Part 2: Let the tour Begin-Hospital
No one attacked them during the ride back through town to the large hospital building on the West side of town. Lane, who was a dark-haired female wolf in a green uniform, would add facts about the making of Pack City and the major buildings: the hospital, college, weapons center, and city hall.
Alpha Black was weirdly excited when the truck passed a Taco Bell and McDonalds. Lane explained that due to a very progressive relationship with humans a contract was able to be made for certain food franchises.
"But I thought humans weren't allowed in Pack City?" Alpha Intent said, looking around for confirmation.
Lane looked confused. "Well, humans are allowed but they are humans who know and understand what this place is. Honestly there are not many humans in Pack City itself. The city has spells over it to discourage wandering humans."
"Really?! How did you obtain these spells?" Alpha Amari asked.
Lane looked at Chris who shrugged before answering. "We have good relations with all creatures.... including those that do spells."
Alpha Intent opened his mouth but before he could say anything, Alpha Black requested to stop at Taco Bell for lunch. There was a moan from a majority of the Alphas.
"We are not all getting Taco Bell." Joseph said. "I would sooner walk than get back in this truck with all of you.... Even with its roof off." Alpha Black shrugged and nodded in agreement.
Right then the trucks pulled into the Pack City ER parking lot and drove to the front entrance. It was the tallest building in the area with eight floors and mirrored glass covering the outside of the building. The east side of the building appeared to be connected to another building that looked to be part of the college. The sign above the main entrance had large words reading, Pack City Medical and Mental Health Center. All the Alpha's exited the truck, some with amazed glances up at the hospital, some with curiosity, and others with irritation. Alpha Freeman muttered something quietly to Alpha Hunt who smirked before walking forward, his cane clicking on the pavement. Lane led all the Alpha's into the front lobby with the second truck of Betas following behind them.
"Off to your right is the medical clinic, further down this hall is the mental health clinic and cafeteria, and off to the left is the emergency room." Lane said, turning back to the group.
"Why would you need a full emergency room? Or even a medical center? I mean we are half humans, but we don't need all the medical frills that a full human hospital does." Alpha Gray chuckled, rolling his eyes and looking around for support.
"A mental clinic?" Alpha Freeman said, sarcasm in his voice. "You have such a problem with your pack members going mental?" He laughed out loud which was answered by a few laughs in the Beta crowd and Alpha Gray.
Alpha Black rolled his eyes. "Look, can we get through this tour without wanting to kill each other?"
"How about everyone raises their hand if they want to say something sarcastic and Lane can call on you." Called out Beta Black, smiling evilly at Alpha Gray.
Alpha Gray puffed up his chest and said, "We're not in school! I assume part of this tour is to ask questions!"
"Your questions are rude!" Said Alpha Amari. "Give them a chance to answer before saying something else that's condescending."
"I actually have a question about mental health-" said Alpha Scott, and with that an argument was in full swing.
Terrant didn't know what side to attempt to calm down first. Yet again, Alpha Hunt was fingering his cane and watching the argument unfold with amusement, adding a sneering comment here and there. Joseph was trying to separate Alpha Freeman and Alpha Amari simultaneously arguing with Alpha Gray.
A whisper was heard at Terrants shoulder that made him look down. "Ah, they did so well in the truck." Chris was standing next to him, with her arms crossed over her chest, managing to look disappointed and pissed off at the same time. Now the Betas and other staff were getting involved, making the conversation even louder; so, it echoed in the large lobby. Lane and Jessie also stepped in, trying to calm the crowd and making shushing sounds at those who were yelling. Medical staff members, wearing different colored scrubs, were opening the clinic doors curiously.
Suddenly there was a growl, it started low and increased in intensity as it echoed loudly, reverberating off the walls and tall ceiling. Everyone stopped and looked over at Terrant and Chris.
"The patients can hear you." Chris snarled at the group of wolves. "I will not allow anyone to interrupt the health and wellbeing of those who are healing here... even if you are Alphas. If you want to continue the tour, set aside all petty arguments, otherwise we will end the tour here and go back to the pack house."
Alpha Gray opened his mouth but quickly let out a gasp of pain, as Alpha Hunt appeared to 'accidentally' whack him in the shin with his cane.
"How about we try this again? Without interruptions." Terrant said with a sideway glance at Chris who was still seething. "Lane, please continue."
Lane nodded, smiling at the crowd as if nothing happened. She immediately picked up explaining different medical services provided in the main clinic to their right. Apparently, the medical clinic was used mostly for non-critical problems such as broken bones that healed incorrectly, some old age ailments, and the maternity ward.
Lane and Jessie motioned the group to the left side of the hall and into the ER waiting room. Jessie ushered the wolves in as she said "The ER is for critical cases. Which is classified as any case where the patient is unable to phase into their wolf form, or a serious amount of blood loss."
"More or less." Advised a handsome looking wolf in dark blue scrubs. "I'm Dr. Yearns. I am the Head Doctor of the ER. We take care of critical and trauma cases, wolves and humans alike. There are quite a few humans within Pack city, and we like to be prepared for any situation." He nodded his head at Chris who appeared at the front of the group.
"Why would a wolf's inability to phase be considered an emergency?" The Alpha Intent asked, trying to squeeze between two Betas to be seen.
"Ah," Dr. Yearns said nodding at the Alpha Intent. "Well, this is relatively common knowledge among Healers, but if a wolf is unable to phase, they are very bad off, physically speaking. Most of the time even if they were injured as a wolf, they will phase back into a human almost automatically because it takes less energy to maintain the human form. This is problematic as the wolf form allows for faster healing and so many wolves will die if they get to that point of injury or blood loss."
The Alpha Intent looked confused, but as he opened his mouth to ask a question, his father interrupted him.
"You are an Alpha, son. Not a Healer." Alpha Freeman folded his arms over his chest. "Although it is important to have a competent Healer." He gave a sideways glance at Dr. Yearns who didn't look bothered at the intended slight. "Let them deal with the messy, bloody stuff."
Alpha Scott stared at Alpha Freeman with his mouth open. Alpha Black looked like he was having a serious internal struggle, as his right eye started twitching. Even Alpha Hunt gave Alpha Freeman a look of shock and disgust before molding his face to an indifferent mask. Terrant could tell he needed to say something before this became another argument, but before he could open his mouth Dr. Yearns smiled nicely at Alpha Freeman.
"I have found in my 40 years of experience as a Healer and Doctor, that an Alpha who has a general knowledge of how a wolf heals can save lives." He looked back at the Alpha Intent. "Go ahead with your question."
The Alpha Intent glanced at his father who clenched his jaw. He quickly looked away and back at Doctor Yearns. "Uh... I was wondering if the wolf is already severely injured, like you said, and cannot phase back into a wolf form how can the emergency center help? I mean I know of the Alpha's Command being able to make pack members phase from human to wolf form but.... What if the Alpha is not there?"
"Excellent question and quite a smart observation." The Alpha Intent blushed and ducked his head as Dr.Yearns smiled admirably at him. "In our studies we have found that the use of 'Alpha's Command', as you know is a command given by the Alpha to force the wolf to change from human to wolf or vis versa. However, if they are very injured, they will not stay in wolf form for long, even with the Alpha's Command. The Alpha's Command is more.... uh...to scold or put pack members in their place, then to help with the healing process if you get my drift." He glanced at Chris who smirked back at him, as though they were sharing a private joke.
"With that idea in mind my fellow researchers and I investigated a way to ensure the injured wolf remain in wolf form, especially during critical healing periods. So, to answer your question we have created a serum called phasosicalin (FASO-SIC-ALIN) phaser for short." He motioned for another associate in dark blue scrubs carrying a tray of clear vials to come forward. He carefully pulled a vial and held it up so everyone could see. "This is Phaser. In small doses, given through IV fluids it will maintain a pack member in their wolf form, which has increased our survivability rate by 82%." A gasp of astonishment was expressed by most who were looking at the tiny glittering vial.
Terrant was just as surprised as the rest of them. 'A serum to maintain the wolf form while injured?! That is incredible!' He said to his wolf.
'I wonder what they used to make it and is a large dose deadly?' his wolf responded enthusiastically.
Terrant was just about to ask those questions when a derisive snort came from the other side of the group. "Can't get through 10 minutes, without some weird noise coming from that direction." Alpha Black said, rolling his eyes.
In a pompous voice Alpha Gray continued, pretending not to hear Alpha Black. "IV fluids? I mean I know that those are fluids given directly into the blood supply of humans, but I have never heard of a needle that can poke through wolf skin for extended periods of time, even if they are in human form and injured." He gave a short pretentious laugh, that grated on Terrants ears, before continuing. "How do you expect to maintain any long-term care with that serum?"
Dr. Yearns again smiled kindly in his direction. "Another excellent question, Alpha. We have developed a way with this." He pulled a slim package off of the same tray holding the Phaser vials and opened it. Inside appeared to be a covered needle connected to tubing that had some sort of connecting hub. He pulled off the cover on the needle and a small gasp emitted from the crowd. All the wolves could see and smell the silver.
"That is barbaric! You use a silver needle?!" hissed Alpha Freeman pulling away from the Doctor as though he was going to stab him with it. There were several other voices of concern but most with curiosity.
Dr. Yearns appeared to not be concerned with the comment. He shrugged, sheathing the needle and placing it back on the tray with the vial of Phaser. "How else would we be able to get the serum into our patients?" He smiled warmly again. "It is a small price to pay to be able to live." He motioned to the exit, "Now if you will excuse me, I have a presentation to give to your Healers on the Phaser serum at the college." He nodded at both the guides in green and gave a slight bow of the head in Chris's direction before turning on his heel and walking down the ER hall, his associate following him with the lite jingling of the Phaser bottles.
The group left the ER the way they came in, most whispering to each other about the use of the serum and silver needles. Terrant looked around hoping to find Chris among the crowd, but she had disappeared again. She seemed to be following the tour instead of taking part. She seemed to only show up when potential conflict would arise.
They briefly stopped at the medical center but had to leave early as a wolf arrived in hard labor with her mate pushing her in a wheelchair. Staff ushered them out as they took the female back to a delivery room, screaming in pain as another contraction hit.
"Goodness, it can't be all that bad." Alpha Gray said, laughing haughtily, as a nurse in pink scrubs almost pushed him out the door.
The small blonde nurse looked up at the tall pompous Alpha before sneering at him. "Don't talk about things you don't understand. It makes you look stupid."
She then shut the door in his face.
"You deserve dat." said Alpha Hernandez, to the astonished and red-faced Alpha Gray. Terrant covered his laugh with a cough as they all followed the crowd down the hall to the Mental Health Clinic, a furious Alpha Gray following behind them.
Terrant worked on composing his face as the group walked down the hall following Lane who was talking about the mental health clinic. "Priestess Helma, who you all met earlier, is the head of the mental health clinic. She along with Alpha Winters has made good mental health a priority in the overall health of the pack members. In this facility we have counselors, group therapy, family therapy, couples-"
"You know I think it is fascinating," Interrupted Alpha Gray, obviously recovered from the previous slight. "That there are so many wolves in the Winters pack that are crazy enough to need this special mental health place."
"Dear God save us from having to hear anything else you find fascinating." Alpha Black said rolling his eyes.
Terrant almost groaned in despair when Alpha Freeman decided to chime in with his nugget of wisdom. "Maybe if the Winters pack was more physically active, they would feel better.... Mentally."
Lane looked as though she had been slapped in the face, so Jessie attempted to take over but was interrupted before she could get a word out. "I mean it must be a big problem here if there is an entire facility dedicated toward it." Alpha Gray said nodding to Alpha Freeman.
"Are you implying that Alpha Winters pack is mentally unstable because they are not physically strong?" Alpha Hunt asked, Terrant would normally think Alpha Hunt was attempting to egg on another argument, except this time his haughty expression was blank and cold with just a hint of irritation. Terrant had a feeling that someone was getting just as tired of the constant interruptions as the rest of them. Alpha Hunt must have realized Terrant was looking at him because he immediately hooded his eyes and turned up his nose, shifting back to give Jessie his full attention.
"Exercise and diet are great ways to help your mental health," Jessie said, desperately trying to get control of the conversation. "But they are not the only way to better yourself, and many of the wolves in the Winters pack are a melting pot of different packs that were absorbed by the Winter-"
"Ah, yes, I had forgotten how many packs the Winters pack took over. That must have been very distressing." Alpha Gray said with mock concern on his face.
"Alpha Gray, I would appreciate it if you would not insult my pack members by pretending like you understand the trauma they have gone through." Chris appeared again this time by Joseph. "The packs that were absorbed were well known for their mental and physical abuse of its members, particularly women and children. You have yet seen the physical capabilities of my pack, so perhaps hold your slights to save yourself embarrassment."
Alpha Gray pulled in a breath when Alpha Hunt brought down his cane to the tiled floor with a snap and trained his icy eyes on Chris. "I would like to see how capable you are physically....in a fight.... of course." Terrant felt a flash of anger as he caught the double meaning and the smirk on Alpha Hunt's face. Terrant could see Joseph's jaw clench and he caught a sideways glance from Alpha Hunt, maybe he was not being as private as he would have liked he thought to his wolf.
Chris did not react just tilted her head and nodded slightly like she was considering the offer. "I'm sure we can find a time to do a sparring session."
Alpha Hunt pulled a cruel smile and pointed at Chris. "Then you accept." He brought down his hand to the cane, fingering the crystal. "No backing down."
This time Chris smirked back at him. "I wouldn't dream of it. Now there is no need to go into the mental health clinic unless you enjoy offices." She motioned for everyone to follow Lane and Jessie out the front door, and it was only as Terrant was loading himself in the truck still feeling weird about the interaction between Chris and Alpha Hunt that he realized. There was no further arguments or insults after that display and promised sparring session.
'Maybe it was a good thing.' He said to his wolf.
His wolf huffed, 'that doesn't mean I have to like it.'
*Thanks for reading! Please vote and comment! I love constructive criticism, however, if it becomes mean I will take you down.*
-LostArrow-