Chapter 42 - No Pain No Gain

Felicity woke up feeling like crap. She staggered out of bed, got to the toilet, relieved herself, washed her hands and drank deeply. She was sweating. On her way back to the bedroom her mother caught sight of her in the corridor. "Oh, goodness me you look bad. I'll call...". Felicity disappeared into her bedroom and something crashed to the floor. Her mother followed to see her daughter unharmed from the collision with the coat stand but lying on the bed greedily consuming cashew nuts from the bedside drawer. She dialed Great Southern Medical Services. "Hello, yes, this is Helen Perkins, my daughter Felicity suddenly has a fever, I'm very worried...". Luckily an appointment was booked in half an hours time. It was rushed but they got there.

Dr Bailey pressed the button and a second later withdrew the thermometer from Felicity's ear. "You're really not feeling too comfortable are you young lady. An elevated temperature but not life threatening. At least not for now. I've just come from the hospital and fortunately they have spare capacity right now. Helen, I'd like Felicity to be admitted for observation as a precaution. I have no idea of what could be lurking within a meteorite or what it may have picked up from the paddock."

"Are you suggesting...", Helen trailed off.

"I'm suggesting that NASA has quarantine procedures to err on the side of safety and we should do the same", replied the Doctor with his best professional smile. "However try not to worry. Humans don't catch Dutch Elm disease and Dutch Elm trees don't catch chickenpox. By the same token any hypothetical space bugs are not likely to harm Felicity. But, as I say, lets err on the side of safety." Helen agreed and Felicity was admitted.

The fever didn't get any worse and with the help of some acetaminophen her temperature stabilized. A nurse came to check up on her. "Looks like you a had a bit of a scare dear. You're bouncing back now though. Hmm. That bandage I'll change it for a new one." The nurse checked the notes. Nothing about a bandage. She got a new one and was careful in removing the old one. When you've spent 10 years changing bandages you get to notice the little things. The adhesion of the dried blood between the layers of fabric as the bandage is removed. Finally the slight tug as the bandage came free of the skin, which was held on by dried blood. All perfectly normal except for no wound. Not even the slightest hint of one. It didn't make sense. She retained her composure. "Well there doesn't seem any need for a new one."

Felicity looked at her hand. She too retained her composure and didn't say anything. By unspoken agreement they decided to keep silent. The nurse knew that blood had propagated from the inside of the bandage to the outer layers. That the blood had been liquid after the bandage was in place. But no wound to back it up. That shit's not going in the notes, she wasn't about to throw this girl to the shrinks.