Chapter 10
Pixel was anxiously wiggling, walking, and biting his nails. It had been an hour and a half since they rushed Stephanie into the Emergency Room. Then he heard footsteps coming down the hall. Sportacus and Mayor Meanswell walked into the waiting room. Pixel jumped up and came over to them. The Mayor was still in a state of shock and Sportacus was doing his best to look calm. The three sat in silence for a half an hour, when the doctor arrived.
Pixel was the first to say something. "How is she?"
The doctor replied, "Stephanie is doing very well. When we saw the results of her CAT scan we needed to act quickly. I was right she did suffer some head trauma."
"What kind of head trauma?" Sportacus asked.
"She had some bleeding in her brain. Whatever she hit her head on left no external signs of damage. It's the strangest thing I've ever seen. But when we shaved some of her hair off we found a big dent in her skull." The doctor explained.
"You had to shave off some of her hair? There was a big dent in her head?" These were the Mayor's first words all afternoon.
"Yes to both of those questions. You can see her in a little while and then you'll see what I mean. I will be back in a little while and will take you to her." With that the doctor left the trio sitting in the waiting room.
Back at the little island to the north, Number 9 was sitting with his wife, Vigdís. The doctors hadn't been able to diagnose her. She simply refused to eat, drink, or leave bed. When Sportacus returned with his father he hoped that she would come out of her state. But when Sportacus had to leave, Vigdís wasn't any better. Number 9 sat next to her bed, holding her hand and apologizing for what he did. Then suddenly he noticed tears were rolling down her face. Number 9 put his hands on her face and softly wiped away her tears.
"Come back to me, my wife. I'm sorry for the pain I've caused. I love you and Sportacus very much." He whispered to her. She raised her hand and grabbed her husband's hand. Number 9 raised their hands to his face and placed them on his cheek and cried.