How had this happened?
"Have you been able to identify the substance?" He asked.
"It has been sent to the pathology unit for analysis. We are awaiting the results. Please be patient". Said the doctor.
"What measures are you taking? What if she dies before the results come out?"
"We have injected her with an anti- toxin drug. It has stabilized her for the time being."
At that moment, a nurse ran in with a file.
She handed it to the doctor.
The doctor glanced through it briefly and looked at Jack.
"Excuse me". He said and left in quick strides.
The nurse rushed after him.
Jack just settled down on the waiting bench. This must have been done after her vitals had been checked prior to the flight.
What if he knew where she was? Was she even safe here?
His phone rang. It was his mom.
"Jack, what have you gotten yourself into?". Came her full voice.
He was confused.
"I was in town and I decided to check on you. When I got to your house, I met a man that looks like you. He was even wearing your clothes. No one knows where you are. Crawler refused to speak and I haven't seen Ross anywhere. What have you gotten yourself into?"
He finally understood what she was talking about.
"I'm not in any kind of trouble, mom". He said, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Then, why is that man staying in your house, pretending to be you?" She asked.
"It's just a security threat. I just needed to throw someone off my back".
"Just? Some one is threatening your life and you're calling it 'just'?" His mother said, her voice etched with worry.
"Because it's not serious". He said, trying to allay her fears.
"Who is this person?" She asked.
The last thing he needed was for his family to get involved.
"Mom, you don't have to worry about it. Every thing is being taken care of".
She didn't seem convinced.
"Have you involved the police?" She asked.
"I have hired a private detective. For now, I want all investigations to remain low key. The FBI are usually loud". He said.
"Where are you?" She asked.
"Somewhere safe. Don't worry about me".
He heard her gasp.
"I am your mother! You can't ask me not to worry. Someone is threatening your life and you are asking me to just sit back and watch the son I carried in my womb for nine months get threatened?"
He sighed deeply. He was tired.
"Mom, it's no big deal". He said.
"I'll leave you for now, it's late. Make sure you call me if you need any help". She said.
"I'll try. Say hi to dad for me".
"Don't just try. Love you, kisses". She said and hung up.
He leaned back and relaxed. He slipped his phone into his pocket and folded his hands.
She had been near death twice in one day. He really hoped she survived.
He fell asleep.
Ross covered him up with a blanket.
The next morning, he woke up. The clock on the wall read past nine. He never usually slept this late.
He noticed the blanket. It was definitely Ross' doing. Speaking of Ross, where was he?
He got up and stretched.
Just then, Ross walked in with two coffee cups.
"Good morning, Mr. Pole. I hope you slept well". Ross said.
"I did. Thank you for the blanket".
"I was just doing my job, Sir. There's no need to thank me". Ross said and handed him one cup of coffee.
He took it and settled down to drink it.
Jack took out his phone and went through his instagram.
The doctor eventually came.
"Can I see her now?" He asked eagerly.
"Yes, you may see her". Said the doctor.
He followed closely behind until they got to her room.
She looked even worse. More tubes had been added. It reminded him of the time when Bennie, his middle school friend was in the hospital. His parents had brought him visiting, then. Bennie went for surgery and never came back.
He shook his head. Medicine was more advanced now. She would survive. She had to survive. She just had to survive.
"The substance that was injected into her blood was cyanide. The amount that was injected has nearly damaged her kidneys and liver. Her body is fighting so hard and so are we. We have been able to remove 80 percent of it."
That was good news.
The doctor excused himself and left. Jack settled down on a chair beside her. She looked so pale.
Cyanide?
The guy must really want her to suffer.
He must have sent him that message so that he would leave the room. That was probably when he went in the inject the poison.
This time, he won't make the same mistake. He would always be by her side.
He closed his eyes for a short nap. The doctors might have to admit him as well if he kept up the late nights.
"Jack".
He opened his eyes and looked at her. Her eyes were closed. Was he now hearing things?
He heard his name again. This time, he saw her lips move slightly.
He rushed to her side. Her lips were very pale.
"You came back". She said.
He nodded. She held his hand with her fragile fingers.
"He came. He told me that he had made sure that I would never see you again. He said his face would be the last thing I saw". She said, tears streaming down her eyes.
"Well, he was very wrong about that. Let's not talk about it now. Let's talk when you get better". He said, patting her hand.
She nodded.
"Can I have some water?" She asked.
"Um, I don't know. Let me get a nurse". He said and turned to leave.
She held his hand. Her grip felt so weak.
"Don't leave me".
"I'm just going to stand by the door and ask Ross to get a nurse, okay?" He asked, loosening his hand from her hold.
She said nothing.
"Sound good?" He tried again.
She nodded slightly.
He went to the door and popped his head out slightly. Ross wasn't there. He looked back at her before leaving the room.
He found Ross at a vending machine.
Just as he was about to send him to get a nurse, nurses were running in the direction he had just come from.
His blood ran cold.
Was it her?