Chapter 3
Things get Complicated…
Author's Note: Well, since I've posted my last chapter I've learned two things: stress and dejection. I remember once watching an interview Christopher Hitchings did and the world famous author said that often if he didn't get complemented for his work (his book, an article he wrote, an appearance he made, etc.) he would start to feel sulky. Well, I thought that was a rather ridiculous admission, until I posted up my chapter two. I went away from my computer for an hour and then checked my email and felt so dejected when I got no emails from . I thought, oh maybe nobody liked it; maybe I really sucked at writing it (even though feedback was good later on). I guess when you put your work out there you feel really vulnerable to the feedback of your audience.
Another thing is I have been really busy run running around, just with a full to do list every day. People I have to contact, things I have to read, places I have to go, etc. Seriously, the only time I can write this stuff is in the middle of the night. (Look, it's 12:19 am! I have work tomorrow, oh I mean today~) *Sigh* I can't wait until my job is done in May.
*** ***
Emmie took out her cell phone and said, "I'm calling MNU! Let's get out of here!" Emmie grabbed Melissa's arm to lead her outside. Instead Melissa grabbed Emmie's phone.
"What are you doing!? Why are you protecting this guy?"
The Poleepkwa put down the chair he was about to slam though the door. Now he was confused. Did 'Emmie' suggest that 'Melissa' was protecting him from MNU? He couldn't see them through the kitchen wall but he could hear their conversation.
"Yeah, I hit him, that's why I didn't come into work. And if you report this to MNU I'll tell them about your little drug dealing scheme you were running during med school."
"Oh, I'm sorry my family isn't wealthy like yours is." Emmie suddenly gasped, "I'm sorry, I don't mean it like that."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Suddenly Melissa's voice seemed to crack, as though Emmie touched on a deep wound, "Do you think I'm just some rich kid? That I cheated my way though life or something?"
The alien was torn, the back of his mind screaming for him to get the hell out of there, while the rest was confused and intrigued about what was going on. Was this human protecting him? Why? And what were they fighting about? He decided to sit in the chair because he couldn't go anywhere with his injured leg anyways. If he tried to run they would be able to catch him quickly. If he tried to attack them they could take him out. He may as well sit and see what the fuss was with them.
"Melissa, do you know what my parents had to do to get me through med school? About two years ago they couldn't cover tuition and I couldn't cover the dorm costs. The loans ran out too. My parents had their salary reduced severely because of budget cuts. I had to get money somehow. Your parents are the best, but you don't know what it's like to have them suffer for you like my family has."
"Oh my God Emmie! Why didn't you ask for help? You know we would have done whatever we could to help you."
"I owe you guys too much already." Emmie sighed, "Okay, I won't call MNU unless provoked. But I swear if anything happens I'm having leg sandwich! I mean, not really, but there will be one less leg in the world."
Melissa and Emmie entered the living room, the alien jumped out of the chair and then cried in pain when it brushed against the ground. He held a hand up, ready to block the attack. Seconds ticked by…
Emmie snickered. They weren't doing anything, just standing there. The Poleepkwa put his arms down and looked at them in cautious confusion. Emmie snickered again, and Melissa glared at her. While they were both shorter than him, as most humans were, Melissa was a few inches taller than Emmie, and had a slender muscular build. Emmie had long blonde hair held back in a clip, and she was wearing working slacks, and a purple blouse. Melissa had long curly black hair tousled about her head in confusion. "I'm sorry!" Melissa glared at her more, "Look, we aren't going to attack you."Emmie said, "Wait, I think Melissa's glare of Doom is sinking into my heart. Doctor!" Emmie clutched her heart and fell to her knees.
"Oh!" Emmie jumped up on her feet, "We can fix your leg!"
"What?!" Melissa cried.
"I'm sorry, let me introduce us. We are two recently graduated doctors from Cornell University, New York. I'm Dr. Emily Bristiene and she's Dr. Melissa Etheridge. We're doing our residence with MNU for the next five years, and right now we are going through orientation."
The alien seemed to choke when she mentioned MNU.
Melissa took over, "yes, we work for MNU, but Emmie and I joined because we learned what they've done and want to help the Poleepkwa by providing the best medical attention we can. I want to try to change how MNU works, through sincerity and good will, if possible."
"Yeah, and it's an entirely new field so the first ones in get to be pioneers. I anticipate quick promotions." Emmie nodded her head in confidence.
"Oh my God, you are just like James!"
"What do you mean I'm just like James?"
"He's in it for selfish reasons too."
"So?"
"Am I the only doctor that went through medical school for the purpose of helping people?"
"Eh, more like we help others and help ourselves at the same time. Isn't that how society works? Oh, sorry, um, deviation. What do people call you?" Emmie asked the alien.
He clicked a response, but they just looked confused at him.
Melissa sighed and rubbed her forehead, "Poleepkwa language lessons begin next week. So what are we going to do?"
After a pause Emmie said, "Okay, how about this? Melissa, we should get you examined anyways so we'll go to the hospital and get some equipment."
"Equipment?"
"Okay, Mr. Prawn person, you have three choices: you can leave and have your leg be twisted like that forever, you can let us do the surgery for you, or we can get MNU for you and let them take care of it. So, well, if you want you can leave, it's up to you."
"Emmie!"
"And we should talk on the way Melissa."
Melissa growled on frustration as they walked out.
*** ***
They got into Emmie's car and drove towards the hospital. "Emily! What was that?! We can't do a surgery! We've never done one before!"
"Melissa, there's always a first time, right? You'll have to do your first surgery eventually anyways. And you've always been the best at doing mock surgeries on cadavers anyways. I think we'll be ok."
"Oh, yeah, we'll be ok, but what about the patient? Human cadavers, Emily! I've only worked with humans! This guy's anatomy is going to be totally different. Our chances of success are not good."
"Look, if we don't succeed, then he ends up with a bad leg anyways. He's got limited options. Either way only we can help him."
"It's not only we that can help him. I mean, I think maybe we should call MNU. They have resources we don't. They can give him more help than us."
"Melissa, if you want to help him, don't call MNU. Look at this." Emmie handed Melissa her iphone. On the touchpad the file of the Poleepkwa she hit was displayed. "I was given an application that can tap into the records of MNU to look up the Prawn's data files. His name is Alexander Jones, clean record, no marks against him. He's quite a rare one, with the capability of keeping his nose clean. But he's now a fugitive, hasn't been seen for three years. He ran away for some reason."
"Probably didn't want to move to District 10." Melissa shrugged her shoulder.
"This was well before they built District 10. There is probably another reason. Why would someone who keeps his head low suddenly risk his life to run away?"
"Oh, fuck! Are you serious? Oh, this is getting worse! I never should have had dinner with James!"
"You had a date with James? Why didn't you tell me?"
"It wasn't a date! I paid for my dinner, so it was just sharing a meal. And besides all I found out was he's a total jerk."
"Probably found out something superficial. Anyways, yeah, you sensed what I sensed?"
"An egg."
"Bingo, he probably had a kid without a permit and is doing everything he can to keep the kid away from MNU."
Melissa groaned and sank into the car seat.
*** ***
Alexander Jones looked around for something that he could lean on as a crutch. He hopped to where Melissa dropped the shower rod and leaned on it to see if it would support his weight. It collapsed upon itself and was too short to be useful. He couldn't understand what just happened. The only time he had ever interacted with a human was with a gun pointed at his head and commands being shouted out. And now a human was laughing at him when he thought she would hurt him? And Melissa! She took him to her house, treated his wounds and refused to summon the authorities. Was she nuts, or was she overwhelmed with a sense of guilt? He felt a stab of anger. He had seen too many of his friends shot for the smallest reasons. Humans couldn't feel guilt!
Then he felt alarmed. What if they called MNU when they left? What if it was all an elaborate trap? That made perfect sense! Melissa ran him over, giving him a permanent injury that could only be cured through surgery. Then she'll try to gain his trust and then she'll betray him. He didn't know why they had such an elaborate trap but one thing was certain: he had to get out of there, even with his bad leg. But… with his leg the way it was MNU was likely to catch up to him and transfer him to District 10. And then his son would either be left in the wilderness without him, or would be trapped by MNU forever.
It was hopeless! He got separated from his son yesterday, his son wondering off in the middle of the night across the highway. Maybe his son left because he found water, or found something he wanted to show his father. When Alexander realized his son left, waking up alone in the middle of the bush he needed to find him as soon as possible. Alexander had to get across the highway, and he saw the car coming. He thought he had enough time; he thought the driver would slam on his breaks. He was wrong, fatally wrong. Now his son was still missing and his leg was injured. How could he protect his son with such a handicap? How could he go out and find him?
He was given three choices, but there really was only one choice. He would have to trust Melissa and Emmie. He would have to trust those fucking blood thirsty humans.