He turned the corner and pulled into the parking lot of the large library building. He wondered what kind of new fangled systems they would have these days for looking up information as he walked up the steps into the building. He hoped to hell people still read books. These computer things were handy dandy little gadgets, but it was still quite a big change from a good old fashioned book.
He heaved a sigh of relief when he looked around and saw shelves lined with books as he walked up to the front desk and asked where the section on technology and computers was, figuring that might be a good place to start. There were people sitting at desks with computers, but the room was filled with huge shelves lined with thousands of books…a welcome sight. He figured reference cards were probably a thing of the past given that everyone looked at the damned screens for every piece of information they needed, so he figured he’d just walk around the shelves looking for books that might be interesting. He’d gotten himself a bit of basic computer knowledge so that he could function, but he had no idea how they worked here within a huge system like this one.
He found a couple of shelves with just what he was looking for…and one title on the history of computers that looked at least somewhat understandable, pulled it off the shelf and went to find a table.
He spent a good hour and a half reading through the book which took him through all the vast expanse of how computer technology had got its start, its growth through the decades and where it was now. And of greater importance, where it was heading in the future. The only way he had a hope of having a grip on what he might wake up to in future years was to understand where things were heading. He’d learned a couple of Awakenings ago, that by doing this he could at least have a hope of fending off the shock of what he would find next time.
He returned that book to its place and found a few other books and current magazines on culture…music, history, world events of the past fifty years and drank in as much of it as he could. The country had come so far. Monumental strides in civil rights, equality for women, music, culture, travel. Christ, when he’d been awake last, the country had been in complete upheaval over the equality of black people. Not nearly as bad as the slave days, but degrading, dehumanizing and offered little opportunity in the way of decent jobs, income, education or hope.
And now…here he was awake in the day and age of America’s first black president. He shook his head in amazement at the strides forward humanity had taken.
Well, at least this time around he would be able to discuss a few events of the day, a little politics and know enough about these computers to get by if he had to. Willow was no dummy, so he was going to have to make sure he came off as being at least half intelligent most of the time with her as he got to know her more and vice versa. And so he spent the rest of the afternoon educating himself on as many different cultural, political and technological subjects as he could.
He looked up at the clock hanging on the wall and saw that it was nearly 5pm and the library was ready to close soon.
He put the books and magazines back in their places and then headed out to the truck and back to the apartment to shower. He’d be picking up Willow in a few hours and he figured it might earn him a few of those brownie points if he looked and smelled as good as possible.
She was going to want to talk more about this healing thing, no doubt. What more was he going to tell her? He wasn’t so sure it was a good idea to disclose anything new he’d learned…although then again, maybe she’d be less scared if she knew what he knew. Yeah, right. He could just see the look on her face if he told her that he’d healed an old bum, shared souls with him and sent him on his way. He hadn’t even told her about the sharing souls part yet. How was he going to tell her? Should he even bother? It wasn’t really going to matter much anyway if he didn’t find the way to put an end to his eternal hell in the next couple of weeks. Shit. He’d have to figure it out as he went along he supposed.
He pulled in the parking lot and bounded up the stairs, threw off his coat and headed for the shower.
C HAPTER SIXTEEN
Willow looked up at the clock and noted it was almost 6pm. A few more hours and it would be time for Samson to pick her up. Although she usually worked the 3-11pm shift, this past week, she’d switched her hours around so that another of the nurses on duty could go home a few hours early every day, because her husband had had surgery. It felt a little strange to come in at noon and be off earlier, but it was nice too. This offered her the opportunity to be able to meet Samson for dinner.
It had been a rough afternoon on the floor. One little boy had been in an accident on his bike…hit by a car and had needed surgery to repair a bone in his leg that had been broken in several places. He’d suffered a broken hip, clavicle and internal injuries. He was in a lot of pain and she’d done her best to keep him comfortable and reassure his parents. He’d had internal bleeding, which they had managed to stop, but they were watching very carefully for any signs of a recurrence.
Her brows knit together as she thought of Samson. Apparently his blood had the ability to heal. She tried to push the thought from her mind just purely from the standpoint of ethics but it was hard to do right about now. Every time she looked at the little boy, her mind couldn’t help but wonder…what if Samson could help him?
But that was simply not an option since they didn’t know much about what Samson could do, much less what the implications were since he’d only discovered it when he’d healed Cisco. So, was it a fluke? Was it some kind of blood anomaly?
She chewed nervously at her thumbnail just thinking about the implications. It was like something from a bad sci-fi movie. Government finds man who can heal with his blood and he disappears never to be seen again.
That was not something she would ever allow to happen. And yet some kind of investigation should be done in order to find out how this worked and possibly how it could be used to help in some capacity, even if it were only for animals.
Maybe she could find a way to convince him to allow her to draw a vial of his blood for lab work. Perhaps at dinner tonight she could find a polite way to ask him about it.
She sighed and pushed it from her mind, because for now her task at hand was keeping the injured little boy alive and comfortable and hope for the best. She walked to his room and took his vitals, which were stable, checked his temp and his IV line, arranged his pillows and blankets, and then headed back to the nurse’s station.
Sasha came around the corner at that moment. “Hey…you okay? You look upset over something.”
Willow sighed. “Yeah. I’m fine. Just concerned over the little boy in 556.”
Sasha nodded. “I know. Not good. How’s the mom doing?”
“She’s doing okay, I guess. As good as can be expected,” Willow offered, trying to sound more positive than she felt. “I just hope that he has a turnaround.” She shrugged.
Sasha reached across the desk and grabbed a pencil. “Yep. I know the feeling all too well. Not to change the subject, but are you going out to dinner tonight, or are you heading home?”
“Samson’s picking me up at 9.”
Sasha smiled. “Aaaah. Dinner tonight, before the dessert?” She laughed lightly.
Willow rolled her eyes. “There was no dessert last night I will have you know.”
“What?! Are you kidding me?” Sasha raised her eyebrows. “You mean I went out in the cold and headed home for nothing?”
“Well, it wasn’t nothing at all,” Willow smirked. “But we didn’t do that.”
“What the hell is wrong with you, woman?” Sasha shook her head.
“Nothing is wrong with me. We just decided that I….we’re….not ready. Yet,” she said matter-of-factly.
Sasha laughed. “You know I’m just kidding. I’m certainly not encouraging you to sleep with some guy you barely know. I mean, yeah…he’s more than a little tempting. I know I tease you all the time, but you’re doing it right. Just take your time. If he’s worth it, he’ll wait.�
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Willow nodded. “Oh, he’s worth it. More than you know.” She wished she could tell Sasha about Samson’s healing ability, but thought it best to wait, until they knew more about it; how it worked, how far it went, like could he heal animals only, or humans too. Whether it was a genetic thing…a blood anomaly or what.
“So do you want me to stop by your place and let Cisco out?”
“I thought you were on til 11?”
“Well I was supposed to be, but it’s been quiet so they’re sending me out of here early. I’ll drop by your place, but I think tonight I’m going home after I let him out. He’ll be okay for a couple of hours until you two lovebirds get back.”
“Okay. That works.” She grabbed Sasha’s hand as she started to walk away. “Hey! You know how much I appreciate it. Really.”
Sasha smiled devilishly. “That’s not going to get you anywhere. You owe me, so just knock off the gooey affection confection.” She laughed out loud. “I accept cash or money orders only.”
“Comedian as well as a nurse, are we?” Willow smirked. “Fine I will pay you cash. But it will be in foreign currency so you have to go get it exchanged.”
“Touche! Now I’m going to hit the road. I’ll go straight to your house from here.”
“K. I’ll talk to you later on,” said Willow, as she turned back to the desk to answer an incoming call.
Willow finished up the call, walked the floor for her rounds again, and upon returning, noticed it was about 8:35. Less than half an hour left.
She finished up her report, signed out and then headed to the break room to gather up her things, grab some fresh clothes and shoes, and freshen up. At least tonight she’d be dressed for almost any restaurant from casual to a bit more upscale.
A few minutes later she stepped out of the elevator in the parking garage just as Samson pulled up. He stopped the car, got out and walked around to open the door for her, but not before pulling her in for a soft kiss.
“Well, aren’t we the gentleman tonight?” she said lightly. “I guess you left your Mr. Hyde alter ego at home.”
“Nah. The night’s early. I’m sure I’ll say or do something lewd, or maybe stupid and you’ll know he’s come out of hiding.” He laughed, closing her door, and walking around to jump back in the driver’s seat. “So, where to, my lady?” he smiled.
She shrugged. “Well, anywhere you want to go really. Tonight at least I brought some clothes so we have more options.”
“The options I have in mind aren’t on the menu…of the restaurant anyway.” he winked. “And they don‘t involve any clothes at all. But what you have on looks great.”
She gasped in mock exasperation. “You were the one who stopped us last night citing ‘right reasons’.”
“You have me there. But that was last night. This is tonight…no telling what could happen. Damn. I think Hyde just showed himself.” He laughed good naturedly. “But you can‘t hold anything he says or does against me or take off any points for his behavior. Agreed?”
“Fair enough. Now…where are we going? I‘m starving!”
“Well, how about The Oxbow?“ he said remembering a commercial he’d seen on t.v. this afternoon. “I heard they have good steaks and seafood.”
She nodded. “That sounds perfect.”
He reached over and took her hand in his own as they drove. “Thank you.”
Her brows knit together. “For what?”
“For not running away after last night. Most people would have run in the other direction so fast. But you didn’t.” He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it lightly.
She sighed. “Honestly? I wanted to. At first anyway. I was scared pretty shitless. But…well…something about you just makes me want to stay.”
“I’m glad you‘re here.” His fingers entwined with hers.
“Me too,” she said softly.
They rounded the corner and turned into the parking lot of the restaurant. He parked and quickly got out and came around to open her door and help her out.
“You are really trying to impress me tonight, huh?” she smirked.
“Yeah. I have to earn back those points I lost right?” “Well, not really. But it definitely benefits me if you
think you do.” She laughed as she looped her arm through his and they walked into the warmth of the building where they were seated almost immediately in a cozy booth.
Samson opted to slide in next to her instead of sitting across. “You don’t mind do you?” he said, lightly rubbing her thigh.
She looked down at his hand. “That you’re next to me or that your feeling me up already?” She laughed.
“Both!” he said.
“Well okay then. I don’t mind on both accounts.” She popped a light kiss on his cheek and opened her menu.
“I am definitely not playing the starving woman who never eats tonight, so don’t expect a cheap date.” She smiled.
“Good. I can’t stand it when you women eat one stalk of celery and a lettuce leaf all night and claim you’re full. Although I must admit I’m disappointed you’re not cheap. I like my women, cheap, trashy and with a good appetite.”
She rolled her eyes. “Remember. I’m keeping score.” He looked at her from the corner of his eye smirking as she elbowed him.
“On a serious note, how was work today?” He asked. She sighed. “Well it was pretty quiet other than we have a patient on the floor tonight in 556B. A little boy who’s been a bad accident. He’s got internal bleeding and several broken bones. We got the bleeding stopped but it’s kind of touch and go right now.”
His mind began to run a million miles a second, as he imagined opening his wrist and healing the child. The joy and relief his parents would feel at seeing him open his eyes and sit up. She stared at him long and hard wondering if he was thinking the same thing she was right now.
He reached up and took a sip of water from his glass remembering what he’d done for Harold just hours ago. And he wondered if he should tell Willow about what had happened.
“Do you think….well….maybe….” his voice trailed off.
She reached out and grabbed his hand. “NO!” She sighed. “Listen. As much as I would want you to, you can’t. We don’t know if there’s anything bad that will happen down the road from this, or if it’s safe. We just don’t know the long term effects.”
She had him there. He still didn’t know for sure if she would wake up one morning and discover Cisco had become a block of stone gargo-mutt. He wondered if he should just go ahead and tell her about Harold. Not that it would make any difference, because he didn’t know what effects his ‘heroics’ were going to have on the old man either! He supposed he’d have to swing by the the shelter to check on him and see if anything had happened. Might be a nice gesture anyway.
He sighed. “Okay. So you have me on that one. But….” his voice trailed off and he just shook his head.
“But nothing,” she said matter-of-factly. “I can’t let you do something like that. Not now anyway. We need time and some testing. We can obviously just sit back and wait to see what happens to Cisco …and maybe you can let me take a couple of tubes of your blood and I can take them into the lab for analysis?” she offered cautiously.
“NO. No blood work,” he said firmly.
Shit. That was all he needed. Them looking at his blood and finding something that didn’t read right. Or that wasn’t human. They’d have him locked up in quarantine somewhere under surveillance so fast he wouldn’t be able to blink! And then what the hell would happen when the change came and he turned into a block of stone before their very eyes and was at their mercy for the next fifty years? Poking. Prodding. Taking chunks out of him that maybe he couldn’t get back. He didn’t even want to think of the implications of that.
He shook his head again for emphasis. “I’m sorry but no blood.”
“No one else has to know,” she said touching his arm. “I am a trained lab tech and I need the machinery there, but I
could make sure no one else finds out. It would be a little tricky, but I can swing it.”
He shook his head again. “Nope.”
“Why? I know you’re not scared of needles or ‘giving blood’. Don’t you want to know what this…this ability….you have is? What potential you might have?”
He sat in silence for a moment weighing what he should tell her. This was getting more complicated and now he remembered why he’d kept this secret to himself for centuries. Back when no technology existed, it was simple. Someone finds out you have any kind of supernatural ability, or even suspects you do and you’d get burned as a witch or a heretic. Hell, they’d burn you if you kept a pot of herbs or knew how to treat a simple wound if you used anything other than leeches sanctioned by the Catholic church! Yep. Bonfires and barbeques in abundance.
In this past century, paranormal activity was more widely accepted from what he‘s seen and heard, but only on tv and in movies. He was pretty certain that if something like that happened in real life, it would be a whole different ball game. Hauled away by the government or military, locked up and dissected like a frog in science class. Burning at the stake seemed equally as humane in comparison, to tell the truth. He’d pass, thank you.
“Listen, Willow. I just don’t want to open that can of worms. If it ever got out….if you slipped and told someone, or if a tube of blood got out into someone else’s hands by accident. I just don’t want to deal with that. If someone found something weird, they’d lock me up in a cage somewhere to study me.”
“Do you honestly think I would be that careless? And I don‘t have to label them with your name and address or anything.” She sighed in exasperation. “There’s always the chance that your blood work would come back completely normal. I mean there’s other people who can tow semi-trucks across parking lots with nothing more than their bare hands and do strange superhuman strength feats, and their blood is just as normal as anyone else’s. Something just happens when they get into this ‘zone’ and they get pumped full of adrenaline at levels way beyond normal and it takes over. But no one has locked them up in a secret military lab somewhere.”
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