Bitten (Book 1 - Book 4)

"He definitely has a concussion,” Dr. Spire said while he examined Uri.

Natalia watched him remove the stitches and clean the gash. The skin glue was holding the two flaps of skin together. He smeared ointment over the whole wound but didn't put on a dressing. “This is for nausea,” he said, giving Uri an injection. “I want him to stay overnight for observation.” "Okay," she said

Uri remain silent, almost looking like he had received a sedative. She felt as if she and the doctor were holding him up.

“Do you know what hit him?”

“Almost a boat,” she said.

“I think it was part of the dock,” Mag said.

Bonnie nodded in agreement. They were all stuffed into the examination room with Uri.

"I did see the EMT removing splinters from the wound,” Natalia said.

A nurse tried to squeeze in.

“Concussion. Put him in a room on the second floor,” Dr. Spire said.

The nurse nodded and left.

"He seems hydrated.”

"He drank tea, but didn't eat,” Natalia said.

“Drinking is good. He doesn't need any food in his stomach at the moment.”

No one moved. Natalia had the feeling the doctor was expecting everyone to leave the room. "We'll get him settled. You can come back in the morning,” he said.

Natalia stared at him.

“Are you out of your mind? I'm not leaving him alone,” she said.

“Nor me,” Bonnie said.

“Nope,” Mag said.

“We're all staying,” Zena said. “I'm not going back to that house alone.”

"We've been having issues with people,” Natalia said. “They think our daughter is a Specter.”

Dr. Spire looked at her and then down at Victoria.

“Heard about her.”

He reached out and touched her cheek. Victoria wrinkled her nose.

“Yes, she’s warm,” Natalia said with some irritation.

“I know your daughter is not a Specter,” Dr. Spire said. “There is no such thing.”

Natalia nodded, almost feeling bad about snapping back at him.

The nurse poked her head back in.

“We received a request to move him up to the fourth floor,” she said.

“That's the nursery floor,” Dr. Spire said.

“He has family up there, and they requested it.”

“Family?” Natalia said. "Who?"

“Father,” Mirren said, pushing the nurse aside. “I heard he was in here. What the hell happened?” "Why are you here?” Natalia said, but the answer came to her as soon as she said the words. "Sophie had her baby?”

“Boy, born this morning,” he said. “Named him Raphie.”

There were congratulations all around. However, Uri said nothing, making Natalia wonder if the doctor gave him more than just something for nausea.

She gave a quick summary of what happened to Mirren.

Mirren rolled his eyes.

“Crazy how it's illegal to drink and drive, but people have no problem with it on a boat,” he said. "Still illegal either way,” Dr. Spire said.

“We can put him on the fourth floor. There's room,” the nurse said. “Although we do have another couple coming in.”

"Might as well, otherwise, everyone will be up and down the elevator all night,” Dr. Spire said, sounding tired.

Everyone left the room so that the doctor and the nurse could get Uri back into the wheelchair. Mirren took over and wheeled him to the elevator. They rode to the fourth floor as a group. Sophie was slowly pacing the hallway, but it was clear she was staying near the elevator in anticipation.

"What happened?” she said.

“Uri got hit in the head,” Mirren said.

Natalia explained about the accident.

“He has a concussion,” she said in conclusion.

"How horrible,” Sophie said, looking shocked. “Stupid boaters.”

Natalia felt a little relieved that Sophie hadn't said Undents.

"Why didn’t the EMTs catch he had a concussion?” Natalia said, while the nurse helped Uri into bed. “We have different symptoms than you might have,” Bonnie said. “Besides, you didn't want him going to an Undent hospital.”

"Why?" she said.

“They don’t know how to care for a Viperian,” the nurse said.

Once Uri was settled, everyone stepped out to see the baby.

"He's beautiful,” Natalia said. “And big.”

“Ten pounds and seven ounces big,” Sophie said with a groan.

"He is definitely bigger than Victoria.”

“I'm feeling it. Excuse me. Time to go sit for awhile,” Sophie said.

Natalia went back in to sit by Uri. His eyes were closed, and he seemed to be asleep, but his breathing wasn't right.

Bonnie came in to sit with her.

"Everyone go next door?” Natalia said.

Bonnie nodded.

"What signs are we looking for if he’s having problems?” Natalia said.

"He just needs to sit and be quiet, so he doesn't injury himself more.”

Natalia nodded. It explained why they put up the bed rails on all sides of him.

"And he needs to sit up just a bit so if he does vomit, he doesn't aspirate any.”

Victoria fussed. Natalia settled in a chair to nurse. It seemed like a few minutes later that Mag took Victoria from her to change her diaper.

"Did I sleep a little?”

Mag nodded.

There were other voices in the hall

“Moralis is here?” she said, rising and stretching.

"All that stress from this afternoon put Francie into early labor. They're just up from the delivery,” Mag said.

Natalia stepped out to catch them wheeling Francie into a room across the hall.

"Hey, Nattie,” Moralis said.

He looked happy cuddling his new daughter.

"We should have the cookout here,” Natalia said, checking out Tazia.

She looked like the typical Viperian newborn and more around the size of Victoria.

Moralis laughed.

“Stacia is bringing up leftovers later. So, in a sense, we have. How's Uri?"

“Out of it.”

Moralis nodded, looking solemn.

“The police and the EMTs didn't do a good job searching for bodies. We pulled one more body out of the lake and left it there for them to pick up later since we had to head for the hospital.” “Francie did look a little uncomfortable.”

“I've never seen the lake so crazy,” he said with a shake of his head. “I almost regret moving there.” "Maybe a new lake association is in order,” she said.

He nodded.

“Come on in."

He gestured for her to follow.

Since Mag was with Uri, Natalia followed Moralis into Francie’s room.

"How are you doing, Francie?”

"Oh," Francie said with a groan. “I don't know how you're up and walking.”

“I rest a lot. Besides, walking helps.”

"Walking definitely helps,” Sophie said, coming up behind Natalia.

“When did you get here?” Francie said.

“This morning. It won't take long before you're feeling better,” Sophie said.

Mirren stepped in, holding Raphie.

“Let's take a look, Moralis.”

Moralis positioned Tazia in his arms, so Mirren could see, but he didn't look like he was going to give her up.

"Yep, looks like a baby,” Mirren said.

Moralis laughed.

“Let's look at yours.”

Mirren showed his son.

"Yep. Looks like a baby. Hopefully, you have better luck this time, and you don't get anything like Uri,” Moralis said.

Mirren almost cracked up.

“Sophie brings some calm intelligence into the mix,” Mirren said.

“You're doomed,” Natalia said, half joking.

That caused them all to break out laughing, even Francie.

"Oh, it even hurts to laugh,” she said.

“That's the end of all the babies that were due within our circle of friends and family,” Natalia said. "Yeah, you're right,” Morals said. “I know Tia and Grazie are going to wait a few years. They have a houseful already. However... I know they're enjoying every minute of it.”

“I hear someone fussing. Excuse me,” Natalia said.

She stepped back over to Uri's room.

“They brought a crib for her, but she fusses every time I put her in it,” Mag said

“I'll swaddle her back up in the baby wrap,” Natalia said. “I almost feel naked without her there.” While they wrapped Victoria in the wrap around her body, she checked Uri. He didn't seem to have moved any.

“Don’t you think he looks a little pale?”

“About the same.”

“Does he need another blanket?” Natalia said while she touched him.

He had been put into bed fully clothed, but his shoes were off. She was glad to find him warm. “No,” Mag said, also feeling one of his hands.

“This is one time I'm glad he’s hard headed.”

Mag chuckled.

Mirren stepped in.

“I was told to see if you can help Stacia? Zena is already headed down. We're going down to her car. She brought food and a table.”

"Yeah, I can,” Mag said.

“I'll stay and keep watch,” Natalia said.

She listened to them head toward the elevators. The ding of the elevator was soft, and then, they were gone. The floor was now very quiet.

Natalia took Uri's hand. He didn’t respond.

She watched him until she heard someone walking quiet down the hall. It was hard to tell where the person stopped but then she picked up the sound of the person passing. The person took the stairs. A moment later, there was an odd smell coming from the hall.

Concerned, she stepped out in high alert. The wall across from the door to Uri's room was lit up. There were three letters that appeared to be burning. They flickered red and orange. She watched in shocked awe, not knowing what to do. There was no heat from the flames, and the flames didn't seem to be damaging anything. The elevator dinged, and the flames flickered and died out, leaving her staring at a blank wall.

Moralis, Mirren, Mag, Zena, and Stacia stepped out of the elevator. They were all carrying something.

"We can have the card game right here,” Mirren said.

Then, everyone froze and nostrils flared.

“What was it?” Mirren said to Natalia.

“What does KVV mean?” she said.

There was a moment of silence.

“That group hasn't been active for decades,” Mirren said.

“I've heard stories,” Mag said.

“Never heard of it,” Stacia said.

“Shit,” Moralis said.

"Keep Viperia Viperian is what it stands for. It's an old hate group that supposedly died out years ago,” Mirren said.

"Someone wrote it on that wall,” she said, gesturing with her hand.

“Fire?” he said.

She nodded.

“Flaming graffiti,” he said. “It got its point across and now it's gone.”

She nodded, again.

Mirren shook his head.

“This will be addressed by the Council. I'm betting hospital security caught nothing.”

He put the folding table he was carrying down, then moved down the hall to make a phone call. Natalia watched him go before turning back to watch everyone else.

The table was unfolded with four chairs positioned around it. Food was set out. A deck of cards was put on the table. Mag disappeared into Uri's room and dragged out another chair. Moralis pulled one out of Francie’s room.

There was a cooler that Stacia placed by the table.

"Sodas and bottled tea,” she said. “Should be ice cold by now. They've been sitting in ice almost all day.”

“Is there Ginger?” Natalia said.

"Oh, yeah.”

Stacia fished one out for her.

“I'll take one, too,” Moralis said.

He took a chair before pawing through the food.

Natalia sat beside him.

“So, what's the game?” she said, grabbing a sausage.

"Pikers. Strategy game. We'll talk you through the rules,” he said.

Mag sat and filled a plate with chips for everyone to share. Zena dished out a plate of pickled veggies.

“Francie won't join us, but Mirren said Sophie might,” Moralis said.

“We'll need another chair,” Mag said.

Sophie appeared with the needed chair.

“I brought one,” she said.

She had Raphie in a wrap like Natalia had Victoria.

They all settled at the table munching food while they waited for Mirren

Moralis pulled out the cards and started going over the game.

"We'll play a test game, so you can see.”

Sophie had a pad of paper.

“I'll track points,” she said.

The game proved to be nothing Natalia had ever heard of or played. The rules seemed rather difficult since cards changed points depending on what card they were paired with.

"We'll help you,” Moralis said.

“Yeah, right,” Mag said. “In this game, it's everyone for him or herself.”

Zena nodded in agreement.

Mirren returned and sat down. He didn't share who he called or what it was about. No one asked. Natalia had the feeling that there would be no further talk about the KVV.

"Ok," Moralis said, dealing out five cards to everyone. “We have to explain what we're doing so Nattie catches on.”

“U huh,” Mirren said.

“She's on her own,” Sophie said. “She'll figure it out.”

“Ditto. She's smart enough,” Mag said.

Victoria fussed.

“You just ate, little girl.”

They played two hands. Natalia had no idea what she was doing. She wasn’t winning a hand or getting any points.

Victoria fussed again.

"One moment,” Natalia said, rising.

She went in by Uri. He still seemed as if he hadn't moved. She touched his hand and his eyes opened. He looked toward the cards in her hand. She showed them. He reached up and pointed at one card and then another, then he closed his eyes.

Natalia paused a moment to watch him. His breathing seemed easier and not so labored. “You're up, Nattie,” Mirren said.

She went back out to the table. Despite the cards played on the table and what she thought she should play, she played the first card that Uri had pointed to.

Moralis nodded.

The play continued around and back to her. She played the second card.

There were some frowns.

The last two cards she had were face cards. It didn't matter which she played and the rounded ended.

“Congrats,” Moralis said. “You won that round.”

“Uri give you pointers?” Mirren said.

“He hasn't said a word,” Natalia said, but the two cards he had her play helped her get a better idea of the game strategy.

She didn't win the next hand, but she did get some points.

“Damn, now you're cheating,” Moralis said, throwing down his cards after a couple of more rounds. "What? How so?” she said with concern. “I didn’t hear anything in the rules against this.”

“You're not cheating,” Mag said.

“Those are Uri's moves. I hate playing with Uri.”

“You hate playing with him because he always wins,” Mirren said.

“You've played this game before,” Moralis said. “We've been shammed.”

“I've never played this game before now,” Natalia said.

"Anyone can do those moves,” Sophie said. “I told you she could figure it out on her own.” “Next time you play and she brings out money, then I'd run,” Mag said, keeping a straight face. Sophie laughed.

“I've had enough. Someone is fussing here and I need a rest.”

She rose and went back into her room

“Break time,” Moralis said.

He rose and went in to see Francie.

Natalia rose to check on Uri.

She touched his hand and he moved his fingers.

"Did you win?" he said in a soft voice, barely moving his lips.

“No, but I got accused of cheating.”

He grinned.

“Moralis,” he said. “He always accused me of cheating when he was losing.”

“Thanks for the pointers.”

"Victoria wanted me to help you. I figured they told you the rules but not much about the strategy.” Natalia looked down at Victoria. She seemed to be sleeping.

“How does she know this?"

“I don't know,” he said.

"How are you doing?”

"Splitting headache.”

“Can't they give you something for it?"

“No. If I don't move, the headache is manageable. If they give me something for the headache, then I would get up and do stuff. The whole point is to keep me from moving. So... nothing for the headache.”

“That's the best they can do? Can't they put you under or something?”

“I can do that on my own. Manage my own pain. Best just not to move. That's the best treatment for a concussion.”

“Hard to watch you here.”

"Why is everyone here?”

“Mirren is here with Sophie. They had a boy, Raphie, this morning. The excitement from the afternoon caused Francie to go into labor.”

“I'm up on the fourth floor?”

"Yep. You have Sophie next door and Francie across the hall.”

He smiled.

“I'm surprised no one has complained.”

"We're the only ones here.”

"And Mag and Bonnie and Zena?"

“They weren't going to leave us unprotected, plus considering all that's been going on, they didn't want to go home alone.”

“I see,” he said.

He seemed to fidget a little.

"What do you need?” she said.

“I have to pee.”

Natalia buzzed the nurse.

"I don't think they're going to let you get up.”

It was only a moment later that the nurse appeared. She was carrying a bedpan.

"Good guess,” Natalia said.

"Only thing he’s going to get,” the nurse said.

They helped Uri shift to his side. Natalia unfastened his pants.

"Okay, let “er rip,” she said to him.

She decided the nurse was taking too much of an interest in his body part.

“I can handle this,” she said.

The nurse took the hint and left.

Natalia wondered if she should tell Uri about the KVV. She didn't want him to worry about it.

He finished and she emptied the bedpan.

While she put him back into his pants and fastened them, she decided he needed to know. If anything, to be aware of what other dangers were out there.

“Uri?”