7 Discover

(Noah's point of view)

"Yes Mr. Adams?" My secretary's voice is now one of the most heard voices in my daily life. I don't know how she manages to do it all.

"Postpone today's meeting to next week. Tell our guests that something rather, unexpected, came up. And that Mr. Winters has fallen ill."

"Yes sir."

And the phone clicks into a beep.

I dial another number into my phone.

The call goes straight to voice message.

"Hey! Carter Winters here! If you're looking for me, leave a message after the 'boop'! Boop!"

That's all I hear from the other end of the phone. How rude. I end the call, and head for the Winters' place.

I head out of my office, only to see my secretary heading this way.

She reaches me and looks teary-eyed.

"Mr. Adams, Mr. Winters has called and said he deeply apologizes for his son not showing up. He was at a hospital when he collapsed. He's still there, but he isn't waking up. He's alive, but most probably in a coma. The doctor says he doesn't know when he'll wake up precisely, but it'll most likely be a short while."

"What?" Is not sure I'm processing this right.

"I'm sorry sir. Your father has allowed you to go home early, and visit Mrs. Winters, too."

"Sure. Tell father I've left already. Thank you, Abbey. You can go home early, if you wish. I'll take my leave now."

I head for the elevator and push the button heading down. What has that boy done to collapse?

His only symptom was headaches.

The elevator door opens, and I get in. I push the car parking floor button, and wait impatiently to get to my car. After the elevator door finally opens, I rush out to my car. After unlocking it and getting in, I'm even more impatient with switching it on. God, Carter, if you aren't dead yet, I'm going to kill you.

I hit the gas and head for the Winters' place.

I reach there and rush out of my car and toss the keys to the car handler.

The maids see me rushing to get in the house, so they open the doors before I get there. They most probably know about Carter's situation.

I get in, and look for Mrs. Winters hurriedly.

Then I hear her voice from upstairs. I rush up the flight of stairs, only to see Mrs. Winters crying and on the phone. She's like a second mother to me, and I can't stand seeing her in this state.

I run up to where she's seated, and sit beside her. I hug her with my left arm and tell her it's going to be alright. I know how much she loves and values her family. And with Carter's situation, she could murder someone.

"Oh, Noah. You're here. You've received the news already. Good." Her voice breaks my heart. She's trying to be strong.

"It's alright Mrs. Winters."

"Now, what did we say about the formalities in the house. I want none of them." She tries to force a laugh and I chuckle.

"Sorry, sorry."

"Have you seen Carter yet, Noah?"

"Not yet. But I'm going to the hospital in a few minutes. Don't worry. I'm sure he'll be fine. I received the news, and the doctor estimates him to be asleep for a short while only. He's strong, so you don't have to worry."

"I know, Noah, I know. Just make sure hit him on the arm when you see him. Tell him that's for worrying his mother to death."

"Oh, don't worry. He'll receive two of those hits."

I climb down the stairs and head out. My car is already waiting.

I get in, and call my secretary.

She picks up almost immediately.

"Abbey, which hospital is Carter in?"

"I knew you'd call to ask. He's at the 'Dorris Medical Center', at SS5 second street A. It's north the 'Lake Arms' restaurant."

"Alright, thank you. I'll see you at work tomorrow."

And I end the call. She knew I'd call? Did I not ask before I left?

Well, that's amusing.

I rush to the hospital and park my car.

As I enter, the smell here is nauseating.

If Carter could smell this, I'm sure he'd pass out.

I head directly for the main desk, and ask for Carter's room number.

"He's on the 33rd floor, room 0033. The elevator is to the right."

"Thank you."

I head straight to my destination. He better be asleep, or I'll kill him.

He can't just collapse and have us all worried sick. Yet again, no one believed he was sick...

The guilt is filling my blood.

I finally reach the room, and knock.

"Come in." That's not Carter's voice.

I enter and see a doctor analyzing something on his clipboard while sitting across Carter.

He's still asleep.

"Doctor, what happened?"

"Before I tell you anything, are you his family?"

"Yes."

"Alright. We don't know what happened exactly, but he's not the first to come with this case. We don't know what's causing people to have these symptoms, but it's something..... unusual. It seems like whatever has caused this, illness, not something any human would pick up. Perhaps it's a new disease we are yet to discover."

I freeze. 'Yet to discover'?

How?

It's impossible.

"Is if killing him?"

"No. I suspect him to be in a coma for only a short while. I'll inform you as soon as I see any improvement. Register your number at the main desk and tell them that I'm requesting your number on my checklist."

'Checklist'? Seriously? Okay.

"Alright. I'll just stay here for a little while."

"Sure. I'll take my leave now." He stand up and leaves the room.

"Goddamnit, Carter. You had to have this illness? The one no one knows about?" I sigh.

"Get well soon, I don't want you dying on me." Then I remember.

"Oh, and, here's something from both me, and your worried mother."

I hit him twice on the arm. Not too harshly.

"God, Carter. If you die, I'm going to kill you."