While Francis was redressing, her wife and neighbors woke. They smiled at each other, but then realized their third was gone.
“Francis?” Samantha called out.
“Over here!” Francis called back. When Martha and Samantha got back to the car, they saw Francis was dressed, and had laid out their own clothes for them. She had this focused look on her face, and both instantly knew something had come up. Her phone was pressed to her ear, and ringing over and over.
“Julie?” Samantha guessed as she started putting her clothes on.
“Unfortunately. I’m trying to call Ben, but the reception is terrible around here.” Francis said.
“Give us a second to change and we can drive back into town. What’s up with Julie anyway?” her wife asked.
“In a word, madness. She tried to escape the hospital to look for Eric.”
“Is she alright?”
“Really?” Francis lowered the phone for a moment to look at Samantha in disbelief for asking that question. She couldn’t seriously be asking if the girl who stormed into Eric’s induction ceremony, had a mental breakdown, and then tried to break out of a hospital was ALRIGHT.
“Okay sorry, poor choice of words. But she’s not hurt is she?” Samantha clarified. She knew her wife was probably under a lot of stress at the moment, and let Francis’ sharp remark slide.
“Well she ripped the IV from her arm, but otherwise she appears to be physically alright.” Francis said.
“That’s good at least…”
“Ben!?” Francis interrupted whatever Martha was about to say as Ben finally picked up the phone. He sounded out of breath, so Francis took a second to wonder who he was with before asking him if he knew where Eric and Cassie were at the moment.
“Uh, still at her place I’m guessing.” Ben said, knowing that the howls that he heard were probably theirs. One was distinctly female, and the other he wasn’t as familiar with, so he guessed it was Eric.
“Good. I already tried calling him, but… well you know. Can you go over there and ask him to get dressed.”
“Sure, why? What’s wrong?”
“It’s too complicated to explain. But I need him to come to the hospital with me.”
“Oh, right. Okay I’ll head over there now. Uh, what should I tell him if he asks more questions?”
“That I’ll explain when I pick him up. And tell him not to worry, nothing’s wrong with Julie, per say. But apparently we can’t wait until tomorrow to start treatment. And we need him for this plan to work.” Francis said.
“Okay. I’ll see you in a bit.” Ben said before hanging up.
“We’re ready to go.” Samantha said, Martha already sitting in the back seat. Francis climbed in beside her, while Samantha drove them back towards town.
“What’s this plan anyway?” Martha asked. Francis knew she’d better tell Martha, since it did involve her son.
“Julie seems pretty determined to find HER Eric. So, Tachibana thought maybe if we presented Eric to her, she might calm down.”
“Uh, but last time she saw him she freaked out?” Samantha said confused.
“He thinks if we disguise his scent, and leave her somewhat disoriented it might work. All we need to do is assure her Eric is fine. Because until that happens, she won’t stop looking for him.” Francis said.
“How are you going to disguise his scent?” Martha asked.
“How else? Fish.”