The Childe (29 page)

“Thanks Matt, I really do feel better,” she lied. He didn’t respond. He put his arm around her and helped her to the front doors. Matt had to pull a brass chain at the side to announce their arrival since the two huge lion head door knockers that adorned each door were only for show. The door creaked open and Elsie, Aldon’s housekeeper, poked her head out to look at them. She was a small round woman with bright blue eyes and short curly brown hair with streaks of grey.

“Oh you poor little kiddies. You get in here right away before you catch cold,” Elsie demanded pulling the door over the threshold. “Now let me take your coats. Cat, your mom called and told us you and your young man here would be stopping by. So nice to have young people in the house. Cat, are you feeling well lovey? You look a little peaked.”

“Yeah, I’m fine, just a little tired is all.”

“Well, you need to get to bed early tonight. No wild parties and staying up until ungodly hours. You know, when I was young we had to go to bed promptly at seven. That’s what growing bodies need, plenty of sleep. Now, where was I? Oh yes, Aldon and Druanna are waiting for you in the ballroom. Druanna wants to redecorate again. Poor Aldon, she’ll get her way, you can bet,” Elsie chuckled walking ahead of them. Entering the warm foyer was like taking a step back in time. A huge, sweeping staircase filled the room and medieval tapestries hung on the walls. Beautiful stone tiles and a huge sheepskin rug, which Aldon always said was “the biggest damn sheep he had ever seen,” lay at the bottom of the stairs. Four hallway entrances led to the kitchen, study, living room, dining room, and ballroom. All entrances were guarded by two suits of armor, each looked authentic. Most first time visitors had to do a double take to make sure they weren’t real.

Cat’s headache was becoming more intense. She felt faint as she followed Matt and Elsie to the ballroom, wishing she was home in bed. “Aldon! Druanna! Our visitors are here!” Elsie announced as she opened the doors. Cat stumbled into Matt as she realized the room beyond was pitch black. Suddenly, a bright light surrounded them.

“Surprise! Happy Birthday Cat!” she heard, and then saw her friends and family in front of her. Trying to smile, Cat watched as the crowd slowly faded away. Then nothing.

“Cat, wake up. Come on Cat, wake up?” a familiar male voice called her name. She opened her eyes and met Dr. Harold Bane’s golden brown eyes. “Well, there you are, finally back in this world. How are you feeling?”

“Feeling? Is this a dream?” Cat asked the gorgeous man in front of her.

“No, not a dream.”

“Where am I?”

“You’re in your great Uncle’s bedroom. You had a little, incident. So, how are you feeling?” Dr. Bane asked again.

“I’ve got a headache and I feel a little woozy,” she answered while rubbing her head.

“You’ve got a pretty big knot from the fall, so that explains the headache.”

“No, I had the headache in the car…with Matt.”

“Yeah she did. She said she felt like her blood was boiling and that her head hurt,” Matt interjected.

“Well young lady, I guess I’ll let you go home tonight. I know your parents will keep an eye on you and tomorrow we’ll have you in for some tests.” Cat tried to sit up but felt a hand gently pushing her back down.

“Sweetie, just lay down for a little while longer, and then we’ll go home,” Rachel said. Closing her eyes, Cat heard Dr. Bane reassuring her parents.

A cool hand stroked her forehead. “I’m right here Cat. Just go to sleep now darling. Aldon and Druanna want us to spend the night, so just relax and I’ll be here if you need me.” Rachel watched as Cat fell asleep, tearing up when Sam took her in his arms to comfort her.

Cat opened her eyes and noticed she was no longer in the bed.
Why am I on the floor? Why is the floor so rough and what is all this white stuff breaking off in my hands?
Alarmed, she turned her head and saw the bed far below her and realized she was on the ceiling. She screamed, trying to push herself away from the ceiling only to be pushed back against it by some unseen force. She fought to spin herself around. She screamed again as she heard someone running toward the room. The door handle began to turn and suddenly she tumbled down, hitting the bed full force. Cat laid there stunned and unsure.

“Cat what’s wrong? I heard screaming, what happened?” Rachel asked worriedly.

“I must’ve had a bad dream. Sorry I startled you,” Cat replied distracted, staring at the ceiling and thinking about what just happened. Rachel moved closer putting her arms around Cat, giving her a big hug.

“You’re burning up. That must’ve been some nightmare you had.” Cat simply nodded.

“Do you feel up to eating? Elsie’s prepared breakfast for everyone. It looks delicious. It’s your favorite, blueberry pancakes.”

“I think I’ll pass mom. I’m not feeling too hot at the moment. Maybe I’ll eat something in a little while.”

“All right sweetie. Well, it’ll be downstairs when you’re ready to eat.” Rachel smiled as she kissed Cat on her forehead and then left the room. Cat stared at the ceiling again, still in shock. Rachel slowly made her way down the stairs. A feeling of helplessness washed over her, realizing something just happened to Cat. She wished she knew what and wanted more than anything for Cat to confide in her.

14

Hard To Swallow

“This might feel a little cold,” Dr. Bane said as he pressed his stethoscope against Cat’s bare back. “Now take a deep breath…another…good…now another…very good. Your lungs sound great. Now I need to take your pulse,” he said taking her wrist and looking at his watch. “Well your pulse is a little fast, but that’s okay.”

Cat groaned inwardly.
Of course my pulse is a little fast, look who’s taking it. I’m so glad he doesn’t read minds, because he would know I’ve had a major crush on him, even before I was interested in the opposite sex. He’s just too perfect. He looks more like a model than a doctor. A poll should be taken of the women in town to see-”

“
Cat? Thought I lost you there for a moment. Headache?” Dr. Bane asked waving his hand in front of her face.

“No,” she replied blushing.

“So, I’m going to have to take some of your blood. I know you hate needles, but just bear with me.” Cat grabbed the edge of the exam table, grimacing as the needle penetrated her skin. It seemed like forever before he removed the sharp object and she could take a deep breath. “All done. That wasn’t so bad, now was it?” he chuckled softly.

“No doctor vampire! Can I have my treat now, since I missed my birthday cake last night?” Cat asked jokingly. He smiled and handed her a cherry lollipop, her favorite flavor.

“We will need to make another appointment for you when we get the results from your blood work, ok? Which should be in a couple of days or so. But if you begin feeling weird again, come and see me immediately, all right?” Nodding her head, Cat jumped down off the exam table.

“Thank you Dr. Bane,” Rachel piped up, speaking for the first time since the start of the exam. “So in a couple of days, you’ll call us, right?” she asked, her worried expression painfully visible.

“Rachel, I will call you. Cat’s fine. Now don’t you get all worked up, I don’t need another patient on my hands.” Dr. Bane laughed and smiled reassuringly.

“Come on Mrs. Worrywart, I’m going to be late for school,” Cat announced dragging her mom by the hand out of the room. Dr. Bane watched as the two walked out of his office. His smile quickly turned to a frown once he was sure they were out of sight.

“Mom, Dr. Bane doesn’t seem that worried, so you shouldn’t be either. I know it’s the mom’s job to worry, but look at me, do I look sick?” Rachel turned to look at her. “No, don’t actually look mom, you’re driving. I’d like to get to school in one piece, thank-you,” Cat joked, relieved to see her mom crack a smile.

“Wow, our roles are completely reversed. I should be the one reassuring you,” Rachel said laughing softly. “Are you sure you’re only sixteen? And poor Dr. Bane, at least I don’t go in there as often as I used to when you were a baby. I swear that man has the patience of a saint.”

“Not to mention he’s totally gorgeous,” Cat stated smiling broadly at her mom.

“Yeah he’s one fine handsome man, that’s for sure…oh my, did I just say that out loud.” Rachel blushed deeply.

“Mother! You’ve got the hots for Dr. Bane?” she asked pretending to be shocked.

“Catherine Colvin! If I wasn’t driving this car, I’d-”

“Would what, put me over your knee and spank me?” she chuckled as they came to a stop in front of the school. In one swift motion, Cat unbuckled her seatbelt, kissed her mom on the cheek and exited the vehicle before her mom could say a word. Cat grinned at how thoroughly embarrassed her mom had been, which seemed fitting since Rachel had purposely tried to embarrass Cat on many occasions.

Watching Cat walk into school, Rachel’s smile faltered as she took out her cell phone to call Sam.

The library seemed deserted as Cat walked through the doors. Except for a small group of people in the far corner and the librarian, she seemed to be the only one there. She gave a warm smile to the librarian handing over her hall pass.

“Ms. Colvin, do you need help finding a particular book?” Mrs. Finch, the librarian, asked.

“No thanks, I’m just going to browse,” Cat replied.

Looking through the shelves of books, Cat thought she would never find anything to help with her book report. “I hate these damn crutches, almost as much as that hack English teacher Mrs. Rosenbaum. What do you mean I can’t use cliff notes? Why do they make them if you can’t use them? I’ve got better things to do than read stupid books!” Kirsten whined angrily to herself. Standing in the next aisle, Cat covered her mouth, trying to stifle the laughter at hearing Kirsten’s angry ramblings. She let out a little giggle as she saw Mrs. Finch hurry by her.

“Ms. Fuller, if I have to tell you one more time to be quiet, you will be sent to the office! Is that understood?” Mrs. Finch whispered crossly, pointing her frail bony finger at Kirsten. Turning on her heel, she marched back to her desk. Kirsten stuck her tongue out at her retreating back.