Page 9 of Outside the Veil
“Typical.”
Apparently, it wouldn’t be necessary.
The doctor, one of a long string of resentful young people just out of residency, never the same one twice, conducted a cursory examination. After a few snide remarks about having enough indigent people in the country without having to import them, he ordered blood drawn.
“I don’t understand why you’re conscious, Mr. Shannon, with vitals this low.” He flipped through the chart as he left the room. “Full workup, Rita.”
Finn’s eyes were round in alarm. “What does he mean, drawing blood? Has he issued challenge? I don’t think he liked me much.”
“No, no,” Diego hurried to explain. “He just wants them to take a little blood from you for some tests. It’s not the mostpleasant thing in the world but it won’t harm you. They put a needle in your arm, but just for a minute. It’s not enough blood you’d ever notice.”
“Oh.” Finn looked far from reassured.
Diego’s heart sank when the phlebotomist arrived, the dour, unfriendly one. An orderly approximately the size of a VW accompanied her.
“Please, that’s not necessary,” Diego pleaded when they rolled the heavy cart over and strapped Finn’s arm to the attached board.
“Mr. Sandoval, step out into the hall if you’re going to be a nuisance,” the woman snapped.
“Sorry.” Diego retreated out of the way. “It’ll be okay, Finn. Look at me. Don’t watch. Just be a minute.”
Despite his efforts at distraction, Finn’s reactions swiftly deteriorated from disturbed to panicked. “Diego?” he called out, in an odd, back-throat growl.
“Relax, Finn, please…”
The orderly caught him in a bear hug to pin his free arm and hold him still. The needle plunged in. Finn let out a horrific scream, more wildcat than human. The sluggish flow of too-bright red filled one vial, then two, while Finn thrashed and struggled. A sudden twist of that long body, quick as a cobra strike, and the orderly lay gasping on the floor. Finn ripped the straps and the needle from his arm. The phlebotomist rushed into the hallway to call for help. With an anguished sound, Finn clutched his arm to his chest and staggered to the door.
He turned in the doorway, leaning on the frame. Diego could have sworn flames leaped in those accusing eyes.
“Accursed humans! I thought you were different! Gods of the waters, what a great fool I’ve been.”
“Finn—”
“Don’t touch me!” Finn bared his teeth. His sides heaved, sweat plastered his hair to his forehead, and Diego thought for a moment he might faint. Instead, Finn whirled and ran.
“Dios,” Diego whispered, grabbed up the coat and shirt Finn had been wearing and rushed after him.
No sign of him in the hall or the waiting room, though the frightened faces confirmed his passage. Diego dashed out to the street. On the sidewalk, in a pile as if Finn had melted into the concrete, lay the track pants, the flip-flops and the boxers Diego had lent him. Finn had vanished.
He cast about for anyone who might have been watching. Across the street, Rodney peered out from his house.
“Rodney! Did you see Finn? Which way did he run?”
“I saw a great black bird. Black as the passage between the worlds. Wings the size of Atlantean cruisers. It’s come to that.”
Of all the times for Rodney to be having an episode. Diego gathered up the discarded clothes and hurried on. He searched alleyways and basement wells, doorways and fire escapes, asking everyone he knew. No one had seen him.
How does a six-and-a-half-foot, naked man disappear?
Finally, a thought hit him. Perhaps Finn had gone to Tia Carmen. He dashed back home and knocked frantically on her door.
“No, querido, lo siento.” Tia Carmen shook her head sadly. “He has not been here. I will watch for him, though.”
Diego trudged upstairs to his own place, hopes of finding Finn inside dashed the moment he opened the door. The rooms had the hollow, lonely feel of an empty apartment. No sign that Finn had been there.
He called the police stations, the hospitals and the shelters. Nothing.
Head in his hands, Diego slumped on the sofa, watching the shadows lengthen and broaden into evening. Finn would die out there tonight and he was helpless to prevent it.
