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The artificial light of the hospital shone down on the delicate surface of each flower of the bouquet in Jack’s hands. He softly swept a finger rhythmically back and forth over one of them as he stared blankly at the sterile tile floor.
Scrunching gloves caught his attention next to him, his partner was fidgeting slightly in restlessness. Jack understood her turmoil. He’s been in it for the last week since the accident.
He was so excited to see the end result of their project that he pushed the button. Jack had always been impulsive and impatient. All of their hard work accumulated to that one experiment and he just…
White lillies covered half of the bouquet. Maddie explained to him the symbolism of flowers while they were at the florist shop. He wanted to get the perfect ones that were in the best condition. And they had meaning too! How about that?
Maddie was taking it hard too. Jack eyed her next to him. Her fidgeting hands were clenched together and her forehead rested on her fingers. She always was a go-getter and quick to action. That’s how Vlad was able to get help in time.
Jack winced. Vlad didn't look good. At all. Jack and Maddie had chased him outside the classroom and caught up to him before he collapsed. The authorities were skeptical of their explanation of what happened, and of Vlad’s condition. But they brought him in regardless. It didn’t help that the hospital staff had no clue either. The doctor earlier told them he was stable at least. Vlad was even coherent enough to talk yesterday. Jack knew because he heard him scream.
Jack had gotten up and bolted towards the hallway. Vlad was loud enough for them to hear him on the first floor. No one was getting in the way of Jack Fenton reaching his best pal when he needed help! It wasn't until he reached the back door that he realized he didn’t know the room number. When Security had caught up to him, they chastised him for his behavior and kicked him out. He called Maddie for an update and she told him they think Vlad had a reaction. But he was very skittish around people coming in.
Maddie was able to glean out from his primary that Vlad requested to be alone. She did end up seeing his room number, though, when all the doctors ran inside when he screamed.
That’s what led them to today. Jack and Maddie made a plan three days ago and it was time to put it into action. They were currently waiting until 7:00pm when visiting hours were over. They were going to see him. Tonight.
Vlad’s a very private kind of guy, but he’s also a lonely kind of guy. It’s not good for him to keep to himself for long. Jack wanted to make sure he was alright, and Maddie was going to make sure he was.
Jack jumped when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He looked over at Maddie as she winked at him. Jack felt a warmth in him at the wink. He coughed and got up, grimacing to himself. Now's not the time for that.
They walked to the back door to pretend to head out. They told the receptionist earlier that they parked there and asked to leave that way and she agreed. As they passed the door, Maddie opened it, waited five seconds, then let it close. The sound echoed in the corridor. They quickly ran back to the stairs and started climbing.
They took two at a time until they reached the second floor and peered into the hallway. The coast was clear! Jack grinned and power walked forward, eager to reach Vlad. Maddie easily stepped in time to his steps and they reached Vlad’s door.
Jack stared at the glass window, unable to see much inside. The curtain wasn’t drawn though. Vlad had his last doctor at 6:00pm for routine checkup and medicine. The next one won’t be until 12:00am so they had time. Maddie quietly opened the door and they walked inside.
It was a small room in between the hallway and main room. It allowed them time to brace themselves and let the hospital staff close down for the night. As they equipped the gloves and masks on the door, Maddie leaned over and reiterated their emergency escape plan if they got caught in his ear.
Once the coast was clear, they quietly opened the door to the room and walked in, Maddie shivering slightly.
The scent of sterile air and linens filled his nose as he took in the room. Vlad was by himself. The hospital staff weren’t sure what he had and didn’t want to get anyone else affected. Otherwise, it was just a standard hospital room with a separate bathroom.
Pained moans reached Jack’s ears and his eyes locked in on the bundle under the covers. It was moving a bit and turning from side to side. Jack and Maddie looked at each other before slowly tiptoeing forward. A bright light lit up the blanket before simmering. Jack blinked. Did Vlad have a flashlight in there? His lamp was still on, though.
Maddie stepped forwards and leaned down a bit. “Vlad?”
The bundle froze immediately.
Maddie swallowed a bit before continuing, “Jack and I came to see you. We…we were worried.”
Jack didn’t know whether to keep standing or to sit down. He squeezed the bouquet. The plastic wrap crinkled and the flowers tickled his nose as a result.
“Ga-agh…” Vlad groaned, startling Jack. Part of the blanket fell off his head, exposing black hair and pale flesh.
Really pale. His skin looked…blue or gray.
Jack tensed. Was Vlad dying? Was his condition that bad? Jack bit his lip hard. Would he end up killing his best friend?
A warm hand settled onto his shoulder. “It looks like your condition is stable.” Maddie put the medical clipboard back at the end of the bed. When did she pick it up? “The doctors said they don’t know the problem, but they’re keeping you hydrated and on painkillers. Is it helping any?”
Vlad shifted and moaned again, the blanket falling more. He didn’t seem agitated. Their presence must not be disrupting him.
Jack relaxed a bit. Vlad not kicking them out soothed an ache inside of him and he found his voice. “Has your ecto-acne cleared up at all?”
Vlad’s face was exposed now. Suffering spooks! He looked awful. Vlad blinked slowly, red eyes glowing in the makeshift light.
Red eyes.
He’s got blue skin and red eyes…his hair is still intact though. Is the ectoplasm messing with his body?
Jack shivered. Mixing human DNA with ectoplasm was an enigma. Who knows what could happen. It seemed to be affecting Vlad immensely. He hoped he-
Vlad moved his head towards him and Jack choked. Maddie gasped.
Vlad was
glowing
. And he looked completely different. Oh no. He
is
dying! The ectoplasm was killing Vlad and it was all his fault. Jack sniffed. He never thought this would happen. Why didn’t he just listen?
Jack took a deep breath. It might not be worth much now, but he owed it to Vlad to at least apologize. Maybe he could invent an antidote? Yeah! Perfect. He would create an antidote to reverse the ecto-acne and heal Vlad right up. Maddie will want to help, knowing her. She’s good at all the calculations. Hah!
Now grinning, Jack spoke to Vlad confidently. “Don’t you worry Vladdie! Your pals will save you in no time. Maddie and I will create a cure and you’ll be back in shape before you know it! Right Mads?”
Maddie smiled softly. “Right you are, Jack. I’ll do anything to help keep Vlad stable.”
Vlad wasn’t watching them though. His head was lower. Jack cocked his head and pouted. Was it hard on his muscles to keep his head up?
Suddenly, another bright light happened. Jack shook his head a bit to clear it out. His jaw dropped.
Vlad was back to normal. Well, what he looked while he ran away from them. His ecto-acne covered his face completely and his hair was stark white. His dark eyes were glazed over but were back to its original color.
“What just…” Maddie started, “oh, it’s not cold in here anymore.”
It’s not? Jack figured that was required for the room.
“I..hnn,” Vlad grumbled. His meds must have been activating. He shifted a bit.
Jack sucked in a breath. Vlad’s arm was gone. It looked like he should be leaning on his left arm,
but it wasn’t there
. Just the flimsy end of the arm hole of his shirt.
Maddie squeezed Jack’s own arm tight and he turned to make sure it was still there. “Jack,” she mumbled, “I think more than just ecto-acne affected him.”
If his appearance changed, and his arm was gone, then…
Jack followed Vlad’s line of sight to the bouquet.
Yellow roses lined the second half.
“Flowaaagh,” Vlad jumbled, blinking slowly. He shifted slightly, loosening up his stance. Was he tense this whole time? He seemed interested in the flowers, though.
He’s still coherent. Does that mean he’s still Vlad?
He looked at Maddie who smiled at him. She addressed Vlad, “We’re right here Vlad. Jack and I aren’t going anywhere.”
Vlad slowly turned towards her voice and Jack spoke up. “She’s right V-man! We’re going to be with you every step of the way!”
Vlad’s still in there. He may look different, but the Vlad they knew was right in front of them.
With newfound confidence, Jack gently placed the bouquet on the end table. The lamp’s light illuminated the petals and they shone beautifully. When Vlad’s fully recovered, Jack will make it up to him.
In the meantime, Maddie and him will continue to sneak in to see him and Jack resolved to mend the broken thread that was severed between the three of them. The three of them will stick together through this. Nothing was getting between Jack and the people he cared about. Jack Fenton always stood by his friends, and vowed to do right by them, especially if it was wronged by none other than himself.