Chapter 98: This Would Be One Long Journey.

CALEB Things didn't get much better after that day, but they didn't get worse either. Kyle still hadn't woken up, Brielle returned back to college because she was having her final exams, and I returned back to work. I had missed out on a lot of the fun apparently. I was so thankful for Jessica. I sat cross legged in my office, with my thoughts roaming when I suddenly remembered Marcus. He was in the hospital that day, and his eyes… I knew that expression all too well. It seemed he had a few things to say, but couldn't because of his situation. Jessica phoned my office. 'Sir, Marcus is here to see you." She informed me immediately. Speaking of the devil. 'Let him in." I phoned back. Marcus wheeled into my office in his wheelchair, with a somewhat enthusiastic expression. 'Caleb. Long time no see." He tried to smile with effort. The bridge of his nose looked slightly crooked, with a whole lot of lesions on his skin. The only part of him that seemed to have life was his eyes. At least, they don't lie. What had actually happened to him? 'You can say that again. Come on." I got up, helped him to sit on the couch, and proceeded to lock the door. I grabbed a bottle of wine and poured glasses for the both of us. 'You have a lot of questions. I know. But I want to start with your brother first." I furrowed my brows immediately. 'Kyle?" He nodded. I hadn't told Marcus about Kyle…so.. 'I know it sounds weird, but I just had to say something. It'll be a bad thing to keep all this knowledge to myself don't you think?" What did I think? 'Yeah. I guess. Go on." I was more than intrigued now. 'Okay. So you see, that day you guys walked in, I wanted to warn you, but I couldn't. The nurse who was pushing me is Dr Flora's younger sister." He even knew Dr Flora? Interesting. He continued, 'So as you could imagine, I had to keep my mouth shut. That was why I asked you to see me when you were done, but apparently that was a little too late. The substance she injected your brother with contains wolfsbane, it's a poison. Very deadly to werewolves, but tolerance depends on your strength. Kyle is dying." I could plain feel the blood drain from my face and my heart beat faster. 'What do you mean Kyle is dying?" I raised my voice, getting up from my seat. This was too much to take at once. My heart was racing, and I could feel the onset of a panic attack. 'I don't know how strong Kyle is, but depending, having wolfsbane in your system for that long is never good. He could have a maximum of one week left if it's not taken out of his body soon." Marcus' voice was serious, almost sympathetic. My blood boiled even further. I didn't want his sympathy, I wanted my brother back. I took a deep breath and sat down, arranging my thoughts. 'So there are two ways to save him. One, neutralize the effects. And two, completely remove the toxin from his system right?" I asked, trying to be positive. Brielle sure wouldn't take this news lightly. Marcus nodded slowly, lifting his arm to point towards a file on my desk. He winced from the effort. I glanced at the file, and back at him. This file was brought in this morning, without any apparent sender. At least now I didn't have to conduct some large investigation. I picked up the file and opened it, reading through its contents. It looked like a recipe for a drug. 'What is this?" I waved the paper at him. He smiled. 'What does it look like? That's all you need to revive Kyle. I haven't seen him physically, so I can't estimate anything. Just give yourself a week." He stated simply. This was ridiculous. 'And where am I supposed to find these ingredients?" I asked, running my eyes over the ingredients again. Silver Root extract. (5 drops.) Celestial Hemlock. (1 teaspoon.) Phoenix Feather Ash. ( A pinch.) Moon flower petals. (3 petals.) Blood of the werewolf. (3 drops.) Rainwater collected during a full moon. (½ a cup.) This looked like something straight out of a fairy tale. Oh wait, I almost forgot. My life has become one. I ran my hands through my hair. 'I could help you get them. It'd be a fun adventure for me. And especially with the limited time you have." He offered. I furrowed my brows, watching him. 'What's in it for you?" Marcus never offers a free deal. He exhaled, and raised his hands in surrender. 'The experience, mio fratello." He switched accents, still smiling. Since I didn't sense any hidden meaning behind his tone, and I knew Marcus has always been a lover of such, I shrugged. My guard was still up though, but I accepted regardless. Anything to save Kyle. 'Alright then. But you're in a wheelchair. How do you wanna move around?" I asked. That was the obvious question. 'Don't you worry about me. I'll be off this thing in a few days." He smacked the side of the chair. 'How did you get in it?" 'Minor car accident." He replied with a devilish smirk. 'There's nothing accidental about you." I retorted. It was a self-inflicted injury, probably to divert attention, or attract sympathy. Marcus always had everything well planned. 'You know me too well." He smirked, clicking his tongue. 'Where did you even get this list?" It seemed too original to be conjured. It wasn't even written on normal white paper. He laughed out loud this time, 'You ask so many questions, Caleb. I found it during my vacation trip. Someone obviously had good use for it, because there are tons of signatures on it. My sources tell me it's a very old recipe. Might have been written by the OGs themselves." Damn. 'When do we leave?" I asked, still staring at the paper. 'Why not tomorrow? Get yourself sorted, tell Brielle if you wish, and we leave first thing in the morning. I have a few ideas on where we would find most of the ingredients." 'So it's settled then." I said, taking his hand. This would be one long journey.