Bianca Chapter 2 #2
“I know because I drank zilch at the bar. I intentionally never ordered or accepted anything. Nor did I eat any bar food.”
I watched them exchange puzzled glances. It was Stitch, though, who said something.
“With no food or drink, the only other possible way is through a shot, which I would assume you’d notice if you got jabbed with a needle.
Or through transdermal contact, meaning touching your skin.
If the culprit were wearing a protective layer, they could dose someone by brushing up against them for prolonged skin contact.
However, that method would likely deliver only a minuscule dose unless there was sustained or repeated skin-to-skin contact. Did anyone touch you?”
I tried to recall whether anyone had been touching me.
I wouldn’t have allowed it under normal circumstances.
But in a crowded bar, people bump into you.
Hands ran across your arms accidentally or in apology.
And it happened more than once tonight. Though I was sure no one had bumped into me more than once.
I would’ve noticed it. My head pounded harder.
I rubbed my forehead, hoping for relief.
“No sustained contact, but if it was repeated, it wasn’t the same person. I would’ve noticed,” I answered.
“Let me take her blood and check her out. We’re on a tight schedule. This kind of drug processes out of your system fast. We can figure out how later,” Stitch stated.
There were murmurs of agreement. The next thing I knew, my chair was pulled back, and a hand was offered to me. I took it and then noticed it wasn’t my cousin’s. Glancing up, I met the hazel eyes of Chaos.
“I’ve got you,” he said softly.
If I clung tighter to his hand or leaned on him more than absolutely necessary because he put an arm around me, that would be my secret.
And I’d think about why later. His warmth and the scent of his cologne, or maybe his soap, filled my nose as I was guided down a hallway and into a room just past the hall’s entrance.
The room was set up to resemble a medical examination room.
Stitch had taken the lead and was already in the drawers, getting what he needed.
Chaos helped me to the exam table. I shakily got up on it, then waited to see what would be done.
Only Stitch, Mishap, and Chaos came in with me.
The others had either stayed in the big room or were outside the closed examination room door.
I had no clue what Stitch wanted to do other than take my blood. But if it entailed more than checking my blood pressure and listening with a stethoscope, my answer was no. The medic turned back toward me with blood draw equipment. I watched him approach.
?
Stitch’s blood-drawing skills were excellent. I hadn’t even felt the needle. He took three tubes of blood and then set them aside. After he finished the collection procedure, he checked my heart, listened to my lungs, shone a light into my eyes, checked my blood pressure, and tested my reflexes.
Now that he was finished with those, he was tapping away on his cell phone.
I had no clue who he was texting, but I sat there in an exhausted haze.
All I wanted to do was lie down and go to sleep.
An arm coming around me caused me to jerk, and I pried my eyelids open.
I hadn’t realized I’d shut them. It was Chaos again.
“You can lean on me. You’re about to fall off the table. As soon as Stitch gives the all-clear, you can lie down to sleep.”
His tone was soft and only slightly gruff.
“Thanks. I had no idea I’d shut my eyes.”
“I figured,” he responded.
“Sorry about that. I was warning my buddy to expect the delivery within the next thirty minutes and what we need to have done. He knows the drugs to look for. I asked Truett to come get the tubes and to take them to town. He knows where to drop them off,” Stitch clarified.
“No problem,” Mishap said.
Before the rest of us said anything, there was a light knock on the door. Stitch bagged up the vials and took them to it. He only cracked the door open. The conversation took seconds, then he closed it again.
“Okay, Truett is off.”
“What did you find on your examination?” Mishap asked.
“Her pupils are sluggish, and her blood pressure is low. I saw how hard it was for her to walk. Are you feeling dizzy, forgetting things, or feeling sick to your stomach?” Stitch asked.
“Yes, I feel very dizzy and nauseated. As for memory, I don’t know. I can’t seem to put the night in order. I know I didn’t drink or eat anything, but I don’t know exactly when I called Rawley. Or what happened as I waited. God, my head hurts. I just want to sleep,” I muttered.
“I’m surprised you can remember any of it. That may mean you got a tiny dose. We won’t know for a few hours, but there’s no doubt something is in your system. Do you take any medications regularly?” the medic asked.
“No, nothing. I’m healthy. I take vitamins, but that’s it. An occasional Ibuprofen for muscle aches and Acetaminophen for headaches,” I informed him.
“You shouldn’t be alone. I suggest you stay here tonight. If you need me, I can be at Mishap’s place in no time. We live literally across from each other,” Stitch said.
I looked over at my cousin. He was scowling. Wanting to lighten his mood, I smirked at him as I remarked.
“See what I had to go through to get a look at your house? Damn.”
Surprise changed to feigned outrage. “Of course I had to keep you away. You’ll see it and start trying to decorate. I know how women are, especially you.”
“Oh, you should’ve kept that to yourself. Wait until morning. I’ll feel better, and I’ll be making a list of everything to change. I bet it looks like a bachelor’s pad or a frat house, doesn’t it?” I teased.
“Keep your hands off my stuff, B. I mean it. And if you’re feeling well enough to make threats, I’ll take you home. If she doesn’t behave, I’m tossing her over the fence,” Mishap mockingly growled.
“Try it. I can still fight,” I warned Mishap.
There was laughter and mild joking as Chaos handed me to Mishap.
I pretended not to feel a tad bereft, which was silly.
After thanking them, I was taken out to my cousin’s bike again.
He promised it would be a short ride that wouldn’t require me to be belted to him.
I rode with my head resting on his back and my arms clutching his middle.
I was so tired when he led me inside that I couldn’t take anything in. He showed me to a bedroom, gave me commands to follow, and left. I dropped face-first onto the bed after pulling back the comforter and sheet, and that was my last conscious memory.
?
A knocking sound dragged me from the dream I was having, though I had no idea what it was about. I pried my eyelids open. The room had faint light. The blinds blocked most of the sun. It took me a few moments to remember where I was. When I did, I sat up. Another knock came.
“Yeah, I’m awake,” I croaked out.
“Is it safe to come in?” Mishap asked from the other side of the door.
“Yes, come in,” I replied.
When the door opened, he didn’t step inside immediately. I understood why when he entered seconds later. He carried a tray in his hands. His gaze went up and down me. No doubt cataloging me.
“Don’t stare too closely. I’m a mess, and I know it. I was too tired to wash my makeup off or undress last night. I have to look like Medusa.”