Charged (6 page)

The emergency room isn’t very private, with curtains separating the beds. I have Mason pull all the curtains except the ones between my bed and Brie’s, so we’re all together. I can tell when our moms arrive, almost simultaneously, by the flurry of activity they create.

They do their concerned mom thing. When my mom calms down, I introduce her and Mason. If anything good came from this, at least she’s too distracted to embarrass me. They hook me up to a ton of machines. I can’t help but notice that Brie is machine free. I frown at this.

Before I have a chance to say anything about it, the ER doctor makes his way over to us. It’s not until he pulls my mom aside that I really start to worry. This can’t be good.

The doctor and my mom come back, but he focuses his attention on Brie. “We’re going to release you. Other than some minor bumps and bruises, you were very lucky. Take it easy for a couple of days, you’ll probably feel worse tomorrow than you do now.” He continues on with some more instructions, before he turns his attention to me. “Katarina,” I cringe at my full name, “you are going to be our guest tonight. We want to keep you for observation. You took quite a jolt of electricity and we want to be sure there won’t be any residual effects.”

I can feel the pout on my face. Sure, I’m tingly, but I’m fine and I just want to go home. My mom is on it before a complaint can leave my lips. “It’s just for one night, Kat. I can stay with you if you want.”

Mason chimes in. “Or I can. I already called my mom. She says to feel better.”

My mom’s eyebrows shoot way up. I give her a level look. It’s not like we’d be unsupervised, what with all the doctors, nurses-her coworkers no less. She must realize this also, because, to my surprise, she answers quickly. “I guess that’s alright. I’ll be back in the morning?”

My head is answering yes before my mouth can. “Love you, mom.”

She kisses my head. “Love you, too, Kat. Call me if you need
anything
.” She gives Brie and her mom a hug, before saying goodbye. I see her stop and talk with the doctor again. Obviously satisfied, she gives one more wave, then leaves.

Brie stays until they move me up to my room. I promise to call her first thing in the morning. She looks a little guilty, leaving without me.

Mason stays right by my side, even when he has to cram his body into the corner of the elevator, to accommodate the rolling bed they insist I stay in. I guess I can cross feeling embarrassed off of our relationship list. I can’t think of much worse than this.

Finally they get us in a room. It’s a double bed, but no one is occupying it, basically leaving the room for me and Mason. I look at him. “This sucks.” I say, stating the obvious.

“You get zapped by some large, unknown amount of electricity, and you’re complaining about a hospital stay?” He shakes his head. “Frankly, I don’t think this sucks anywhere near as much as watching you get hurt.”

I consider this, and I can see his perspective, so I acquiesce. “Fine, you win.” I soften a little. “Thank you, for staying, I mean.”

He doesn’t meet my gaze as he answers. “It’s as much for me as it is for you. It scared me, seeing you like that.”

“I wish I knew what happened.” I say, and vaguely a memory pulls at me. I try to recall it, but it slips away.

“Me, too.” He answers. “I-“

He’s cut off by a nurse entering. She fidgets with a machine then looks sternly at us. “You need rest.” She points to me. “You may as well lie down over there.” She motions Mason to the empty bed next to me, and then leaves, shutting off all but the light next to my bed.

“I guess this is goodnight then.” Mason plops down on the other bed.

“Goodnight, Mason.” I whisper, watching him fall asleep quickly.

I’m not so lucky in the sleep department. My body is still tingling, and it’s hard to get comfortable, much less fall asleep. I suppose I could call the nurse and ask for something, but I really don’t want to.

So I begin counting ceiling tiles, and replaying tonight’s events in my mind. I stop, when I recall something. Something right before the explosion occurred.

There’s no way I would vocalize this thought to anyone, even Brie or Mason without real proof, because of the severity of it. But I recall, almost perfectly, Kiera and Shelby walking away from where all of the equipment is set up. I remember my confusion. Well, I’m not confused anymore.

First, I’m pissed. But as that wanes, I realize how serious it would be, to bring the allegations in my thoughts to the attention of anyone else. I’d be accusing them of a crime. And I certainly don’t have anything to go on, other than seeing them and a hunch. I decide to keep this to myself, for now.

Mason’s snoring is oddly comforting. I angle myself slightly in my bed, as best I can with all of the wires attached to me, so I can see him better. He’s still gorgeous, but in rest he has a peacefulness about him that lies dormant when he’s awake. Or, maybe it’s just that he dazzles me when he’s awake, and the last thing
I
feel, is peaceful.

This is the first real chance I’ve had to study him, without having to worry about looking like I am. His dark hair is longer than when we first met, and he’s in need of a haircut. A few wayward strands hang into his eyes. If I was closer to him, I would brush them off of his forehead. My gaze follows down his face, his straight roman-inspired nose, his strong jaw contrasting it. I know when his eyes open, I will get lost in their blue depths.

Part of me, albeit a small part now, is still waiting to wake up from the dream that is Mason. I’m well over the shock that
he
likes
me,
but not only is he great looking, he’s also smart, funny, kind, and sweet. Pretty much perfect, for me, anyway, like he was made just to be mine.

The door opens, interrupting my thoughts, and another nurse walks in quietly. She makes her way over to my side of the room, checking all the machines on her way. “Can’t sleep, honey?” Oh, she’s much nicer than the last nurse. I shake my head no. “I’ll go get something for you.”

I don’t turn her down, as she walks back out of the room. I know I should be tired. I’m just not. Typically, me and sleep don’t have any problems. I wonder vaguely if the tingling feeling still coursing throughout me has anything to do with my sleeplessness when the door opens and the nice nurse re-enters, a small cup in each of her hands. “Take these, honey, and you’ll fall asleep soon.”

I comply and thank her, before she leaves again. I resume counting ceiling tiles, but don’t get very far before the pills kick in and I drift off into a medicated haze.

They release me the next day, but not before I catch snippets of whispered conversations between my mother and the doctor. Phrases like ‘should have been killed’ and ‘unexplainable’ float in. I can tell by the looks Mason gives me that he’s overheard, too. I was very lucky, considering the amount of electricity they figure I was shocked with. I still feel tingly, and almost…charged, with nervous energy. But besides that, never better.

It’s a relief to get home. Mason and my mom insist I rest, though I hold my ground and demand a shower first. I need to wash the hospital smell off of me. My mom insists Mason go home for an hour or so also, so she can start the dinner that she is still determined to make. Mason gives me a chaste kiss before he crosses the backyard to his own house.

The shower helps, but it seems to increase the tingling sensation just under my skin, as I stand under the hot water.

I reach for my shampoo, only half looking at my hand reaching for it and for just a split second I could swear my hand is glowing. I pause in mid grab, and hold my hand in front of me, examining it. I give my head a small shake, and begin grumbling to myself about overactive imaginations, when I very plainly see a distinct shimmer glimpse over my hand and travel up my arm. What in the hell is that?

Unsure exactly what to do, knowing my hot water is limited, and perhaps in a state of shock, I wash my hair and finish my shower. When I get out and towel off, I see no remnants of the creepy shimmer. Shrugging, I chalk it up to paranoia and reach for my comb.

I keep my comb above the sink, and as I reach for it, my hand passes next to the electrical outlet on the wall. A crackle of electricity, a loud spark, jumps from the small slots of the socket and into my arm. I jump back, scared, and then con
fused, because it doesn’t hurt.

Unsure if it’s the best move to make, I slowly reach out for the comb again. This time, I’m expecting the shock, and I don’t get scared or jump away when it comes. It still doesn’t hurt, and the closer I get, the more steady the shock gets, until I can see the crackle transferring between the wall and my hand. The tingling under my skin feels supercharged, like insane pins and needles, and it begins to get uncomfortable, so I quickly snatch up my comb and pull my hand back.

Disturbed, I bring my comb to my room and get dressed. When I’m done I sit at the edge of my bed. I study my hands again, looking at my palms for another shimmer-anything to confirm my sanity. As I slowly turn my palms towards each other, to study the backs of my hands for any anomalies, I both see and feel a powerful current of electricity run between them. I feel my eyebrows shoot to the top of my head, and I know in my heart that this is
not
normal.

A knock on my door has my hands falling, and shakes me from my newfound freakiness. My mom pops her head through the door before I answer.

“How are you feeling?” She asks, looking concerned.

I manage a weak smile. “Better, thanks. The shower helped.”

She chuckles. “You never did like going to the doctors.”

I shudder involuntarily. “Nope, still don’t, either. Do you need help with dinner?”

She shakes her head. “You are supposed to rest. I’ve got the couch set up for you.”

“Thanks, mom, I’ll be down in a minute.”

She doesn’t bother to shut the door behind her. I take a few more moments to collect myself, but I know if I don’t get downstairs that my mom will come back up to check on me, and I don’t want to worry her. Especially until I figure out if there’s anything
to
worry about.

A quick glance in the mirror confirms that I still look like me. No freaky glowing skin or sparks flying out of my ears. This is comforting. I bank all of the weirdness in the recesses of my mind, to think about later. Like when I don’t have my new boyfriend coming over to dinner for the first time.

I hear a knock on the back door as I’m halfway down the stairs, and I smile, knowing Mason is here. I hear the door open, and him and my mom exchanging pleasantries, as I round the corner into the kitchen.

My mom permits a quick hello before she banishes me to the couch. I can’t really complain, because Mason is following. As soon as we are no longer in view of the kitchen, he turns and slips his arms around my waist, pulling me close.

“How are you feeling?” He murmurs into my ear, sending a delicious sensation up my spine. “You look better. I was worried about you, even this morning you seemed a bit shaky.”

I gape at him idiotically for a moment before I remember that I’m supposed to reply. “I feel better, thanks.” I say breathlessly.

He dips his head down and gives me the sweetest kiss I’ve ever had. It’s a good thing he’s supporting most of my weight, because my legs turn to Jell-O and I actually swoon. I’ve never swooned before, my face flushing in embarrassment. From his soft chuckle, I can tell that he noticed my reaction.

“Maybe we should sit?” He suggests.

“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.” He releases me and I lead him to the sofa.

Once we’re settled, I grab the remote and turn the TV on. I flick randomly through channels, pausing momentarily when I see the BioNano logo on the news. I turn up the sound and the female news anchor’s voice fills the room.

“We’ve had the first official medical use of BioNano’s new nanobots and it has been a complete success.” The picture changes to a young man, looking like an army man in fatigues, then to the same man, with one leg. “When Michael lost his leg in service he never dreamed we would have the technology to regenerate it. Three days ago the BioNano doctors implemented their first non-clinical use for regenerating tissue and cells. Today, Michael has his leg again.”

A doctor comes onto the screen. “Michael’s journey is just beginning, we are able to give him back his leg, but he will still have to undergo months of physical therapy. So far, he can wiggle his toes and he’s in high spirits.”