DRAGOS
Ever since the incident with the painting, I felt the unexpected need to help Dawn.
I was a vampire, an emotionally detached one at that, but I still had empathy, which was the primary emotion I felt toward her.
We had both gone through the pain of losing a partner. That connected us on a level of grief, and knowing someone could relate to my pain provided me with some relief... a sense of comfort.
I felt like I wasn't alone in my feelings.
Even though Rose had passed away over five centuries ago and I'd moved on, the pain still felt as raw as an open wound in my heart.
Especially because of the brutal way in which her life had been snatched away.
On the other hand, it was clear that Dawn had a crush on me. I'd known since the day I rescued her in the orchard.
Slowly, a cocky grin found its way to my face as I rounded up shopping.
Just moments before she left, I'd heard her heart racing and smelt her body's sudden release of pheromones. It wasn't something new to me, I had that effect on everyone.
After loading the supplies at the back of my fancy Chevy truck, we left for the hospital.
The soft sound of beeping monitors and machines greeted us when we stepped into the ward. Mrs Carter was asleep, looking pale and vulnerable under the sheets.
As I watched her sleep, all I could feel was abject pity for her. The woman reeked of death and I doubted she had up to the five months Dawn had spoken of.
She was connected to several machines and tubes. Her pale, skinny hands had wires attached to them, which were linked to a heart monitor and an IV pole. The IV pole had a bag of fluid that was slowly dripping into her veins.
A dialysis machine was also connected to her arms, filtering her blood due to her kidney problems.
My skin crawled. I could sense so much pain. So much despair in the room, it sickened me.
Her face was a deathly white and thin, with her cheekbones jutting out.
Her lips were dry and cracked, and she had nasal tubes in her nostrils, providing oxygen.
Gently, I set the basket of groceries and bouquet on the bedside cabinet, standing some meters away to give them some privacy.
"Hi, Mum" Dawn whispered, softly kissing the palm of her mother as she sank gently into the bed.
The woman's eyes fluttered open slowly.
"Dawn, honey" her voice was weak, barely audible. "You're here"
"I'm here, mum" her voice cracked with emotion.
"How are you feeling, mother?"
Mrs Carter smiled faintly "I chock pills every day, my entire body's sore from needle pokes. Every nerve in my body is screaming that I give up and rest..."
"Don't say that mum" Dawn was tearing up. She sniffed, wiping her watery eyes "I'm not ready to lose you just yet"
"I know honey, that's why I'm fighting. I'm doing it for you"
Dawn nodded and stole a glance at me. "Mum, this is Dragos. He's one of the sons of the woman I work for"
I stepped forward, and spoke curtly, bending to take the hand she stretched out "Mrs Carter" I pressed a gentle kiss to the back of her palm.
"Oh, aren't you a charmer" She managed a smile, then turned to look at her daughter, mouthing in a whisper "He's so handsome"
Dawn blushed, avoiding looking at my face "Mum, he's right next to you. Stop" She scolded softly.
Mrs Carter looked at me. "Thank you so much," she said genuinely, her eyes glittering with tears "Thank you for letting my daughter work for you"
Gently, I placed my other hand over hers and smiled "It's nothing, ma'am. We got you some things you might like"
Dawn passed me the bouquet and I gave it to her.
"I heard you love tulips"
There was a very content smile on her face that I found weirdly satisfying.
"Indeed, I do. Thank you so much, Dragos"
"There are other things here as well. Fruits and yogurt, granola bars, chips, beef, cheese, and others ... all low fat, I assure you"
"I am incredibly grateful"
"I am happy you are"
I looked at Dawn and backed away slowly. "I'll be in the truck"
She nodded in gratitude "Thank you"
Turning, I left the room and made my way to the very busy reception area.
I approached the desk where a young, chubby nurse was sorting through files. Her name tag read "Sandy".
She looked up as I approached, her hazel brown eyes widening at the sight of me. "Mr-Mr Vlad" she whispered.
"Good afternoon, Sandy," I said, flashing her a charming smile. "I was wondering if you could help me."
Sandy blushed a bright shade, nervously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Of course, sir. What do you need?"
"I'm looking for the doctor in charge of Mrs. Carter's case. Could you tell me who that is?" I asked in an utterly sexy voice, leaning against the counter so that my face was closer to hers, and she had the opportunity of getting a better view of my beautiful eyes.
The nurse froze for a second, her cheeks flushing before glancing at her computer screen. "Let me check for you," she said, tapping away at the keyboard.
As she searched, I leaned even closer, lowering my voice. "You have such pretty eyes, Sandy," I said flirtatiously and watched her hands slightly fumble over the keys.
"As do you, sir, thank you" she murmured in a flustered tone.
"Call me Dragos" I replied with a wink.
Sandy turned redder. "Ah, here it is. Dr. Barnes" She announced. "He's the head of the nephrology department."
"Thank you," I said, holding her gaze. "Could you let him know that I would like to speak with him? It's quite urgent."
"Of course, I'll page him right away," she said, her voice a little breathless. Then tearing her eyes away from my face, she picked up the phone and made the call.
Within minutes, a middle-aged man with a kind face and horn-rimmed glasses appeared. "Mr Vlad? I'm Dr. Barnes," he said, extending his hand.
I shook it firmly. "Dr. Barnes, thank you for seeing me on such short notice. Could we speak somewhere privately?"
"Sure" He nodded and led me to his office.
Once inside, I took my seat opposite him.
"Dr. Barnes, I'm very concerned about Mrs. Carter's condition. I need you to be completely honest with me about her prognosis."
The doctor sighed, rubbing his temples. "It's sad to admit, but Mrs. Carter's condition is quite severe. She has end-stage renal disease. Her kidneys are failing, and despite dialysis, she has a few months left at best."
I nodded, leaning forward and turning on my powers of compulsion. "You will do everything in your power to save her"
"I already have" he replied, under my hypnosis. "I fear, at this juncture, there is nothing more that can be done. Even a kidney transplant is unlikely to succeed due to her advanced condition"
Dr Barnes sighed. "Mrs. Carter's immune system is compromised. Her body has been weakened by years of dialysis. The damage to her kidneys is too great making it challenging for a transplanted kidney to function properly."
"Explore every option, no matter how slim the chance. Work tirelessly to find a way to extend her life. I don't care if you have to call in the best specialists from around the world. Keep me, and only me updated."
Dr Barnes nodded. "I will do my best, sir, but remember, the prognosis remains uncertain."
I nodded. "This conversation never happened"
I left the hospital and got back into my Silverado. About an hour later, Dawn walked out, looking despondent.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting, I…"
"It's fine" I interrupted. "So, are you going to be staying with your mum overnight or do you want me to drive you to your home?"
"Home, please. I'll need to get a few more supplies for her. A change of clothes and some other things"
I nodded in understanding "Alright, then. Where do you stay?"
Quietly, she inputted her address into the navigation system and stared at me.
"Thank you so much for today"
Dawn's eyes were sad as her head leaned against the seat "It's been a long while since someone showed me an act of kindness... but I have to ask why?"
It took a moment for me to respond.
"I know what it's like to lose someone"
My eyes flicked to hers "When I lost my dad and Rose later on, I cursed myself every day for not spending enough time with them. I don't want the same thing to happen to you"
Dawn's face fell into her hands.
"Are you okay?" I asked in confusion.
When she looked up, her eyes were red and brimming with tears "No"
She wiped at her face "She's dying, Dragos. She's dying and I'm watching it happen. I-I can't do a damn thing about it"
"I'm so sorry"
She burst into tears and I watched cluelessly. I wasn't good with women when they cried.
Then with a hesitant move, I shifted closer and pulled her into my arms, patting her back gently as she wept.