Chapter 11

4/29/2041 (Continued)

Tyson was crying harder when they arrived at the hospital, and Luca's cough had worsened. Luca took a mask from a pile next to the door and put it on.

"It's okay, baby boy, we'll figure out what's wrong with me and you," he said.

"Luca and Tyson Hodges to see Dr. Newton," he said as he held the baby.

Luca sat down again and cradled the crying child. The door opened, and a female nurse entered the waiting room.

"Mr. Hodges," the nurse said, standing next to the desk. Luca stood up and followed her to an exam room, holding Tyson in his arms.

Soon after, the door to the exam room opened, and Dr. Newton entered.

"I understand you and your son aren't feeling well," she said, looking at the chart.

"Tyson isn't eating and is fussier than usual," explained Luca. He explained, "I've got a sore throat and can't stop coughing."

"Do you have any pain?" the doctor inquired.

"To think about it, my chest does hurt when I breathe," he nodded. She checked Luca's lungs and took his temperature. The doctor documented her findings before examining Tyson.

When the doctor finished examining Luca and Tyson, she looked concerned.

"I'll need a blood sample," she explained. Seeing the doctor's expression, Luca inquired, "What's the matter?"

"We'll find out after a few tests," she said. Luca had a feeling the doctor wasn't telling him everything, but he didn't pursue the matter. Luca's thoughts turned to his son, who was also ill. The doctor left the exam room, and a nurse entered with a tray of syringes. Tyson screamed when he felt the needle prick. When his blood was drawn, Luca turned away. When the nurse finished, she left the room, leaving Luca to his thoughts.

When Dr. Newton entered the room, another doctor followed her.

"All right, what's the matter with us?" When they sat down, Luca inquired.

"I have a question for you," Dr. Newton said. "Have you had any contact with anything imported?" she inquired.

"Not that I'm aware of," Luca said, shaking his head. "Why?" he enquired.

"First, let's get you and your son moved to an isolation ward," the doctor advised. "Then we'll explain everything," she said.

"This is bad," Luca thought to himself as he followed the doctors out of the room.

Luca was wired up to machines and had an IV in his hand. His baby was placed in an incubator.

"Tell me what's going on now," he demanded.

"It appears that you were exposed to a virus," the doctor explained.

"I have a daughter at home," Luca explained. "Will she get it?" Luca inquired, his voice concerned.

"Is she an Omega?" the doctor asked. Luca shook his head and said, "No,"

"This virus only affects Omegas," she explained with a shake of her head. Luca coughed and covered his mouth.

Luca inquired, "How do you know?"

"We've seen this virus before," said the doctor.

"Is anyone else at home an Omega?" she asked. "Are any of your friends?"

"My friend Adrian is an Omega, but I'm not sure about his daughter," Luca said.

"I'll need the names and numbers of everyone," the doctor said. Luca wrote down the names and numbers of his friends and family.

Ken was in his office back at the main house, going over some treaty recommendations from other packs. Thomas sat on the couch with Adrian, who was holding Angel. They were watching television. When the phone rang, Ken had just finished signing papers. Ken looked at the caller ID, perplexed.

"Hello, Mr. Brown speaking," he said as he picked up the phone.

"Mr. Brown, my name is Dr. Newton from County General," she introduced herself.

"How can I assist you?" he inquired.

"I'm calling on Mr. Hodges' behalf and that of his infant son," the doctor explained.

"Are they okay?" Ken inquired, his voice worried.

After several seconds of silence, the doctor spoke again.

"A virus infected Mr. Hodges and his son," the doctor explained.

"What kind of virus is it?" Ken inquired, despite the fact that he already knew.

"Fifty years ago, a virus eliminated all but one percent of Omegas in a nearby town," she explained.

"Do you believe it's back and in our town?" Ken inquired.

"There's a chance," the doctor said. "Do you have any other Omegas living with you?" she inquired. After a brief pause, Ken said, "Hold on, let me get the alpha and his husband."

Ken exited his office and entered the living room.

"Thomas, Adrian," he said, "I need to see you in my office."

"What is the point of this?" Thomas inquired. Adrian gave Ken a worried expression.

"A County General doctor needs to speak with you," Ken explained. They went into Ken's office and sat down. Ken reached over and pressed the phone's speaker.

"All right, doctor," Ken said, "this is Thomas and Adrian Bradford."

"My name is Dr. Newton." "I work as a specialist at County General," she explained.

"What is the point of this?" Thomas inquired.

There was a brief moment of silence. "Are any of you Omegas?" the doctor inquired.

"I am," Adrian replied. "We have a daughter, but we don't know if she's an Omega, Alpha, or Beta yet," he explained.

"What is the point of knowing?" Thomas inquired.

"Because Mr. Hodges and his son have contracted an Omega virus," she explained. Adrian was turning pale, and Thomas noticed.

"Oh my God," Adrian exclaimed, "Am I affected?" "And what about Luca?"

"We need to test you and your daughter to find out," she explained.

"We'll be there right away," Thomas stated calmly.

Adrian appeared to be on the verge of a mental breakdown when they finished talking.

"Let's go get you and our daughter tested," he suggested.

"I'm terrified," Adrian admitted. "What if we had what Luca has?" he wondered.

"We'll figure it out and deal with it as a family," Thomas said.

"Go ahead and leave," Ken said. "I need to get in touch with Tyree and tell him what happened."