Chapter 2: Treatment

Beep…

Beep….

Beep…

Chilli opened her eyes. Surrounding her were some machines, including a heart rate monitor. Across the room, Bandit, Bluey, and Bingo were sitting with their heads down. She looked down at her arm, an IV was attached. She sat up in her bed, causing everyone’s heads to shoot up.

GASP “You’re awake!” Bandit exclaimed as he got up quickly to hug her. Bluey quickly followed behind. Bingo was excited for a second, but stopped, sitting back down. The rest enjoyed the embrace.

Chilli was still processing where she was, looking over Bandit’s shoulder while he hugged her. “W- What happened… Why am I at… the hospital?” She questioned. Bandit let go. “You don’t remember? You passed out in the middle of our living room… We were really worried about you…” Bluey nodded in agreement.

“Oh… I… see.” Chilli looked down at her arm. An IV was attached. She followed the tube with her eyes up to a bag labelled “water.” “I was… eating breakfast… then I cleaned the dishes, and… I… oh…” She looked over at Bingo. Bingo was looking back, but she quickly turned away when she noticed Chilli looking at her. “Aww. Bingo, I’m s-”

Before she could finish her sentence, there was a knock at the door.

The door opened and an orange koolie stepped in.

Her name is Ava. She’s just 25, and the Heeler family’s doctor. Everyone loves her. She’s even decent friends with Bandit outside of the office. The kids, however, think differently.

“Hello everyone! Oh! Good to see you’re awake Mrs. Heeler! Oh, and is that Bluey and Bingo? The two bees?” She excitedly walked over and crouched down next to them. “Yep, that’s us-” Bluey nervously laughed. “Great! Great.” She stood back up and sat down in a chair near Chilli’s bed.

“Well, what’s going on today mum?” Ava asked.

“Oh, well…” Chilli explained what happened, telling her about passing out.

“I see… Yeah… Right here it says you were severely dehydrated. Any trouble drinking water recently?”

“Yeah actually. For some reason, I try and drink water but I just… can’t… My hands just get so shaky, and I end up giving up…”

“Right… And how long have you felt like this?”

“Um, maybe a few weeks?” Chilli replied. Ava looked past her clipboard for a second, without moving. “Ok. Well… We’ve already taken blood and saliva samples, so I will check that very soon.” She turned towards Bandit.

“And you Dad, have you noticed anything different about her recently?”

“Um, nothing too different. I guess she’s been slightly more… emotional lately.”

“Hmmm. So would you describe it as just ‘more’ of what you’re used to?”

“Yeah! That sounds… about right.”

“Ok… Well! Thank you guys for the details!” She stood up quickly. “I will be right back will more info on those samples. Just hang tight!” She left and shut the door behind her.

Beep… 

Beep…

Beep…

“I have been pretty unstable recently haven’t I…” Chilli said, looking at Bandit. He was surprised. “Not unstable! Just…… stressed. We’ve been dealing with a lot recently. Between this and trying to renovate, I can’t blame you…” He laughed a little bit. Chilli just looked at him. “I guess…” She replied.

Just then, Bluey came back over to the side of the bed. “Hey, Mum-” She could barely reach over the side. “Does that mean we can go home soon? I’m borrrred.” She laid down at the end of the bed, face down.

Chilli laughed. “We’ll see honey.”

… 

About 20 minutes later. The family passed the time by playing “one-word story.” Bingo decided to join in but wasn’t receptive to Chilli’s compliments referring to her creativity after some rounds.

Knock knock knock

Gasp “Finally!” Bluey exclaimed in excitement. Ava opened the door and stepped inside. “Hi guys!... Um… Is it ok if Bluey and Bingo take a step outside for just a moment?” Chilli and Bandit looked at each other. “Wait, why do you want the kids to leave?” Bandit asked. “Yeah, do you need help with doctoring or something?” Bluey asked.

Ava didn’t reply. She just looked at him, slightly tilting her head down but not breaking eye contact. Bandit’s expression changed.

“Yeaaah-” Bandit looked at Bluey and Bingo. “Dr. Koolie here wants to tell us a secret, and we need two brave bodyguards to stand outside to make sure no one hears it!” “Oh ok!” Bluey replied. “Come on, Bingo! We can’t let sensitive information get out!” They both ran out of the room, laughing and shutting the door behind them.

“Well? What did you need to tell us?” Bandit asked, slightly worried. Ava was fiddling with her clipboard.

“Um- Chilli. You have…” She paused.

“Yeah?” Chilli beckoned.

“You have… Rabies...”

Beep…

Beep…

Beep. Beep. Beep. B-

The two were stunned. “W- what? What do you mean rabies?” Bandit asked.”I mean, we still have to do a scan to absolutely confirm, but based on your samples, it’s incredibly likely...”

Chilli was still looking nowhere, listening to them talk. “Am I- going to…”

“We don’t know!” Ava interrupted. “We’re going to do some scans while you’re here, and also prescribe some pills to slow the development while also mitigating the symptoms…”

“Symptoms?!” Chilli asked.

“Yeah… You’re going to start becoming very aggressive; I’m sure you’ve already noticed a difference,” Ava explained. “Yeah! But I just thought it was just stress!” “That’s likely part of what you're feeling, but this is separate… It’s um… a different type of aggression…” “Different type?!” Bandit chimed in. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Before Ava could answer, Bluey and Bingo opened the door. “Are you guys done sharing secrets yet? We’re bored.” “Yep! Just finishing up now.” Ava made it sound like nothing was wrong. “We’re just going to do some scans on your mom to make sure everything’s ok, and then you’ll be on your way.” Phew “My feet are tired from standing so long.” Bingo said.

Ava leaned closer to Bandit and Chilli. Ava whispered, “I’ll leave it up to you two about how you want to tell them…” Bandit and Chilli looked at Ava and then at each other.

…

Later that night…

Chilli was leaning on the balcony outside of her room, looking out across Brisbane. In the distance, beautiful lights covered the horizon.

Sigh…

Chilli looked down at her hands. She wiped her face from top to bottom with both hands and let out another sigh.

“Beautiful night huh?”

Chilli was startled. She turned around to see Bandit leaning against the door frame. He walked over next to her. “You coming to bed anytime soon?” Bandit asked.

Chilli looked away and leaned against the railing again. “How could I? Would YOU be able to sleep after hearing that you might DIE soon?” Bandit was hurt by her words. He let out a deep sigh, leaning forward. “No…”

“...but I wouldn’t want to be alone too...” He looked over at her. She looked back at him.

She dropped her head slightly, took a step, and wrapped her arms around Bandit’s chest. “What am I going to do Bandit…” Her voice was muffled. Bandit paused and looked out over the city.

His expression changed.

“What WE are going to do, is get through this…” He held her tighter.

“Together…”

She was silent for a moment.

“I hope so…”

-End of Chapter 2-