Cory's Shift

by Dan Petrosini

  “So, I’m going be here at least four days?”

  “That’s up to the doctor, but usually we keep donors two to three days.

  “That’s it? Am I going to be all right?”

  “Let’s finish the walk. Dr. Ho was scheduled to come in after we’re done. He can give you better answers.”

  Cory moved toward a cabinet. Sitting on top, next to a liver-shaped stainless-steel pan, was his Bible.

  “There’s my Bible. Get it for me.”

  Chen swooped in and picked up the book. “You know, I should read this. See what is so good in here.”

  “Give it to me!”

  Dr. Ho entered. “What’s going on in here?”

  Nurse Jun said, “It okay, Doctor Ho. Chen was just kidding around, teasing Mr. Musa.”

  Cory looked at her and she winked. He said, “I misunderstood him. I’m very sensitive about my Bible.”

  Ho said, “You’re recovering from surgery. I can’t have you getting riled up.”

  Jun said, “Sorry, Doctor. I thought lightening things up would be good for Mr. Musa’s frame of mind.”

  “Let’s get him back in bed. I need to examine him.”

  Chen and Jun helped Cory onto the gurney. Ho asked Chen to check on the recipient. As Ho pulled on gloves, he said, “I’m the surgeon who performed the section.”

  Cory wondered if he had also cut Ava open as he continued, “Do you have any pain?”

  “It’s not bad, except when I move around.”

  He took a penlight out and shined it in Cory’s eyes. “Good. Let’s take a look at the incision.”

  Ho peeled tape off Cory’s abdomen, handing the old dressing to Jun. “It looks excellent.”

  He pressed his fingertips down. “Does this hurt?”

  “A little, but not too bad.”

  “Good.”

  “How long until my liver is back to normal?”

  “In the first six weeks, the liver regenerates rapidly, reclaiming most of what was sectioned off. It’ll continue to grow over the next year.”

  “The kid who got mine, how’s he doing?”

  “It’s a she, and she’s doing fine.”

  “Oh, that’s good. Will I be feeling like my old self in a couple of days?”

  “Yes. It takes most donors four to seven days to feel good. You may have some pain, but it will subside. We’ll give you a couple of days’ worth of medicine to control it if it flares up.”

  “Okay.”

  “You’ll need to see a hepatologist as soon as possible.”

  “A what?”

  “A liver doctor. You’ll need to be monitored by a specialist—”

  “Something is wrong?”

  “No. It’s just a precaution.”

  “Oh. How long am I going to be here?”

  “Another day and a half.”

  “Where am I going?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Relax. You’re doing well, Mr. Musa. Nurse, please dress the wound.”

  “Thanks, Doc.” Cory realized it was ludicrous to thank the doctor who’d cut him open.

  Jun said, “See, you’re doing fine. Just stay clear of Chen and you’ll stay that way.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He can be rough.”

  “How so?”

  “He’s dangerous. Just leave it at that. All right?”

  “Okay, please give me my Bible. I need to say my prayers.”

  Cory made a show of opening the Bible. Eyes fixed on a page of Exodus, Cory tried to process what the doctor and Jun had said. He felt sore, but they had assured him he’d improve quickly.

  Welcome news, but it meant he was going to be dropped off somewhere soon. He had only a day to act. He shifted in the bed to test the pain. It hurt, but Cory had the gun. He wouldn’t need to get physical.

  Chen was armed. Jun had made it clear he was dangerous. He had to find a way to surprise Chen. An opportunity to disarm him.

  If he could neutralize Chen, he didn’t expect a threat from either of the doctors or nurses on board. But what about the driver? He was a quiet, small-framed man. The driver never came into the galley, eating and resting in the driver’s seat.

  Cory gave up trying to figure the driver out, knowing Black would assume he was armed. A failure to do so could cost Cory his life.

  Lifting his head, Cory surveyed the small space. He’d need to get behind Chen. Cory would have to be in position beforehand because he couldn’t move quickly.

  Cory had an idea. When Chen went to use the bathroom, he’d get out of bed. Cory would keep his back to him, and when he passed by, he’d surprise him.

  As unnerving as pulling a gun on Chen was, Cory looked forward to seeing the look on Chen’s face when he did. It would be a role reversal like he’d never seen.

  Cory wondered how many donors who’d gotten cold feet at the last minute were forced to go ahead by Chen. He didn’t doubt Chen would’ve restrained them, jabbing them with a needle full of drugs to subdue their resistance.

  It was the ugly side of humanity, but how much better was Cory if he pulled a gun to get what he wanted?

  Searching for the moral high ground, Cory thought of Ava. The idea that Chen had swept his daughter and the Down Syndrome kids off the street solidified his resolve.

  These people had to be stopped. It was up to him to put an end to this rogue gang.

  Chapter Sixty

  Cory woke up. They had started the RV. The vehicle lurched forward. They were on the move. He propped himself up as Jun was heading into the bathroom. Chen was leaning against the kitchen counter.

  “We going somewhere?”

  “Yep.”

  “Where?”

  “You’ll find out when we get there.”

  “You dropping me off at a rehab place?”

  “Stop with the questions.”

  “Just one more, okay?”

  Chen stared at him.

  “How long until we get there? I want to know if I have enough time to do my morning prayers now or if I should wait till I get there.”

  Chen turned his back on Cory. He filled up the coffee maker with water. Cory lay his head down. How was he going to do this? He’d just been sliced open. Was he crazy enough to think he could get past this thug?

  Chen was big. Maybe he should jab him with the ketamine. He’d aim for the jugular. But if he missed, who knew how long the drug would take to disable him? Sticking a needle in Chen was too risky. He had to use the gun.

  Seeds of doubt continued to get fertilized when he remembered what Black had said. Cory couldn’t recall the exact words, but it was along the lines that once you make your plan, be open to change but always maintain confidence.

  The other part of Black’s sermon he could still hear him say was, ‘Doubt causes mental chaos, and chaos leads to demise.’ Cory took several deep breaths, focusing on his goal.

  Cory dug under his pillow for the Bible.

  Chen said, “You looking for this?” He held up the Bible, and Cory’s heart began pounding.

  “Give it to me.”

  Chen tossed it onto the bed. Cory picked it up. It was too light. He looked at Chen. He was smiling. “You think you’re smart, don’t you?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

  Chen came to his bedside. He pulled Cory’s gun out of his waistband and pressed the muzzle against his temple. “I should blow your goddamn head off.”

  Jun came out of the bathroom. “Put that gun down!”

  “This bastard carried a gun on board.”

  “It was for my own protection. I didn’t mean—”

  “Thought you had God watching over you. You’re full of shit. I should put a bullet in your brain right now.”

  “Chen, put that away, or I’ll get Dr. Ho.”

  “He’s a threat.”

  “No, I’m not. I could’ve done something if I wanted a million times.”

  “He’s right. Besides, he’ll be
getting off soon.”

  “He’s been a troublemaker since day one.”

  “No, I haven’t. I did everything I was supposed to. You took my liver.”

  “Leave him alone, Chen.”

  “Bastard had a bullet in the chamber. He was ready to do something.”

  “I swear I wasn’t. I forgot to take it out, that’s all. I had to be ready when I was crossing over.”

  “I’m keeping an eye on you. One wrong move and you’re a dead man. You hear me?”

  Cory nodded. Chen backed off to a corner. Wearing a scowl, he stared at Cory. It was unnerving, but Cory knew he’d be safely out of reach at a rehab place soon.

  The relief from getting away with bringing a gun on board faded. Cory hadn’t accomplished his mission. And worse, he’d had part of his liver taken on top of lying to his family.

  He’d go back home with his tail between his legs. He couldn’t imagine facing his kids. He was not only a failure but one who’d gotten his ass handed to him like a bigmouth in the schoolyard. How had everything gone wrong?

  Feeling sorry for himself, Cory closed his eyes. It was embarrassing enough with his family, but telling Mr. Black would be worse. He wondered how to soften the story when he remembered another thing Black had said: feeling sorry for yourself was a waste of energy. He said you had to play the hell out of the cards in your hand. Reviewing the situation, Cory felt like he had a handful of jokers.

  Cory had an idea. It was risky but if executed right might work.

  Testing his condition, Cory brought his knees toward his chest. A dull pain splayed across his stomach. He stretched his legs out.

  It hurt, but he didn’t think it was bad enough to stop him from controlling his reaction. He remembered the cold pool he’d forced himself into. `

  He pulled his legs in, focusing on how he’d get around Chen. He moved his knees to one side. He winced but pushed through it. Cory swung his legs over the edge of the bed.

  “Where you going?”

  “Gotta take a dump.”

  Chen nodded as Cory’s feet hit the ground. “Make it fast.”

  Arm supporting his abdomen, Cory shuffled to the bathroom. Once inside, he opened the door to the vanity. Reaching in carefully, he pulled the full pack of toilet paper out. He tilted the pack, and the needle he’d hidden slid out of a tube.

  He sat on the bowl for a minute, then flushed it. He held the hypodermic needle against his abdomen with his hand. Cory took a deep breath and opened the door. It was showtime.

  Chapter Sixty-One

  Cory stepped out of the bathroom. Chen was sipping a coffee. Stitching needle in hand and bolt of yarn in her lap, Jun was crocheting. Shuffling slowly to the bed, Cory kept a grimace on his face.

  He slipped into bed, placing the needle alongside his thigh. Cory said, “Hey, Jun, how’s the kid with my liver doing?”

  “Doing well.”

  “She getting off with me?”

  “No.”

  “Oh, where is she going?”

  Chen said, “Shut up! It’s none of your business.”

  Jun said, “There’s no reason to be nasty.”

  “It’s okay, Jun. He’s right. I should mind my own business.”

  Chen scoffed.

  Cory groaned as he propped himself up.

  “You okay?”

  “Bad pinching in my gut.”

  “Take it easy.”

  “I feel like I have to stretch it.” He grimaced and swung his legs off the bed. He pressed the needle against his belly and stood.

  Jun stood up. “Feel any better?”

  “Yeah. It’s crazy, but it went away.”

  “It makes sense. It could have been an adhesion loosening.”

  “Adhesion? Is that something to worry about?”

  “No. They’re just fibrous bands that form between organs and tissue. Basically, it’s just internal scar tissue.”

  “You know, I’m real grateful for how well you took care of me.”

  “Thank you. It’s my job.”

  “And you, Chen. I know we had our moments, but I appreciate everything you both did for me.”

  Jun said, “That’s sweet of you.”

  Cory took his free arm and wrapped it around Jun. “Thanks.”

  Jun returned the hug. Cory stepped away. “Come here, Chen, give me a hug.”

  “You’re nuts, preacher man, you know that?”

  Arm outstretched, Cory stepped closer to Chen. “We’re all God’s children.”

  Chen turned away. Cory took the cap off the needle. He reached, aiming for Chen’s neck. The needle sank into Chen’s flesh. “What the fuck?” Cory pushed the plunger in as Chen reached for his neck.

  Chen pulled the needle out. He looked at it. “You motherfucker.” Chen reached into his holster. Cory pushed him back. Chen stumbled. He raised the gun.

  Cory rushed him. The gun went off. “Ahhhh!”

  Ears ringing and midsection ripping with pain, Cory hit the floor. He heard voices, but everything sounded like he was underwater.

  Chapter Sixty-Two

  Cory rolled onto his side. Chen was clutching his knee. His hands were covered in blood. Jun rushed over as the RV skidded to a stop.

  The pistol was inches away from Chen. Cory got on his knees. Chen reached for the gun. Chen’s hand wrapped around the butt of the weapon.

  Jun moved into his line of vision. Cory flattened onto the floor. Jun shifted positions. Chen was unconscious.

  Cory crawled over and grabbed the gun as the driver appeared, saying, “What the hell?”

  Cory and the driver pointed their guns at each other. Two shots went off. Cory grabbed his thigh. The driver crashed into a cabinet.

  Dr. Ho stormed in. He surveyed the damage and froze. Cory pointed his pistol. “Help the worst first.”

  Jun said, “Chen’s bullet wound is just below the knee. I’ll put a tourniquet on.” She motioned to the moaning driver. “He’s been hit in the shoulder.”

  Ho said, “Give him twenty milligrams of morphine.”

  Cory said, “I got hit in the thigh, on the side. Hurts like hell, but it’s not bleeding bad.”

  Ho knelt by Chen. “He’s unconscious.”

  Jabbing the driver with the morphine, Jun said, “Chen was stuck with a needle of ketamine.”

  “Who did that?”

  Cory held the gun up. “I did. I’m in charge now.”

  Ho said, “How large a dose? His heart rate needs to be monitored.”

  Tying the tourniquet, Jun said she would. She cut away Chen’s pants. “It’s superficial. I’ll clean the wound.”

  Ho was putting pressure on the driver’s bullet hole. “The bleeding is slowing. But he needs surgery to remove the bullet.”

  Cory said, “He in real danger?”

  “Not especially. But the wound needs to be cleaned and dressed.”

  “Hurry up and do it. Then look at my leg.” Cory waved the gun. “But first, give me your phones.”

  Jun and Ho handed over their phones. “Good. Now, get me Chen’s and the driver’s.”

  Cory crawled over and picked up the gun the driver shot him with. He pointed a gun at Jun. “I’m sorry, but I need you to check Chen’s waistband for my gun. Please don’t do anything stupid. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  Jun found it, handing it over as if she were passing over a dead mouse. Cory held it in his lap. “Thanks. I’m really sorry about all this, but I had no choice.”

  The nurse’s lip quivered.

  “Don’t worry. You’re not going to get hurt. Please look at my leg.”

  Jun cut away Cory’s pant leg. A hunk of flesh hung like a flapper. Cory sucked in to keep from vomiting. The pain intensified as Jun cleaned the wound.

  “Ow!”

  Jun lifted the flap of flesh, putting it in position, and wrapped a roll of gauze around it. A phone in the pile next to Cory began vibrating. “Give me a bag.”

  Cory loaded the phones and one gun in and said,
“Help me up.”

  Dragging his leg, Cory made his way to the driver and Ho. “He in any condition to drive?”

  “Certainly not. We just gave him morphine.”

  “All right. Listen up. There’s been a change of plans. We’re going to see your boss, Dr. Shu.”

  Ho said, “You can’t do that. We have a patient, a child, who needs medical attention and men with gunshot wounds.”

  “You’re a doctor, a surgeon to boot, and Jun is a nurse. Deal with it.”

  “But—”

  Cory raised the gun. “You got people to take care of.” He pointed at the driver. “He okay to talk?”

  Jun said, “He should be.”

  Cory made sure the driver saw he was armed. “How you feeling?”

  He shrugged. “Okay.”

  “Where is Shu?”

  “I don’t know.”

  He pointed the gun at his face. “Tell me.”

  “I swear, I don’t know.”

  “I don’t have time for this.” Cory pushed the muzzle of the gun against the wound on his shoulder.

  “Ow! Stop it!”

  “Tell me where Shu is.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Then we’re going to drive right back to that warehouse near Cranbury where we started.”

  “He’s not going to be there.”

  “We’ll wait until he shows up.”

  “They’ll kill you.”

  “Not before I expose this entire operation.”

  “You don’t know what you’re up against.”

  “Tell me then.”

  He shook his head.

  Cory pressed the wound. “Tell me!”

  “Fuck you!”

  Dr. Ho said, “Stop torturing him. It’s immoral.”

  “And paying for organs isn’t? And what about snatching kids off the street and taking their organs? You want to lecture me about morality? Look in the goddamn mirror first!”

  Ho whispered, “I’m not proud of my participation, but I didn’t do it willingly.”

  “Don’t make excuses now.”

  “You don’t understand.”

  Cory walked away from the doctor. “Damn right, I don’t. Go check on the kid.”

  He dug a phone out and went to Google Maps. They were on a road outside of Hopewell Township, twenty miles outside of Cranbury. Just a half an hour away, but could Cory find the warehouse he’d been examined and transferred in?