“Yes,” Eli said, pain filling his voice.
“Okay, here is what I need you to do. I’m going to take as much as I can without incapacitating myself. I will need your help getting to your patient. Once there, I can do the rest. Now come stand behind me,” Doctor Samson ordered. Eli took his position.
Marcus placed his hands on Julie’s stomach once again. He began to pull the cancer out of her. Julie’s body reacted by arching upward. “Change of plans, doc. You’re going to have to hold her down. She is fighting me on it,” Marcus said. Eli went to hold Julie’s body still.
“Why is she fighting you?” Eli asked.
“Forced release. She’s stubborn, isn’t she?” Marcus asked.
“A bit,” Eli answered, and both men smiled.
Marcus removed his hands. “Okay, that’s all I can handle,” he said. “She’ll have to do the rest when she wakes up, “ he said, steadying himself. “I don’t know how she took as much as she did,” he commented. “Okay, show me the patient. I would make sure someone is with her in case she wakes up,” Marcus instructed.
Eli opened the door as they slowly made their way out. Doctor Elsworth saw Neal in the hallway. “Mr. Kane, I need your assistance,” Eli called to him.
“Yes, Doctor,” Neal said.
“Please wait with Miss Miller. She took a spill but will be fine,” Eli told.
“Sure, no problem,” he said and entered the room.
Eli and Marcus made their way down the hall.
“Hey screamer, or should I call you cras…” Neal began to say until he saw Julie’s prone, half-dressed form on the gurney. “What the…” Neal paused, then approached. “Julie,” he spoke her name as he got closer. “This looks bad,” he said. “Julie,” he called again, lightly shaking her shoulder.
“Mmm,” Julie moaned and shifted on the gurney. She slowly opened her eyes and blinked a few times, puzzled by who she saw. “Neal?” she asked.
“Hey, yeah… um… I… um… I had nothing to do with this, I swear,” he clarified.
“What are you talking about?” she asked as she attempted to sit up. “Why is my uniform undone?” she asked as she began to fix herself.
“This is how I found you. I mean, Doctor Elsworth asked me to come in and, like, watch you,” Neal explained.
“Zip me up, please,” Julie said adjusting her uniform.
“Uh… yeah…sure,” he said as he helped her.
“Was Doctor Samson with him?” Julie asked.
“Yeah but, he was walking like he had a load in his pants,” Neal confirmed.
“Which way did they go?” she asked.
“Down the hall, that way,” he pointed. “Julie, what’s going on?” he asked.
“That’s what I’m gonna find out,” she said and started off down the hall.
Marcus and Eli entered room 521. The room was dimly lit. Mr. Kimmel’s machines blipped slowly. A nurse had just got done writing in his chart. “His pressure dropped again. It won’t be much longer,” the nurse updated Eli.
“Has the next of kin been notified?” Eli asked.
“Yes, everyone was here earlier and said their goodbyes. Father Sheightower was in as well and administered last rites. The family asked that he have a quiet passing,” she instructed.
“Understood,” Eli agreed. “That’ll be all. Doctor Samson wants to do one final examination” he explained.
“Yes, Doctor,” the nurse said and left them alone.
Marcus checked the patient’s pain medication. “He appears to be adequately sedated, let’s get started,” he said.
“Wait,” Eli put his hand on Marcus’ arm. “I’m not so sure about this,” he explained.
“There is no turning back. I need to release this,” Marcus stated.
“Try it… in me first,” Eli suggested.
“Doctor, with all due respect, you’re not human. It won’t work,” Marcus said.
“Doctor Samson, with all due respect, I have some human-like parts, just like you,” Eli countered. “I’ve been around a lot longer than you as well and have survived just fine,” Eli continued. “Let’s try it my way first,” Eli said firmly.
“It’s your life,” Marcus replied, rolling up his sleeves.
They pulled the curtain between themselves and Mr. Kimmel. “Let me see if I can even get inside you,” Marcus said doubtfully.
Eli had removed his coat and rolled up his sleeves.
“Abdomen, remember?” Marcus reminded.
Doctor Elsworth undid his shirt.
“Just relax, I’m going to look around,” Marcus explained putting his hands on Eli’s stomach.
“Fascinating,” Marcus exclaimed once inside. “You have a complete human body, but most of the organs are inactive. How is that possible?” Marcus asked, pulling back out.
“I do not need most of them,” Eli replied.
“Your body is like one big storage unit,” Marcus commented. “This could work,” he added.
“Then do it,” Eli instructed. “You might want to lie down, just in case,” Doctor Samson suggested.
Eli sat down on the empty bed that occupied Mr. Kimmel’s room and stretched out. Marcus placed his hands on Eli’s stomach and began the release of the cancer into him. “What are you feeling?” Marcus asked him.
“I feel a little tingling,” Eli answered.
“I wish you could see what I see,” Marcus said. “The cancer has nothing to attach itself to, it’s dying the minute it enters you!” he exclaimed. “I’ve never seen anything like this before,” Marcus said as the door to the room opened.
Julie was asking every person she saw if they had seen Doctor Elsworth or Doctor Samson. “They are in with Mr. Kimmel,” Nurse Green said.
“Thank you,” Julie replied.
She opened the door slowly and heard Doctor Samson’s voice, but didn’t see him. Hearing the quiet blips of the machines, she ventured further. Walking past the pulled curtain, Julie stopped at the scene she encountered. “What are you doing?” Julie asked, finding her voice. Doctor Samson removed his hands from Eli’s stomach.
“Something you should have done,” Marcus replied. “Come over here, I’ll show you,” Marcus ordered.
Julie looked at Eli. “Julie, it’s fine,” he reassured her. She walked tentatively over to them.
“Stand here,” Marcus instructed, taking a step back. Julie stood facing Eli as Marcus stepped up behind her. He took her hands and began to place them on Eli’s bare stomach.
“Wait,” Julie said pulling back and moving away. “Tell me what it is I am doing.” she commanded.
“Julie, I don’t have time to explain all of this to you. You need to get rid of the rest of the cancer,” Marcus said.
“Why? My body has always healed everything on its own. What do you mean, ‘get rid of’? You are not making sense,” Julie was getting flustered.
“Who the hell raised you? You should know all of this.” Marcus was getting frustrated with her. Julie felt tears welling in her eyes. She felt so lost. Eli was by her side in an instant. She allowed herself to be wrapped in his protective embrace. Her face rested against his bare chest.
“As a doctor, you are lacking in patience,” Eli said to Marcus.
“Well, you’re lacking a pulse. Guess we both have our weaknesses,” Marcus replied.
Julie pulled out of Eli’s embrace and faced Marcus. “I was taken as a child from my father and raised by bad men who used my abilities to further their own agenda. No one ever told me anything about why I am the way I am. I’m sorry if my lack of knowledge puts you in a bad mood. You are the first person I have met that knows anything about my abilities. I’m trying to understand, but a little patience goes a long way,” Julie said.
“Do you go by another name besides Julie?” Marcus asked her curiously.
“I did… before I ran away,” Julie replied.
“That name wouldn’t happen to be Laney, now would it?” he asked.
She felt
Eli’s hand on her shoulder. “Yes,” Julie’s voice was but a whisper.
“I can’t believe this!” Marcus grinned. “Laney, the Laney,” he laughed. Julie and Eli looked at each other; neither one understood Marcus’ reaction. “Do you know how long I’ve heard Uncle Gregg talk about you. ‘Little lost Laney’ is all he ever mentioned at gatherings. This is unreal. I actually began to think he made you up. He always told everyone to keep looking for you, and here you are. Only a few states away,” Marcus shook his head. “Wait until he finds out. How long have you been here?” Marcus asked.
“Someone has been looking for me?” Julie asked, still trying to comprehend everything Marcus had said.
Julie flashed back to the attic with her father. “Go to Uncle G’s house,” her father had said. “Uncle G,” Julie said.
“Uncle G, Uncle Gregg, Uncle George, he goes by all sorts of names,” Marcus said. “Look, I am sorry for my impatience, but I’m not the one who can explain things to you. Uncle Gregg can. All I want to do now is help you get rid of the cancer,” Marcus told.
“Can’t you tell me why my body isn’t healing itself of it?” Julie asked.
“Our bodies can only heal what is healable,” Marcus began. “Virus, bacterial infections, broken bones, et cetera, can all be healed on their own in time. Our bodies accelerate that time. Cancer is different. Our bodies can cure small bits, but not an aggressive one, like the one you took. The cancer grows too fast and attaches itself to all the human parts, killing them and thereby killing you,” Marcus explained.
“Human parts?” Julie questioned.
“Too long of an explanation for that one,” Marcus said. “Right now, I want to show you how to release the rest of the cancer. Doctor Elsworth has agreed to be on the receiving end…” Marcus’ statement was interrupted.
“No!” Julie shouted, facing Eli. “I won’t do it,” she said emphatically.
“Julie, it’s okay, it doesn’t affect me,” Eli tried explaining. Julie was shaking her head.
“No! No! No! This is crazy,” she shouted, backing up. “Is that what you were doing? Did you take some from me and put it in Eli?” she asked Marcus, her anxiety rising.
“I was going to put it in Mr. Kimmel over there since he is almost dead, but Doc here volunteered instead,” Marcus told.
Julie felt her anger rising. “How dare you!” she shouted. “What gives you the right to do that?” she glared at Marcus.
“Fine, let it kill you,” Marcus replied, folding his arms.
“This is insane,” Julie said, shaking.
Eli approached her. “Julie, I told you. It’s okay…” he tried convincing her.
“No, Eli, you can’t. I won’t… this is not right. It’s… it’s… “ Julie was nearing hysteria.
“Stop,” Eli said, cupping her face and whispering in her ear. “The cancer can’t live in me. It dies. It has no effect on me,” Eli lips brushed her cheek as she began to calm down. “Come look inside me, you’ll see,” he said kissing her gently. Julie looked into his eyes as he brushed her tears away. “Come see,” he said taking her hand and leading her toward the bed.
“Nice calming technique, Doc. I’ll have to try that,” Marcus commented. Eli glared at him as he positioned himself on the bed. Marcus laughed at his reaction.
Julie kept her eyes on Eli. “Okay, here we go,” Marcus said, reaching for Julie’s hands.
“Wait. I want to look first,” she said, and felt her face redden.
“Fine, fine,” Marcus huffed.
Julie looked at Eli and returned the smile she saw. She placed her hands on his arm. “Don’t go in there,” Marcus corrected and placed her hands on Eli’s stomach. “It takes a lot of energy to do this. Don’t waste valuable time traveling through unnecessary parts,” Marcus told. Julie hoped her concentration hid the blush rising to her cheeks. She closed her eyes and entered Eli’s body.
Looking around, Julie was fascinated by what she saw. She felt Marcus’ hands on hers and sensed him inside with her. “See those dark spots? That’s the cancer. It died the instant it entered him,” Marcus explained. “Let’s do this,” Marcus said.
“I want to look around some more,” Julie said.
“You and the Doc can play touchy feely later. Every minute you waste, the cancer grows inside of you,” Marcus reiterated. “Now, look inside yourself,” Marcus instructed.
“How?” Julie asked. She heard Doctor Samson exhale loudly.
“You’re going to tell me you never looked inside yourself before?” Marcus huffed.
“No,” Julie replied meekly. The thought had never occurred to her.
“Just follow my essence,” Marcus said.
Julie was about to say that she didn’t understand when she sensed him move. Instinctively, she followed. She felt herself enter her own body. “This feels weird,” she said, and heard Marcus laugh.
“It’s nothing compared to the release. You’ll see,” he said, whispering the last part in her ear.
Eli watched the two from his horizontal position.
“See the cancer? It’s already grown since I took some from you,” Marcus noted. “Now pull, just as you do in your patients,” Marcus explained.
Julie began the procedure. “It… it feels strange… yet…” Julie started to say. She stopped short as a euphoric feeling took over when the connection to Eli opened once again.
The slight tingling she usually felt was magnified. “Oh!” she gasped as she fought to control her shaking.
“Erotic, isn’t it?” Marcus breathed in her ear, sending shivers through her. Julie leaned her head back against his chest as her breathing became labored.
Marcus grinned down at Eli as Julie moaned softly.
Eli narrowed his eyes. Marcus seemed to be getting too much enjoyment out of it. The intensity began to fade for Julie as the final bits were released into Doctor Elsworth. She opened her eyes and looked down at him. “Are you okay?” she asked a bit breathless.
“I’m fine. How do you feel?” he asked her.
“Good.” She laughed. She removed her hands from him and smiled.
“Everybody’s happy; my work is done,” Marcus said, rolling back down his sleeves.
Julie turned to look at him. “I still have so many questions,” she told him.
“After work, I’ll answer what I can,” he said. “No offense, Doc, but it will be a private conversation,” he said to Eli.
Julie looked to Eli. He had been such a good friend to her. She hoped he would not be insulted. “Feel free to use my office,” Eli volunteered.
Marcus looked at his watch. “I should be done in about an hour,” he said, stepping closer to Julie. “It’s a date,” he added.
“It’s a meeting,” Julie clarified.
“Whatever you say,” Marcus replied and left the room.
“I don’t trust him,” Eli said, buttoning his shirt.
“That makes two of us,” Julie agreed. “I have to talk with him… I have to know,” Julie said turning to Eli. “Are you sure you are okay?” she asked.
“Will you stop worrying? I’m fine.” He smiled.
“I want to thank you,” Julie said.
“For what?” Eli asked.
“For not letting him put the cancer in Mr. Kimmel,” Julie explained.
“I’m glad I was a viable alternative,” he replied.
“Can I ask you something?” Julie asked.
“I bet I can guess what that something is.” Eli smiled.
“You can, can you?” she smiled.
“For the record: I am not an elf, but there are similarities,” Eli said.
“I wonder what I am…” Julie said wistfully.
“I hope he gives you the answers you seek,” Eli said, brushing her hair back.
“I’m a little scared,” Julie said.
“Don’t be. Whatever he tells you doesn’t change who you are and how you feel about things,” Eli said.
“I wish I could believe th
at,” she smiled weakly.
“Believe,” Eli said, bringing his face closer to hers. Their lips touched lightly.
The change in Mr. Kimmel’s condition prevented the moment from going further. The steady beeps had turned into one long stream. Eli and Julie walked over to Mr. Kimmel’s bedside. Eli began a final check as Nurse Green came into the room. He turned off the machine and pronounced the time of death for the nurse to record. “Rest in peace, Mr. Kimmel,” Julie said, lightly touching his hand.
“I’ll talk to you later,” Julie told Eli.
Chapter Nine— Family Reunion
Julie felt emotionally drained. The sudden loudness of her stomach growling reminded her of a forgotten fact. “I’m starving,” she voiced.
“That’s my girl; always hungry,” Austin said.
“Austin!” Julie shouted, melting into his embrace.
“You were expecting someone else?” he laughed.
“No… I just… what are you doing here?” she asked.
“Actually, I came by to get the key to your apartment,” Austin confessed.
“Why?” Julie asked.
“It’s a surprise,” Austin whispered in her ear.
“No way, Austin. I know you and your surprises. Big screen televisions… stereos…. nah-ah, not happening,” she said.
“I promise, it’s nothing like that.” Austin laughed. Julie folded her arms. “Aw, c’mon, Jules,” Austin said, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Please, I guarantee you’ll love it,” he whispered in her ear.
“Austin,” Julie sighed.
“Nothing over the top, I swear,” he said, nuzzling her ear.
“Can’t you tell me what it is?” she asked, her resolve quickly melting.
“Then it wouldn’t be a surprise,” he said, kissing her neck.
“You don’t play fair,” Julie moaned.
“Making out in the hallway in a no-no,” Joy sang as she passed them. Austin and Julie smiled as Joy continued down the hall. It was then that Julie noticed Doctor Samson coming toward them, a strange look on his face.
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