Review(s):
Funkita - Oh my goodness yes, they have such love for one another it's amazing. We apologize for the delay in updates! Hopefully this chapter will help smooth things over, :)
Fun Fact! - it wasn't until this specific chapter, in which we gave this story a title. You'll see what I mean closer to the end of it.
Woohoo!
"Well, I hate to be the barer of bad news…" Dr. Shriek, a well-known cardiologist in New Salem, addressed the werewolf in front of him. "but you certainly do have hypertension." He realized that the wolf was taken aback. "Better known as 'high blood pressure'."
Barkley didn't know how to react. He wished he hadn't made so many jokes about having it… or that it wasn't so probable. He didn't know what to think, his mind was sorting through so many things all at once. "Shit."
"Listen Mr. Wolf," Dr. Shriek adjusted the horn-rimmed glasses upon his nose. "having hypertension doesn't mean you can't live a good, long, fulfilling life. Or that you have to stop living, or give up everything you love."
That was easy for him to say, he looked to have a clean bill of health himself. Barkley fought the urge to roll his eyes.
"Barkley - may I call you by your first name?"
The wolf nodded.
"It's like this… high blood pressure if left untreated and highly out of control will kill you. Low blood pressure if left untreated can also kill you. Hypotension - low blood pressure - not enough blood gets to the organs to circulate and they start shutting down. I'd prefer to have high blood pressure rather than low." Dr. Shriek had a rolling stool that he sat on. "So you're on the right side of the scale, I would say. A better side than some."
That made him feel slightly better. "So what do we do?"
Dr. Shriek liked someone who got straight to the point. "Well, we treat it - that's what we do. I'm going to start you off with a medication and I'd like to see you again in a couple weeks to see how this is working for you." He reached for his prescription pad. "Now this drug is used very commonly to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure."
Barkley's eyes widened. His heart was bad too?
"Not that you have that!" Dr. Shriek wasn't used to a patient who was sensitive to his every word. "You have hypertension, your heart itself is just fine, you had tests done at the hospital and I looked the results over myself. I would know, I'm the top cardiologist in New Salem."
'Quite humble, too.' Barkley thought bitterly to himself.
"Did you know that more males develop high blood pressure in their younger years than females? Must be all that nagging they say we don't listen to." He chuckled to himself. "Alright, are you one of those whom start reacting to side effects as I list them off?" He lowered his glasses to look at Barkley.
The wolf waved it off, if he heard the list of what could happen… it'd scare him from taking it. "Don't tell me."
Dr. Shriek gave a nod. "You got it," he handed the prescription to Barkley, whom folded it neatly. "now I'm not sure if you're one of them… but some of my patients like to have a few drinks here and there. I'm a scotch-on-the-rocks man myself." He began, Barkley stared at him blankly. "If you decide that you feel like a having a few drinks… I absolutely recommend you skip taking the medication for that day. I say this because, alcohol increases blood pressure, I don't know if you knew that-"
"Of course it does." Luckily the doctor didn't catch Barkley's sarcasm.
"Basically what this medication does is it blocks a chemical that causes your blood vessels to tighten. In other words it relaxes them causing a decrease in blood pressure." Dr. Shriek pushed the glasses back up on his nose. "With alcohol intake, the medication will think it has to work harder. If you drink and take this medication… it will lower your blood pressure significantly - almost double what it should - and as I mentioned, that's not good either. So, I recommend if you feel like having a few, skip the dose that day and take it again the following day at your normal time. It must be consistent, the same time every day, alright?"
Barkley nodded. "Yes, sir."
Dr. Shriek also nodded. "Good. Please see my receptionist on the way out, tell her I'd like to see you again in a couple weeks."
Barkley was civil and shook the cardiologist's hand on the way out, but he didn't like the verdict. Was it bad that he thought about having a few drinks and skipping the first dose already?
(¯`·._(¯`·._(¯`·._( MONSTER HIGH )_.·´¯)_.·´¯)_.·´¯)
Clawd had finally calmed Deuce enough for him to be able to fall asleep again. The gorgon had a very rough going. He had nightmares, he woke up multiple times physically ill - he figured it was because of all the information poured out to him the night before last finally setting in. It'd be enough to wear anyone down. Oh and perhaps his mother tried to call once or twice. They were up early making breakfast to take all the pups to school before hitting casketball practice themselves - boy, they were real worn out.
He had just started to doze off himself when his iCoffin sounded. He groaned and reached over to grab it.
Hey bro, we're done at the maul! If you could give Frankie a lift home I'll treat us to lunch xo - Deenie
Clawd heaved a sigh, he looked over at the contently sleeping gorgon. He didn't want to leave Deuce. Nor did he have the energy to.
Isn't there a movie you ghouls wanna see? Don't make me get there and then change your mind
He set his phone down on the nightstand, only having to pick it right back up again.
Nah, we're definitely done here. Mortal Danger 2 was wicked awesome btw! See you soon, xo - Deenie
The wolf stared at the text he'd just received.
Deenie I'm tired...
He felt like a jerk even typing that message out, he exited the messaging app instead. The maul wasn't too far after all and he was just getting over being sick, the fresh air would probably do him good.
Clawd leaned over and kissed Deuce's cheek. Upon getting up he moved some of his extra pillows alongside the other. "I won't be long."
He headed out of his room and up the basement stairs. He grabbed his keys and nearly forgot to put shoes on. "Clawd?"
"What?" The older wolf answered quickly, he immediately felt bad when he realized it was Clawnor. "Sorry buddy, what's up?"
"The twins are at a friend's house... mom and dad aren't home yet. Max took Clawdia out too." Clawnor was hoping his brother would put 2-and-2 together. "Is Deuce here?" He could stay if the other would be here as well.
Clawd refused to have Deuce be bothered after he had just settled down. "Yeah but no - grab your shoes."
Clawnor's gaming device needed to be charged however he didn't want to irritate Clawd any further. He did as he was told. They headed out of the home together.
Clawd stopped in his tracks. What if Deuce woke up in a panic due to a nightmare and he wasn't there for him?
I'm sorry Deuce, I had to run and pick the ghouls up. But when I get back I want at least an hour of you in my arms xo
Clawd hit the button on his remote starter and locked the doors. Man, he must be tired! He unlocked the doors and got in shortly after.
Clawnor opened the door and sat down, fastened his seatbelt and shut the door. He looked to Clawd expectantly. His eyes widened when Clawd just popped the key into the ignition. "Clawd..."
"Buddy you'll be home and playing your video game again soon, I promise." He couldn't understand why Clawnor was staring him down. "What?"
"Seatbelt." The younger pup said abruptly. "That's why I was glaring at you."
"Oh shit." How could he miss something as important as that? "Thanks." Clawd backed out of the driveway flawlessly and headed down the street.
He soon had to stop for a red light. Clawd was having a real hard time trying to keep his eyes open so he let them close for a moment... the honk of the car's horn behind him jolted him awake.
Everything was smooth sailing until he pulled up to the intersection just as the light turned red. "Arrgh." he growled, then whined impatiently. Why was it taking an eternity to get to the maul? He swore it hadn't before.
Clawnor eyed his brother suspiciously. Clawd had never acted like this before. He and his brother both jumped when another horn sounded. Clawnor whimpered lightly.
"Sorry..." He apologized, giving his eyes a quick rub prior to driving off again.
He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel impatiently, he wiggled in his seat, anything to try and focus on the road... but it was so hard.
Clawnor saw the car in the next lane getting close... too close, they started to collide. He panicked when he heard a sickening crunch. "CLAWD!"
He swerved to the side quickly and managed to regain control of his vehicle long enough to pull it over and put his 4-ways on. The other participant in the accident took off at top speed away from the scene.
By the time the vehicle stopped, the wolf had tears running down his cheeks. What had he done?! "Clawnor? Clawnor... oh shit, are you okay?"
Clawnor nodded. "Yes I'm fine!" He noted the streaming tears down his brother's face. "Are you?"
Clawd shook his head, "I-I don't know." He shakily grabbed his cellular phone which had fallen under the seat and dialed the familiar contact.
"Hello? Clawd?"
He was so thankful to hear his father's voice that he choked on a small sob. "Da-ad, I almost got Clawnor ki-illed in this fuckin' thing. I'm so-ory. I didn't mean to, I'm so tired but I had no choice and-"
"Shh, Clawd... are you both alright?"
"I'm good, dad!" Clawnor added.
"Clawnor's fi-ne..." He told his father. "I'm... I don't know."
"Where's Deuce?"
"He's at ho-ome." Clawd was finding it increasingly hard to breathe, he was panicking.
"Stay where you boys are, we'll there soon."
"I-love-you, dad. Mom too." Clawd blurted out, he felt so messed up.
"We love you too, bud. Hang in tight."
Clawd leaned back in the seat, he could feel his heart pounding and he wiped sweat from his forehead. He swallowed hard, though he knew what would happen and he had less than 5 minutes. He took off his seatbelt and opened his door, hurling up everything he may have had in his stomach.
Clawnor's ears flattened as he watched his brother work through his suffering. Hopefully his dad wouldn't be too long.
(¯`·._(¯`·._(¯`·._( MONSTER HIGH )_.·´¯)_.·´¯)_.·´¯)
Deuce shifted in his sleep, the blankets tucked all around him. Something was wrong, he could feel it in the pit of his stomach. His one hand slid from under the pillow and began looking for Clawd who should've been beside him. 'Was that the phone?' The gorgon inquired, swearing he heard his cell phone go off.
It couldn't have been, everyone who normally contacted him was here at home. He rolled over to his other side, trying to get comfy one last time. He really wished his wolf would come back to bed and snuggle him.
The notification for a voicemail went off. Deuce groaned and entered his pass-code, it was still the date he and Cleo began dating, gross. He pressed the sequence of buttons and left the voicemail on speaker. Who dare to bug him while he was having a good nap?
"Deuce… I'm sure Clawd had a car accident… please call me back when you can. We haven't gotten there yet but I did speak to Clawd on the phone so he's alright for the most part, definitely conscious. In shock I think. Call me back, we're coming to the house to pick you up, Clawdia's gonna stay with the pups, love ya bud."
Deuce sat straight up, Clawd had been in an accident? The gorgon began calling Pop's cellular number as he jumped out of bed. He glanced around the room. Maybe some clothes would be a good choice? He didn't want to scare Pops with his boxers. He grabbed the pants he wore earlier that day, they still had his wallet in the pocket. Deuce also snaked one of Clawd's shirts, what was Clawd's was his right?
The gorgon got annoyed when he call went to voicemail, he really wasn't in the mood to play phone tag at the moment. So he dialed the number again. He would continue until the elder wolf answered.
"Deuce!" The voice came through on the phone finally. "We're just down the block bud, we haven't been to the site yet."
"Okay Pops, I'll meet you outside." He said booking it up the stairs and sliding his bare feet into his shoes, that's when he remembered he'd forgot to put on socks. Oh well – there were far more important things to worry about rather than socks. The gorgon ripped open the door and let it slam behind him as he cut through the lawn to meet Pops.
Barkley nearly fell over when Deuce tackled him in a quick hug. "Oof, alright, get in the back, Ma's shot-gunning."
Scarlet discreetly wiped her tears and took a deep breath. Even though they heard Clawd's voice that alone didn't mean he was alright. Her baby could've been in shock, he could've passed out from the overwhelming situation, he could be crying his heart out right now… "Let's go, c'mon." She growled.
Barkley hopped in and fastened his seatbelt and they soon sped down the street, racing to the site as quick as the speed limits and rules of the road would allow them.
"How did he sound?" The gorgon inquired as he could feel his leg beginning to shake. Deuce began to hate himself, he should have been with Clawd. Why didn't the other wake him? Deuce wanted to know why his boyfriend had to be so stubborn and try to do everything himself.
Scarlet sniffled. "He sounded frightened... he was more so concerned about Clawnor. Clawnor's with him too."
Barkley shook his head. "Clawd's probably torturing himself as we speak... worried sick about anything almost happening to Clawnor. Meanwhile I'm sure he's a trainwreck himself." Someone cut him off and Barkley laid on the horn. "Fuckin' asshole."
"Pops!" The gorgon wanted the elder male wolf to stay focused, he knew Pop's emotions were raw at the moment but he had to remain calm or they could be in the same situation as Clawd.
Barkley knew he had to calm his ass down, but boy was it hard. "I'm good, I'm good. Sorry."
Scarlet rubbed his shoulder. "Breathe, you can't get yourself all worked up. Y'know what the doctor said to you earlier today."
He growled, re-focusing his gaze on the road.
Deuce looked towards Ma, he wanted to know so badly but right now wasn't the time. He took a mental note to ask later when things weren't so tense.
She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Be mad at me all you want, but you're gonna listen to him."
"What gives his ass the right to label people who don't have a clean bill of health like he probably does?" clearly Barkley was still bitter. "these Harvard types though."
"Ah-ah," she warned him. "the fact that he went to fuckin' school, med school and has various degrees to prove it, dipshit."
Barkley sighed. "Yeah, yeah. Woman can you please let me be bitter?"
"You know it's her job, it's in the contract you signed when you got married." Deuce said putting his 2 cents in.
Scarlet nodded, smirking in Deuce's direction. "You got it right, baby. Now it's just this stubborn ass that needs to get it." Her nerves came back in full swing when she recognized Clawd's car with its 4-way lights on the side of the road...
