Kayden left Trask industries about two hours later, and $5,000 richer.  I’m probably making a huge effing mistake, but I guess it’s all or nothing, now.  I’ve signed the secrecy agreement - all I need to do is hold up my end of the bargain.   Seems too easy, frankly...  All Doc Pierce did was take some vials of blood and tell me ‘that’s it.’  What the hell is up with that?  I guess it doesn’t matter.  Kayden raised his collar against the wind - while he’d been inside the storm the papers had been talking about had swept in like an angry dragon, huffing and blowing with cold wind and terrible gusts. 

 

The first thing I’m going to do with this money is get some groceries, and then pay my rent.  At least I can get two months paid in advance with this much cash.  It’ll give me time to find other work.  Kayden headed towards the grocery store he liked - a little mom and pop store a few blocks from his building.  The owners, Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon were really nice to him, and often gave him little deals that he knew were basically their way of giving him a helping hand.  They never mentioned it, and neither had he - but he had been grateful for it, and remembered.

 

As soon as he walked in the door of the grocers, he knew something had gone wrong... maybe it was the surreal scene he saw before him, or maybe it was all the blood.  It was probably the blood.  A scared thug with a gun that had been pointed at old man Sheldon whirled around as Kayden entered, and Kayden nearly slipped in the blood on the floor of the tiny store.  Two patrons were down and bleeding in pools of blood, and as Kayden struggled to stay on his feet, the thug aimed his gun at him.

 

“Don’t fucking move!”

 

“Shit!  Don’t shoot me!”  Kayden yelped. 

 

 

“Get down, now or I’ll effing shoot you!”  The guy looked panicked enough to do it too.  Kayden gulped and got on his knees, then paused - not being able to lower himself into that pool of warm human blood.  “I can’t, man... Jesus - look at the floor.”

 

“Kayden, please.  He’s very upset.”  Mr. Sheldon said calmly.  “Please do as he says.”

 

“You damn right I’m upset.  I want the fucking money and the cigarettes.”  He whirled the gun back to cover Mr. Sheldon, and Kayden could see sweet Mrs. Sheldon cowering in fear behind a counter. 

 

“No problem, lad. No need for the gun.” Mr. Sheldon said, trying to calm the young man down... He handed the young man the money from the till, and as many cartons of cigarettes as would fit in the thief’s bag. 

 

The stranger with the gun was sweating, thin and emaciated, with marks on his arms...  Kayden recognized some of the signs of a drug user, and tried not to freak out.  What is it this time?  Rage?  Mutamphetamine?  K?  What the hell is he going to do?   He tried to swallow his bile, and laid down in the pool of human blood.  He felt his gorge rise like a warm tide, but somehow he managed to keep it down.  The blood smelled coppery and metallic, and Kayden started shaking.

 

“Thanks, asshole!” The punk took a long look at Mr. Sheldon, and pulled the trigger, and then laughed.  Mr. Sheldon didn’t have time to scream... he just groaned and collapsed on the floor, blood welling from the gunshot to the chest he’d suffered.  Mrs. Sheldon screamed, but it came out a panicked whine.

 

Kayden jumped when he heard the shot... I didn’t think he’d shoot... oh crap, why did he shoot?   Mr. Sheldon!   An anger Kayden had never felt before rose up in him... how DARE this thug hurt and maybe kill his friends?  The Sheldon’s had never done anything to harm anyone - and he comes in here to steal from and murder them.  HELL NO!   Kayden didn’t realize he’d gotten to his feet and charged the thug until he felt a burning pain that blocked out all rational thought in his left leg, and again in his right arm It felt like red hot fire, and warm water. 

 

“I’m... I’m bleeding.”  Kayden said as he collapsed on the floor, making a warm pool of blood all his own.  Blackness soon followed.

 

 

*              *              *

 

 

Kayden felt cold and pain.  His mind was hazy, and everything was clouded by a certain fuzziness. 

 

“You sure we should be doing this, Sammy?”  A voice asked.

 

“Hell, if we don’t the docs will - you know that.  Besides, who’s gonna know - after all the killer probably took it after the kid got shot trying to be a hero.”  The other voice answered.

 

“Yeah... I suppose.  Fine - but make it quick!”

 

“No worries Elliot - now you’re being part of the team!”   Kayden felt hands dig into his pockets - and for the life of him he knew something was very important about it, but in the haze of pain he couldn’t remember.  Through his slitted eyes he saw the shadow of a man - a tall, broadly built man with a beard, wearing a cheap suit.  Probably ECPD - a detective.  Behind him was an EMT - probably Elliot.  He was middling in height and build, and had a tattoo of a tropical bird on his neck. Kayden tried to move, and felt a surge of pain... once again, everything went black.

 

 

*              *              *

 

 

Justin looked at the results of Kayden’s blood test.  Impossible... absolutely impossible.  Kayden’s blood is a universal donor, and a universal receiver, with properties of both O- and AB+.  It like his blood type is ABO - completely unique.  Justin thought a few moments, wondering how this was possible.  He must be some type of mutant...  Not one with powers, mind you - although I suppose that’s possible...  No - probably some minor mutation that no one ever detected before now.  It must be.  Justin wondered if he should thank the gods for this stroke of luck, but then again, he didn’t believe in gods...  Just science. 

 

 

His blood could be the key to everything!  Justin’s mind whirled with the possibilities.  If they could harvest bone marrow, and get enough stem cells, and if his formulae worked...  Justin’s mind was boggled.   I have to get to work on this immediately!

And I need Kayden back here for more tests!

 

Just then the phone rang.  Dammit - more assinine annoyances!  He picked it up.  “What?!”

 

“Doctor Pierce?  We just got a call from Mercy Hopsital - something about them asking if we’re someone’s medical contact.  Apparently someone named Kayden Ballard works for you, and they want to know if you’ll pay his medical bills.  I couldn’t say yes, cause Kayden isn’t on the staff registry.  Does he work for you?”

 

“What!?  Yes, he works for me!  He’s critical to my research!  What happened to him?” Justin panicked. 

 

“He was apparently shot and robbed.  He’s in surgery at Mercy Hospital right now, and they want to know who’s paying for it.”

 

“Miss Stevens,” Justin said.  “Tell the hospital that Trask Industries will cover everything... and to give him the best care possible.  Give me five minutes with Mr. Trask and I’ll make it happen.”   There’s no way you’re going to die on me now that I have you, you crazy perfect person.  You and your blood is too important to Mr. Chips and the rest of humanity.  You can’t die - I won’t let you!

 

“Yes, Mr. Pierce.  I’ll tell them.  Shall I put you through to Mr. Trask?”

 

“Yes, of course!”  He sighed a bit in frustration.  Did Miss Stevens really think he WOULDN’T want to talk to Mr. Trask after what he just said?  It was so frustrating being around people who didn’t understand the level of thought he worked on, with people who just couldn’t keep up.  It was like living in a land of neanderthals, and he was the only person who could put a sentence together.   Mr. Chips was the only one who ever understood or loved him.

 

The phone beeped twice, and then was picked up.  “Trask. Who is this?”

 

“Mr. Trask, it’s Jason Pierce from RND.  I have a critical emergency to talk about, immediately.  It’s about my project.”

 

“Well, spit it out, Doctor. Have you had a breakthrough?  Do you need more supplies?  You know your research is of prime importance to our company - hell, you developed over 30 of our patents on new drugs.  Whatever you need is yours.”

 

“Thank you.  There is a young man named Kayden Ballard in Mercy hospital, who has been shot.  He is absolutely vital to my research on the project and I need you to do anything and everything to make sure he lives.  He’s already signed a secrecy agreement, and he’s on board to help - but I can’t have him dying before we finish.”

 

“Of course, Dr. Pierce.  I’ll take care of everything.  He’ll be well taken care of.” 

 

“Thank you.”  Dr. Pierce hung up without further ado - small talk was a waste of time when there was work to be done. 

 

 

*              *              *

 

 

Kayden awoke to the beeping of various machines.  The first thing he realized was that he hurt incredibly, and that he was really, really thirsty.  The lights were dim - but to Kayden’s eyes they were almost blinding, so he shut his eyes.  Where am I?  What happened?  Kayden couldn’t remember - and then it hit him.  A robbery!  Poor Mr. Sheldon!  I got shot?  I must have survived, even if I feel like hell.  “Help.”   It came out in a whisper.  No one came.

 

Kayden looked around, what little he could turn his head.  He was in some sort of medical room - like a hospital or private clinic, although god knows who’d be paying his medical bills.  Kayden didn’t even know how long he had been unconscious - whether it had been hours, days or weeks.  He suspected days.  There were IV tubes in his arms, and he felt an awkward and uncomfortable catheter down below.  Ewww.

 

There must be a call button!  He tried to move his hand, and after a few minutes of trying, found one and pressed it.  Shortly, a male nurse in his mid twenties came into the room, dressed in dark blue scrubs.  Not surprisingly, he felt exhausted after even this little exertion.

 

 

“Hey!  You’re awake!  I’m David... is there anything you need?”  David seemed chipper (pleasant) and upbeat, but also a bit fatigued.  He had a great smile - it lit up his face.

 

“...Water.  I’m thirsty.”  Kayden=s voice was just as sore as the rest of him, and it felt raw, like sandpaper. 

 

“Sure thing, Mr. Ballard.  Be right back.”  David left, and returned shortly with a small styrofoam cup full of ice chips and a tiny bit of liquid water.  “Take a few of these, and then let them melt in your mouth.”

 

“Thanks.”  Kayden did as instructed, and the ice melted across his tongue, soothing his aching throat.  Heaven!  He had a few more ice chips, while David checked the electronic machines - heart rate monitor and others as well.  He felt better, but tired again too.  He put the ice down, and nodded off. 

 

 

*              *              *

 

 

The next time Kayden woke, Dr. Justin Pierce was talking with David outside his room.  It was dim, like before - but this time the light didn’t hurt Kayden’s eyes.  Most of the pain was gone, replaced by a fuzziness that was very probably large dosages of painkillers.  Most of the pain seemed centered in his left arm and his torso. 

 

“Hey...  Thanks for visiting, Doc.”  Kayden said.

 

Doctor Pierce turned and entered the room.  “You’re awake!  Good...  You know, Mr. Ballard, that you’re a very lucky man.  You were shot twice by a drugged up hoodlum, and suffered damage to your left arm and right leg - and somehow both bullets missed your femoral and brachial arteries.  The wounds, while painful, will heal up and you should be back on your feet relatively soon.  The David tells me you’ll be able to go home in about 10 days, although you’ll need some therapy.”

 

“How long have I been unconscious?  What day is it?” 

 

David piped up.  “It’s Friday October 23^rd.   You’ve been unconscious for about 2-3 days.”

 

“Well, at least I haven’t lost my apartment yet...”  Oh crap!  Where’s my $5,000?   “Did the paramedics or the police find the money you gave me, Doctor Pierce?  I hadn’t put it in the bank yet.  I was buying groceries.”

 

“No one mentioned any money - and it wasn’t with you when you arrived.  My guess is that the robber who shot you took it.”  Justin put a friendly hand on Kayden’s shoulder.  “It’ll be okay...  I’ll help you keep your apartment if I have to.  You’re doing something that will help a very dear friend of mine.”

 

Kayden breathed a sigh of relief.  “Thanks, Doc.  I appreciate the help.  Where am I?”

 

“You’re in a private clinic funded by Trask Industries.  I asked Mr. Trask to pay for your medical care, because of your help with the ... project... we talked about.” 

 

Justin looked like he didn’t want David to know what he was working on - Kayden figured he owed the doc that much at least.  “I guess it is an important project. Thanks. Can I get a phone call?”

 

“Sure.”  David said.  “I can get a phone in here a bit later.  Did you want us to call anyone?”

 

“My friend, Darryl Walker.  He can call the rest of the people who need to know I’m okay.”

 

“No problem.”  David replied.  “He your Boyfriend?”

 

“Wha...?  No!  He’s just a friend.  My best friend.   I’m not seeing anyone.”

 

“Sorry.  Most people call a significant other when they make their first call.  I just assumed.  My bad.”

 

“No worries, dude.”  Kayden gave David Darryl’s phone number, and a short message.

 

“I’ll get on that in a few minutes, okay?”

 

 

“Thanks, David.”

 

David left Justin and Kayden alone, and Justin relaxed a bit.  “Would you like to know something, Mr. Ballard?”

 

“Sure, Doc - and call me Kayden.  It’s a lot friendlier than Mister this and Mister that...”

 

Justin smiled.  “Fine, but only if you call me Justin or Pierce, not doc, sir or any of that garbage.”

 

“Works for me.”  Kayden grinned, then winced as a muscle started to hurt in his chest.  Ouch!  “Which of your friends has cancer?”    

 

“My dog.  He’s a  miniature schnauzer about 11 years old, and he has Leukaemia.  I’m hoping that maybe the medicine we make with your bone marrow and blood will allow me to cure him - and people with leukaemia too, of course.  You should know your blood is very special, Kayden.  It may be the secret that lets me succeed where in the past I’ve failed.  I nearly had a heart attack when I found out you had been shot.”

 

“Can human blood help a dog?  Isn’t canine blood different from human blood?”

 

“Yes, normally, and cat blood is different from both of those as well.  However, I’ve developed a process that allows the antigens and other factors that cause problems with cross species blood transfusions to be negated.  Basically I’ve developed a process by which humans could get all the blood they need for medical purposes like surgeries and transfusions from animals.  Mr. Trask doesn’t know - so I’m trusting you with that.  He’d derail my project in order to capitalize on the discovery, and I’d lose the chance to save Mr. Chips.”

 

“He must mean a lot to you, Justin.” 

 

“He does.  He’s the only person that stayed with me when my parents died in an accident a long time ago.  He’s my best friend, and I’d do anything for him.  Anything.”

 

Kayden smiled sadly.  He’d never owned a dog before, but it sounded like Justin and Mr. Chips had one of those classic relationships between a man and his dog.  “Can I meet him?”

 

“I’d like to introduce you, but he’s too sick to move.  When you can move and come to my lab, I’ll introduce you. Promise.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

A few moments passed, and Justin continued.  “Kayden, I have to say I’m a bit reluctant to say it, but your being injured seriously screws up my timetable.  I know it sounds callous, but it’s true.  Could we arrange the bone marrow harvesting to take place in a few days, while you’re still in the clinic?   Mr. Chips doesn’t have long, and I’ll need time to grow stem cells from the bone marrow and complete the procedure that may cure him.  It has to be done either way - but this way you’re already here, and being cared for.”

 

Geez... he can’t give me a few days to heal up first?  Kayden thought a moment, and figured it didn’t really matter.  He already felt like shit, he was already in the hospital or close enough for it to count as one, and he had already offered to do exactly what Justin was asking.  “Sure, I guess so.  I’d like a phone and a TV in here while I recuperate, and I need someone to pay rent at my apartment so that my stuff doesn’t get tossed out on the street.”

 

“Done and done! Thank you!”  Justin Pierce looked pleased and thankful.  “I’ll get things rolling!  Thank you!”

Justin left the room in a hurry, leaving Kayden alone.

 

Kayden just lay back and rested, sipping on some ice chips to soothe his thirst.

 

A short while later, David returned with a phone for his room...  It was actually a card that slid into a phone/television device on an adjustable waldo.  “Once I get this set up, you’ll have phone, television and internet.  Just ask for help if you need it.  You need to dial 9 to get an outside line, but otherwise it’s just like a normal phone.”

 

“Thanks, David.  I need to call a few friends.”

 

 

“No worries.  I’ll be back in a hour or so to check your vitals.  If you need anything, page me.  Susan will be taking over for me this evening.”  He adjusted the bed so that Kayden was sitting slightly upright.

 

“Cool.  Thanks.”

 

Once David had left, Kayden reached for the phone and began to dial.  The numbers seemed harder to press - either that or his hands weren’t doing exactly what he wanted them to do, which was more likely.  He dialled up his friend Darryl.

 

“Darryl?”

 

“Holy cow! Where have you been, man?”  Darryl sounded worried, and more than a bit concerned.

 

“Hospital, or private clinic I guess. I got shot twice on Tuesday when I went to look about that job.  Oh - I got the job, by the way, but I don’t think they’re going to let me out to come to it.  You might need to go without me.”

 

“Screw that!”  Darryl cursed.  “Are you okay?”

 

“Yeah...  I hurt like hell, and I’m on some good pain meds, but I’m really tired too.  I just wanted to tell you I’m alive and okay.  The docs think I’ll be able to go home in ten days or so...  But it depends on how I heal.”

 

“I guess. Can you have visitors?”

 

“I don’t see why not.  I think I’m in a private clinic at Trask Industries, downtown.  I’ll see if they’ll let you in when you visit.  You aren’t going to skip the game are you?”

 

“Damn right I am!  I’ll give the tickets to Robert and Brendan...  They’ll appreciate them.  I’ll call and find out when your visiting hours are and drop by.  I assume you don’t want anyone to call your folks?”

 

Kayden choked up for a minute. This game meant a lot to Darryl... I owe him big.  “Thanks, Darryl.  You’re the best.  And you assume correctly.”

 

“Damn right I am.”  He joked.  “I’ll see you soon, okay pal?”

 

“Yeah.  See you soon.  Thanks.”

 

Kayden lay there thinking for a bit about how lucky he was to have such good friends - and he was damned if he was going to call his parents and tell them he’d been shot...  They’d find some way to turn it around and make it sound like he was asking for it!   He needed to prove to them - and to himself - he could take care of himself, but that didn’t include reinitiating contact with people he considered poisonous. 

 

Hell, if they weren’t toxic, I wouldn’t have got my emancipation and moved out two years ago.  I’m glad I’m done with them, he thought, but I’ll be damned if I let them be proven right.  I’d rather die than crawl back to them.

 

Kayden stewed in anger for a little bit, but found himself getting rather tired.  Anger was exhausting to hold onto, and his reserves had gotten up and left.  He dozed off into an uneasy sleep.

 

*              *              *

 

Justin sat in his lab with Mr. Chips on his lap.  It was their evening ‘alone time’, where Justin spent an hour or so with his beloved pet before heading home.  As they cuddled and played, he whispered to his dog.  “I know you’d like to come home with me, Mr. Chips, but you’re too sick...  You’d get hurt.  Good boy...  I met someone who’s going to help me make you better.  Would you like that?  It would be nice to bring you home too, boy.   I’m going to bring you home, and we’ll be together again.  Soon...  Soon.”  Justin stroked Mr. Chips’ straggly fur, and felt a soft gentle lick and heard a soft whine of pain.  The lesions and bleeding were worse, and the joint pain was far past the point of medication being able to help it.  Mr. Chips didn’t have much time left.   Justin tried to put it out of his mind for now, and simply be with his beloved dog.  I can save you, Mr. Chips.  I can save everyone.  Please hold on a little bit longer.  Please.