Page 27 of The Dire Reaction

After the barn. My cheeks burn as the memories flash. Mrs. Bellhouse is looking at me weird.

“Are you okay?” she asks.

Sure, I’m just having insanely sexy thoughts about a saddle. No biggie.

“Yes, just frustrated with being on hold. I apologize for being distracted.” Distracted by blue eyes and a deep voice.

I need to calm down. Her heart rate has jumped up, so I know I’m stressing her out.

“We’ll get your cat some of the constipation meds and she will be right as rain soon. Be aware that the meds may cause diarrhea, so keep her near her litter box, or perhaps consider kenneling her for an evening until she has regulated.” Nothing like discussing cat bowel movements to cool the steam in my veins.

“Thank you, doctor.” Her heart rate is returning to normal as she strokes her black cat.

“You’re welcome. Be sure to call the office if you have any issues.”

The music is still playing as I head back to my office. Just as I shut the door, I hear someone pick up.

“May I help you?” a nasally sounding woman asks.

“This is Doctor Danielle Michelson. I am a participant in the new hip dysplasia protocol. I received a letter today calling for a cease and desist due to side effects. They were not listed, and I would like to know what they are and possible treatments.”

“One moment, please.” And she puts me back on hold.

Dammit. The same music even.

Twenty minutes of charting fly by before I hear another voice on the line. I give the same request, and AGAIN I am put on hold.

It doesn’t last as long this time.

“This is Doctor Paulson. How can I help you?” a man with a deep southern accent answers. I run my spiel by him, expecting to be transferred again.

“How long have you been doing the treatments?” he asks.

“Three rounds, most recently yesterday.” I’m a little shocked that I found someone who is listening.

“Has anyone in direct contact had any side effects?”

“That’s why I was contacting you. The information I received today indicated the potential for side effects, so I am hoping to find out more.” So much for getting help if he wasn’t even paying attention to what I first told him.

“Well, the list of side effects seem to vary, but due to a higher than expected percentage of carry-over effects onto humans, we are suggesting at this time to suspend any further treatments.”

“What exactly does that mean, ‘carry-over effects’?” So, this IS affecting people?

He clears his throat. I can hear shuffling papers and his heart rate increases slightly. “Most side effects include muscle aches, aversion to bright lights, and chills.”

Shit. That sounds exactly like what Sam and I experienced.

“What other side effects?” I ask quietly.

“Well, there seems to be a gambit. Due to the use of certain DNA extrapolations, some are experiencing positive results.”

“I had to sign a non-disclosure contract to participate. What DNA was used?”

He clears his throat again. “Well, there have been some revolutionary breakthroughs in regenerative effects using Ambystoma mexicanum strands, also known as the axolotl. Turritopsis dohrnii is a particular species of jellyfish that has incredible longevity characteristics. And a recent viable sample from Aenocyon dirus, an extinct species, has proven to be impervious to hip dysplasia. We’ve seen great success in the laboratory.” He sounds genuinely excited about the information. I’m jotting down notes as fast as I can so I can reference them later.

“So, what are some of the negative side effects?” I almost don’t want to ask.

There’s a long pause. He takes a shuddering breath before continuing. “Well, we’ve seen some instances of hair growth, mutations and death.”

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