Renata
Renata felt strange with all the different wires connected to her as she finished running the mile. Her body hummed with familiarity, though she struggled more than she thought she would. Some of her muscles had faded over the last two months of inactivityâmuch to her dismay.
Tahoma was off to the side, his eyes switching between watching her and the clipboard in his hands. She hoped that wasn't why her heart was racing so fast.
There were two doctors overseeing these tests with Tahoma. One, Jordana, who was more of a general MD, and another, Dominique, a data analysis and medical researcher.
The whirring floor beneath her slowed into a stroll. Once it came to a full stop, Dominique approached her. Dominique was tall and slender, with olive skin, big round eyes amplified by an oval shaped pair of glasses. Her chestnut brown hair was kept back in a long french braid. She had a dark purple birthmark that crept along the edges of her scalp, like a crown tattooed into her skin. "Your vitals are normal," Dominique informed her as she continued to tug at Renata's skin. "Considering you are of an athletic build, this does not come as a surprise. You're strong compared to the average woman, but you're nowhere near superhuman."
Renata was sweaty and nodded along and she steadied her own breathing. Jordana handed over a small towel, which Renata accepted and soon wiped herself down.
Dominique passed a quick look at Tahoma who still studied the clipboard. "And while you were in your coma, we recorded the duration of your healing process to be approximately one and a half hoursâwe're still not quite sure why you didn't awaken sooner." Renata wasn't sure she would ever clear up that mystery for them.
"Your body is basically unchanged, from our understanding," Jordana clarified. "We'll have to make sure there isn't any internal damage, but besides that, we don't have an explanation for your gift of resurrection." Jordana was much shouter, just under five feet was Renata's best guess. Jordana had a kind, cheery face complimented by a medium brown skin tone. Her lips were full as were the curves on her body. Jordana carried herself confidently, and with one look into her gaze, it was easy to assume her intelligence.
"How will you do that?" Renata addressed Tahoma. But the word gift echoed in her mind like a taunt. Gift my ass.
His eyes connected with hers. "We'll have to make a trip to a nearby hospital. We have many facilities here, but not that kind of heavy equipment. It's a fifteen minute drive at most. Is that okay with you? Perhaps tomorrow is better, you've had a full day alreadyâ"
"No. I could use getting out of here anyway." Renata waved a hand. "I just need to clean up. Gimme an hour."
Tahoma bowed his head briefly. "As you wish."
**********
Renata arrived at the front door. She removed her braids a couple days ago, so her messy, curly hair was out to play. Well, it was pulled back in a low bun and mostly covered by a silk scarf, but that still counted. She felt less underdressed than usual next to Tahoma in her matching gray sweatpants and crewneck once he walked up in a similar fit, except it was black and he was wearing a hoodie.
Tahoma watched Renata with that damn handsome face of his. He walked past her, brushing against her to open the door. "After you."
Renata thanked him.
The guards watched them as they approached the car waiting for them. They were silent and their expressions were just about dead. But maybe that was appropriate considering their employers. "Which one of them shot me?" She leaned in and asked.
He leaned in to respond, "he was let go."
Renata had meant for it to be a light-hearted question, but something about his words and how he delivered made her stomach twist. "Let go into the afterlife, or...?"
Tahoma gave her a lasting look before looking straight ahead. He was keeping her in suspense and she was getting ready to pinch him. "He's no longer an employee with us." They got to the vehicle. Tahoma settled into the driver's seat and Renata sat to his side.
Renata watched Tahoma as he started the car. She was unabashed as she checked him out. "So, he's not dead?"
Tahoma laughed out loud. It filled the car and made her heart start. "No, Renata. The bastard is alive. Although, I'll admit I broke his arm when disarming him, and after a long talk, he came to the conclusion that it was wise to pursue other career paths that do not involve weapons."
Renata shook her head as Tahoma began to drive. "Just a broken arm and being blacklisted, that's all."
"Hey, he killed someoneâ"
"Trust me, I remember."
"Then you understand he got off extremely easy," Tahoma continued, "It doesn't matter that it was an accident or that he wasn't aiming for you. He caused you great pain. And he did so carelessly."
"Maybe he wasn't trained properly." She didn't mean to come off as though searching for a fight, but she refused to let this go.
So, she awaited his annoyance.
Yet...Tahoma didn't bat an eye. "You're right. I've thought that over myself. We've invested into training our security further past their initial experienceâmost of them have some kind of past in the military or police force. But it's not enough."
She didn't understand why he was so agreeable. Not that he'd really given her reason to expect the opposite. Still, trust issues. "Do they know you all are vampires?"
His eyes were trained ahead as they finally got off the property. It was late in the day and the sun was quick to fade into darkness. "Only the two captains William and Antioneâthey've guarded this clan for years. The rest just think we're paranoid, rich assholes. We like to keep it that way."
"That's smart."
"Thanks. We try to learn something along the way. As you can see, there's always room for improvement."
She studied the interior of the car. It smelled like him. "Is this your car?"
Tahoma made a noise of confirmation. "What gave it away?"
She opened the glove department and found a variety of things: CDs, a box of tampons, old condoms, and a clear baggie of red and white peppermintsâthey were slightly melted together. Renata was giggling to herself as she looked through it.
"We haven't even gone on a date yet, and you're snooping through my things."
Yet. There was no mistaking that comment. Her cheeks burned, but she refused to look his way. "I'm just curious." She animatedly removed an album called 'Let's Stay Together'. "Al Green! Nice."
"A fan of my man Green, ay?" His eyes darted toward her.
She nodded, removed the CD, and popped it into the center console. Al Green's smooth, charismatic voice drifted out. But once the lyrics began to register in her brain, Renata regretted it. She wasn't sure whether to start sobbing or to hysterically laugh.
Tahoma decided for her.
He burst with laughter. It was a belly laugh. Renata tried to fight it, but she was soon smiling so hard it hurt and hunching over in pain as her abdominal stretched and constricted over and over. They both looked insane as their bodies spasmed and she prayed they didn't crash.
"It's not funny," Renata gasped over and over again between her laugh attacks. She was struggling to breathe, and she began to panic as it felt like her laughing would permanently prevent her from breathing ever again.
"Yes, it is," he exclaimed. It seemed like he was having a similar problem in the breathing department.
Renata put a hand on his bicep to steady herself. But the feel of his firm muscles proved to be the perfect distraction. She calmed down soon, as did he, and took a deep breath. Her body settled as she had access to oxygen once again. She was a bit light-headed as she came down from her high.
Tahoma still had a bright smile plastered on his face.
They were both kind of chuckling to themselves, trying to avoid losing control over their bodies again.
Al Green continued to play.
**********
Renata decided she hated hospitals. Too clean. Too empty. Too full with terrible pains. Too full with exhaustion. Too full with distant cries.
This room was particularly quiet. Renata looked up at Tahoma who stood over her as she laid on the patient table. The doctors were getting ready to put her in the MRI scanner.
She didn't know why she was so anxious. It was a simple procedure. It wouldn't cause her any pain at all. Still, the idea of being put in such a tight space and being internally scrutinized made her stomach twist in knots.
Tahoma took her hand in his and squeezed it. "It'll be fine. Don't worry."
As much as Renata hated to admit it, she appreciated the little display of encouragement. She squeezed his hand back but pulled it from his grasp.
He gave an understanding and lasting look before exiting the room.
"Okay, Ms. Jimenez, we're going to get started. Please just try to relax and stay as still as you can. You're welcome to close your eyes. This'll be over soon."
Renata closed her eyes as the whirring of the machinery began.