Heroic Measures (continued)

About fifteen minutes later, enough time for Walter to being to get agitated again by Isabel's failure to return, Red strode in through the outside doors. Walter did not recognize him at first, as he was dressed in a long dark overcoat and his hair was unusually long and unkempt. As he approached, Walter tried to remember just when it was that he had last seen Red in person. He had heard reports of his activities through the various communication channels, but had trouble recalling when they had been together in the same place.

Red appeared to momentarily suffer from the same lack of recognition. His gaze passed over Walter and Vivian as he came through the doors, only settling on them after his eyes had swept the entire reception area. He appeared distracted or disoriented, but Walter gave that only his scant attention. His thoughts were on the events taking place beyond the closed hospital doors.

“Walt,” Red said, stopping to stand in front of Walter and Vivian.

Walter looked up. It took him a moment to recognize his friend. It required less time than that for Walter to notice the sour odor that seemed to be emanating from fellow hero. He started to say something, but the metallic sighing of the hospital doors interrupted him.

Walter’s eyes immediately moved away from Red. He saw Isabel come through the doors. Her expression was grim, her lips drawn into a tight line. Walter started to rise quickly, and then slowed as he saw a figure in a white medical coat following a few paces behind Isabel. Something told him that it was no coincidence.

Isabel met his eyes when she reached him. There was something she wanted to say, but seemed unable to find the words before the physician reached them. Isabel sat down next to Walter, sitting close so that her leg pressed lightly against his. Her eyes traveled to his hand on his opposite side, still clutched by Vivian.

“Mr. Eastman?”

It took Walter’s eyes a long time to travel upward to the doctor’s face. He found that they had trouble focusing once they were there.

“Yes.”

The voice sounded like his, but it seemed to come from a far distance.

The doctor took a deep breath.

“The good news is that we have your wife stabilized. We’re managing her pain and she’s resting comfortably.”

Walter blinked. That’s the good news . . .

The doctor glanced over at Isabel and then back at Walter.