“What it gods name were you thinking!?”
“Hi mom. Missed you, too.” Leta grumbled as a little over one and 150 centimeters of fury bulldozed it’s way into the room.
Naomi Black was the embodiment of pint-sized rage, her blue eyes wide and angry as she stopped into the room and began looking her over. That rage suddenly turned into sadness as she beheld her daughter with tears in her eyes. “Oh, Letty, what happened to you?”
Right behind her was her giant teddy bear of a father, Theodore. His hair was disheveled and his clothes were rumpled as if he’d been in non-stop flights for some time as he trudged behind his wife like a zombie. However, the moment he saw the state of his daughter his usually calm and composed exterior changed to wide-eyed shock and concern. “Good lord, Letty. You’re nothing but skin and bones.”
“This, um…” Yeah, it was hard to explain how someone goes from a woman’s size fourteen pants to a size two overnight. “I actually was losing a lot of weight with exercise and the super healthy food here. The accident just took more of it, I guess.”
At the mention of the accident, Naomi’s eyes flashed back to fury. “Explain. What. Happened.”
“We were having dinner at this super fancy restaurant.” Leta began to tell her story, adding some embellishments so that it followed the events of the night without mentioning the monsters, “Vigo got absolutely wasted. We got in a ride share but the car broke down, so the guy’s buddy arrived with his truck and was going to take us back when someone hit the truck. After that, I don’t remember anything. It was probably a hit and run.”
Theodore nodded, “That does sound like the police said when they contacted us.”
“Was the guy who hit us caught?” She asked, trying to play the victim card.
Her father shook his head, “Not that we know of. Said they were still investigating.”
“Our flight out is tomorrow morning. Don’t-”
Her mother’s scolding was interrupted when Leta said, “Sounds good.”
“I-huh?”
Leta smiled to herself but didn’t dare show it on her face. She’d managed to surprise her mother, Naomi’s sermon expression morphing quickly into a flabbergasted surprise that her daughter was agreeing with her.
Leta continued, “You know how much I hate needles. I’ve been in the hospital one too many times on this trip. I’m ready to get back home and just rest for the next few weeks until college starts.”
“Uh, well then.” Naomi cleared her throat as she regained her composure, “Good. We’ll have to coordinate getting your things from Dr. Galloise’s team. I spoke with her earlier and the rest of the dig team made it back to Athens without issue. I’m sure they’ll want to stop by and see you before we go.”
Her mother had quickly moved into business mode and began listing off what needed to be done for their morning departure.
Dr. Kudela came in and gave her mother a pleasant smile as she explained the extent of Leta’s injuries -or lack thereof- and confirmed that Leta would stay overnight for observation to make sure there wouldn’t be any lasting issues from the accident.
Her parents nodded and listened intently as the doctor explained further care and what to look out for, all of which was unnecessary based on the look Afra was giving her behind her parent’s backs.
When the good doctor finally excused herself, her mother also left the room to make some calls to Dr. Galloise as well as Dr. De Mar with the museum.
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Her father shook his head as Naomi quietly closed the door, “Scared her half to death, you did.”
“Fat chance,” She snorted, “Remember when she went toe to toe with that scammer in Vanuatu? Mom’s never been scared a day in her life.”
Theodore rolled his eyes and chuffed, “She’s a spitfire. We’re both fortunate and unfortunate that we seem to have instilled in you that same stubbornness.”
“Yeah, this wasn’t my finest moment.” She sighed, running her thumb over her fingers as that itchy numbing sensation Gada had warned her about became noticeable.
Chuckling, he took a seat at the foot of her bed, “No, Letty Love, but I’m glad you’re well. I know how capable and independent you are, but you had me scared to death there.”
“I’m sorry for making you worry, Dad. Trust me, I’d like to avoid these crazy situations myself.”
“I’m sure you do.” He reached forward to give her hand a squeeze. “Let’s nip this bad habit in the bud, shall we? Your mother had us packed and on a plane so fast I barely had time to grab my trainers.”
“That bad?”
“Oh! By the time I made it down stairs, she already had both our bags packed and was hailing a ride share. I asked what happened and she could barely catch her breath telling me that you were in an accident and they didn’t know if you’d make it.” He got quiet, looking down at his large hand engulfing hers, “Damn near broke me, hearing that.”
She felt the sting of tears in her eyes seeing the shadow of despair that lingered on her father’s face, his distant gaze seeing a hundred scenarios where he walked into this hospital to find her dead.
Swallowing back her emotions, she gave him a watery smile and squeezed his fingers with what strength she had. “I love you, dad.”
He looked up at her, the ghosts of fear gone but not forgotten as he returned her grin with a shaky one of his own, “Love you more, darling. Always have.”
Just then her mother stepped inside, her shoulders falling with a sigh as she closed the door behind her.
Her mother had always been that goal oriented woman who left no stone unturned when she took on a task. Leta had always admired her work ethic and drive, but had seen this same expression in the past.
Naomi Black had been wired as tight as a drum for hours on end, her perpetual motion fueled by determination and spite. Now that every task was completed and the goal was met, that compacted bundle of nerves had finally loosened, leaving her nearly boneless with an exhaustion that was as emotional as it was physical.
All she had left inside was that soul crushing relief that only comes when your greatest wish is granted against the most staggering odds.
Without a word, Naomi walked to the bed and sat down next to Leta, pushing away the rolling tray of food that had been forgotten as she ran her hands over her face.
“I’m sorry, mom.” Leta broke the silence.
It seemed the only thing she could say in this situation that was honest and didn’t bring her parents into this strange world she’d stumbled into.
A soft whimper was all that escaped before Naomi leaned over and put her head on Leta’s shoulder.
“Oh, Letty.” She sobbed, tears flowing hot down her cheeks before soaking into the fabric of the hospital gown as she pulled her daughter close, “My Letty Love.”
Leta’s breath came out ragged as she held her mother close. She’d been taller than her mom since junior high school, but the warmth of love and security she always felt from her mother was equivalent to a wildflower soaking in the rays of the sun.
Leta thought about telling her parents everything.
About the Nanites.
The Blessed and the Chosen.
About everything that had happened and what it meant for her going forward.
As her mother gave her a tight squeeze, Leta couldn’t bring herself to break this sense of peace having her parents with her brought.
‘Later,’ She committed to herself, ‘When we’re safe at home and away from this place. I’ll come clean then.’
After some time, Naomi finally pulled far enough away to hold Leta’s cheeks, her eyes roaming over her daughter as if to catalog that everything was well.
“Oh god, you’re okay.” Naomi breathed, her lips trembling as she smiled in relief.
“Yeah,” Leta chuckled, “And I am ready to never visit a hospital again. What time is our flight out?”
Her mom coughed a few times before laughing. “Early, but I don’t think your dad or I will be getting much rest. Our internal clocks think it’s around 4:30 in the morning.”
Theodore winced at his wife’s words, “Oh… why did you have to bring up the jet lag?”
The three of them chuckled, Naomi resting her head on her daughter’s shoulder in blissful peace as she remarked, “You know you’re never going to live this down, right?”
“Yeah, I figured this was going to go on my permanent record. I’m very surprised you haven’t put me in a straight jacket and stamped a ‘ship to Seattle’ on my forehead.”
“Oh, trust me,” Naomi scoffed, “I would if I had one, but checked bags are too expensive and I’m sure there’s some kind of paperwork involved.”
“God help us if mom has to fill out a lengthy custom’s form.” Leta smirked.
Theodore grinned mischeviously down at hid daughter, “All I can say is, I’m glad you’re all in one piece, Letty. But in all seriousness, maybe hold off on doing anything exciting for a bit, aye? There will be no living with your mother if something were to happen to you.”