"I think I'll see what this does..." said Don, picking up a bottle of liquid medication and a syringe. He grinned and filled it to the top with the unknown substance.
Alone in a recovery room with two patients, the demon possessed child was having fun. He took the IV bag, and started to put the liquid in. At that moment the door opened.
"Young man, you can't do that." said a nurse sharply. She was young, and obviously driven by her emotions.
"I have to help him, he's dying." Don gave her his saddest look, and sniffled. He put down the syringe, glad that the vial with the sample of the virus was still hidden in his pocket.
"Actually he will be fine, this is a recovery room." she said, softening.
"Are you sure? He's not moving."
"Yes I'm sure. I just came in to see if either of them need anything. What are you doing in here? Are you a relative?"
"I was looking for the other nurse. I want to know if my brother will live."
"I'll take you to the waiting room. You can find out more there. And in the future, don't try to play doctor. I know you just wanted to help, but you could easily have killed him."
"Of course. I thought if I gave him his medicine..."
"I understand, but it's very dangerous. Leave that up to the professionals."
"Yes ma'am. I'll never do it again, unless I become a real doctor."
"That's very good to hear. I'm sure you would make an excellent doctor, when you are a little older. You already have the most important thing, and that's compassion."
Don hung his head humbly, trying to look as innocent as possible. He was then escorted into the waiting room, where there wasn't any opportunity for further mischief. He had to sit there and wait. Eventually the father of the child he was controlling came out.
"Why did you leave? I thought you wanted to see Greg. Your mother and I were worried about you."
"I did want to see him, but he looks so bad. I was scared. And you and Mom were crying. I've never seen you cry before. I tried to find the nurse to find out if he would be alright. Dad, is Greg going to die?"
Mr. Reynolds took off his glasses and rubbed his already red and swollen eyes. Don covered his own face to cover up his malicious smile.
"I don't know, but whatever happens we will get through this together. And no more blaming yourself."
"If he only knew that I tricked Greg into that tree, he would be singing a different tune!" thought Don, laughing inside.
"Your mom wants me to go home and get a few things. She and I will be staying here, until we find out more about Greg's condition. I'm taking you home with me, so you can take care of the puppy."
"I completely forgot about him." confessed Don.
"I think it's probably best if you stay with one of your friends, at least for a night or two. There's nothing you can do here, and I know how upsetting it was for you to see Greg that way."
Debating on whether or not to argue, Don looked around. The nurse who had caught him in the recovery room was watching, concern written all over her face. That settled it. He'd never get a moment alone if she had her way.
"Are you sure there's nothing I can do to help?"
"I'm very sure. I promise, I'll call you as soon as we know anything"
"You'll come get me too? No matter what time it is?"
"Yes."
"I guess it would be okay then, if you think it's best."
At the house, Don quickly filled Taspirin in on the latest news. The demon possessed puppy was still in a nasty mood due to being neutered, but had settled down somewhat. He even wagged his tail when Don showed him the vial containing the virus.
"Don, I'm almost ready to go. Do you need me to drive you? Who are you going to stay with?"
"I'm going over to John's. He's just down the block, and I can take the puppy."
"Perfect. Say, what have you decided to name him? We can't keep calling him The Puppy."
"Taspirin."
"Aspirin? Don, I know you are under a lot of stress, but that's not a good name. If you aren't ready, you can decide later."
"No, Taspirin. Like the Tasmanian Devil in the cartoon. It's just something that I made up, but I like the sound of it."
"That's... An unusual name. I've never heard of Taspirin before."
"That's because I just invented it, Dad. It's a cool sounding word."
Not wanting him to think too much about the name, Don changed the subject. It wouldn't do to have him google it, in case it was still known.
"Dad, what's going to happen?"
"What do you mean?"
"With Greg. I've never seen him like this."
"I won't lie to you, I just don't know. But we will be fine. Are you sure you don't want me to drop you off? I need to get back to the hospital with these things."
"I'm sure, Dad."
Once they were alone, Don and Taspirin went out into the neighborhood. "Let's see what kind of chaos we can create in this sleepy old place. It's way too quiet around here..."
"Woooof!"
Describe what you see
I see a man in a lot of pain. He looks like he is crying. Maybe he has just experienced a family tragedy.
Describe what you feel
I feel like there is a lot of sadness, and perhaps worry. This is not a happy time.