37. Chapter 37
Chapter thirty-seven
Alex
Alex opened his eyes, and he blinked several times trying to make out the outline of a man lying next to him. Danyal! Alex leaned forward out of joy and passionately kissed the man facing him, who recoiled as the object of his affection pushed him away.
Alex blinked again, and was mortified that the man lying at the edge of the bed he’d kissed was…Galen.
Galen, wide-eyed and breathing heavily, fell off the side of the bed as he backed away from Alex.
“What the hell?”
Alex sat up, trying to piece everything together, but his head was ringing like the church bells on Sunday morning, and his double vision made moving difficult.
“Galen, I’m so sorry. I woke up and thought you were Danyal. Please forgive me. I didn’t mean to offend or scare you,” said Alex, placing his right hand on his forehead as he continued to assess the situation.
“Never pull a fuckin’ stunt like that again,” said Galen.
“Which part, the unwanted kiss or nearly getting myself killed?”
“Both,” said Galen as he jumped up from the floor and slapped Alex’s shoulder with his wounded hand.
Alex still couldn’t see clearly, but he felt Galen physically wince.
“What’s wrong with your hand, Galen? I can’t see much, but it sounds bad.”
“Picked a fight with a wall, and the wall won.”
“I’m sure there’s a story there, and I’ll try to heal your hand if I can, but I feel like a speeding cement truck hit me.”
“Take it easy, Alex. Ya’ve been through a traumatic experience.”
“Not to be ungrateful, but where’s Danyal? The last thing I remember is Michael taking him from my arms.”
“Safe at the local hospital. Couldn’t risk ya going there. Andrea took him. Will take ya to him as soon as ya have regained yur bearings.”
“I’m fine; we need to go now,” said Alex as he tried to stand up from the bed and fell shoulder-first into the wall. Galen pulled him back up and positioned Alex on the edge of the bed.
“Yu’re not fine, Alex.” Galen looked at his watch. “Ya’ve been unconscious for over three hours.”
“Three hours?”
“Do ya even remember what happened?”
“I remember a bright flash of light and the building collapsing. It was like time was moving in slow motion. I thought the explosion killed us,” said Alex, tears in his eyes. “The next moment, we were lying in a field freezing. I could hear the explosions and see the blue flames in the distance. My instinctive need to escape activated my teleportation abilities, like when you were injured. But this time, I was disoriented and couldn’t concentrate.”
“How’d ya find us?”
“Over the severe pain and noise in my head, I heard your voice calling me. So, I closed my eyes and followed your voice. The next thing I remember, I was standing in the road in front of the van.”
“Thought we’d lost ya and Danyal. Lost it and went a little ape shit crazy,” said Galen as he handed Alex a bottle of water.
“Was that when you picked a fight with a wall?”
“Wall, Andrea, and Michael.”
“Wow…I’m sorry I scared you. I had to do something after seeing the team captured.”
“Was a major risk ya took, but will give ya points for the dramatic entry. Exploding the wall inward to take out the terrorists was a boss move. Ya made a quick and decisive action, which presented little risk of injury to yurself or the team. But going down range by yurself was stupid.”
“I guess watching anime with Danyal gave me the idea. All I could think about was saving Danyal while going down the cellblock. Ripping the cell door off with my bare hands was also pretty badass––you should have seen it.”
Galen shook his head. “Show off.”
“My vision is getting better, Galen. I want to try to stand.”
Galen helped Alex stand and take a few steps toward the door, but Alex stumbled and fell to one knee. “Easy, Alex; before we can go to the hospital, ya need to change yur scorched clothes and walk under yur own steam. Can’t have the hospital trying to admit ya.”
Alex nodded. “There are fresh clothes in the bag. I’ll need your help changing.”
“Will help since ya asked nicely.” Galen picked up the duffle bag and pulled out a t-shirt and jeans. He knelt to remove Alex’s boots. “Can do the shirt or try the pants first.”
“Go with the shirt; my legs are still wobbly.”
Galen pulled off Alex’s shirt. “Hold out yur right leg and work on the pants,” Galen said. He began laughing as Alex sat on the bed in his underwear. “Did ya go into combat wearing hot pink boxer briefs with unicorns on?” said Galen, shaking his head from side to side, laughing uncontrollably.
“Too much?” said Alex as he smiled. “Does it not go with my unicorn persona?”
“Plead the fifth, mate.”
“Let’s try the shirt first.” Alex raised his arms to help Galen slide down the shirt over his head and torso. “Now for the pants.” Alex held out his right leg, and Galen slid on the jeans and completed the process on the other leg.
“OK, Alex. Put my arms around you from the front. Want ya to stand if ya can and pull up yur pants while ya are vertical.”
Alex nodded and followed Galen’s commands perfectly. “This is unique; I’ve never had a man dress me first thing in the morning. Usually, they undress me.”
“Ya must be feeling better since yur inappropriate sense of humor is back. What’s the word of the day?”
“Boundaries,” said Alex.
Galen helped Alex stand by his side and put his arm around his shoulders. “Will move toward the cafeteria; Dr. Donalds is on her way,” said Galen.
“Why Donalds?”
“Wasn’t letting Bruno near ya.”
Alex smiled. “My hero.”
“Don’t ya forget it.”
Alex and Galen turned the corner into the cafeteria, where they were met by Ryo and Dr. Donalds coming into the room through the back door. Dr. Donalds rushed over to Alex and helped sit him at a table.
“Dear lord, Alex. Looks like you picked a fight with a train, and the train won. Thank you, Galen. Let me do my work,” said Dr. Donalds, who opened her medical bag and asked Alex various questions. Galen stepped away to give them privacy, but Alex listened to the conversation between Galen and Ryo.
“How’s he doing?” said Ryo.
“He’s in shock and probably has a concussion. Any updates from the hospital?”
“No, nothing from Andrea on Danyal’s condition. On a positive note, Diana is with Hoko in the ICU. He’s on the mend.”
“Some good news, finally,” said Alex as Dr. Donalds crossed her arms and told him to sit still as he continued to listen in.
“Hesitate to ask,” said Galen, “but did Zoltan have any better luck?”
“Yes,” said Ryo. “The bomb was real, and Zoltan’s team disarmed it. It’s now in the custody of the feds. He’s already cleared out and headed to his next assignment.”
“Nice to get a win. One less crisis for now,” said Alex.
Dr. Donalds set down her stethoscope next to Alex. She said the best she could tell, Alex had no lasting physical damage. She said she knew she was preaching to the choir, but Alex was emitting higher than normal radiation levels than his baseline readings.
Galen looked at Ryo. “Tell her.”
“Tell her what?” said Alex.
Ryo paused before saying after the explosion and collapse of the building, the wreckage burst into blue flame and was giving off dangerously high radiation readings. The readings were so high, they couldn’t risk a rescue.
Dr. Donalds pulled out her Geiger counter and took measurements from Galen and Ryo. She said Galen’s level was higher due to his close exposure to Alex, while Ryo’s levels were acceptable. She added they could count their blessings, given the situation Ryo described.
“So, what’s the verdict, doc?” asked Alex. “Can I go to the hospital to be with Danyal?”
Dr. Donalds said, “Hold your horses, Alex. I’ll be going with you to give my expert opinion on Danyal’s condition after consulting with his attending physician. Galen, I’ll need you with me. There’s no way I’ll be able to lug this ox around if he collapses again.” Dr. Donalds winked at Alex.
Galen nodded. “Got a vehicle, Ryo?”
“Michael retrieved the SUV from the hospital before he took off with the van.” Ryo tossed the keys to Galen. “Drive safe and keep me updated while I tie up the loose ends.”
Galen helped Alex into the front passenger seat while Dr. Donalds climbed into the back. Pulling out of the school parking lot, Alex rolled down his window and extended his arm into the breeze.
“What’re ya doing, Alex?” Alex ignored Galen’s question. Galen took off his ring.
What’re ya doing, Alex?
Ouch, Galen, inside voice, please.
If ya answered my question, I wouldn’t have to yell in yur head.
I heard you the first time; I’m recharging with cosmic and electromagnetic energy. I’ve a theory it will help me focus and heal.
Make sure ya don’t hurt yurself.
Could you give me your right hand, Galen? Let’s see if it works.
Glen stretched his damaged right hand toward Alex, where Alex gently collapsed his hand over Galen’s bloodied knuckles.
Could you try it now?
Galen pulled back; his hand had now healed. Only the dried blood showed his former injury.
Cheers, mate. Ya need to save yur energy for yurself and Danyal.
Alex didn’t respond, so Galen returned to the GPS, providing directions to the hospital. Upon pulling into the hospital parking lot, Galen parked near the emergency room entrance.
Alex sat paralyzed in the passenger seat.
“Ya right, Alex?” asked Galen.
Alex shook his head no. Galen could see Alex’s respiration rapidly increasing.
“Doc, may need yur help.”
Alex raised his hand to stop Dr. Donalds from approaching the door.
“Talk to me, Alex. Know yu’re scared.
“Terrified,” said Alex between gasps of breath. “Danyal’s been gone for weeks, and I’m fucking terrified to walk through those doors to see him.” His shoulders slumped forward as the tears came streaming down his face.
Galen raised his hand to wave Dr. Donalds off, giving them space. “Let it out. We’ll walk in that door together and face whatever awaits ya. Won’t let ya do this alone. Focus on yur box breathing and center like Hoko says.”
Alex breathed slowly for several minutes, in and out, until he nodded his head and opened the door to step out of the vehicle. Dr. Donalds led the way through the entrance to the nurse’s desk.
“Good morning, my name is Alex Lieth, and I’m here to see my boyfriend, Danyal Sarif. He was brought in earlier for emergency attention.”
Nurse Johnson checked her computer screen before looking up. “Yes, Danyal is here, but I can only allow family to see him.”
“This is Dr. Donalds, and she’s Danyal’s physician.”
“Thank you for the introduction, Alex. I want to meet with his attending physician as soon as possible to consult about his case, ma’am.”
Nurse Johnson nodded. “And this fine young man behind you? Is he family?”
“Yes,” said Alex, turning to smile at Galen. “This is Galen, and he’s family––wherever I go, he goes.”
“Please wait while I get you visitation badges so you can be with Danyal in a jiffy.”
“Thank you, Nurse Johnson, you’re a lifesaver.”
Keep it together, Alex; you’ve got this. Keep it together for Danyal.