Chapter 3
Denver Marriott Tech Center
Denver, Colorado
"Amanda," someone said.
She opened her eyes. Michael and Pete were on either side of her. She was being moved through the halls of the hotel on a gurney by paramedics.
"Something's wrong," she said.
Pete stepped away when Michael looked at him. He watched them go out the door and before she was in the ambulance she was sobbing and clinging to her husband for support. Another gurney passed him with an unconscious Emory. Myka followed behind him, she carried the vase. Pete followed her out to the second ambulance and took the vase when she handed it to him. She glanced back at Amanda and Michael.
"Do you think she lost the baby?"
"That was a lot of blood, Myka. I'm pretty sure she did."
Myka looked at Emory. "His blood pressure was still high and he hasn't regained consciousness. I'll let you know if anything changes."
Pete nodded. She leaned close.
"Don't be mad at him, Pete. None of us knew what was going to happen today, and he wouldn't have hurt her intentionally. He's quiet and cranky, but he would never hurt someone like that."
Pete whispered, "I'm not angry at him. I'm angry at… At whoever threw away the How to be an Advocate manual."
She rubbed his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Pete."
"We're ready," a paramedic told Myka.
She climbed inside. The doors closed and the ambulance left. Pete looked at the vase.
"Stupid vase," he snarled at it, and had to resist the strong urge to throw it against the brick wall of the hotel.
Emory's Trailer
B'n'B, South Dakota
Claudia knocked on Emory's trailer door and waited.
"Dude, it's like almost eleven o'clock. Get up!"
She pounded on the door but he didn't answer.
"Artie needs you at the Warehouse, Emory," Claudia called, "Get up!"
She knocked again and then slowly stepped back when it opened. No one was there. She did, however, hear retching from inside the trailer.
"Emory, are you okay?"
He didn't answer. She cautiously walked inside.
"Emory?"
She jumped when the door clicked closed behind her. She felt a draft pass across her back and let herself believe it was the air conditioner kicking on. She heard another round of retching coming from the bathroom.
Claudia followed the sound to the bathroom. Emory was hunched over the toilet vomiting. Despite her distrust and dislike of the man, Claudia went into nurse mode. She found water bottles in the refrigerator, and grabbed paper towels and a plastic sack. She knelt down beside him, handing him a paper towel.
"Put the used ones in here so it doesn't stink up the place." She spread it open next to him.
Between vomiting spells she had him take sips of water. He couldn't stop even when he was dry heaving. She found a washcloth and wet it, laying it on the back of his neck.
The vomiting finally stopped but he didn't move from the toilet.
"Come on. Let's get you to bed."
"No," he muttered.
She felt something cool brush past and he pushed the air next to him away.
"Hey, if she's saying what I think she is, let us help you into bed. You look like shit."
Emory slowly got up with her help and let her help him into bed. She cleaned up the bathroom and then tracked down a bucket. She sat it by the bed.
"There's a bucket here if it starts up again."
He barely nodded.
"How long have you been vomiting?"
"Since I got back from Denver. It does not last long though."
"Maybe you ate something bad?"
"I am not eating anything different."
"You're not doing drugs or drinking, are you?"
"No, Claudia, I do not do drugs or drink, nor have I ever."
She didn't press the issue.
"Do you want me to get you anything?"
"No. I just need some sleep."
"Okay. Well, where's your phone?"
"It is on the window ledge." He pointed at it.
"I'll put my number in it. Call me if you need something."
"Your number is already in my phone."
"Oh. Okay? Or Steve… You know, if you need a man's help or something."
"I will."
"Alright. I'll come back to check on you."
"Claudia?"
"Yeah?"
"The Warehouse loves you."
"What?"
He looked up at her. "A couple of artifacts can talk to the Warehouse. After the remark you made in the dome, it said you are jealous and you think I am going to take the Warehouse from you. I will not, Claudia. The Warehouse needs you as much as it needs me. It says that it's grown to a size that it needs its Caretaker to tend to it, while the Advocate takes care of the artifacts."
"The Warehouse loves me?" she asked, almost smiling.
"Very much, it does."
"Thanks for telling me."
She walked back to the kitchen area but stopped, remembering something. She returned to Emory.
"The dogs and horses in the dome… What do they need?"
"Turn on the sun lights for the dogs. Fill their water bowl. They pretend they can drink."
"Will do."
He barely nodded as his eyes closed. She pulled a blanket over him and then left him to sleep.
The End