Proximity Page 7

CHAPTER 7

  It was late in the afternoon on Thursday when I wrapped up all my clinic work and headed back toward my office in the Health Sciences Center. As I passed the hallway leading to the laboratory wing, I was struck by the distinct smell of something burning. It seemed to be emanating from that wing, so I turned and headed down the empty corridor to investigate. As I approached the entrance to the microbiology lab, a wisp of smoke escaped from the cracked door.

  As I pulled the door open and stepped into the empty lab, I was stunned to see flames rising up from a haphazard pile of papers and other debris on the floor—as if someone had just decided to build a bonfire in the middle of the walkway. I darted back across the hall to the fire extinguisher cabinet and returned to begin spraying the flames. Luckily the fire seemed to be freshly lit, and I was able to put it out without much difficulty.

  I stood for a moment to contemplate this peculiar incident, then turned to set the fire extinguisher on the floor. As I did so, my eyes caught sight of a body sprawled face-first on the floor between the lab stations. My heart leapt into my throat at the agonizing realization that it was the body of Eric Moran.

  I ran to the wall to pull the emergency alarm, then sprinted back to Eric’s lifeless body, quickly turning him over to face upward. Kneeling beside his head, I bent forward to position the side of my cheek over his nose and mouth, searching for some sign he was breathing. I paused for a moment, then whimpered in devastation at the eerie stillness.

  As my mind threatened to spiral out of control, I swiftly resolved to be strong and get myself together. Years of medical training suddenly kicked in, and I acted on impulse. Pinching his nose closed with my fingers, I inhaled sharply and placed my mouth to his. I watched as his chest gently inflated with my exhaling breath. I looked up as my fingers instinctively searched the side of his neck for a carotid artery pulsation. I discovered with a hint of hope that the vessel was thrumming almost imperceptibly.

  It was in that moment that my eyes caught sight of the slowly expanding pool of fluid emanating from the back of his head. Anyone else may have assumed he had spilled some sort of laboratory chemical as he fell unconscious. I, however, recognized the iridescent, almost neon orange substance immediately…It was blood.

  Eric’s blood.

  I sat transfixed for a few long seconds, then cautiously reached my hand up toward his forehead. I already knew what I would find as I began to comb my fingers through his hair—yet an irrepressible gasp escaped my throat as my eyes absorbed the distinct peak at the top of his ear.

  I suddenly realized the emergency alarm was still blaring, as I made out the overlapping sound of footsteps quickly approaching in the hallway. I sprang back into action, sliding my hands under Eric’s shoulders as I pushed his torso upward, bringing his limp body into a quasi-seated position. I moved in behind him, threading my arms beneath his armpits and bringing his upper back gently to rest against my chest. His head drooped forward, and I carefully guided it back to prop against my left shoulder.

  Planting my feet firmly on the ground, I clutched around the front of his chest as I pushed with all my might to stand. Once on my feet, I began quickly shuffling backward toward the emergency exit. Pushing through the door with my back, I stepped out into the open alley. I was just pulling Eric’s feet clear of the closing door as I made out the faint sound of voices entering the lab from within. The heavy metal door clicked closed, and we were silently alone in the alley.

  I stood panting as my eyes scanned the area, settling upon a small maintenance shed thirty yards away. I resumed my backward shuffle, then carefully set Eric’s unconscious body down to lean against my knees when I arrived at the shed door. Mercifully, it was unlocked—I pushed through the door with the sole of my foot as I heaved Eric inside the stuffy little shed. Taking care to shut the door, I pulled his body to lay facing upward in the center of the floor. It was only then that I realized every muscle in my body was shaking. I quickly shook out my arms and knelt down beside him, proceeding to inspect his scalp for the source of the bleeding.

  The three-inch gash behind his left ear was still oozing. With a gasp, I realized the damage went far deeper. Eric’s skull beneath the open wound was not just broken—it was shattered. This was not simply the result of a strike against the floor on his way down…This was violent blunt-force trauma.

  Crouching forward, I placed my right palm over the wound as my left hand came to rest above his heart. I fixed my eyes intently upon his beautiful, motionless face—focusing all my energy as I pressed down firmly with both hands.

  I cannot explain how or why the healing process works. I just know how it feels—like a surge of electrical current emanating from every pore in my body.

  After a moment, I sensed with relief that the bleeding and swelling within his brain were slowly beginning to recede. The current coursed through my hands as they began to tremble uncontrollably.

  On a good day, healing such extensive internal injuries would take everything I had. I fought against the knowledge that my body was already too depleted from the exertion of dragging a grown man an impossible distance. My heart fluttered as I noticed Eric’s eyelids beginning to flicker. Drawing from the adrenaline rush, I struggled to hold my eyes open as the room darkened and my peripheral vision began to fade.

  Just as Eric’s lids slowly parted, revealing those glorious green eyes underneath, I lost my battle with unconsciousness and slumped forward across his chest.