Enchanted by a Siren

Chapter 8: Toby

Calum found Toby in the emergency room waiting in a small bed to be checked out by a doctor. His breathing was finally back to normal, but some nasty bruises were starting to show on his neck. Calum’s Mother was on the phone with someone, who Calum could only assume was Toby’s Mother.

“Yes, I know. I don’t know what’s gotten into him lately.” She was saying into the phone and Calum sighed. He honestly didn’t know either. His eyes met Toby’s, which were filled with fury at his friend’s betrayal.

“What do you want?” Toby spat at him.

“Look, I’m really sorry. I don’t know what’s gotten into me lately. You know me. You know I’d never do anything like this.” Calum pleaded, taking a few steps closer, but still keeping his distance. Not wanting to come off as aggressive.

“I thought I knew you.” Toby stated, the disbelief clear in his voice. He tried to turn away, but flinched as the motion sent a jolt of pain through his neck.

Calum instinctively came closer wanting to help his friend, but stopped himself. “I’m so sorry, Dude. I’ll do anything to make it up to you. I promise.” At Calum’s words Toby just scoffed.

“What? Anything you ask. It’s yours.” Calum persisted.

“How about back off and let me get the girl.” Calum went cold at the venom in Toby’s words, or was it because only moments ago he had tried to kiss said girl.

He suddenly realized Zen wasn’t with them. He looked around, hoping to find her lurking in a corner, but no luck. “Fine, I’ll back off, but I’m still her friend. Can you live with that?” Calum spat back.

The idea of taking a step back from Zen had Calum feeling strange, like he needed to see her even more urgently now. He needed to look into her eyes and make sure she's okay. No matter what, he just wanted to make her happy. He would do anything for her.

“Yeah, whatever.” Toby replied, folding his arms defensively. Calum scanned the room again, hoping to see her. “Where is she anyways?”

“Who?” Toby questioned.

“You know, blue hair,” Calum held his hand in the air to indicate Zen’s height. “Yea high. Ring a bell?” He replied sarcastically. He couldn’t believe Toby was forcing him to back off when he didn’t even care if she where she was.

“I don’t know, she’s probably waiting at the car. I would too.” Toby said defensively, not liking Calum’s sarcastic tone.

“I’m going to go look for her.” Calum said, turning to leave. Not realizing his Mother was no longer on the line with Toby’s Mom. She grabbed his arm, a stern look on her face. “No, you’re not.” She said, “You are staying right here, because you, Mister, are in a world of trouble.”

“Zen didn’t come in with me. I just want to be sure she is okay.” Calum protested, gazing around frantically, hoping to see her.

“Right now, I don’t care what she is. I’ll call Ryan’s Mom to pick her up, but in this moment she is not your biggest problem.” She lowered her voice and stepped closer to him so that Toby couldn’t hear her. “Your problem right now is that your friend, who you just strangled like a lunatic, could press charges against you for assault. Which is what it was, Calum. So, I suggest you butter up to him and apologize profusely before you don’t get accepted into any good colleges. You got that?” Her grip on his arm was slowly getting tighter as she kept talking. He nodded in understand and she released him.

He went to Toby’s side. “That looked intense. I almost feel sorry for you… Only, you deserve it.” Toby smiled at him mockingly.

“Yeah, I do. I’m sorry man. Something just came over me when I heard Zen scream like that.” Calum said.

“Oh no, I forgot about that. I went right at her trying to get to you. She probably won’t ever want to talk to me again.” Toby covered his face, which was flushed with embarrassment.

“She probably won’t want anything to do with either of us after today.” Calum tried to comfort, feeling a little sorry for the situation he had put his friend in. "I mean she practically ran away just to get away from us." Calum added with a joking smile and was relieved when Toby tried to suppress his own smile.

Suddenly, a nurse appeared at Toby’s bedside. “Hello, Toby, is it?” She asked, checking a sheet.

“What seems to be the problem?” She inquired with a kind smile. At this Calum’s Mother stepped forward, offering her hand in greeting. “Hi, I’m Jenny. The boys just got into a little… disagreement. You know how teenage boys can be.” She said, gesturing towards them both.

“Okay, are you the boy’s parent?” The nurse asked with an inquisitive glare at her.

“I’m this boy’s parent.” She said pointing at Calum. “I was with them when the incident occurred.”

“Alright, I will still need to examine the patient, if you don’t mind. Did you inform his parents of the situation?” The nurse added.

“Yes, they’re on their way.” Calum’s Mom replied with a friendly smile.

“Good, because we will need to speak with his legal guardians." The nurse turned back to Toby. "Are you in any pain?” She asked.

“Yeah, my neck is really stiff.” Toby said. She moved forward and gently examined his neck. “We will need to have a doctor look at you to be sure there is no damage. We can never be too careful when it comes to the neck. Please wait here, a doctor will be with you shortly.” The nurse finished with a forced smile and left again.

Before she got back with the doctor Toby’s Mother’s burst through the door, heading straight for them. “My goodness, are you okay? My poor sweet boy.” She exclaimed so the entire hospital could hear her. Toby shrunk away into the bed, red with embarrassment. “Mom! I’m fine. Calm down.” Calum's Mother was fighting the urge to roll her eyes. This woman had always been so animated and over the top.

“Don’t tell me to be calm, Young Man! Getting into fights. What on earth were you thinking?” She chided, not lowering her voice one bit, and just like that her concern turned into anger.

“He started it!” Toby insisted, pointing at Calum, trying to get his Mother's angry stare off of him.

Calum opened his mouth to defend himself, because they both knew that wasn't the whole truth, but at the look he got from both woman all that came out was a confused “Um…”

“I don’t care who started it. You know what I always say. It takes two to tango.” She reprimands him, much louder than necessary, drawing gazes to their little group. Toby shrunk back as the entire room stared at them, wanting to disappear underneath the covers. His Mother crossed her arms, not caring about all the eyes on them. “Besides, you’re the one in the hospital bed. So, maybe next time you should think twice before you start things you can’t finish.” She simply continues, all her attention directed at Toby.

“Seriously, Mom! I could be in real danger and that’s what you say to me.” He yelled back, forgetting entirely about his injury and turning his head, soon regretting it as a sharp pain shot through his stiff neck muscles.

“Well, all this excitement certainly can’t be good for that neck.” Came an unfamiliar voice, grabbing their all of their attention. “I’m Doctor Barns, may I ask who is the legal guardian here?” Doctor Barns asked with a broad smile that looked a little plastered on. He was a tall skinny man that looked to be in his mid-forties with a grey tint to his blond hair and massive eyes that looked too large for his slender face.

“Me, I’m his Mother. Gillian.” Toby’s Mother offered a hand to the Doctor, smiling sweetly. Her anger from moments ago forgotten. He shook her hand with a nod, turning his attention to Calum and his Mother. “Unfortunately, we can only allow immediate family in the ICU. Would you mind waiting outside?”

“Of course not. Come along, Calum.” Calum’s Mom said in compliance, pressing him forwarf by the shoulder. She grabbed her things and made for the door, keeping Calum in front of her where she could keep an eye on him.

"I need to find Zen." Calum insisted as they exited the room. 

"I'll call Ryan's parents and ask them to call her." His Mother offered.

"Okay, I'm going to go check by the car." Calum stated, darting straight for the door without waiting for a response from his Mother.

He scanned the parking lot as he walked to their SUV, but there was no sign of her anywhere. He stood by the SUV for a minute, checking if maybe she pop out from somewhere, but eventually he gave up. He went back inside and found his Mom on the phone with Mrs. Patterson, Ryan's Mother.

"Thank you, we will. Let us know if you get a hold of her." His Mother said into the phone. "Bye now." She finished before putting the phone down.

"What did they say?" Calum asked, his stomach twisting nervously at the expression on his Mother's face.

"They've tried calling her, but she isn't answering her phone." She admitted.

"We have to go look for her." Calum insisted, but his Mother held up a hand to quiet him. 

"We should wait until Toby gets out." She argues, still worried that he might press charges against Calum.

"He's fine, his Mom is here. Zen is all alone." Calum protested and his Mother let out a defeated sigh.