Chapter Seven #2
Kreed moves around the small room until he’s at my side and I feel his eyes check over every inch of my body. He can’t see much, but I feel as if his penetrating gaze can see through the blanket covering my body to find any injury I might have.
“Annistyn, I’ve gotten the results from your tests back.
It’s not good at all. You’re severely dehydrated and malnourished.
You lack all of the necessary nutrients that keep us alive and your blood level is so low I don’t know how you’re able to stand for long at all.
At this point, I have no choice but to admit you to the hospital so we can start fixin’ things.
The first thing we have to do is a blood transfusion.
Your numbers are way too low for me to let you leave here today,” Doc says and I can feel tears welling up in my eyes.
“I can’t stay here,” I say, my voice broken as I look at the older man who has taken care of me since the day I was brought into the clubhouse. “Please, don’t make me stay here.”
“I have no choice, Annistyn. You have to stay this time. Your body is almost to the point of shuttin’ down and there’s nothin’ I can do at the clubhouse to help you,” he says, his eyes showing how sorry he truly is as I stop holding back the tears and let them slide unchecked down my face.
The thought of needing a blood transfusion terrifies me like nothing else ever has and I can’t stop shaking and crying as Cali and Kreed surround me.
“Not gonna leave your side, Pixie,” Kreed promises me as he holds my hand in his.
“I’ll stay as long as you need me to, Annistyn. I’m gonna call Caleb and let him know what’s going on. I’ll be right back,” Cali adds before leaving the room though I know she hasn’t gone far at all.
“Annistyn, I’m goin’ to go put in the orders for the blood transfusion.
When it’s started, a nurse will be in here with you for a while to ensure you don’t have some kind of reaction.
After that, you’ll be in here with Kreed and Cali.
I won’t let anyone else back. By the time the transfusion is done, we should have a room available and ready to move you to.
At this point, I’m going to say you’ll probably be in here for a week.
It all depends on you and your numbers when we do more bloodwork.
I will say your wrist is not broken at this point.
It’s a bad sprain. Wear the brace and don’t take it off for any reason.
We need to protect it completely so it doesn’t break.
You’ll get medicine through an IV and I will tell you that if we can’t get you to eat every day, we might have to discuss puttin’ you on a feedin’ tube so you get the proper nutrients your body is currently lackin’.
If you need anythin’, I’ll be right outside,” Doc says before turning and leaving me alone with Kreed.
“Pixie, what can I do to help you? I didn’t realize things were this bad and I feel like a damn idiot for not payin’ closer attention to you,” Kreed asks me, his voice full of anger at himself as he looks at me with tender eyes full of despair.
“I don’t know,” I whisper as the door opens and Cali enters the room once again.
“Caleb said not to worry about work or anything else, Kreed. He’s got you covered and you’re needed here and nowhere else.
Luca will be heading over soon to stand guard and make sure no one can get in the room.
He’s gonna bring food with him so think of anything you’d wanna eat, Annistyn.
Maysen has to go to work and Luca wants to see her before he gets here.
Is there anything you’re craving?” Cali asks, her voice full of hope and happiness as she smiles down at me from the foot of the bed.
“Nothing,” I whisper because the mere thought of food has my stomach twisting on itself.
“He’ll bring a little of everything then and you can pick and choose what you want,” Cali says, resting a hand on my lower leg as Kreed gets up and adjusts the blankets on me when he notices me shivering.
I don’t stop crying as Kreed and Cali keep me company.
A nurse brings in a different machine and lets me know it won’t be long before the blood is brought up and the transfusion starts.
She’s an older lady and smiles at me through my tears.
The nurse tries to reassure me that everything will be fine and I’ll feel so much better once my levels start to return to normal.
I don’t even know what normal feels like any longer.
It’s been so long since I felt anything remotely normal.
Kreed asks for a warm blanket as the nurse takes in my trembling body and agrees to get one immediately.
When she brings it back in, Kreed uncovers me long enough to put the warm blanket on my body before adding the other blankets on top of that one.
He tucks my arms under them and only leaves my head uncovered.
I close my eyes and listen to everyone in my room as they move and talk.
I’m trying to go to my safe place, but I can’t quite get myself there as I focus on the nurse telling me everything she’s doing while the blood transfusion is started.
This is not how I ever saw my life going and the fear filling me today is like nothing else I’ve ever experienced before in my life.