"You're late."

I look up from the list with tasks at Shana's remark. I straighten a little, nodding. "Yeah, my apologies. An emergency came in between things, which is why I sent you a message."

She glares even harsher. I quickly look back at the tasks, a little surprised she's even grumpier than usual. Not my fault my teammates are assholes. Not my fault my granddad wanted to talk. 

Granted, I could've avoided the five minutes long hug, but I felt like it was needed. He was supportive of me, something I never could've hoped after that torturous week at their house this summer, and even joked along with Jake. When I introduced Jake as my boyfriend, he didn't even flinch. 

I promised to call more regularly from now on, explained I will be changing teams and then I had to leave. I'm late, yes, but at least I still am here. 

Jake didn't drive along with me, sadly. He drove Elias home with his car and his girlfriend, then texted me he would be staying home. Of course I understand, but I was looking forward to spending the night shift with him. 

"Alright. I suppose I can excuse it for once, just because you still showed up where the others wouldn't. I'll be heading home now. Make sure they stay asleep, yes?"

I frown. "I don't think—"

"You're not here to think. You're here to listen and do what I say. You're only an intern, sweetheart, and I'm the head of this department. One snap of my fingers, and you're out. So, let's just listen to what I tell you, hm?" 

She delivers all of this with that sweet smile of hers that gives me shudders. I'm just about to answer when a noise sounds. The noise of the red alarm, which means one of the children has pressed the button in their room to demand attention. 

With a sigh, she walks behind the desk and looks in what room it is. "What a surprise. . ."

"Who is it?" I ask, ready to go look. It must be one of the little ones wanting another stuffed bear or bedtime story. 

"Our trouble maker. Is he gonna start causing trouble at night, now, too? He's never done this before," she mutters, shaking her head. "Anyways. I'm going home."

I point at the hallway. "But Kai—" "Ugh, he's just asking for detention. I can give it to him tomorrow too."

And she walks away. I hear the front door close not so softly, which will cause me problems with the kids sleeping closest to the front. But first, I'm taking a look in Kai's room. 

If he's never done this before, then surely he wouldn't start when he knows Shana is behind the desk. Besides, he wants to avoid people in his room, so it doesn't make sense at all to summon them. 

When I open the door, Kai is not in his bed. The sheets are fumbled, and his nightlight is on. "Kai? Where are you? It's me, Alex."

"Alex." His voices comes from behind the bed, filled with agony. I rush over to him, only to find him on his knees, his arms wrapped tightly around his stomach, and his face against the cold, tile floor. 

"Hey, hey, what's going on? Kai, what's happening?" I panic. He doesn't look well, at all. 

"M-my stomach," he whimpers. Tears are streaming out of his eyes, onto his cheeks and the floor. "Hurts. So-so much. Help."

With a trembling hand, I reach for my phone. I've never made a 911 call before, but it seems like it's really needed right now. "I'm going to help you, okay? Keep breathing for me. Kai? In and out. Yes, like that."

"911, what's your emergency?"

"Y-yeah, hi. A resident seems to be in a lot of pain, caused by his stomach. I-I don't know what's happening," I tell her honestly. 

"Alright, sir. What's the address?" 

As I give it to her, Kai moves next to me. His legs give out from under him, causing him to fall with his painful stomach flat on the floor. He doesn't react, which scares me even more. 

"Ma'am, I think he passed out," I stress. "Sir, the ambulance is on their way. Can you possibly move the boy until he's laying on his side? "

With trembling hands, I do as she instructs. One leg stretched, the other bent. One hand under his cheek, the other arm stretched. Kai's eyes flutter, but for the rest, they remain closed. 

Loud sounds come from up front. I don't know whether to leave Kai's side and let them in, or let them discover the open door by themselves. 

Eventually, not even a minute after, paramedics run into the room. One lady pushes me aside, taking in my place next to Kai. I can only watch, in shock, as they run through a routine. 

"Did you find him?" 

A person is next to me, asking questions, but all I can do is stare at Kai. He'll get better, right? He has to. He's so strong. 

"Sir? Did you find him?" They snap their fingers in front of my face, causing me to startle and look at them. "Y-yeah. I work here."

"You work here," he nods. "What's your name?" 

"Mine? I'm Alex. Alexander Barett. His name is Kai Harper. Please, will he be alright?"

He doesn't answer and just continues to write our names in that stupid notebook of his. "Is Kai allergic to anything he consumed today?"

I rest my head in my hand. "I've only been here for twenty minutes. He's only allergic to apples, and I don't think he would eat those, since he has had allergic reactions in the past that were very traumatizing to him." 

He frowns at his notebook. "Could you check the menu for today on apples, please? We'll escort Kai to the hospital and keep you updated." 

I know I can't join them, since I have duty here, but. . . I wish I could. I want to be there for him. 

The man cocks an eyebrow, so I hurry away and search the menu of today. No apples. In neither the meals of today nor the ones from yesterday or the day before. 

Shortly after, they leave, and I'm all alone again. Well, alone, until the sirens disappear and all the doors open at once. Worried and scared kids see me, sitting in the TV room, and make their way over to me. Soon enough, I'm surrounded by twenty kids, who all want to know what happened. 

"Is it Kai?" a boy named Xander asks. He's the oldest of all, and a genius when it comes to math. I nod. "Yeah. He has a really bad stomach ache."

Xander frowns, along with some of the other children. I make a sign with my hand, motioning for them to speak up. "What? What is it?"

"Kai had a visitor today," Xander whispers warily. "His older brother, I think. He had a pie with him. What if there were apples in it?"

I get up immediately, walking to the desk. A trail of kids follows me. Once behind the desk, I pick up the list of noted visitors. Desperately, I hope that Shana has done her job for once and noted Kai's brother's name. 

Justin Harper. 

There is no way. This can't be true, can it? Justin, the Justin, is Kai's brother? 

I immediately dial his number, and to my surprise, he picks up. "Well, well. Look who it is. The hero of—"

"Cut the bullshit, Justin. What was in the pie you gave Kai?" I interrupt him. I'm not in the mood for his insults. 

He's silent for a moment. I grab the phone more tightly, having the feeling he's definitely involved with this. "What do you mean? I don't know a Kai."

"He's your brother, asshole. I have you on the list of visitors of today, and since Kai has been admitted to the hospital, you're my number one suspect—"

"Kai's in the hospital? What? Alexander, I swear to all gods above, if you're fucking with me, I'm taking revenge." I hear a rustle over the phone, followed by shouting. 

"It's most likely that he ate apples from the pie you gave him. If you just tell us what was in it, we can help him sooner." For the sole reason of him sounding upset, I keep my tone even. 

"I don't know! It was my dad's! Please, Alex, tell me what hospital he's in. I need to see him," he begs. I grant him that knowledge before hanging up. 

Xander's the one I turn to. "Who's your second favorite worker here, besides me?" I decide to throw in a little joke, just to soothe all of them a little. This must be scary for them, too. 

"Valery, I guess," Xander shrugs. A little girl gasps and shakes her head. "No! He's a meanie! I like Emma better," she pouts.

I pat her head. "I'll call Emma, then. If all of you return to bed now. I promise I'll drop by once you're all tucked in."

Protests sound, but I refuse to step back down. Eventually, they listen and go to bed, but not without the occasional grumble. 

"Are you going to help him?" Jordan asks. He's wearing his dino pajamas this time, and his T-rex is tucked underneath his arms. I give him a weak smile. "I'll do whatever I can to bring him home."

By the time Emma is here (the poor woman was already asleep, but headed here the second she heard what had happened), I've passed by everyone. "Hi! I'm so sorry to ring you awake, I'm just so worried about Kai and—"

"It's no problem," she smiles. "I know you have a weak spot for that boy, and besides, this means I have one night shift less to fill in."

Fair enough. I thank her again before getting in my car and speeding towards the hospital. I'm not particularly looking forward on seeing Justin there, but I'm there for Kai, not him. 

"Kai Harper?" I ask the lady behind the desk. She looks sleepy, which I can't blame her for, but I'm a little in a hurry here. "Room 812."

"Thanks!" I'm already running up the stairs, not having the patience to wait for the elevator. Justin is in the waiting room, his hands clasped together in his lap, his gaze on the floor, but I don't have time for him. Instead, I immediately take my chance to talk to the nurse standing outside Kai's room. 

"How is he? Will he be okay?" She startles, then frowns. "Who are you?"

I gasp for breath, a little out of oxygen from running three levels up the stairs. "I'm Alex. I called 911 for Kai Harper. Is he okay?"

A sympathetic looks crosses over his face. Before she can answer, a hand is on my back. When I turn, I see it belongs to a red rimmed eyed Justin. He nudges me to the waiting room. "Alex, come on. Let's have a seat."

"What? No, no! I want to see Kai! Please," I turn back tot he nurse. "He has to be okay. He's the strongest kid out there, please. I'll do anything." 

She shakes her head, her lips pursed a little. "I'm sorry. Only family can go in."

With those words, she leaves us standing there. I feel a little lost. Would I be able to slip inside? Should I ask Justin to go and take a look?

"Alex," said asshole calls. I blink and look at him. "Sit down for a moment. You're swaying." 

Of course I am! Still, I listen to him and sit down on the nearest chair. "You've seen him, right? How is he? Is he critical? Is it an allergic reaction? Was it the cake? I swear to God, if you gave him that cake on purpose—"

His hand rests on my shoulder in a way of telling me to shut the fuck up. I shake him off. "Yes, it was the cake. But there weren't any traces of apples in it, and I only brought it to him. I had no idea what my dad did to contaminate that cake."

Contaminated? 

"W-what do you mean? What do you mean, contaminated?" He sighs, looking next to my head. I'm tempted to give him a punch against the jaw. Why is no one telling me shit?!

"For fuck's sake, Justin! You've done enough to me and those around me! Just this once. All I'm asking you is to answer this one question, why can't you even do that? I found him shaking on the floor without knowing what was going on! I deserve to—"

"Alex," Justin whispers, still avoiding my eyes. "My dad contaminated that cake with inorganic arsenic."

I think I'm going to pass out, too.