Unleashing Demons | D.D. Bk. 1 | ✔️

Chapter 19: The Blindside

I padded wearily out of my room the next day. The aroma of bacon and eggs filled the air, enticing my hunger with a scrumptious embrace. My stomach involuntarily grumbled in respond.

Lauren was at the kitchen, pan in hand as she set a fresh sunny side-up onto a plate. She looked up instinctively and her face brightened. "Hey!" She started and then her eyes narrowed as she gave me a scrutinized look. "How are you feeling?"

I merely grunted in reply as I shuffled closer. I rubbed my eyes from the brightness of the sunlight that spilled through the windows and into our apartment. It was nostalgic, to wake up in the morning to a familiar place, unlike the last few nights where we would sojourn at different locations. It was refreshing.

My euphoric state quickly evaporated as I seated my sore self at a bar stool. I clenched my jaw as certain parts of my body throbbed in pain from last night's expedition. It was as if a herd of elephants decided to run me over. Twice.

"I'll take that as a negative." Lauren voiced the obvious. She shoved a plateful of breakfast to my direction. "Are you sure the doc said its okay for you to move about? I think she's crazy."

I quickly stuffed a forkful of bacon into my mouth, thankful that I didn't need to answer her right away. I took my time and chewed the tender meat, savoring the flavor I've longed for a while. Reluctantly, my thoughts drifted to the events of last night.

After our "investigation" we headed straight to the emergency room to get our injuries checked-mainly mine. The two men were more concerned for my well being rather than their own. But after a bit of persuasion, they've found themselves sitting in the waiting room with me. The nurses would cast us suspicious glances, but I wouldn't entirely blame them. Who wouldn't be suspicious at three people who looked like they barely escaped from the Battle of Hogwarts?

The doctor-in-charge merely smiled nicely, as though it was normal for three people with unexplainable injuries to just materialize on her doorstep. She tended to our wounds without question.

But underneath the innocent facade was actually a persuasive old harridan. She insisted that I should be admitted for further examination. After a thirty-minute lock of horns with the good doctor, Gideon seemed to take pity on me and came to the rescue. He more or less convinced her-with the use of his charms, no doubt-to let me slide with the promise of dropping by the next day instead.

And we were finally out of her clutches.

Decided that I've stayed silent long enough, I swallowed my food. "It's just a scratch. Thankfully, I didn't break any bones." I mustered a comforting smile. But she didn't seem convinced.

She came around the counter and sat on the empty stool beside me. "Are you still planning on going to the exhibit tonight?" She asked around a mouthful of toast.

"Absolutely." I answered. I quickly interjected before she could even open her mouth. "I know you're worried. But I'll feel better afterwards once I'm done with this scrumptious, mouth-watering-"

"Save it when I actually cook something besides B&Es." Lauren rolled her eyes. I snickered at her reaction, but quickly regretted it in the end when my head stung. I shot a hand up on the bandage taped to my forehead.

Lauren's face darkened when I hissed for the twentieth time since I got up. "Seriously Al, if this keeps up-"

"I know, I know. I made a doctor's appointment for tomorrow." I reassured her. "You know how it was always my dream to be a part of something worthwhile. And this exhibit is practically it." I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Lauren looked like she was about to object when she was interrupted by a faint beep. My phone-which I left on the counter when I came home last night-sprung to life. I checked it to see a text from Gideon. As I've thought, they've found the nurse's wrist watch in the crack where I saw it fell.