Me: ZOMG, everyone, I am TERRIBLY sorry for not updating soon enough. For one, I was a bit depressed at the homicide (murder) of my favorite cousin, who was only 12, and the peaceful death of my great-grandmother. In fact, I'm going to GG's funeral on Wednesday, March 24. So yeah.

But, I am satisfied to say, the next chapter of HIH is back, baby! So get ready to please your...um, eye taste buds? O.o Oh well, continue reading!

(Sam's POV)

I made my way to the reception counter, determination clearly shining in my eyes. The receptionist put a finger up as she explained something into the phone, and I waited impatiently.

Finally, after what seemed like twenty minutes, she ended the call and smiled with forced charisma at me. "Hello. Are you looking for someone?"

I nodded. "I have an...um, pet. He's a monkey, and his name is Steve? He should've come in about a day ago, I guess. The doctors said he was severely injured?"

The receptionist bobbed her head and turned to her computer, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she searched for any occupants. A genuine smile-though it was small- appeared on her face as a sheet of paper came out of the printer.

"Here you go, ma'am. Steve, resident of ChewandFollow?" My left eye twitched. She glanced over the paper again and blushed a bit. "Oh! I'm sorry, ChewandSwallow. The owner is Flint Lockwood, one of our patients, correct?"

"Yes."

The woman handed me the piece of paper and flipped her pitch-black hair over her shoulders. "Room 162, in the Animal Ward. The doctors are allowing one visitor at a time."

I thanked her and rushed off to where the Animal Ward was-or so I thought. I actually ended up in the morgue, and I huffed impatiently.

"Alright, that didn't go as planned," I said aloud and nearly smacked myself upside the head when I realized there was a map on the paper I was holding, leading straight to Steve's room. "Boy, am I stupid today..."

A few twists and turns later, I was right outside of Steve's room, blocking out anguished cries from various animals. Just as I was about to open the door, a nurse hurried around the corner, her familiar strawberry-blonde hair flying out behind her.

'Whaddya know, it's Janet,' I mused. When she spotted me, her eyes showed visible relief as she skidded to a halt next to me.

"Miss Sparks? A Mr. Lockwood is here to see you, and his son, Flint. He's at the front desk."

Mr. Lockwood...Flint's father was here? I brightened and cast a longing glance at Steve's door before letting Janet drag me all the way back to the reception desk. Indeed, Mr. Lockwood was fumbling with his fishing hat in one hand, the other clutching a picture.

"Mr. Lockwood!" I called out, and he smiled beneath his moustache at me. It was a sad smile, though. "Don't worry, Flint's doing fine. He's sleeping right now, though, and I was just about to go see how Steve was holding up."

Mr. Lockwood nodded and said, "Can you take me to Flint? I know he's sleep...but...when a fish has to find its spawn, they--"

"Okay, I get it," I interrupted before he could start into some confusing fish metaphor. We both practically ran back to Flint's room, and by the time we got there, I was panting and wiping sweat from my forehead from all the running around I had done in the past thirty minutes. "You...can go in...without me."

Mr. Lockwood nodded once again and disappeared into Flint's room. I collapsed on the cold tiles, breathing heavily. I was so not used to all this unecessary physical activity.

About two minutes later, I stood up, refreshed and ready to go visit Steve. This time, I walked casually back to the Animal Ward, passing by random doctors and nurses that ignored me as well. I stopped in front of Steve's door and took a deep breath before opening the door.

In a hospital bed way too big for him, there was my favorite monkey, his eyes closed and his little furry chest rising and falling steadily. Thankfully, the doctors hadn't removed his translator, and luckily the brutes that did this to him hadn't damaged it too much.

I stood next to Steve's bed, stroking his brown fur affectionately. He looked completely out of it, which I could understand. I still wanted to twist the brutes' organs into little knots for doing this to my favorite people in the universe-and animal.

Apparently, I spent some time stroking Steve's fur, because a male doctor poked his head in. "Miss Sparks? We need to give Steve his pain killers."

I thought about refusal, but instead sighed lightly and patted Steve's head before turning back to the doctor. "Sure. Just...just don't hurt him, alright?"

The doctor smiled assuringly. "Ma'am, it's our job to not hurt anyone. Animal, or human."

I nodded and stepped out, running a hand through my orange hair. I had seen both Flint and Steve, and Mr. Lockwood had been alerted and was here...but why did I feel like I was forgetting something? I frowned and rubbed my chin thoughtfully.

'Hm...Flint and Steve are doing relatively okay...Mr. Lockwood knows...MANNY!' I tripped over my own two feet as I hastened down to the lobby, crashing into a nurse. Her numerous papers went flying all over the hall, but I didn't have time to stop and help her.

"Oh, sorry!" I yelled over my shoulder. I made record time making it to the lobby, and collided with the receptionist desk. "Hey, can I use the phone? I need to call a friend!"

The same receptionist from before looked startled at my sudden appearance, and warily pointed to the phone. "G-go ahead..."

"Thanks!"

I dialed Manny's number faster than you could say "crazy" and put the phone to my ear, listening anxiously as the ringing continued. "Come on...pick up...pick up..."

A female voice answered. "Hello?"

"Is there a Manny there?" I asked, a little bit too fast.

"Yes," the woman said. I heard her yelling in the background. "Manny!"

Some tensed seconds later, he said, "Hello?"

"Manny! It's me, Sam!"

Surprisingly out of character, he chuckled. "Ah, Sam. How are you, girly?"

I rolled my eyes, knowing full-well that he couldn't see it. "I should be the one asking you that! How are you?"

"Nothing too bad. I'm almost fully-recovered, so your old cameraman will be back in action a couple days."

I sighed in relief. It felt like five-hundred tons had been lifted from my shoulders. "That's great, Manny. I can't wait to see you back at work again. Hold up well, okay?"

"Aye-aye, girly."

"Thanks, Manny. Good-bye!"

"Good-bye."

I hung up the phone with a satisfied expression on my face, and the receptionist looked over me curiously. "Is your friend doing well?"

"Much better than he was a couple of weeks ago. I'm just glad everyone I know is okay." I closed my eyes for a moment, suddenly very tired. "By any chance...do you have any...spare beds? I'm getting a bit sleepy."

The receptionist smiled. "Of course. In the Guest Ward. There are many unoccupied beds there, for people just like you. If you need some pillows or extra covers, just tell any nurse there."

I thanked the receptionist again and headed off to the Guest Ward, my eyelids drooping.

I had had a long few days, and it was time for me to get in some well-deserved sleep.