Chapter 2: This Makes Total Sense

Chapter 2: This Makes Total Sense

James emerged smoothly from his sleep. He was propped up on a clean bed. There were people around him, doctors, nurses, but they were paying attention to other people. He was groggy. Hed been given anesthesia, he realized. Bright lights overhead, that old, familiar smell. An Emergency Room.

He forced himself to relax. To work his thoughts through the fug of chemicals and exhaustion. Not in the Day Surgery Unit, so it couldnt have been too serious. Then again, how many patients were being seen to right now?

A row of ten beds extended right down the length of the ER and into the broad hallway that terminated in double doors leading to surgery. A young man was seated on the edge of the next bed over in a hospital gown, a nurse taking his vitals, sterilized bandages wrapped around his arm and shoulder.

Everyone down the length of the ER was similarly bandaged to one degree or another.

Twisting his head, James saw that they were double stacked. His row was set out before the partitioned cubicles in which more people lay recovering.

It was all so familiar. The codes being called out, the murmur of voices, the tapestry of groans and whimpers, the rapid tread of shoes on linoleum. The chemical smells, the strong antiseptic.

The gremlin.

He saw it pinned on the bar as he clubbed it to death.

James whole body tensed and he sat up, the IV tubes entering his arm swinging. Saline. Blood.

He raised his hand to his neck. Stiff, thickly layered bandages were wrapped over the bite wound. His arms were also wrapped from the wrists to the elbows.

Hello Mr. Kelly. A nurse stopped by his bed. She studied her tablet, tapped it quickly, scrolled, tapped, looked up at him and smiled. How are you feeling?

Fine, he rasped.

Thats good. No pain?

No.

Nausea?

None.

Good, good. She looked past him at a mobile vital signs machine, made more notes, then scrutinized his bandages.

Whats going on? asked James, looking around the packed ER. Whys this place so crowded?

Though he already knew.

She ignored his question. You lost a good amount of blood and took a nasty bite to the side of your neck. But weve taken good care of you, and you should be ready for discharge soon.

James frowned. I dont need to talk to the cops?

Mmm. She tapped on her tablet again. Normally, with the disorderly conduct, yes. Tonight? Were stretched too thin, and the police well. Theyre busy? Your report says you cut yourself with a bottle, but clearly you suffered a dog bite, so. No cops.

These other folks. They were also attacked?

The nurse hesitated. Ye-es. She clearly didnt want to talk about it. Its its been a weird night. Now, weve got you on Amoxicillin, and youll need to pick up more on your way out along with your pain medication. Dog bites can be quite nasty -

This wasnt a dog bite.

The nurse hesitated again. Blinked, and visibly decided to not have heard him. Unfortunately, Ive got to keep moving, but ring if the pain increases.

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

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

Hilarious, isnt it? A woman in her early thirties lay in the bed to his left, forearm bandaged but wearing her street clothes, a little black dress and knee-high boots. Even from where he lay James could smell the booze and cigarette smoke off of her, and from the smeared make-up it was obvious shed been sobbing hard not too long ago. She was composed now, though, and some part of him registered that shed been beautiful, once; but like almost everyone he knew, she clearly lived hard and suffered from it.

Rabies. She rolled her eyes. Theyre trying so, so hard to believe the city was invaded by an army of rabid raccoons. Its adorable.

Jamess instinct was to just get out, but he needed more information. Confirmation that he wasnt going insane. You were attacked?

Little shit with huge ears? Worst come on in the world. And trust me, thats a high bar. There I was at Kill Switch, trying, just like, innocently trying to do a line when these words appeared, and I was like, oh shit, this stuff is good, but then She waved a hand. He showed up

James leaned closely. So, you acknowledged, or whatever?

I think so? She blinked at him. He came out of one of the stalls. When nobody else screamed, I was convinced I was on a bad trip, but then the little shit bit me.

James tried to picture it. Some lurid club bathroom, women peering into the mirror, none of them reacting to the gremlin. Howd you get away with just the one bite?

Hmm? She closed her eyes. I shot it. Glock 43. Never leave home without it. Man, you should have heard those bitches scream

There was more he wanted to ask her, but his skin was crawling. He had to get out of here. He pulled the tape off the inside of his elbow and pulled the IV out. No cotton swab or bandage to staunch the blood, but he didnt give a shit. Instead, he stood, found his legs shaky, but after a second knew he could walk out.

Which was impressive. Given what hed been through. No matter. Hed figure that out later.

Where you going? asked the woman.

Away from here.

She looked around, a calculating expression crossing her face, then nodded. You know what? Thats a good idea. Im supposed to talk to the cops, but seeing as there arent any around

With no IV, she simply swung her legs over and stood. Tottered for a moment, then caught her balance. There.

James didnt wait for her. He navigated the press till he reached the supervisor on duty at her station and demanded his belongings back.

Nemesis 1 Defeated

Personal Statistics Unlocked

You are #2,789 to survive Global First Wave Nemesis 1 Incursion

Title Earned: Vanguard

89 Hours till Nemesis 2 Released

90 Days till Pits Open

Dawn of the Void has begun

Whats it all mean? Global First Wave? You think this is happening everywhere?

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

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

James had to fight to not snatch up the whiskey and drain it. Given his condition drinking was a terrible idea but fuck that. He took a deep sip. Let the cheap shit wash down his throat and light a fire.

Ah, heaven, said Serenity. Much better. So yeah. Global. Doesnt sound good.

Vanguard. That must be because we were part of the first wave, he continued.

What Im curious about is this whole Personal Statistics part, said Serenity, then froze.

What?

She blinked, sat up straight. Open yours up.

James frowned, focused on that line, and the text changed.

Name: 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 Strength: None

Aeviternum Points: 1

Strength: 6

Stamina: 5

Speed: 6

Agility: 4

Power: 5

Arete: 8

Unspent Points: 5

James read it all quickly, then stared through the text at the equally non-plussed Serenity.

What the hell is all this?

I dont know. She took a big gulp of her White Russian and set it down with newfound resolve. But I hate anything unspent. Goes against my nature. Lets see what we can buy.