Back at the meeting point, Jan saw the other three groups had returned safely. Each one of them carried a kill over their shoulders. Their expressions were of bemusement as they focused on the blood trickling out of Steven’s ankle. Jan got into action. He did not have any time to lose. ‘We’ve got to return quickly, predators will smell the blood.’
On the route home, Steven’s cries became subdued until all that was left were low whimpers. When he fell silent, they ran faster. Jan was glad everyone realised the severity of the situation. Boosted by the recent feeds, they forged ahead at an impossible pace. At the entrance, Jan entered the code and one after the other they made their way in. The prey was dumped on the floor in a heap. Everyone was covered in sweat, animal blood and mud.
Once the exit was secure, Jan ran off. Steven was his priority; the others could find their own way back.
At the infirmary, Jan shouted for help before he lowered Steven onto one of the beds. Immediately, he was surrounded by a group of healers.
‘What happened?’ his brother, Dr Johannes, asked. It was always weird to see him in his formal role.
One of the auxiliary staff started to cut Steven’s trousers off to allow the doctor to examine the wound. Jan winced as he saw the extent of the damage. Several bite marks had twisted the ankle to an odd angle, it was definitely broken. A lot of flesh had also been torn off and was hanging loosely off the bone.
He shook his head, focused, and relayed the events, ‘He got attacked by a tapir whilst he was feeding. He was not completely conscious of what was happening. I think the blood he was drinking must have acted as a natural sedative so it was only when we managed to disengage him that he noticed he was being attacked.’
‘How long has he been unconscious for?’ a second doctor, Else, asked, as she opened Steven’s eyes and shone her small torch in them.
Jan guessed, ‘Twenty minutes, maybe more.’
‘We need blood fast. Get Emily now, she can help him,’ Dr Johannes yelled.
Jan ran out of the room in the direction of the control room. Even though he knew the sound of the public address system would alarm people, he had no choice. It was only meant for emergencies and this was definitely an emergency. After a slight crackle, Jan made his announcement. ‘This is an urgent request – can Emily Roberts please make her way to the infirmary immediately? I repeat – can Emily Roberts make her way to the infirmary immediately?’
***
Emily was about to address her class of young pupils, when the alarm stopped her in her tracks. As soon as Jan had finished the first sentence, she zoomed out of the room. She did not need the second reminder. As she got to the entrance, Sofia rushed past her to take her place. She barely heard her words, but she knew Sofia would take charge. In record time she got to the infirmary. It was clear someone was hurt. She knew who it was likely to be.
She had been so sure that letting him out in the open would be good for him. Now, she cursed inwardly. Steven had not been ready. At the small infirmary entrance, she was met by Dr Else Abel.
Dr Else explained, ‘Emily, your son has been hurt. He needs blood and your blood is the only one that can help.’ Her tone was calm but Emily could tell things were far from normal.
‘What if it does not work?’ Emily asked, her heart beating fast, in overdrive.
‘We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Dr Johannes has been getting him ready. He has lost a lot of blood and is unconscious; we need to act fast. He is still not as strong as us, as you know.’
‘I know. How could I be so stupid and allow him to go out after such a short time?’ Emily voiced her thoughts aloud, as she hurried after Dr Else.
‘If it’s any consolation, he was attacked by an overprotective female tapir. Steven did not know to leave the young alone.’
When Emily entered the room, Dr Johannes immediately beckoned her over to sit down. A drip was already set up for Steven and they had got all the equipment ready for a blood transfusion. Emily sat down and they inserted a needle into her arm, the blood immediately gushed into the plastic piping making its way towards Steven. Emily gave a huge sigh. Steven’s face was sickly white. After a few minutes, they stopped the blood transfusion to Steven, but they collected some more blood from Emily. Finally, the needle was removed. Emily felt drained, empty. She probably was.
‘Emily you need to go feed otherwise you will become ill, they just brought in several animals that are still fresh. It’s not a request, you must go. It will save him,’ Dr Johannes insisted, then continued his face serious. ‘We will look after him. If we need more blood, you need to be at your best.’
Reluctantly, Emily left the room. She could sense her emotional barriers crashing down around her. Her eyes darted around as she walked and ran both of her hands through her hair. Eyes wide, she contemplated what had happened. The injury looked serious, really serious. There was no way her blood would be enough to heal him completely. Even if miracles were possible, she doubted they stretched that far. A million questions raced through her mind. What if Steven lost the use of his foot? How would he react? Would he accept it? Would he want to do what it took to get better? Could they convince him?
She had to think that he would want to recover. He would be stupid not to. She had to hope he would see sense. That he would accept what he was capable of. She had not lost all of her optimism yet. She couldn’t afford to.
When Emily returned, Anna was waiting.
‘I came as soon as I heard. I can help too – our blood type is identical,’ Anna stressed, before she gave Emily a much needed hug. ‘He’ll be alright, you’ll see.’
Emily accepted Anna’s hand as they made their way to the room where Steven lay recovering. When they got in Emily let go. It was nice to have sisterly support, but she did not want to look weak in front of Steven. She felt a weight leave her shoulders when she saw Steven was awake again, his eyes focused on the ceiling.
‘Thank God you’re awake,’ Emily gasped, her voice betraying her anxiety. She wanted to rush to his side but she couldn’t.
‘I can’t feel a thing, they must have sedated me. What is going on?’ Steven mumbled, turning his head for a second. His eyes seemed to glaze over.
‘You were attacked by a large female tapir. You passed out,’ Emily explained.
‘Bloody tapir, I thought we were the hunters,’ Steven exclaimed, as he shook his head from side to side.
Lying down, Steven reminded Emily of his father, Paul. It sent a shiver down her spine.
‘Every animal instinctively defends and protects its young,’ Anna said.
Emily wondered if one day Anna would not feel obliged to explain everything. Steven grumbled something barely audible, but Emily heard it. He did not think she had ever defended him in any way. Before either of them could retaliate, Dr Johannes came back in.
‘Welcome back,’ Dr Johannes smiled, as he approached his patient. ‘We have stitched up your wounds as best as possible. Unfortunately, I don’t have good news. I don’t like being the bearer of bad news, but I guess…’
‘Just tell me,’ Steven snapped, his expression devoid of all emotion.
‘You need human blood to make a full recovery,’ Dr Johannes explained.
Emily winced as she anticipated Steven’s reaction.
‘Then I’ll stay as I am,’ Steven declared, his face had a certain finality.
Dr Johannes glanced at Emily and Anna, and nodded gently. Emily knew he wanted to talk to them alone. ‘We’ll let you think about it.’
‘There’s nothing to think about, but you go ahead and have your chat,’ Steven said, his eyes now closed.
Once outside Dr Johannes switched language. It was wise, Steven would not understand. ‘This is not a good situation. He has only just changed. His body hasn’t even started to adapt. Human blood can heal and fix the problem.’
‘I will not force him to drink human blood again. Not against his will,’ Emily said. She could not do that to him again.
<
br /> Dr Johannes shook his head. ‘He will have to live with the disability. The chances are that if untreated, he will never walk normally again.’
‘What do you suggest?’ Anna asked, her hands on her waist.
‘You could bring him human blood.’
‘That might be possible, but it’ll take days,’ Anna sighed.
‘Then you need to take him,’ Dr Johannes said.
Emily suppressed a smile. She could not believe it would be that easy for Steven to leave the community. She wondered if this could be her chance.
‘What if he escapes, after he is healed?’ Anna asked.
Emily frowned. It was typical of Anna to worry – Steven’s strength would double after feeding on human blood.
‘You know how to stop him, Anna,’ Dr Johannes added.
Anna shook her head, unconvinced. ‘I won’t have the element of surprise. He will expect it.’
‘Then think of something,’ Dr Johannes stipulated. ‘I have to go; you have to figure this out. Emily, he is your son – help him.’
Emily decided now was the time to play along. If she pretended to think he would not accept it, Steven might stand a chance. In a resigned voice, she said, ‘I don’t even know if he’ll agree to it.’
‘Make him,’ Anna stated. ‘If he doesn’t, he’ll never integrate.’
‘Maybe it’s for the best,’ Emily said, keeping her expression forlorn. She could sense Anna was falling for it.
‘Don’t give up on him. The community needs to know that we look out for everyone. If he chooses not to be healed, some will question why. He needs to do what we do and now is as good a time as any to resolve the problem.’
Emily nodded, and gave an apologetic frown. ‘I’ll talk to him.’
‘You do that. I’ll go and talk to mum and dad. They’ll know what to do.’
Emily dropped her head and looked at the floor as Anna strode off. Once she was sure she had gone, she grinned and narrowed her eyes. Her plan was starting to take shape. If she played her cards right, she would soon find her way out whilst giving her son the freedom he wanted.
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Chapter 48
Consequences
With a few carefree steps Emily resumed her seat in the room. Steven had his eyes shut again. As she sat down, his voice startled her. He sounded so much like Paul.
‘I won’t do it.’
‘Do what, Steven?’
He shook his head, ‘Whatever you’re planning.’
Emily had to see her plan through. She hated not being able to include him in her idea, but it was for the best. ‘You have to follow our lifestyle now.’
‘No, I don’t. A wonky ankle won’t stop me from living.’
She definitely did not agree with him on that point. ‘You might not say that in ten years’ time. It might be impossible to correct if you don’t heal it now.’
Steven retaliated, ‘You don’t know that for sure.’
Emily knew it was time for the clincher. ‘All we know is that everything we become happens on the first year after we change. An injury of this severity at this stage is unpredictable, dangerous.’
‘I am not killing anyone to survive again.’
The statement hung in the air for a few minutes as neither spoke. Finally, Emily answered. ‘I don’t doubt that you don’t want to kill. We’ll find another way to fix this. I’ll let you rest.’ She already suspected her solution was bound to please everyone, and she knew just who to plant the idea with – her mum, Judith. Guilt was definitely a tool worth manipulating.
***
Jeff Roberts stormed into the room and paced up and down several times. It was his way of collecting his thoughts. His wife, Judith, watched him as she continued to study her book. After everything they had been through together, she had learnt to be patient. It was incredible to consider they had been married for over fifty years. She continued reading, even though she knew the words off by heart.
Finally, Jeff spoke, ‘It’s all going wrong.’
‘We don’t live in a utopia,’ she said, as she put down her book and looked up.
‘I know that, I’m not a fool. It’s just, why this? We nearly lost Emily, and now this happens to her only son. All around us, we see new life being born every day. And yet, we can’t have any more. Our four children mean everything to me.’
Judith felt sorry for Jeff. She knew he loved his children, she just did not think they knew it as much as she did. ‘Emily was always the hardest to figure out. Don’t beat yourself up over it. I still don’t know what she’s thinking most of the time.’ Even then, Judith realised it had been a nice change for Emily to confide in her. It was clear Emily loved her son.
Jeff sat down and rubbed his fingers through his moustache. ‘Did you know Steven has to leave the community? Have you heard the talk?’
‘Yes, I’ve heard.’ Judith did not think it was a good idea to tell him that Emily had told her all the details. Emily barely spoke to him; it was not worth the rub. Judith let Jeff talk uninterrupted.
‘Someone has to take him. I’ve heard Emily wants to go, but I don’t want her to go alone. The question is who can go with her? Juan won’t let Anna go again. What if something else happened? What if Emily got hurt? I could never forgive myself,’ Jeff rambled.
‘In that case we should go.’ Judith stated.
From the moment Anna had explained what had happened, the solution had occurred to her. When Emily also came to talk to her the plan was formed.
She knew he would see it her way with a bit of persuasion. ‘We’ve lived our life many times over. Let’s live a bit dangerously for a change.’
Jeff looked bemused, if taken with the idea. ‘Really? You would leave here? After all this time.’
‘Our lives are too sheltered, just because we are one of the first. So what? There are many that understand our principles. If something happens to us, then so be it. Like you say she’s our daughter and he is our grandson. We have to help.’
Jeff knelt down in front of her, and leant his head on her lap. As she slowly caressed his face, she could not believe time could ever erode their love. They were meant to help Emily, they were meant to go back. It was redemption.
***
Emily watched Steven as he lay on the bed, fast asleep. He looked so peaceful. It felt cruel for fate to deal them both a bad hand, but she was determined that his luck would change. He was meant for greater things, he had to be. Even if it took everything she had left, she would make sure that his life was worth living. She heard a sound by the door and turned to see her father standing there. ‘Dad, what are you doing here?’
‘Just coming to check on my daughter,’ he added. His eyes showed concern and his grey moustache tweaked as he gave her a smile.
‘Thanks,’ Emily said. She could not believe her mum had worked so fast. She could not help the nerves, yet she kept outwardly calm. Her future was at stake.
‘I know I have not been the best father in the world, but I’m willing to make amends. We are going to help you.’
‘Who do you mean by we?’
‘Your mother and I, we will not let you down, and we’re not going to leave you to do this with your sister or alone again. You don’t know how many times we wished we’d come to get you in England all those years ago. We were too proud to admit that we wanted to help you back then. We were foolish, too concerned with keeping up appearances. Now things have changed. We will help you to take Steven where he needs to go.’
Emily was stunned. Even though she hoped they would do it, she never actually allowed herself to believe it was possible. Her parents had never left the sanctuary of their brainchild.
‘But Dad, you are needed here; if anything happened to you or Mum I don’t know what I’d do.’ Emily could not help being sceptical; they could change their minds.
‘We have led very full lives, we know the risks and are happy to take them for you,’ Judith said, as she eased into the r
oom and entwined her arm with her husband’s.
Emotion overcame Emily as she sensed that she was on the verge of tears. Tears of joy. She did not want to cry now, not in front of them. She took a deep breath and replied, ‘I really appreciate it. What do you have in mind?’
***
Judith knew Catherine, Anna, and Ian were suspicious. Ian in particular had that uneasy look about him. She would not allow them to sway her. She would see her plan through.
She straightened up and began, ‘Thank you for coming.’
Jeff squeezed her hand, and continued, ‘Your mother and I have decided to go with Emily and Steven. Steven does not want to kill anyone so we need to enable a slow recovery. It might take a few days or a month; we have no way of knowing. We cannot let anyone else put themselves in danger for something we feel is our responsibility.’
Almost immediately, Ian protested and burst out in anger, ‘Are you crazy? We can’t allow this. What if something happens to you? You need to be protected, not sent out in the open.’
Jeff calmly continued, ‘We do not need protection. What if something happened to us? We have lived long lives, full of unexpected twists and new discoveries. We are not afraid of death.’
‘So you are inviting it then?’ Catherine added, a scowl pasted across her face.
‘Many of you have managed to go back to normal civilisation with no ill effects. Why should it be different for us? We are curious to see how mankind has changed after all this time. We need to take Steven to recover and he is adamant that he does not want to kill. So, we have come up with a plan. If he feeds regularly he will recover, without having to kill anyone. There is no reason why we should be harmed.’
‘What about the journey there?’ Catherine continued, ‘How will you protect yourselves?’
‘We are not children, Catherine. We will take the same route that you always take on the ship. Then, as soon as he is better, we will come back.’
The Evolution Trilogy: Hybrid, Complications & Return Page 31