Page 51 of I Married Kayog
“MEDIC!” I yelled again, fighting the tears pricking my eyes.
To my relief, two guards came running. A single look at my mate sufficed for them to understand he needed to be rushed immediately to the hospital. With the aid of a couple more guards clearing the way, they carried Kayog outside near the medical shuttle where the medics were running around, catering to the wounded in the crowd.
As we ran, I called my grandmother.
“Sweetie, how are—?”
“He’s dying, Nana!” I shouted, interrupting her. “Kayog is dying. We’re at Hemlock Conference Hall.”
“Where the attack took place?!” she exclaimed.
“Yes. Kayog collapsed. There’s blood coming out of his eyes and ears, and my scan confirms there is heavy cerebral bleeding. We need help!”
“Understood. I’m rounding up a team of doctors right away. Let me know where they take him, and I’ll send them there,” Nana Arika said in a determined voice.
“Thank you, Nana,” I said, my heart aching with fear for my mate, while filling with gratitude for my grandmother.
Complete chaos reigned outside. If the guards had been overwhelmed before, now they were dealing with total mayhem. Despite the mess from the attack, some idiots were still trying to protest, instigate, or rile up the crowd already on edge. People could be seen desperately looking for a friend or loved one they got separated from when the attack began. Others were seeking help for their wounds or providing assistance wherever they could.
As soon as the medics noticed the guards approaching with Kayog, they dropped everything they were doing to take care of my mate. Anyone with eyes could see he was the main priority. The first responders began loading him into the medical shuttle. To my shock, as I approached, one of the medics raised her palm in an arresting gesture.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but you can’t come in,” she said in an apologetic tone.
“What?!” I exclaimed, outraged.
“There’s no room. We must keep it for the other patients. A lot of people got hurt in the panic,” the woman explained.
“But I’m his mate!” I argued, trying to circle around her to get in.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. We can’t let you in. We’re taking him to Danmere Hospital. Feel free to meet us there,” the medic said in a tone that brooked no argument.
When I tried to further challenge her stance, two guards intervened, pushing me away so that they could load two more patients before departing. It took every ounce of my willpower not to throw a hissy fit and demand they let me onboard. A part of me was ashamed of my behavior. Obviously, they had to prioritize the injured. But seeing Kayog in such a dreadful state was robbing me of any rational thinking.
I immediately took flight ahead of them and called my nan to inform her of his destination. To my relief, she confirmed that her medical team would go there right away.
To my dismay, despite the great speed I could achieve while flying, I couldn’t keep up with the shuttle, which zipped right past me at the highest speed allowed for emergency vehicles. Still, that I could fly was in itself a tremendous blessing. Had I been a non-winged species, who knew how I would have managed to follow him.
My mind raced with too many thoughts to organize them in a rational fashion. The main part of me was focused on Kayog and how much damage he might have sustained from being blasted by so many extreme emotions. The other needed to understand what had happened. What could have possibly knocked out so many people—myself included—without causing noticeable structural damage? What kind of attack had been unleashed on us? And who would have done that?
Worse still, had I sustained some sort of injury that I was currently aggravating by flying as hard as I could before getting examined by a professional?
I yelped, and my heart nearly leapt out of my chest when my com suddenly went off. My pulse racing, I answered the call, seeing Isobel’s name on the interface.
“Linsea, are you okay? I saw the attack all over the news, but I can’t reach Kai!” Isobel said in a slightly panicked voice.
“It’s bad, Isobel,” I said, my voice shaky with worry and grief. “I’m on my way to Danmere Hospital. They’re taking Kayog there. He collapsed and was bleeding from his eyes and ears.”
“No!” Isobel breathed out, horrified. “I’m coming!”
“Thank you,” I said with genuine gratitude. “I’ll see you there.”
We ended the call, and I pushed myself as hard as I could to reach my destination. It took me well over twelve minutes—a fucking eternity—before the hospital finally appeared before me. As I began my descent, I gazed upon the utter chaos that also reigned here. Countless shuttles were jockeying for right of way and attempting to find a parking spot. My chest instantly constricted for Isobel. She would have to land quite far as there was no way she would find space here.
This place was usually easily accessible. But tonight, friends and relatives were undoubtedly rushing here as well to find out about the state of their loved ones. The worst part was that many of the people creating this unnecessary traffic didn’t even need to be here. As was too often the case, people acted first and thought after. They heard wounded people were brought here, so they came immediately before they got confirmation their loved ones featured among them. And yet, I couldn’t fault them for it. In their place, had I not been able to reach my mate, I also would have assumed he was among the victims who got taken to the hospital. And you better believe I would have dashed here.
Once again, I thanked all the powers in the universe that I was a Temern. I effortlessly landed near the entrance and ran inside. Total mayhem greeted me. To my utter annoyance, it wasn’t victims shouting and begging for attention, but the families arguing with the receptionists and nurses, accusing them of lying when they stated that their loved ones weren’t listed in their system.
Realizing I wouldn’t get much help here with so many others monopolizing the already overwhelmed staff, I made my way towards the urgent care located on the fourth floor. Here as well, everyone was running. Those I tried to ask for help ignored me or shook their heads absentmindedly in response to my question as to whether Kayog was here.
