I awoke to Quinn's phone buzzing; she was still sleeping in the hospital bed. Blinking awake, I glanced at Seri; the colour had returned to her cheeks. I felt relieved and picked up Quinn's phone to quietly answer it outside the ward.
"Hello?"
"Lexi?" I heard Quinn's mother, Winnie, ask in confusion, "Where's Quinn?" she sounded slightly panicked.
"She is alright, just sleeping. Please don't panic, but she's in hospital–"
"Hospital!?"
"She's fine. She and Seri were spiked last night while they were out. Quinn called me for help."
I heard her sigh lightly, "I'll be down in a few minutes. What ward?"
I gave her directions to navigate the hospital. When I returned, Seri was awake and looking around.
"Seri! Hey," I whispered.
"Hello," she croaked.
I passed her some water from a tray and returned Quinn's phone to her side.
"What happened?"
"It seems trouble found you this time, girly," I pointed to her neck, "You've been bitten."
"What? I don't remember a thing."
She touched her neck, feeling the scabs, "I think we had three drinks. Then I woke up here. Oh, gods. Is Quinn, okay?" Seri peeked over to the lump in the bed next to her.
I confirmed, "Yeah, she's sleeping. It seems you were both drugged, but they only bit you. How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay, just tired still. A little woozy."
"Good, you can go back to sleep if you want. It's still early."
While Seri nodded back to sleep, I took out my phone and called Collin, Seri's dad and informed him of what happened. After reassuring him that Seri was fine and was talking, he decided not to abandon his work.
"Please can she stay with you until I get back?"
"Of course. Once she's been discharged, I'll update you."
"Thank you, Lexi."
I knew what he was worried about, as I was also cautious of the same thing. This vampire now knew Seri and possibly Quinn were witches, and they were not afraid to take what they wanted in public. They will come back for more eventually.
And when they did, would they stalk the rest of us?
Quinn was still sleeping in the hospital bed when her mother, Winnie, arrived.
"Has the doctor been yet?" she asked me.
"No, not yet. The nurse said it might be another hour," I informed her.
She got up with a 'right' and wandered to the nurse's station to get information…
I heard a sigh, and in my peripheral, I saw Quinn blink her eyes open.
"My mother is so loud," Quinn groaned.
I chuckled as she sat up and raised the bed.
"Is my dad here?" she nervously asked.
I shook my head, "Just your mum."
Quinn breathed a sigh of relief, and an awkward silence grew.
"Do you remember much of last night?"
"Hm," she thought for a second, "I remember… trying to call Lathen and then crying on your shoulder… and the ride to the hospital with you and Seri. I can't remember anything else; it was a blur…"
"Well, no doubt Jack will ask you questions about last night."
"Jack? We were at Jack's Hideout?" she asked in confusion.
I asked, "Where did you think you were?"
"I remember being outside Star Gazers."
Star Gazers was in the next town, a good two hours away. We went there last year for Ostara.
"Wait… were we?" Quinn looked more confused.
"I though…" She ruffled her messy hair in frustration, "I remember walking into Jack's, drinking. Then, I was in the park, walking away from Star Gazers with Seri?" she questioned herself.
"I must have blacked out and I woke up… in the toilets at Jack's," she said cautiously, "Maybe I was dreaming about being in Star Gazers."
"Hm," I agreed, "You've just woken up, maybe your memories are a little jumbled. It's okay," I reassured her, patting her foot.
When Winnie came back, her face was contorted into annoyance. She did not get any other information from the nurses.
"Please excuse me while I talk to my daughter." Her eyes stayed trained on Quinn.
Quinn looked solemn, looking down at the bed as the curtain came around and a spell was cast.
Seri and I shared a look, poor Quinn.
"Do you want a coffee or snacks?" I asked, getting up with my purse.
"Diet coke… and chocolate," she asked.
I thought it best to make myself scarce while they were 'talking'.
Making my way back, I passed Winnie, going in the opposite direction.
"Everything alright, Mrs Caldwell?" I asked her in passing.
Her response was curt, "Yes. I'll be back later."
She did not stop to chat.
Arriving back, it was clear Quinn was frustrated. I silently gave her a drink and a chocolate bar before turning to Seri.
"Thanks," she murmured.
Giving her a small smile, I sat back in the visitor's chair between the beds.
"My dad's coming," she grumbled, "My mum thinks it's your fault I'm here. She isn't listening to me."
Sighing, I replied, "Well, I'm not going anywhere, anytime soon. Especially while you are both here… I'm not going to stop caring about you, Quinn. If you don't want anything to do with me, then that's your choice, and I'll leave you alone."
All three of us sat in silence. Quinn was deep in her thoughts as the nurse came to do some observations.
Just after half 8, the doctor checked on the previously drugged-up girls and gave the lowdown on the recent results.
"Seraphina, your iron levels are back to normal; I don't have any concerns there," he then addressed them both.
"While you were only given a small dose, Rohypnol may still affect you over the next few days. So, be careful in what you take and do. I also know from your medical records you are both seventeen; I suggest you wait one more year before going out again and get rid of the fake IDs," cautioned the doctor.
"Any problems, come right back to us."
The doctor turned to walk away, only to be caught by Quinn's worried parents as they entered the ward.
I turned to Seri and stood by her bed, "Come on, let's get you discharged."
"Is my dad coming?" she asked, pulling the covers back.
"I called him. He has asked you to stay with me, while he's away. My mum already has the spare bedroom ready," I smiled.
She mirrored my smile and her things; I could hear hushed words from Nixon. Neither of them regarded us as they stood close, speaking hushed words to Quinn.
I held my smile and waved to Quinn as we left.
"Gods, that was awkward," Seri whispered after exiting the hospital. I hummed in agreement. The balls are in Quinn's court now.
When we eventually arrived back at my home, my mum immediately hugged Seri.
"You poor thing! We'll look after you like our own until your dad comes back."
"Thank you, Mrs Langton," Seri chirped and pulled away to pop her things on the ready-made bed.
"And you," Mum turned to me, "As proud as I am that you helped your friends in a heartbeat. Please don't go alone next time," she gave a soft stern and hugged me also.
"Yes, Mum," I said, reciprocating her hug.
"Anything from Lathen?" Seri asked me.
I shook my head, "I've not spoken to him since the Rites," I replied, perusing my wardrobe.
Seri piped up, "Go for green."
"But I wore green when my mum invited them over!"
Seri budged past me and pulled out a cream floor-length dress. It was made from cotton and buttoned up the front. It was styled into a V-neckline that hugged the waist before flaring out and followed down to the floor. The sleeves were short but flowed loosely around the arms.
"I normally wear that in summer."
"But you will be sat in a restaurant, and it's not that cold… It's mild!" she persuaded.
"If I come home colder than a witch's tit, you and I are not talking," I stated, and she chuckled at the old saying.
At 6 O'clock, there was a knock at the door. I looked at Seri in confusion; I wasn't leaving until half past.
Giving out my senses, I was taken aback by who was there. My mum's figure leaned against the living room doorframe as I opened the door and greeted the guest.
"Hi Quinn."
It was obvious she had been crying, her meek greeting confirmed it, "Hi…"
"Come in."
She sheepishly came in, hiding a not-so-secretive bag behind her legs. She asked, "You can tell me to buzz off… May I stay with you?"
I glanced over at Mum before I closed the door and asked, "Is everything alright at home?"
"I haven't been kicked out," she reassured, "After what you said this morning, I realised that's not what I want. I'm grateful to call you a friend."
"My dad, for whatever reason, has not been treating you fairly. He's not listening to me and what I want. For now, I need space from my parents and be with my friends."
Quinn put on a brave face, but I could tell she was apprehensive. My mum nodded and walked away back to her programme.
I smiled at her, "You'll always be greeted with open arms here," I said, doing just that, and she hugged me with leaky eyes.
Seri hopped down the stairs from her hiding place and joined in.
"Yay, best friends," Seri sang.
The group hug ended, and Quinn admired what I was wearing.
"Are you going out?"
I bit my lip before nodding.
Seri whispered to Quinn, "She's going on a date!"
"Seri!" I exclaimed.
Quinn's face showed nothing as she asked me, "You really like him, huh? Leo?"
"Yes, I do," I said confidently.
She slowly nodded and whispered back to Seri, "I want all of the tea while she is out."
Seri nodded, and their mischievousness returned. I would have to speak to Quinn about Lathen another time.
"You can put your stuff here with Seri's," I said, opening the door under the stairs to the spare bedroom.
Fifteen minutes later, the door went again. This time it was Leo.
"Hey," I greeted, opening the door, "Let's go, quick!"
I caught Leo by surprise as I grabbed his hand and walked to the car, and he laughed at my antics.
"Erm! Not so fast!" Seri said, popping her head out the door, "I want her back by ten pm, Mr Grimsbane! I know where you live."
I facepalmed but continued walking to the car. Leo just laughed harder. Both Seri and Quinn stood at the door frame and waved us off.
'Embarrassed is an understatement.'