This is the 44th chapter and the follow-up of the previous chapter. Most of the time, I'm feeling depressed all day due to my chronic case of dysthymia. Fortunately, I have a few things that I can do in order to preserve my mood and sanity. Here's the new chapter, everyone!
Chapter 44 - Group Visits
After the trio finished their breakfast, they all prepped themselves for the trips ahead. Chimpan filed up the remaining documents that he wanted to be passed to Chief Bogo or to the other high-ranking superiors in the headquarters. After that, he took a quick shower and donned his ZPD "regalia". Judy and Michelle also finished themselves.
"Hey, Chimpan. Are you done?" - Michelle asked -
"Yeah. Let's go." - Chimpan replied -
"Wait. Who will drive the car?" - Judy asked -
"I will be taking the wheel today." - Chimpan answered -
The trio brought everything they needed for today. As the duo buckled on the car, Chimpan secured the palace. He then buckled on and started the engine right before they departed to hospital.
"We'll make a brief visit in the hospital, guys. The time is now 8 AM." - Chimpan reminded -
"Since our ZPD roll call will be at 12 PM, we still time to make up ahead." - Michelle replied -
"Hope we ain't get caught by rush hour traffic again like last time." - Chimpan hoped -
Michelle then noticed Judy holding her cellphone.
"Judy, what you doing?" - Michelle asked -
"Just texting someone." - Judy replied -
"Is it Nick?" - Chimpan guessed -
"You're right, Sherlock." - Judy answered with a nod -
Chimpan snickered.
"I'm a psychic, Judy." - Chimpan said -
"Prove it." - Judy teased -
"Think of any number between one and a million. I'll tell you what it is." - Chimpan replied -
Judy took her time to make her answer.
"Nine?" - Judy answered -
"Uhh...Almost." - Chimpan replied, snickering with a grin -
"Huh? What?" - Michelle reacted with confusion -
Chimpan then turned the car to the right towards the road that leads to the hospital.
"I think the hospital is not far from the ZPD Headquarters." - Chimpan said -
"How could you say that?" - Michelle asked -
"Chief Bogo told me that long ago. Most of the other ZPD members undergo medical checkups there when the ZPD clinic couldn't cope the vast number of members who were struggling to work with their sickness." - Chimpan replied -
Chimpan sighed.
"Stacked to capacity." - Chimpan added -
After a while, they arrive at the hospital. Chimpan parked the car in a nearby parking lot.
"You guys go ahead. I'm going to handle the car in here for a while." - Chimpan said -
Judy and Michelle disembarked and they went to the hospital's entrance.
...
Nick was lying comfortably while being chatted by Splero, who was sitting on his very bed beside him.
"Seriously, Nick. If Clawhauser really like doughnuts that much then why he didn't ordered more for me, Chimpan and Michelle as well?" - Splero asked -
"I don't know. Are you, Chimpan and Michelle were doughnut fanatics?" - Nick replied with a question -
"Sometimes. We all like donuts, especially the vanilla flavored ones." - Splero answered -
"Tasty answer." - Nick grinned -
Splero laughed.
"If I'm a chronic doughnut addict, I have a new catchphrase in mind." - Splero added -
"What is it?" - Nick asked -
"D'oh!" - Splero grunted -
Nick and Splero laughed out loud.
"Oh wait! When I stole Chimpan's donuts long ago from his lunch bag, he exclaimed his favorite catchphrase loud and clear to everyone." - Splero continued -
Both of them were silent then...
"Ay, Caramba!" - Nick and Splero both exclaimed -
They laughed out loud much more. A series of knocks interrupts them.
"Come in." - Splero called -
Judy and Michelle entered and they were surprised.
"Hey, Sire. You changed your room?" - Michelle asked -
"Yes, Michelle. The doctors wanted me to merge with Nick so that I could you know...entertain someone." - Splero replied -
"Quite an entertainment. We could even hear you both laughing out loud." - Judy added -
"D'oh!" - Splero grunted -
Nick laughed at Splero's expense.
"There goes it again!" - Nick remarked with a smile -
While Nick continued on laughing and Judy approaches him to place a kiss on the russet fox's forehead, Splero cleared his throat.
"Hey, where's Chimpan?" - Splero asked -
"He's in the parking lot. Just working on something with the car or some sort." - Michelle replied -
"Why did you asked?" - Judy added -
"I'm just wondering if Manchas was also interned in this very same hospital." - Splero pondered -
"He is, Sire." - Michelle replied -
"Really?!" - Splero exclaimed -
Michelle nodded.
"How?" - Splero asked -
"Clawhauser told me that he was being rushed here after we tried to extract him from the crime scene." - Michelle answered -
"If he was here, I really hope that he would be fine by now." - Splero said -
A second series of knocks was heard from the door.
"Step right in." - Michelle reminded -
When the door opened, Chimpan appeared with someone that makes Splero stunned. It was Mr. Manchas.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. Look we have here for today." - Chimpan greeted -
"Hey! Y-You're...M-Mr. Manchas, right?" - Splero asked, shakily -
"That's me alright." - Manchas replied with a simple nod -
"Whoa! I never expected for a black panther to appear with since!" - Splero remarked with a smile -
"Me too. How are you feeling today?" - Nick added with a question -
"I'm fine. Just making a brisk walk around the hospital." - Manchas replied -
Splero noticed that his paw was bandaged and carried on a standard arm sling.
"How's the arm? Man, I feel a bit worried about it since I first tended it way back." - Splero asked, slight worried -
"Don't worry. The doctors finally sutured it up. They also gave me a few blood transfusions to replenish my blood. With that, I'm recovering now and I will be out of here in a few weeks." - Manchas reassured -
"Great Splerai, that was a relief." - Splero eased down with a sigh of relief -
"Anyway, I wanted to thank you all for saving me back there. Glad I survived the mess that the fugitives done to me earlier." - Manchas thanked -
"It's no big deal, Sir." - Splero replied with a smile -
"Glad to see you again in your normal self, Mr. Manchas." - Judy added -
"Yeah. Thanks." - Manchas replied back with a smile -
This is the end of Chapter 44. I feel a bit motivated in the end and I hope that motivation will last. Stay tuned for the next chapter, guys!