“— room right here.”

“This is the one who was uninvolved in the initial crash and went down to help, correct?”

“Yes, that is correct. It seems as though he fainted from the shock of seeing it all.”

“So he has no significant injuries?”

“Nothing. Just a few scrapes from falling onto the rubble. We saw no sign of a concussion, nor any other severe issues.”

“Has there been anything particularly abnormal regarding any tests or treatment you have performed?”

“None that I can think of – except…”

“Something happened?”

“It’s just – the needles didn’t want to penetrate the skin. It took a lot to break through.”

“Now that is intriguing. Anything else at all?”

“There are some bruises from where we attempted to push needles in, but once they penetrated, everything else was normal. We have yet to get results back from the blood tests, though.”

“And you won’t be getting them. Everything regarding Jeremy Blevins and Nick Loper is now classified and my department has taken over.”

Jeremy’s eyes fluttered open at the sound of his name.

“Ah, you’re awake.”

He shook his head, blinking rapidly in an attempt to get his vision working properly.

“Over here, Mister Blevins.”

He turned his head toward the voice and saw two people standing there. One was a disheveled looking man in a messy, dark suit, bags under his eyes, a glint in his eyes betraying a smile that the rest of his face barely contained.

The other was a doctor looking ready to protest the man’s last statement, but holding herself back due to Jeremy having awoken.

“Good afternoon, Jeremy. I was hoping to speak with you, so you waking up now is quite convenient. Agent Gray.”

The agent stepped toward the bed and held out a hand. Bewildered, Jeremy looked at him, then belatedly realized he should shake the man’s hand. He sat up and reached over slowly, attempting to grasp it firmly but feeling quite weak.

“I’m not sure I know what’s going on, but hello. I’m Jeremy.”

Jeremy shook the hand, the other man wincing for some reason, then let his own drop. Agent Gray eyed his hand, clenching and unclenching it, then cleared his throat.

“You’ve got quite the grip. Impressive for someone who was out for a couple days.”

Jeremy started.

“A couple days? What?”

He closed his eyes and thought back. The scene of him and Gareth going into the crater and trying to help someone flashed through his mind.

“The man in the car. What happened? Is he alright?”

Jeremy began to get out of the bed, but the doctor stepped forward and made him sit back.

“Please stay calm. I am the doctor in charge of you, Brenda Key, and you were just involved in a harrowing event. While it appears you came out unscathed, please remain in bed until we’re sure there’s nothing we missed. And like the agent said, you were unconscious for two days. Even if there isn’t anything wrong with you, standing up suddenly won’t be good for your health.”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Jeremy protested, but Doctor Key was having none of it, so he gave up and stayed in bed.

“The man you were trying to help is perfectly fine. Considering the state the passenger was in, it’s miraculous, even.”

He breathed a sigh of relief and shut his eyes.

“Thank god. I was worried he wouldn’t make it. A lot of blood was coming out from where he lost his arm.”

Brenda opened her mouth, but the agent preempted her.

“I have yet to make a visit to Nick, the person you’re speaking about, but I was going to see him after checking on you. I had not been informed he was missing an arm. Could you tell me the state he was in when you found him?”

The question made the doctor look at Agent Gray sideways, but she gave no indication he was lying.

“Yes, of course. It’s a little hazy, but I remember climbing down and looking for survivors. The only one I noticed was this man, Nick, I guess, who was stuck in his car, yelling out. I went up and pried the door –“

Jeremy stopped and bolted upright, jumping out of bed and running to the window. He looked out at the street.

What was that feeling just now?

He staggered as a wave of weakness overtook him, then collapsed onto one knee, holding onto the windowsill to avoid completely falling. He vaguely heard a crash from outside before Doctor Key ran over. She helped him up and guided him back to the bed.

“I understand that those memories are very unpleasant, but I just warned you about doing something like that. Please refrain from standing for a while longer.”

As she spoke, Agent Gray walked over to the window and peered outside at the car crash that happened shortly after Jeremy collapsed, then examined the windowsill. His eyes lingered on the dents Jeremy’s fingers left, and he wildly grinned. He schooled his face before turning back.

“He must have heard the crash outside. Unpleasant memories or not, he seems to have strong feelings about saving people.”

Jeremy, back in the hospital bed, was trying to catch his breath.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me. But I think Mister Gray might be right.”

“Agent Gray, please. Could you continue your story?”

He went back to the memory.

“I heard him yelling out, so I went over and pried open the door. I saw he was in a bad way, and I knew I had to stop the bleeding as best I could.”

“The bleeding from his missing arm?”

“Yeah. Just above the elbow was a stump that was gushing blood. It wasn’t a clean cut, either. His right arm was a jagged mess. I attempted to get him out of the car, but his seatbelt was stuck, so I tied it off while I directed Gareth to climb in the passenger side to cut him loose.”

“Gareth? Who is that?”

“My coworker. When I rushed to help, he came with me. He was overwhelmed and could barely function, but he did what I asked and climbed in. I feel terrible for making him climb over that body, but it was for the greater good. He cut the seatbelt free, and then… and then…”

Jeremy paused, trying to remember what happened. He could vaguely remember something with his neck, but everything else was blank.

“And then?”

“I don’t know. I suppose that must be when I passed out.”

“An odd time to pass out, considering. But I suppose your adrenaline rush must’ve worn off.”

Agent Gray sighed but was inwardly giddy.

“Your memory is off, though. Nick Loper wasn’t missing an arm at all. Nor did he have any significant blood loss, if this report if accurate. He was actually in perfect health. As the doctor here said, it’s quite miraculous.”

Jeremy shook his head.

“That’s not possible. I know what I saw.”

Agent Gray put his hand on Jeremy’s shoulder.

“Memories are fickle things. You saw more than one body in that hole. You’re just a little confused.”

Neither of them believed that one bit. He could tell that Agent Gray was barely concealing his excitement, and the agent knew Jeremy was telling the truth. But Jeremy let it be for the moment.

“I’m sorry, I never asked where you’re an agent at.

The man looked a little embarrassed.

“Ah, apologies. I work for the Federal Security Agency. Specifically, the Department of Supernatural and Alien Affairs.”

Doctor Key and Jeremy both blinked.

“That’s who you’re saying is making everything regarding these two classified?”

A bewildered look appeared on Jeremy’s face.

“Things about me are classified? By an agency focused on supernatural and alien affairs?”

Agent Gray looked from one to the other.

“Yes and yes. You two will be getting a sizable amount of money, along with everyone else involved, including Nick and all the nurses and paramedics. Before you say anything, yes, this is ‘hush money’. We do not have to give this to you, but this is the best way to ensure silence. No one wants to see punishments for leaking this get meted out.”

He strode to the door but paused just before leaving.

“I suppose I should ask before I leave to visit Mister Loper.”

He spun around to face Jeremy, an intense look on his face.

“Where can I find this Gareth?”