Chapter 2: This Makes Whole Sense

James emerged easily from his sleep. He was propped up on a clear mattress. There have been folks round him, medical doctors, nurses, however they have been taking note of different folks. He was groggy. Hed been given anesthesia, he realized. Brilliant lights overhead, that outdated, acquainted scent. An Emergency Room.

He pressured himself to loosen up. To work his ideas by way of the fug of chemical compounds and exhaustion. Not within the Day Surgical procedure Unit, so it couldnt have been too severe. Then once more, what number of sufferers have been being seen to proper now?

A row of ten beds prolonged proper down the size of the ER and into the broad hallway that terminated in double doorways resulting in surgical procedure. A younger man was seated on the sting of the following mattress over in a hospital robe, a nurse taking his vitals, sterilized bandages wrapped round his arm and shoulder.

Everybody down the size of the ER was equally bandaged to 1 diploma or one other.

Twisting his head, James noticed that they have been double stacked. His row was set out earlier than the partitioned cubicles through which extra folks lay recovering.

It was all so acquainted. The codes being known as out, the murmur of voices, the tapestry of groans and whimpers, the fast tread of sneakers on linoleum. The chemical smells, the sturdy antiseptic.

The gremlin.

He noticed it pinned on the bar as he clubbed it to demise.

James entire physique tensed and he sat up, the IV tubes getting into his arm swinging. Saline. Blood.

He raised his hand to his neck. Stiff, thickly layered bandages have been wrapped over the chew wound. His arms have been additionally wrapped from the wrists to the elbows.

Whats up Mr. Kelly. A nurse stopped by his mattress. She studied her pill, tapped it shortly, scrolled, tapped, regarded up at him and smiled. How are you feeling?

Tremendous, he rasped.

Thats good. No ache?

No.

Nausea?

None.

Good, good. She regarded previous him at a cellular very important indicators machine, made extra notes, then scrutinized his bandages.

Whats happening? requested James, wanting across the packed ER. Whys this place so crowded?

Although he already knew.

She ignored his query. You misplaced an excellent quantity of blood and took a nasty chew to the facet of your neck. However weve taken excellent care of you, and you ought to be prepared for discharge quickly.

James frowned. I dont want to speak to the cops?

Mmm. She tapped on her pill once more. Usually, with the disorderly conduct, sure. Tonight? Had been stretched too skinny, and the police effectively. Theyre busy? Your report says you chop your self with a bottle, however clearly you suffered a canine chew, so. No cops.

These folks. They have been additionally attacked?

The nurse hesitated. Ye-es. She clearly didnt wish to discuss it. Its its been a bizarre night time. Now, weve received you on Amoxicillin, and youll want to choose up extra in your means out alongside along with your ache medicine. Canine bites will be fairly nasty –

This wasnt a canine chew.

The nurse hesitated once more. Blinked, and visibly determined to not have heard him. Sadly, Ive received to maintain transferring, however ring if the ache will increase.

And with that she hit him along with her patented smile and walked away.L1tLagoon witnessed the primary publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l–B1n.

What the hell? None of it was alleged to work like this.

Hilarious, isnt it? A girl in her early thirties lay within the mattress to his left, forearm bandaged however sporting her road garments, a bit of black gown and knee-high boots. Even from the place he lay James may scent the booze and cigarette smoke off of her, and from the smeared make-up it was apparent shed been sobbing onerous not too way back. She was composed now, although, and a few a part of him registered that shed been lovely, as soon as; however like virtually everybody he knew, she clearly lived onerous and suffered from it.

Rabies. She rolled her eyes. Theyre attempting so, so onerous to imagine town was invaded by a military of rabid raccoons. Its cute.

Jamess intuition was to simply get out, however he wanted extra info. Affirmation that he wasnt going insane. You have been attacked?

Little shit with large ears? Worst come on on this planet. And belief me, thats a excessive bar. There I used to be at Kill Swap, attempting, identical to, innocently attempting to do a line when these phrases appeared, and I used to be like, oh shit, these items is sweet, however then She waved a hand. He confirmed up

James leaned carefully. So, you acknowledged, or no matter?

I feel so? She blinked at him. He got here out of one of many stalls. When no one else screamed, I used to be satisfied I used to be on a nasty journey, however then the little shit bit me.

James tried to image it. Some lurid membership lavatory, girls peering into the mirror, none of them reacting to the gremlin. Howd you get away with simply the one chew?

Hmm? She closed her eyes. I shot it. Glock 43. By no means depart dwelling with out it. Man, you need to have heard these bitches scream

There was extra he wished to ask her, however his pores and skin was crawling. He needed to get out of right here. He pulled the tape off the within of his elbow and pulled the IV out. No cotton swab or bandage to staunch the blood, however he didnt give a shit. As an alternative, he stood, discovered his legs shaky, however after a second knew he may stroll out.

Which was spectacular. Given what hed been by way of. Irrespective of. Hed determine that out later.

The place you going? requested the girl.

Away from right here.

She regarded round, a calculating expression crossing her face, then nodded. what? Thats a good suggestion. Im supposed to speak to the cops, however seeing as there arent any round

With no IV, she merely swung her legs over and stood. Tottered for a second, then caught her steadiness. There.

James didnt look ahead to her. He navigated the press until he reached the supervisor on responsibility at her station and demanded his belongings again.

Nemesis 1 Defeated

Private Statistics Unlocked

You might be #2,789 to outlive International First Wave Nemesis 1 Incursion

Title Earned: Vanguard

89 Hours until Nemesis 2 Launched

90 Days until Pits Open

Daybreak of the Void has begun

Whats all of it imply? International First Wave? You assume that is occurring in every single place?

Far as I do know, thats what international means. Thanks Herman. Youre a sweetheart.

The bartender set their drinks down on coasters and walked away.

James needed to struggle to not snatch up the whiskey and drain it. Given his situation consuming was a horrible thought however fuck that. He took a deep sip. Let a budget shit wash down his throat and light-weight a fireplace.

Ah, heaven, stated Serenity. Significantly better. So yeah. International. Doesnt sound good.

Vanguard. That have to be as a result of we have been a part of the primary wave, he continued.

What Im interested by is that this entire Private Statistics half, stated Serenity, then froze.

What?

She blinked, sat up straight. Open yours up.

James frowned, centered on that line, and the textual content modified.

Title: James Kelly

Class: None

Rank: Mendicant 1

Title: Vanguard

Virtues: None

Benedictions: None

First Miracle: None

Second Miracle: None

Third Miracle: None

Aura: None

Aura Power: None

Aeviternum Factors: 1

Power: 6

Stamina: 5

Pace: 6

Agility: 4

Energy: 5

Arete: 8

Unspent Factors: 5

James learn all of it shortly, then stared by way of the textual content on the equally non-plussed Serenity.

What the hell is all this?

I dont know. She took a giant gulp of her White Russian and set it down with newfound resolve. However I hate something unspent. Goes in opposition to my nature. Lets see what we will purchase.