A NEW HOPE
18 – A Proposition and Dumb Decisions
"Breathe in," a woman spoke. Dressed in light blue scrubs with red and yellow spirals splashed in for color was a nurse. She stood beside Pet's hospital bed with an acupuncture needle positioned on the right side of the hybrid's lower back. "And…breathe out."
Pet did while lying on her stomach and arms at her sides. She felt so exposed with her hospital gown splayed open in the back and her bedsheets covering her derriere. Carefully and cautiously, the needle was inserted through the dark leathery skin and into tight muscle mass beneath. There were already two more in place near the third, completing a line parallel with the spine.
The nurse went around to the other side of the bed. Kept close to her was the room's food tray being used to hold her medical tools and other needles. Pet wanted to move but was afraid to. She didn't want to screw up what the specialist was doing.
Grant was standing against the far wall and looking a bit uncertain. When the last needle was in place were tiny clips attached to the tops of them. A device about the size of a TV remote was flicked on, it sending mild electroshocks through the needles. The whole process was mostly painless thanks to the morphine still coursing through her veins via the IV. That or there wasn't supposed to be any pain, Pet wasn't sure.
After twenty minutes, the needles were removed. Pet got comfortable on her back and under the covers. "How often will I have to do this?"
The used needles were discarded in a red biohazardous bin on the wall behind the bed, and the unused equipment stashed away inside a shoulder bag. "Two times a week for the first two weeks, then once a week as your acting doctor deems necessary."
Pet crossed her fingers in her head that the electroacupuncture therapy sessions would work. She didn't want to imagine how bad her back was going to hurt without strong prescription painkillers. According to several scans -X-Ray, MRI, CAT scan, SAT, ACT…wait, that didn't sound right… There was a familiar ring to them, though. Were they even scans? Whatever. All Pet knew was that according to several scans done on her back over the past two days, the wreck did quite the number on her.
The nurse excused herself and left the room. No sooner did she leave than another face graced the room.
Pet took one look at Derek and growled a screech. Blue-green eyes melted into golden yellow. Even though she was beyond furious with his presence, seeing him with a white bandage across his forehead was humorous. "What the fuck do you want?" Derek stared at the hybrid placidly. "You better be glad I can't get out of this bed, or I'd rip you open from your neck to your nuts. There wouldn't be much left of you for the doctors to stitch up when I'm done."
"It's good to see you're doing better, too, Pet." Derek was snorted at again. He walked into the room with Muldoon behind him and Simon behind Muldoon.
Pet frowned at the small crowd taking up positions around her room. "To what do I owe the honor of this little get together?"
Simon's jovial smile faltered a bit in his further examining the hybrid. The last time he saw her, she was still unconscious, with a large bandage covering her head injury. Now that it was removed, he could see the colorful bruising painting the shaved portion of her head. In the middle of it were a series of stitches over the still mildly swollen two-inch-long wound. Since his initial visit, he refrained from stopping by again. He wanted to give her time to rest and get her energy back. He had important news he wanted to share with her but wanted to make sure she was coherent enough.
"There is something I'd like to discuss with you," he began. "I have already spoken with your other companions about this."
"You're canceling the park," Pet stated flatly.
Simon laughed. "Don't be absurd! Seeing how the names of promising job applicants keep coming in, I've decided to bump up the interview appointments phase. If not, I predict getting overwhelmed and falling behind schedule."
"When were you planning this?"
Simon had an idea of how the hybrid would react but hoped otherwise. "Within two to three weeks from now, depending on how you were doing by then."
Pet blinked and turned her unenthused look over to Muldoon. There was an inimitable glint in her eyes he understood quite well after his years of being around her. Raptor eyes returned to the suited billionaire. "Why wait on how I'm doing? Why not proceed with the interviews before those two to three weeks? It would allow you to get more ahead of schedule."
He shrugged. "Mmm…perhaps but having someone knowledgeable on what questions to ask during the interviews would help expedite things more quickly. You and Robert know exactly that."
Pet's jaw clenched, and her nostrils flared. "I agreed to help review the applications and narrow down the best possible names for you to consider…not hold your hand for a Q and A with those selected."
Simon had to keep reminding himself the woman's seldom aggressive mannerisms and tone of voice were a product of her creation. Since discovering her, hours of research and reviewing reports regarding raptor behavior, as seen on the islands, had him fairly educated on the species. It didn't mean there was a possibility the hybrid could be taught how to control her short-fused temper. There were times her challenging personality was a breath of fresh air compared to the overdone ass-kissing of yes sirs and no sirs he dealt with so much during the day. However, he wouldn't mind the hybrid being a bit more courteous.
Pet continued. "In case you forgot, I'm supposed to be getting married in a couple of months. I'm not going to let you take that from me."
Grant shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He didn't want to get brought into this. He'd rather stay on good terms with his dig site sponsor for the sake of not losing everything he had worked for over the past years. Ever since returning from Isla Sorna and following the fiasco regarding the Spinosaur, excavation sponsors were even harder to come by more so than before.
A heart-tugging sadness filled Simon's dark gaze. "I don't want to take anything from you."
Derek spoke up. "Uncle Rob already agreed to help when and where he can. Unfortunately, he can't be in two places at once."
Pet's brow arched, and she cocked her head ever so slightly. "I'm sorry, two places?" She cut her golden yellow eyes down on Simon. "Where else are you conducting the interviews? New York? Chicago? Miami? Dallas? I'm not really sure where all InGen has offices."
"London," was given in a quick reply.
Pet didn't like the smile on his face. "As in…London, England…"
Derek scoffed. "Where else would there be a London?"
"I'm sure there are other cities elsewhere in the world named London, shit brick."
Muldoon had about as much as he was going to take. "Alright, you two. Knock it off."
"As I was saying," Simon resumed impatiently. "To put further hasten on an already expedited plan, what interviews that can be conducted in person will be at InGen's London office as well as Palo Alto." He appeared reluctant while also holding a glimmer of possibility in his eyes. "Going to either location for this task wouldn't take more than a week at a time, while more applications are gone through. I'm looking at a one week on, two weeks off arrangement."
Pet closed her eyes, bit her lips together, and clawed at her bed's sheets in frustration. She couldn't really say she was surprised by this. Anger swelled in her that the morphine couldn't numb. "You're asking me to go to California, or London while Robert goes to the other, to help with interviews?"
Simon watched the knuckles of the clawed hands shine white over the handfuls of blankets clutched within them. "Essentially, yes, and possibly to Mumbai, India, as well, where my company's telecommunications office is located. I've already begun conducting interviews last week for other job positions at the park. Just as you and Robert have been assisting in filtering through the applications pertaining to animal exposure, others in their respected fields have been doing the same for their departments. Dr. Wu has been assisting in assembling and interviewing a team of the best geneticists from all over the world. Meanwhile, a very close family friend who's more like an adopted aunt to me has been conducting interviews in my absence in India for technicians and computer engineers." Simon paused, wondering if continuing would result in personal injury. Just how bedridden was the hybrid, anyway? "Please do not think I am pressuring you to make a decision right now. I respect your desire to remain as close to Montana as possible. Should you agree, you'll be working with Mr. Winston at the California office. Robert will accompany me to London."
That evening for dinner, Pet poked at her grilled fish with her spork. Her mind was too tied up with her thoughts to even register being hungry. It didn't help she was also suffering from a bout of loneliness. Grant had returned to the dig site to check up on things with the promise of returning first thing in the morning. He'd been by her side almost every day, all day, and was falling behind on work because of.
Outside her room's open door, she could hear Derek being discharged from the hospital. That unfathomable anger she felt the day after the wreck resurfaced. Her breathing intensified through flared nostrils as a low growl emanated from her throat. That little shit was getting to walk away while she was still trapped in a bed, unknowing if she'd ever get back to her original self. At least she could still walk, if only for a minimal time with the aid of her physical therapist and a walker.
Her choking out a sob surprised her. She was crying. Before too long, she was laying facing away from the door and pouring tears into her pillow. She wasn't sure how long she laid there, wallowing in self-pity before a gentle hand rested itself on her shoulder. The smell of expensive cologne filling her nostrils let her know who it was.
If there was one person she wanted to lash out at more than Derek, it was Simon. Pet snarled. "I'm not in a mood to deal with your business propositions. So please, fuck off."
"I'm not here for that," Simon quietly stated. "I'm here because I wanted to check on you, and I'm glad I did. You look like you could use someone to talk to."
Pet wiped at her eyes, but it was no use. New tears quickly replaced old. "Why does that son of a bitch get to walk out of here while I'm stuck in this damn bed? Huh? I'm here because of him! I may never get to run or hunt again! What if-" she stopped, momentarily horrified by a sudden new thought process. "What if Alan decides to call off the wedding because he doesn't want to be tied down to a cripple?"
"I highly doubt that will happen." Simon had no idea how panged he was by the hybrid's condition until now. It wasn't just a physical injury she was dealing with. "Everything will be fine. You have nothing to worry about. I have the best doctors and physical therapists ready to help as soon as you're discharged from the hospital."
Pet scoffed, wiping her eyes again. "So, what, you're going to fly these people to the dig site to treat me?"
"Something like that. Once you're able to travel without jeopardizing your health, there's a chiropractor in Los Angeles that wants to look at you. I've had copies of your X-rays and scans sent to his office." Simon frowned, not sure his continuing would help ease the hybrid any. "There's a concern of you needing surgery." Pet covered her face with a hand and sobbed again. "Veronica, this condition you're in is only temporary. As long as you can walk, there's still hope of recovering."
The words slammed into the hybrid in an inspiring way, and she rolled her head over just enough to meet the comfortingly warm gaze of the billionaire. "Y'know, you're pretty good at this bedside manners thing. Alan makes me feel like I'm about to die at any moment, and Robert tells me to suck it up I've had worse." Her sad excuse of a smile paired with her words was enough to make the man lightly laugh.
Simon patted her on a hand he had been holding. When he took hold of it, he wasn't sure. He noticed the plate of uneaten grilled fish and pointed at it. "Make sure you eat." He got up from his sitting down on the bedside, next, continuing. "And get plenty of rest. I'll be keeping in touch to check on you."
"Going back to California, are you?"
"India. It's nothing but one meeting after another in preparation for the park." A nod was given to the watchful hybrid. "Have a good evening, Ms. Hammond. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to call." With that, he disappeared from view by stepping out of the doorway and into the hospital corridor.
Pet knew what he really meant was, call me letting me know about assisting with the interviews. She laid there, her mind a further whirl. She sniffed back her remaining pity party and wrinkled her nose. The smell of Simon's expensive cologne still lingered in the air. She sniffed her hand he had been holding and rolled her eyes.
Damn having a heightened sense of smell! "Fucking rich people."
She preferred the scent of cleaning solvents, dirt, and whatever else Grant used in his daily regiment of excavating versus a cologne that probably cost more than her Jeep. The Jeep. It was trashed, now, because of Derek. Hammond bought it for her right before she came to the dig site. Her head dropped, and her chest heaved with a heartbroken sigh.
Enough lying around. She needed to get up and move. She knew how ill-advised it was that she attempt getting out of bed without proper supervised assistance. Fuck that. Relying on people to help her get her shit together was a sign of weakness. Robert was right. She needed to suck it up. She'd gotten over several injuries more life-threatening than a little back pain. The leopard attack when barely a teenager. Getting trampled by zebra, wrestling crocodiles, T-Rex brawls, raptor skirmishes, a plane crash, damn near dying to a recreated prehistoric illness. She was being a damn pansy right now and wasn't about to have any more of it.
Pet slowly moved her legs to hang off the edge of the hospital bed. Keeping a firm grasp on the bed's side railing, the woman carefully stood up. Her knees were wobbly, probably from being laid up for the few days that she had been. Her legs stabled after less than a minute, much to her relief. One foot was placed before the other, and she let go of the railing. She stood there, smiling to herself when she stumbled forward with a loss of balance and hit the floor. She hissed a screech in annoyance and tried to get back up. Moving the wrong way caused a very brief but very significant streak of pain throughout her lower back and hips.
Pet yelped out and gave up, sprawled across the floor. "Nurse?"
A thought occurred to her, and she adjusted her hospital gown. While she wouldn't be able to preserve her pride at being found helpless on the floor, she could at least maintain her sense of modesty. Eventually, someone would find her. They'd have to when they came in for their hourly checkup.
"Pet?" It was Muldoon. The hybrid rolled her eyes and groaned. "What in the bloody dazes are you doing on the floor? You should be in bed!"
"I was chasing dust bunnies across the floor since I can't really chase anything else right now." It was a damn lie and she knew her best friend knew.
Muldoon planted his hands on his hips and shook his head. "Unbelievable."
Nighttime had since taken over the dig site, Derek sitting by himself in Quarantine's back bunk room. The small window beside his bottom bed was open, allowing him to hear Terrence laughing. From what Derek could guess of the distance in laughter, they were near the fossil tent. It sounded like he and Billy were having a humorous conversation over some stupid cartoon. Since returning to the dig site, there was no one to welcome him back. No one to ask how he was feeling. Nothing. It was as though he was ostracized.
He knew for a damn fact Pet would receive a very opposite return. She'd be welcomed back like a hero who just saved the dig site from an apocalyptic event. A purple heart would be pinned on her shirt and a big hip-hip-hooray given from all around. He couldn't stay there anymore. It was no longer a home for him. In a few days, Pet would be back, and that was a fight waiting to happen. He needed to get away.
Derek got up and started packing his bags. All his clothes were tossed into his duffle bag, never mind them getting wadded up and wrinkled. He usually was meticulous on making sure everything was neat and organized. Not this time. He didn't care. His pistol was holstered into the back of his pants, and his extra ammo boxes shoved into his duffle bag as well. While no one was present in the trailer, he took a load of stuff out to his car parked behind Quarantine.
The trunk was popped open, and his bag and rifle case placed inside. He gently set the trunk lid down, though not hard enough to actually secure it closed. There was still more stuff needing packing.
Another trip inside and the last of his stuff was in put away in his backpack. Derek was on his way to his car for the last time, keys in hand, when he was stopped dead in his tracks.
Leaning against the front of his car was Terrence, arms crossed over his chest and a concerned look on his face. "Going somewhere, there, buddy?"
"I'm not your fucking buddy, now get off my car."
The backpack was tossed into the trunk, and the back slammed closed. Terrence hadn't moved. "Tucking your tailing and running away won't fix what happened."
"Neither will staying here. I could've killed her. Then what?"
Terrence pursed his lips. "You do realize when you take off, we'll be left without a vehicle to get to and from town in."
Derek unlocked the driver's side door, scoffing. "So what? Call Simon and ask him to buy you guys a new ride. Just offer Pet as a down payment. No way he can resist that since he already can't wait to stick his-"
"Stop!" Silenced Derek on the spot. He had never heard Terrence sound so angered and demanding in tone before. It was a bit alarming. "Yeah, you screwed up. Everyone screws up. It's called life and learning from our mistakes. All running from it is going to do is make it worse for everyone involved."
Derek wanted to cry but refrained. "Thanks, Dr. Mitchell. That's some real life-changing advice right there."
He fell into the driver's seat of his red Challenger and shut the door so hard it was a wonder the window didn't shatter. A loud revving of the engine tore through the air, and the car was backed up so fast the back tires kicked up a cloud of dust. In a few short minutes, the sound of the car's engine faded away in the distance.
