The Third Ten

by Jacqueline Druga

“Dean, I’m fine.”

  “Deep breath” Dean listened to his chest, then when he made Robbie sit up, he noticed that he winced. After listening to breath sounds through his back, Dean hung his scope around his neck, made Robbie lay back down and he lifted his gown.

  “Dean, are you trying to molest me.”

  “Funny.” Dean lifted the gown enough to expose Robbie’s abdomen. He raised his eyes to Ellen. “Who’s in the back?”

  “Patrick,” she answered.

  “Good. He does a good job.”

  “What’s going on?” Joe asked. “What’s wrong?”

  There was a double knock on the archway of Robbie’s door and Roy poked his head in. “Dean, can I see you for a moment.”

  “In a second,” Dean replied then faced Joe. ‘His abdomen is distended.”

  “Dean,” Roy called him. “It’s important.”

  “Isn’t this really fast?” Joe asked. “I mean, it seems fast.”

  “It is,” Dean answered.

  “I haven’t gone to the bathroom,” Robbie said. “Could that be it.”

  “Let’s hope.”

  “Dean.” Roy called him again. “Please.”

  Dean nodded, then looked at Ellen. “Get him to Patrick, I want a full scan. When he gets back let’s change the infection meds.”

  “You got it.”

  “I’ll be back,” Dean said. “It’ll be okay. I promise.” He turned and walked out of the room and joined Roy in the hall. “What’s up?”

  “Come with me. It’s important.” Roy didn’t wait for a response, in a quick pace he headed down the hall and to the lab. Once both were inside he closed the door.

  “What is going on?” Dean asked.

  “I checked and double checked Robbie’s blood.”

  “He’s has an infection,” Dean said. “I know.”

  “No, you don’t.” Roy turned on the monitor. When he did, a spiky cone shape image appeared.

  “What the hell?”

  “I managed to isolate the bacterium. It’s strong. It’s all through his blood and his defense system doesn’t have a chance. It is devouring it. This, Dean … is new.” Roy pointed. “it’s like nothing I have ever seen.”

  “Where did it come from?” Dean asked. As soon as he said that he realized the answer and he exhaled heavily, dropping his head. “The future.”

  <><><><>

  It was all part of the plan so no one would question where Frank was. It seemed silly to Hal. Especially since he and Robbie had returned. Simply tell anyone who questioned Frank’s whereabouts that he was in Bowman. To try to pass the clone off as Frank and post on Frank’s social media was absurd. Yet, he went along with it. Walking with Hank who dressed in Frank clothing. Across town as a spectacle for people to see, only to take him to Containment for hiding until Ellen and Dean could get him later.

  Like Henry, Hal suggested they take him to Creedville or Jordan. It was something they would do once Frank returned. It was the best place to hide him forever so no one knew about Dean’s unethical replication of Beginnings citizens.

  Hank looked like Frank, but was no Frank. A fifteen second conversation with the man would tell anyone that. He was simple and plain, void of flare and emotions. Conversation was tedious and boring.

  Hal was more than happy when they arrived at Containment until he realized he had to deal with Richie, Ellen’s brother. His tried to barter his silence. Hal didn’t care. Let it out that Hank was a clone. That was Hal’s attitude. He was just doing what he was asked.

  He didn’t feel like socializing. Hal was tired and sore and just wanted to get back to the clinic to watch Robbie. Even though the surgery was deemed success, his little brother looked pale and worn down.

  Finally after talking to Richie, handing Hank and dealing with resident, Hal left Containment. He was nearly floored when he saw Elliott walking his way.

  He knew Elliott had woken and was back in Bowman. He expected his friend to be recovering. He did not expect Elliott to look as fit as the day he was nearly killed.

  “Elliott.” Hal rushed his way and embraced him. “Good God, you look fantastic.”

  “Thank you, Captain. I wish I could say the same for you. You look … a little rough.”

  “You’ll have that when dragged by savage LEP in the future.”

  “Is that what happened?”

  “Long story. I heard you woke and that you were in Bowman. I figured you were resting.”

  “Me? No. Captain I feel fine. As if nothing ever happened.”

  “I assure you, my friend, you were near death. I thought we would lose you. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you are well.”

  “I believe the male Dr. Hayes and his mad scientist trials had something to do with it.”

  “No doubt. What brings you into Beginnings?”

  “I was on my way in to pick up some blank reports and heard you returned. I wanted to check in.”

  “I’m glad. Walk with me to the clinic.”

  “Only to the clinic, I have to get back. Have you met … Hank?”

  “I have. I just escorted him to Containment. Part of the ‘now you see Frank, now you don’t’ game my father insists on playing.”

  “Where is Frank?”

  “No doubt a thousand years in the future with his smart phone taking pictures and selfies with anyone and anything that he can. He’s fine. He’ll be back.”

  “How was it?”

  “Interesting.”

  “And Robbie?”

  Hal exhaled. “Robbie was hit with an arrow and dragged about a hundred yards. He’s doing well, he looks worse for wear.”

  Elliott stopped at the steps of the clinic. “I have every faith he will make a full recover.”

  “I as well.”

  “I have to head back. Perhaps tonight you can come to Bowman and we can talk about your trip?’

  “I would love that. I was so worried about you. Thank you for holding down the fort in my absence.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  “Thank you. I’m so happy you’re better.” One hand on Elliott’s shoulder, Hal gripped his hand.

  Just before both men parted ways, Dean moved quickly down the clinic steps, completely focused ahead as if Hal and Elliott weren’t there.

  “Everything okay?” Hal asked.

  “Is … Hank at Containment?” Dean answered with a question.

  “Yes, he is.”

  “Thanks.” Without saying anything more, Dean moved at a fast pace.

  “That was odd,” Hal said.

  “It’s Doctor Hayes.”

  “True. I’ll see you later.” Another swatting pat to Elliott’s arm, Hal walked up the stairs and into the clinic.

  He was feeling better, less stressed as he walked down the halls on his way to see Robbie. That was until he saw Ellen.

  She had just walked from Robbie’s room and she stopped cold, looking almost frazzled when he saw her.

  “Ellen.”

  “Hal, it’s good to see you back. How are you feeling?”

  “A little sore from the abrasions. I…” He stopped talking when Ellen reached to feel his neck. “What?”

  “Just checking.”

  “For?”

  “Fever.”

  “I’m fine. What’s wrong?”

  “Robbie …Robbie is having set backs, it hit him really fast and …”

  Hal rushed by her to Robbie’s room.

  Every ounce of air escaped Hal as soon as he stepped inside. He wasn’t expecting what he saw. He wanted to scream in his emotional confusion.

  His father looked drained as he sat in a chair by Robbie’s bed. He looked up at Hal and shook his head.

  Hal was speechless.

  Robbie turned his head and looked at Hal. His little brother was near gray, dark circles were under his eyes and his body seemed to have gained at least twenty pounds from swelling.

  “Hey, Hal,” Robbie said then coughed.

&n
bsp; Hal’s eyes widened. “I’ve been gone no more than an hour,” he spoke with emotions and panic. “My God, what happened to my brother?”

  <><><><>

  For a half an hour Hal sat there on the other side of Robbie’s bed, waiting through silence with his father and the occasional comment from Robbie. Then finally, Dean returned.

  “Where’s Ellen?” Hal asked.

  “She’s working with Roy, right now and that’s where I need her,” Dean said.

  “What’s going on, Dean?” Joe asked. “Two hours ago my son was fine.”

  “Yes.” Dean nodded. “He was. But we didn’t see what was happening below the surface. Robbie handled the surgery great. He’s strong. He is very strong.”

  Weakly Robbie spoke up, “Would I sound like Frank if I said, I am?”

  Hal smiled and grabbed Robbie’s hand. “Yes and better.”

  “Hal, you’re holding my hand.”

  Hal choked up. “I am.”

  Joe lowered his head.

  “As you know, an infection has hit Robbie, pretty hard and fast. But it is not normal bacteria. I have seen a lot and never seen anything like this. It is a very virulent bacterial infection that just seems unstoppable. It is devouring his immune system. Eating his white blood cells like there is no tomorrow. This is like nothing we have ever seen. It’s new … to us.”

  “Oh my God,” Joe said. “He got something in the future.”

  Dean nodded. “We believe so. That’s why we need to watch Hal. We don’t know if Robbie got it from the dirt or from the arrow. It hits fast, it moves fast.”

  “Is it contagious?” Joe asked.

  Dean shrugged. “I don’t know. But I promise you with everything I am, we are working on it.”

  “I have faith, Dean,” Joe said. “It’s you. You can do this.”

  “Thank you, Joe.”

  Hal sighed out heavily. “I feel fine. It has to be the arrow,” he gripped Robbie’s hand. “I mean, if it wasn’t why ….” He looked down to Robbie oddly. “Dean, could he have gotten this from something he touched, possibly inhaled and not from the arrow?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  Hal held up Robbie’s hand. His palm was completely red and his hand swollen. “Robbie found an odd flower. He grabbed it for you.”

  “What?” Dean asked.

  “He said it was so odd, he wanted to bring it back for you,” Hal said. “I asked him not to. He pulled it anyhow and sealed it in a baggy. I remember he had pollen from it on his hand.”

  “Could that be it?” Joe asked.

  “Yes, it could. That flower could have had something. That flower could also be a clue in beating this. Where is it?”

  Hal sighed out. “Frank has it.”

  “Frank will be back soon,” Robbie said. “I know it.”

  Just as Dean lowered his head, Ellen rushed in.

  “Here.” She handed him a bag of blood. “Roy and I will work on separating the next batch.”

  “Thank you,” Dean said and turned to the IV pole.

  “What is that Dean?” Joe asked. “You’re giving him blood?”

  “Yes. I’m giving him blood. The next blood will be more separated for fighting infection.” Dean hung the iv bag of blood and his hands worked as he talked. “Joe, I am not a real big ‘fall back on God’ type of guy, you know that. But sometimes, things are unexplained. They happen for a reason. Fort and Hank were supposed to come through the time machine at the same time. For some reason, Hank was delayed. He came when we needed him.”

  “What are you talking about?” Joe asked.

  “We tested Hank’s blood earlier. He’s different. His cells are mutated. Almost impervious to infection. We introduced the bacterium into Hank’s blood. In Robbie’s blood, the infection was invincible. Hank’s blood fought it, defended against it. He has the same type as Robbie. This is Hank’s blood” He started the flow of transfusion. “I believe, Joe. This is going to give Robbie the fight he needs.”

  TWENTY-EIGHT – BEGINNINGS

  Andrea spent a lot of time, wiping Robbie’s face and arms, while humming the Silly Song. A tune she hadn’t thought about until that moment. Every ten minutes she return to the room with fresh water, sit on the edge of the bed and wipe him down. He slept soundly.

  It was quiet in the room.

  Hal kept watching that bag of blood, how it slowly entered Robbie’s body.

  Joe watched the monitors, then his son.

  Andrea returned again. She softly sang, “How silly can you get …”

  “Andrea, please,” Joe said. “Not that song again.”

  She ignored him and started examining him, continuously singing.

  “I like that song.” Robbie said.

  His voice caused Joe and Hal to jolt in surprise.

  “Andrea, are they still staring at me?” Robbie asked.

  “Yes, sweetheart, they are,” she answered.

  “Guys, stop,” Robbie said. “I’m not dying if that’s what you’re waiting on.”

  “No, no,” Joe shook his head. “Not at all.”

  “Quite the contrary,” Hal added. “We just love watching you sleep.”

  “Liars. I know the sit and wait to see if I die, routine. We’ve done it enough with Frank.”

  “And you aren’t dying,” Andrea tapped his cheek. “Not anytime soon. Your temperature has dropped, in fact it’s low grade now. Your breathing is better. Whatever treatment Dean is doing, seems to be working. Let me check your belly.” She pulled down the covers and lifted his gown. The moment her hands touched his stomach, Robbie giggled.

  “That tickles.”

  “Better.” She smiled and kissed him. “I’m going to go let Dean and Ellen know, they’re working really hard on the next step. They’ll appreciate knowing their efforts aren’t in vain. I’ll be back.” As she left the room, she paused and pointed at Joe then Hal. “Take a break you two,” she said, then left.

  Hal exhaled loudly. “Thank God.”

  “Hal, that’s not nice. She’s our stepmother.”

  “Not Andrea, you,” Hal said. “You had us worried.”

  “Minor setback.” Robbie smiled. “I feel so much better.” He lifted his hand and made a fist. “Yep, the swelling is definitely down in my fingers,”

  “It’s down all the way around,” Joe said. “Still a little puffy, not like you were.”

  “Was I that bad?” Robbie asked.

  “Tell you what,” Hal said. “You looked like Uncle Jerry did after he married that chef. What was his name.”

  “Carl,” Joe said. “His husband was Carl.”

  “Yes. Wonderful baker,” Hal stated. “made all the cakes.”

  “What?” Robbie squealed. “Uncle Jerry weighed like three hundred pounds.”

  “Oh, stop,” Joe waved out his hand. “No he didn’t. He did gain fifty pounds and you looked like you did too.”

  “Puffy or not,” Ellen said as she walked in the room with Dean. “You’re still the best looking guy in Beginnings.”

  “Aw, thanks, El.”

  “You are looking so much better. Dean?”

  “Agreed.” Dean reached up and grabbed the empty bag. “Andrea said his temperature is down. The color is coming back and the fluid seems to be decreasing.”

  “So that’s it?” Joe asked. ‘That’s all it takes with the wonder blood.”

  “We want to be safe rather than sorry. Hank is still a living being and we can’t drain him. However we have taken more because he’s a bigger guy. We’re gonna give Robbie another half pint, and tonight we should have the antigens from Hank’s blood ready for tonight. That... hopefully, should do it.”

  Ellen added. “Combined with the anti-infection medication, which Robbie has to be on for a while until we know that bacteria is completely gone. We’ll run blood tests.”

  Joe asked. “What about this flower? If Frank gets back, would that be able to help?”

  Dean nodded. “If the flower is the cause. There s
till chance it was just the arrow.”

  “Roy does think it’s the flower,” Ellen said. “He thinks maybe it carries something. Like a bacterial virus. If we have the source, it’s easier to beat it.”

  “Whenever Frank gets back,” Hal said. “By my calculations he just spent another night in the future. Knowing my brother, he probably stayed to ensure another aspect of the LEP world becomes one with his obsession over Planet of the Apes.”

  “Is that possible?” Joe asked.

  Both Hal and Robbie but answered, “Yes” at the same time.

  “It’s a live action version of the original movie,” Hal said. “And Frank with his unnatural fixation … trust me … is living the dream. Well, a twisted dream. But Frank’s dream none the less.”

  “That’s insane thinking,” Joe said.

  Hal shrugged. “What can I say. We all know him. Insane? That’s Frank.”

  TWENTY-NINE – POLW

  “I am.”

  Frank looked over his shoulder when he heard the clunk of the eating utensil hitting the metal plate.

  “No wonder Hal gets so upset with you,” Chaka said. “You do that all the time.”

  “I know. It’s habit.”

  “How do you equate you with my saying the eggs were great.”

  “It’s a thing. And the eggs were great. The whole meal. Plus…” he sniffed his arm. “That soap wasn’t bad. The clothes suck.” He looked down to the pants, which were dark brown, and more like pajama bottoms. The top was a brown button down coat like cover. “At least they’re treating us good.”

  “That’s because this is the last day of our lives. Our final meal and we look clean so we leave the earth with our dignity.”

  “I’m not dying today and neither are you,” Frank said.

  “Frank. They think I committed treason and not only did you kill three Hubra but you set the Primals free on the city. You, my friend are dead.”

  “Nah.” From the corner of his eye, he caught Vesna approaching. “Looks who is here. And maybe she can explain why you are even on trial for treason.”

  Dr. Vesna answered. “Because he claims to be the son of Senator Wa. Which they don’t believe.”

  “That should be pretty fucking easy to prove. You mean to tell me with all this fucking technology. That easy blood gun and scan results you can’t prove he’s telling the truth? Even I know no DNA is the same. Scan the baby, scan him. Done.”