roberts."
"I want to see Ben," she asserts.
His blue eyes move from him to her, "Ben has his own appointment to get to, but you do have another visitor."
"I don't want another visitor," Mal yells. "I want Ben." The doctor swipes his cardkey into the door, he motions Evie over, and after he opens the door, she steps inside. Mal lets out a sad breath, "Evie?"
She frowns, "I feel so wanted."
Mal races forward and wraps her arms around her, "Evie."
"You two have an hour," he informs, before he shuts the door.
Ben watches Mal swipe Evie's hair behind an ear, moving a hand to her cheek before kissing her. He lowers his eyes, and his mother evenly comments, "You did give them permission. You can't get mad now."
"I'm not mad." Ben narrows his eyes at her, "I never get mad."
"Just frustrated," she counters.
"Upset," he sighs before shaking his head, and he wipes away a sudden tear. "I just… I didn't expect it to feel so…"
Dr. Roberts presses the button again, "Mal. I'd just like to remind you that you are being watched and that any illicit activities should be discreet."
Mal narrows her eyes at them and raises her middle finger, before Evie covers her hands over Mal's to put it back down. Belle questions, "Does that mean something?"
"Likely," Ben frowns. "The Isle has these sayings… I don't know."
"Why don't we head to my office?" the doctor suggests.
Ben nods, "Yeah. Okay."
"First things first," Dr. Roberts opens a small case.
Ben's eyes widen at the needle, "What is that?"
The doctor gives him a look, "You haven't seen me in months. I'd like to do a blood draw."
"But I'm not prepared," Ben panics.
"What do you mean, not prepared?" his mother interrupts.
He cautiously turns back to the doctor. "I, uh," he wets his lips, "take supplements and things. It could mess with the results."
"The blood draw is to see how you do on a regular basis," he sternly eyes him. "It's not something you should need to prepare for."
"Right," Ben tightly folds his hands.
"What kind of supplements do you take?" he inquires.
Ben watches him pick up the pen and notepad, "I don't really know." and when the doctor's blue eyes face him, Ben looks down. "I've just been trying some things… Things from the health store. You know."
"You can't tell me anything?"
Ben bites his bottom lip, and his mother's eyebrows raise, "Am I going to have to search your room and office?"
Ben gives her a look before facing Dr. Roberts, "It's mostly just sleeping stuff."
"You have trouble sleeping?" he concerns.
"No more than always," Ben frowns.
"You didn't say anything," his mother comments.
"It's worse during the school year," Ben explains before shaking his head. "I just can't sleep at all. I either knock myself out with cold medicine or end up sleeping through class."
"But it's better during the summer?" the doctor inquires.
Ben lifts a shoulder, "Sleep's still stupid, but I at least do it sometimes—decently."
"And when do you tend to sleep during the summer?" he questions.
"In the mornings?" Ben unsurely responds. "Sometimes into the afternoon?"
Belle sees the doctor nod, "What is it?"
He takes a moment, "Some carnivores are naturally nocturnal." before he looks at Ben. "I assume you're heat sensitive. What about light?"
Ben glares at his mother, "I'm not allowed to wear sunglasses."
"I told you to take that up with your father," she reminds him. "He's the one that needs to be reassured you two will remain safe."
"I did," Ben grits his teeth. "He said no."
"Then, there you go," she simply responds, and Ben gives her a look.
"I'm going to take that as a yes," Dr. Roberts interrupts, and they face him again. "I'm guessing you're having a hard time sleeping, because you aren't sleeping on your natural cycle." He looks at Ben, "I recommend that you take the time to sleep when you need to." before he looks at Belle. "And that he's enrolled into a night school."
Ben's mouth gapes, before his mother says, "We were just discussing some online and homeschooling options."
"What?" Ben's eyes widen at her, "No." He turns back to the doctor, "I can't just leave my friends and teachers."
"Your teachers, Ben?" his mother points out.
"They're supportive," he defends.
"You're graduating next year anyhow," Dr. Roberts reminds him, "and any true friend of yours would withstand your school change."
"Long-distance doesn't work," Ben disbelieves.
"It works for you and Chad," she comments.
He swiftly turns to her, "That's not long-distance."
"This wouldn't be much different," she reasons. "You would still be able to see him—to see all of your friends."
Ben shouts, "You said if I keep up with my doctor appointments that I could graduate with my friends."
Belle sighs and faces the doctor, "I did promise him that."
He nods before meeting Ben's hazel green eyes, "I still recommend that you choose a college that suites your needs."
Ben's eyes shift, "I'll think about it." before he faces him again and the doctor nods.
"Alright." Dr. Roberts preps the small needle and faces Ben, "Rest your arm." Ben does as he's told and watches as the doctor examines the top of his hand. "Hmm. I can't find a vein."
Ben's brows furrow, "It's right there."
He frowns at him, "I can't see what you see." before grabbing the band. "Turn your arm over, please." Ben irritably complies, the doctor ties it around his arm, and he feels the cool cloth clean the inside of his elbow. Ben takes a deep breath and shuts his eyes, as the doctor pokes the needle into his skin. Ben's eyes open, and he watches his blood fill the vile.
"Ben." He looks at his mother. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Ben evenly responds, before the needle and band are removed and he turns back to the grey-haired doctor. "Here." Dr. Roberts hands Ben a clipboard, "Please, fill this out while I take this to the lab."
Ben eyes from the clipboard to where the needle had penetrated his arm to the doctor again, "No band aid?"
"Did you want one?" he inquires.
"I mean," Ben begins, "I like the Loony Toons ones."
"You're just here for a checkup," his mother reminds him.
"I get a check up every month," Ben complains. "I'm going to have to get a shot eventually." He turns back to the doctor, "Right?"
"At your age, you've had most of your shots," he counters.
"Then a flu shot," Ben looks between them. "An immunization."
"Then you wouldn't have an excuse for wearing a band aid when you do get your immunization," he calmly comments.
"I don't want him to get those anymore," Belle informs. "After last time…"
"A short cold is better than what the flu could bring," Dr. Roberts concerns.
"Ben isn't social," she insists, "and he's not in sports anymore. He can go without it."
He nods, "If you're sure—"
"I'm sure."
"Alright, then," he cautiously agrees. "So long as he does keep to himself more."
Ben eyes between them, "Does that mean I get a band aid?"
His mother sighs, before she faces the doctor and softly says, "He never really did get a decent childhood."
Dr. Roberts searches the desk drawers, before he pulls out some bandages, "I'm afraid these are all I have right now."
Ben looks from the beige bandages to the blue, green, and red colors, before he notices the pink band aid with white Pegasus on it and points, "That one."
"That one?" he questions in surprise.
Ben awkwardly smiles, "It's the closest."
Dr. Roberts places the band aid below the burn on Ben's upper arm. "Does that hurt?"
Ben shakes his head, "Lonnie. Do you know what she is, yet?"
"I don't believe even she knows." He smiles, "Now, fill out the questionnaire. I'll be back shortly."
After the doctor leaves, Ben eyes over the test. How have you been doing generally over the last three months: strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree. Ben eyes over the questions and mentions, "You know, Chad said he only gets this survey twice a year."
When Ben turns to her, Belle excuses, "You're king. Your wellbeing is important."
Ben sighs and turns back to the psych survey, "How honest to you want me to be?"
"He's your doctor, and you trust him." She reasons, "I'd like you to tell him the truth."
"And when it gets to the part where I have to say whether I've been abused?" Ben frowns at her. "Father leading me to the edge of the stairs, pushing my face to the ground, does that count or is it not bad enough?"
She frowns in return, "I trust you will do what you think is right."
"Right." Ben bites his bottom lip harder and runs through the answers, before he halts. Your appetite has either significantly decreased or increased.
"That one I do want you to be honest about," she interrupts.
"Strongly agree," Ben sighs, before he reaches for his forehead.
Mal pulls the curtain shut, before she pushes Evie towards the cushioned sink and kisses her again. She runs her teeth past Evie's lips, letting go, before she whispers, "You're mine."
"Mal," Evie laughs, "don't you think we should talk?"
"We just did that," she dismisses, before she swipes Evie's hair onto her back and moves into her neck.
Evie uneasily smiles, "Mal." before she presses her away so that she faces her. "I'd really like to talk. Please."
"Fine," Mal huffs, before she places her hand on Evie's back, unzips the leather shirt, and smirks. "About what?"
"Mal," Evie's eyebrows raise, before she strains her neck to look over her shoulder and attempts to zip the shirt back up.
She stops her and pouts, "What's wrong? You don't want to be mine anymore?"
"Of course, I do," Evie sadly faces her. "I just want to talk too."
Mal's eyes flash bright green, before she runs a thumb over Evie's neck, "You haven't happened to have any wine recently?"
Evie feels the sharp nail run over her skin, and her frown deepens, "Too many calories." Mal frowns again, humming, and Evie's mouth gapes, "What were you planning to do? Drink my blood until you were buzzed enough?"
"Well, it worked for Ben," she eyes up, "you know, when he was fucking Chad."
"They never had sex, Mal," Evie softly speaks, before she tears up. "I can't believe you. You would risk killing me just to have it?"
"Eves," she reasons.
"No," Evie interrupts. "I'm not healthy. I know that. I'm lightheaded all the time, and when I do eat, it's definitely not meat." The tears fall to her cheeks, "Do you really think I have enough blood for you, when I don't even get enough nutrients to keep everything up."
"E," Mal frowns.
"I don't get iron or any of that other crap that helps the circulatory system," her pitch raises. "Anorexics are already at high-risk for heart failure, and you would do this?"
"I wasn't thinking," Mal calmly says, before she reaches for Evie's shoulders; however, she pulls away and folds her arms. "Evie. I… I like you too much for you to die." She doesn't say anything. "What can I do to fix this?"
"Get out of here," Evie breathes. "Do what the doctors say and get out of here."
"Okay." Mal nods, "I can do that." and Evie breaks into sobs. "Oh. Eves." Mal wraps her arms around her tight.
"You almost left me," Evie cries. "You were going to leave me."
"I know," her eyes shift in realization.
"You didn't even say goodbye. You didn't see if I was okay. You didn't kiss me or admire my hair or—"
She sobs again, and Mal holds her closer, shutting her eyes, "I know, Eves. I'm so sorry."
"You still have high blood pressure and a high heart rate," Dr. Roberts informs.
"I use the stairs," Ben excuses.
"You've been sitting in a chair for thirty minutes," he counters. "That excuse won't work this time." Ben wets his lips, and he questions, "You don't drink energy drinks by any chance?"
"No," Ben half laughs. "I could be in the middle of drinking one of those and I'd fall asleep."
Belle notices his smirk, "Don't get any ideas."
Ben frowns again, "It can't be worse than what I'm currently doing."
"Actually," Dr. Roberts counters, "you passed your blood draw. Whatever you're doing, it's not currently impacting you."
"Really?" he inquires.
"I do want you to keep better track of your medicine and supplements." He takes a moment, "That being said, I can tell you now that caffeine will not help your heart."
"I don't understand," his mother intrudes. "He's young. He's active. How could this be happening to him?"
Ben rubs his hands, before the doctor answers, "Carnivores are at higher risk for heart problems. The way store-bought meat is preserved, the sodium levels can affect a person's blood pressure negatively."
Ben frowns up at him, and his mother comments, "But you said he passed the blood draw. Wouldn't that check for sodium levels?"
"They were on the higher side," he informs, before he faces Ben. "Maybe you would like to look into a hunting permit?"
Ben eyes off, and she says, "We get our meat from the butcher. Is that not good enough?"
"That is better," he cautiously comments, before he turns to Ben again. "You have no idea where the extra sodium could be coming from?"
"Uh," Ben takes a breath, before he shakes his head. "Nope."
"Is there sodium in blood?" she questions.
"Yes," he immediately answers.
"How much?" she asks.
"I don't recall the math," the doctor warns, "but if it can be directly related to daily recommendations… let's say eighty per pint. Sodium is water soluble, so it can stay in the system three to five days."
"How much blood should he be having?"
"Mother," Ben widens his eyes at her.
"It shouldn't be the staple of his diet." He explains, "All carnivores are different. Some need very little, while others consume more; however, no carnivore I'm aware of should need more than a gallon a week. If they do, it's not for subsistence."
"And how much of that could he get from steak?" she questions.
"That depends on how it's processed. The blood often found in meat is usually more of just a protein. It doesn't have everything in it that blood would, but in some ways that is better." He looks at Ben, "After all, so long as you're eating right, it's only the protein you would need."
"So, theoretically, he could survive off of just steak for that?" she suggests.
"Not all carnivores can." He nods, "But if that's all Adam's been doing, then I see no reason why it wouldn't work for Ben as well."
She smiles at Ben, "It looks like we have some work to do."
Ben takes a deep breath, "Ugh. Yeah."
"It's okay if you don't want to give it up," Dr. Roberts replies. "It's just not something you can have all the time."
"It's fine," Ben frowns at him. "I really don't like blood anyway."
After a moment Belle inquires, "Can it ever be a sexual desire?"
Ben runs a hand over his face, before he stands and darts for the door, "That's it. I'm out of here."
"Ben. Wait," Dr. Roberts calmly commands, before he faces Belle. "The heightened senses of some hybrids can make that a desired experience." He looks at Ben, "It just can't be a regular part of that activity. Okay?" Ben nods, and he nods in return. "Alright, then."