Chapter 9: Blood Drive

Sydney found herself in a crowd of mumbling people waiting eternally in a line. The woman lingered in the massive line, hoping that the process would be quicker. She felt a tap on her shoulder as she rotated to see a rather attractive male at her door, dressed as a Red Cross worker. What she didn't know that it was actually Darien in disguise as his cap blocked his face.

"You Sydney Miller?" Darien said, in a pissed off tone.

"Yes..."

"Ok, follow me."

She accompanied him into a room, where it was secluded from the rest of the donators. Two workers were laying out a table and cleaning a pair of needles. What the girl did not know that the trio only needed her blood--not for contribution to a drive but for testing purposes. The girl couldn't help but feel suspicious and not want to donate her bodily liquids.

"Um, I'm afraid I can't do this...really...." She trembled.

"A lot of people are in need of blood either for transfusions or surgery. I remember a girl that I knew was involved in a horrific car crash with her mother. She lost a lot of blood when she was rushed to the hospital, the doctors didn't know if she was going to make it. However, someone donated their blood and saved the girl's life. Are you sure you don't want to do this?" Claire questioned, with a hint of guiltiness in her voice.

"Um...never mind...I'll do it."

She laid down on her back on the moveable cot, waiting for her blood to be taken out.  An elastic band was tied to her arm and the Keeper placed a small dot on her wrists.  Grabbing a needle, the good doctor gently placed the needle on the black dot as the girl winced in pain. 

"I'm sorry, sweetie."  The Keeper apologized.

The needle was connected to a small, plastic bag in which her colorful blood slowly inched inside.  Once the pouch was filled halfway, the needle was unlatched from her arm as a cotton swab was placed on the wound.

"How are you feeling?"

"Pretty good."  Sydney said, sighing.

Darien wrapped a bandage over the cotton swab.  She gradually sat up and over time, exited the room.