The Physician

By Magdalene Dietchka

Jake Perlman's fate changed forever as a child when a dam broke on the way to school, washing his bus over a bridge. Before the Angel of Death could claim him, a Shepherd named Omiel stole Jake from his fate. Now as a Stolen in his adulthood, Jake uses his powers under Omiel's guidance to assemble

• Language: English
• Publisher: Conquest Publishing
• Release date: Dec 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9781962739009

Magdalene Dietchka

Magdalene Dietchka was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania to a large, loving, and crazy family. She is an avid reader, storyteller, and gamer with a deep passion for Dungeons and Dragons. Always proud of her Eastern European heritage, Magdalene studied international relations with a specialization in Eastern European studies. After living in Moscow for a summer in the late nineties, the following year Magdalene met her husband online, and it was love at first sight.Magdalene Dietchka now spends her days in West Virginia with her husband and two dogs.

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Prologue

Jacob

Seventeen Years before Present Day

The landscape was littered with nature’s destruction. Last night’s storm matched Jacob Perlman’s dark mood. He hated his rural middle school and his freshman year sucked. Jake stared out of one of the closed bus windows at the downed limbs and flooded lawns. He was so sick of assholes destined to peak in high school and go nowhere in life. Getting shoved into another locker because he aced a test everyone else failed got old. Yeah, they called him a nerd, but his ambition forced him to be the best at everything he did. He had to be. Being the son of two leading pharmaceutical researchers already placed pressure on him to achieve academic excellence. Jake would graduate in three years and could not wait to spend the new millennium away from here.

The bus driver slowly wound his way down the road, cursing the school not so quietly for not closing due to the flooding and debris clogging the roads. Jake agreed with the old man. He didn’t want to look at his schoolmates, the day had been rough enough already. Out of the corner of his eye, Jake saw Shepherds near each student, which concerned him. The Shepherds were humanoid, almost translucent, and glowed with a golden hue. They bore two wings on their back, and their hair flowed like fire. The creatures rarely stayed near their charges for long. He had always been able to see them and talk with them whenever he wanted, but no one else could. The Shepherds had told him they lived between the worlds of the living and the dead.

When Jake was a child, his parents thought the Shepherds were just imaginary friends. By the time Jake turned ten, he realized adults became uncomfortable when he spoke to the Shepherds or talked about them. His parents told him he was too old for imaginary friends and took him to child psychologists. Jake quickly learned to shut up and limit his interactions with Omiel, his Shepherd. Omiel was a constant presence in his life and taught him to cope with his ability to see into the Veil between worlds. Over time, Jake learned to block out the Shepherds as just another part of the terrain, but if he focused, he witnessed them appearing and briefly following their charges.

Today, every student on the bus had a Shepherd near them, another reason he stared out the window. Normally, he might see two or three. Omiel floated particularly close to him today. Jake’s friendship with his Shepherd had become strained as of late, and he avoided speaking with the creature.

When the time comes, grasp my hand, Omiel whispered to him, which alarmed Jake.

He scanned the bus, but as usual no one else heard a thing. The language used by the Shepherds wasn’t English or Hebrew. He knew both, albeit his Hebrew was rudimentary at best, as he had only learned what he needed for his bar mitzvah. Yet, he could understand the beings when they spoke. He wanted to respond, but hell, that would paint a bigger target on his back.

Just as the bus driver crossed the bridge taking them over the river, Jake saw a wall of water and storm debris rushing toward them.

Watch out! he yelled at the driver.

Instead of gunning it, the bus driver panicked and hit the brakes. The water slammed into the bus, shoving them to the opposite side of the bridge. They crashed against the guardrails, breaking them like toothpicks. The bus plunged over the edge into the water with a crash, tossing students in all directions. The middle schoolers cried in fear as the bus bobbed upright in the water. The driver was slumped over the wheel unconscious. A tree the floodwaters had ripped up torpedoed through the glass door of the bus. Water roared inside, and everyone’s screaming and panicking hurt Jake’s ears.

He scrambled to the emergency exit window, but the bus spun around in the torrent, slamming into large debris and the underwater riverbanks, tossing him into the seat. Jake was finally able to reach the window and tried to get it open. One girl, Deanna, recovered her wits and helped him yank on it. Deanna was a serious girl who normally left him alone. Jake didn’t know if it was a good idea or a bad idea to open the exit; all he knew was staying inside the bus was a death sentence. The Shepherds stayed with their charges, but again, no one could see them. He wanted to yell at them to do something, but he didn’t have time. The bus was sinking quickly.

The bus turned on its side and bobbed to the surface with the exit window facing upward, temporarily stopping the water gushing in the front door. The sight gave him a glimmer of hope that freedom was in sight, and they managed to get the window open. Jake helped Deanna through the window first and then climbed out himself, trying to cling to the bus. He reached in to help the next student out. Students saw the open window and pressed toward the emergency exit. As he pulled a sixth grader through, the remnants of a roof slammed into the bus. The collision threw the three children into the water and knocked the bus away from them. Jake struggled to stay above rushing flood waters despite repeatedly being pulled under. Something slammed into his side, hurting his left arm and piercing his leg. Something else struck his stomach, which caused him to go under. His injuries prevented Jake from breaking the surface no matter how hard he kicked and flailed. His lungs burned, and he desperately wanted to inhale, but knew that meant death. As Jake thought he was going to lose his battle, a glowing hand pierced the choppy surface of the angry water and reached for him. Jake gripped Omiel with his good hand and held on without a second thought.

The next thing he knew, Jake woke up on the side of the river, snagged on some trees with his lower half still in the water. Omiel knelt next to him trying to comfort him.

"I am sorry, Jacob, son of Isaak, we would have saved them all if we could," he spoke mournfully.

Jake’s head pounded like a drum. He looked downstream and couldn’t see his classmates or the bus. The water was calm but full of debris. Jake had no clue how long he lay there. Cold and hurting all over, before he grabbed a branch to pull himself up the riverbank while his brain fought to make sense of what had happened. Jake didn’t recognize his surroundings. The bank was covered in waterlogged tree limbs, trash, and brambles. Jake fought back tears; crying wouldn’t do him any good. He needed help. Jake caught a faint whiff of smoke and peered above him. At the top of the riverbank, he saw a cabin probably used by sportsmen who fished the normally tranquil bend in the river.

Jake crawled up the bank, calling out, Help! HELP ME!

Two men came running from the bank farther downriver and helped Jake roll over and sit up. The older one of the pair exclaimed, Holy Mother of God, I didn’t see you there in the debris! Samuel, call 911. Let them know we have an injured kid.

Okay, Dad. My phone’s on the charger. I’ll be right back, Samuel replied before rushing up the riverbank toward the cabin.

The older man quickly assessed Jake’s injuries before helping him up. The man supported Jake as they also climbed up the bank to the house.

You’re fucking lucky we came out of the cabin to see the damage when we did. Or we weren’t down here with our poles in hand when the water swept through. What’s your name, son? I’m Gerald.

Jake…Jacob Perlman.

His teeth chattered as shock set in. Jake hurt all over, and his abdomen ached. Caked in mud from head to toe, Jake could feel blood trickling down his leg.

All right, Jake, we got you. We’ll get an ambulance here, or we’ll drive you to the hospital if they aren’t able to make it through.

Gerald got them to a deck that overlooked the river.

Looking down from this height, Jake saw the utter destruction up and down the river. He must not have drifted too far because he could see where the bridge was gone. He looked to Omiel for comfort. He stood next to Gerald’s Shepherd. Gerald’s Shepherd whispered in his charge’s ear. Not that Gerald could audibly hear it. Shepherds nudged a person in one way or another through quiet promptings. The person would feel encouraged or inspired, but they would hear nothing. Jake almost spoke to the Shepherds when Samuel ran out with his phone to his ear.

Dad, they’re saying the dam failed, and they dispatched all the EMS. They’ll try to get to us ASAP but want to know if there are any more injured.

My…my bus went into the river. Jake struggled to think through a muddled brain. He glanced at the men, but the shock robbed him of the ability to tell them more.

The two men stared at him with horror-struck expressions, and Samuel gripped the phone tighter. Jesus Christ, the kid was on a school bus. Get rescuers out here now! I’m going to hand you to my dad. His name is Gerald Evans, and I’m going to grab my truck and head downstream to search for more kids. Samuel quickly handed the phone over and bolted to his truck.

As Gerald moved him to a chair inside the sliding glass door, Jake went numb and wondered, Why me? Why not the others? He knew in his heart they wouldn’t find anyone else alive.

We stole you from death today because we will need you soon. Your journey has just started, Jacob, son of Isaak. We will send a coterie of Stolen and Companions who will join and support you in the trials ahead.

Omiel moved closer to Jake and touched him on the shoulder. With that, a sense of peace fell over Jake, but it wasn’t much comfort considering his final thoughts before he lost consciousness were of the ones who didn’t make it.

Sometime later, he woke up in sharp pain as he was lifted onto a stretcher being taken to the waiting ambulance. The rest of the day faded into a blur as they rushed Jake into surgery due to the internal bleeding in his abdomen. They also pinned his arm and cleaned and stitched his thigh wound. The surgeon, Dr. Quincey, held Jake’s hand and assured him he would be okay. When he looked into the man’s eyes, Jake could only smile weakly and nod a thank-you before the world faded to black.

Jake woke again in the recovery room filled with kindly nurses and his surgeon. He wondered where his parents were as he looked about the room.

Jacob, it’s good to see you awake, Dr. Quincey said in his deep, kind baritone. The man checked over Jacob’s sutures. Your parents are in the waiting room. We’ll get you moved to a room and call them up to see you. First, I’m going to check your stitches and get your vitals. Tell me if anything hurts and we’ll give you something for the pain.

The man was infinitely gentle with him.

Jake’s tongue felt like lead. Hurts.

Okay, Jacob, we’ll give you some morphine and make you comfortable. Your parents have been worried about you. We’ve all been worried, and we’re grateful you’re still with us. Dr. Harlsen will be in to speak with you tomorrow. You can talk to him about anything.

Dr. Quincey pulled out a penlight and checked Jake’s pupils and completed his exam. The surgeon then pressed the button to give Jake a dose of morphine. You’ll make a full recovery as long as you listen to our instructions and rest.

Jake watched Omiel for confirmation, and his Shepherd bowed. He is the finest at his craft. Do not worry. I have not left your side, nor will I.

Omiel, did any of the others survive? Jake started to feel sleepy.

Dr. Quincey leaned over and held Jake’s hand. Omiel? Is that a friend? The doctor’s voice was deep with concern. I think you need to rest. Your parents and Dr. Harlsen will talk to you tomorrow about the others.

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Yael

Four Years Before Present Day

Seventeen-year-old Yael Taube sat in her senior civics class, reading over her assignment choices. She needed to research an event, or events, showing a failure of public policy and write a paper about the pros and cons on the role of government regarding the failure. The teacher distributed a list of potential topics. As Yael looked over the list, she noticed one about crumbling infrastructure. She tilted her head and considered it. The other option that appealed to her was the national mental health crisis. Tapping her pen on her notebook, she struggled to decide. Yael could rock both topics, and with her track meet coming up in a few days, she needed to crank this out quickly.

Yael considered writing about the mental health crisis because of her Savta, or grandmother in English. Savta was a Holocaust survivor and, some believed, a schizophrenic. Her parents named her to honor her grandmother Yael Weiss, who married her Saba, or grandfather, Benjamin Taube. She loved her so much and honestly had a hard time with people dismissing her delusions. Her Savta talked to creatures she called the Shepherds, and was thoroughly convinced these delusions were real, but the delusions were generally harmless. She claimed these Shepherds saved her from the Palmiry massacres and guided her through her life.

Savta said everyone had a Shepherd who watched over them and encouraged them to do better. She told Yael stories about the Shepherds and her childhood before the war. Her grandmother called Yael special and said she had a destiny. Savta also would tell her about her Saba and how much they loved each other. Savta assured Yael the Shepherds would bring her a love like that. Yael often sat and listened to her grandmother’s ramblings and often stayed when her Savta’s friend came to visit from Switzerland.

Yael liked Mattias Bühler, whom she knew to be a kind man. For a man in his early seventies, he was tall and fit. Slightly balding, the man always wore horn-rimmed glasses. It was evident her Savta and Mattias had a strong bond, and they had seen things they wouldn’t dare talk about around others. When Mattias visited, they would reminisce about their time together and speak about spouses and friends.

During one visit, Mattias and Savta started an intense conversation while playing cards. Yael sat on the floor reading through her homework when Savta asked her to get them some tea. Yael intentionally snuck back to eavesdrop on their conversation. That was when she doubted the severity of her grandmother’s mental health. The old friends both spoke emphatically about the Shepherds, and Mattias had mentioned he knew they were choosing new Stolen. Her Savta confirmed it and expressed hope the new ones were as successful as they had been during their tenure. Just as their conversation got more detailed, Yael’s father startled her, and she knocked over a plant. The two elders immediately changed the subject by talking about Europe during the 1960s.

After Mattias left and her Savta prepared for bed, Yael knocked on her door. Savta, can I come in?

Of course, Yael. Come right in. Her grandmother sat on the bed with her reading glasses hanging on a chain around her neck and a crossword book next to her. She regarded Yael for a moment, then squinted over Yael’s shoulder. Close the door, child. Savta patted the bed next to her.

Yael always felt a shiver go up her spine when her grandmother stared at nothing. Savta, I overheard you speaking with Mattias about Shepherds. I promise to keep an open mind. Could you tell me about them?

Her Savta took her hand. Yes, because you are special in this world, and someday you’ll need to know these things. Your Shepherd, Elemiah, will be with you always as a guide and protector. You must learn to feel his nudges and take his advice. Let me teach you.

Bringing herself back to the present, Yael returned to the infrastructure option. Writing about the mental health crisis would be a passion, but she sensed nothing from her Shepherd. Everyone knew she had applied to several universities with fabulous psychology programs and would expect her to choose that topic. Instead, Yael racked her brain for disasters in the United States. Dam failures and bridge collapses came to mind. She remembered a dam collapse in Massachusetts when she was a child. The New Deal Era dam collapsed and caused millions in damage and killed dozens of people downstream. Yael remembered her parents watching the news after dinner, the pictures of the devastation, and the story of the sole survivor of a bus full of kids. Images of a bus smashed on a riverbank played on evening news. Yael feared being on a bus going over bridges for a few months in first grade. Afterward, Yael’s parents set her down to reassure her that the odds of her ever seeing such a disaster were slim to none. With that memory in the back of her mind, Yael decided to forego writing about mental health and go with the infrastructure paper using the dam break as her centerpiece.

Chapter one

Jacob

August 18, Present Day

Jake pulled into the parking lot of the Hawks and Doves Social Club and turned off the engine of his Cadillac. Omiel, I really don’t want to hear it tonight. I’m sick of going home to an empty house and having no social interactions except with you.

You need your rest, Jacob, son of Isaak. I am only worried about you. Omiel floated to his side.

You’re like a mother hen. I won’t stay long. I just want to spend an hour with my brothers before I go home. Jake scratched his stubble-covered cheek.

Very well, but do not tarry too long. Omiel glided next to him as he headed for the door of the club.

Jake refused to admit to Omiel the level of his exhaustion. The life of a senior resident required long hours at the hospital and studying. He wanted to relax with friends before going home and grabbing some much-needed sleep. Jake strode into the members-only social club and scanned the room.

H&D, as it was known by the members, was one of the best in the Washington, DC area, maybe on the East Coast. The club organized charitable donations for antiwar causes while supporting veterans affected by those wars. An attending surgeon who took a liking to Jake recruited him during his first year of residency. He chose to join after treating several veterans during his rotations. Thankfully, he could afford the fees thanks to his low cost of living. His parents had given him his inheritance early to pay for a townhome in the metro area and pay for his medical school tuition. That meant his paltry resident’s salary stretched farther than it did for his colleagues.

The club resided in an old Gilded-Age manor that had been a hotel at one time in its life. The lobby served as a check-in area manned by security to ensure only members passed into the club’s main areas. The old mahogany bar and renovated ballroom were the main part of the club. Located off to the side, an area reserved for relaxation contained chesterfield couches and chairs situated among flowers and other plants to offer some privacy for those engaged in conversation.

In the lounge area, Jake recognized a group of his friends he considered more like family than friends. He flopped down into one of the overstuffed chairs and nodded to the three men and three women sitting around a low coffee table. The club owner, Vadim Kuznetsov, had become a surrogate father to their little group. Daniel Dupree, Stefan Chernenko, and he were only children. In Stefan’s case, he was also an orphan. Jake noted their other brother Kareem Haddad’s absence tonight. Because of Vadim and his wife, Ksenia, the four men had bonded as more than just friends. They backed each other as if they were blood. Pleased to see Vadim, Daniel and Stefan engaged in conversation with the three women sitting with them. He greeted the group with a wave of his hand.

At twenty-seven, Stefan took the place of the little brother. The combat veteran worked for a private security company and often traveled for work. Seeing Stefan surprised Jake and affirmed his decision to come into the club. Jake hadn’t seen Stefan in a couple months. The man’s steel-gray eyes always held a hardness making him seem older. He kept his short, sandy-brown hair in a military-style haircut, in stark contrast to Jake’s curly, dark, collar-length hair and dark eyes. The former army sergeant and current military contractor cut a commanding presence when the situation called for it. Stefan often dressed in simple khakis and a nice polo shirt, preferring to keep things simple, in contrast to most members dressing in suits or business attire. Stefan and Jake often bantered about football because Jake was a die-hard Patriots fan from Massachusetts and Stefan was a hardcore Steelers fan from Pittsburgh. Of course, being in Washington, DC, they understood they were in Redskins and Ravens territory. They both loved their football teams and spent every fall teasing each other.

A friend named Amber sat next to Stefan, her sweet personality perfect for her role as a nurse. Amber’s sense of humor kept everyone on their toes, including her partner, Vicki. Stefan watched over the pair like a protective older brother despite being younger than Vicki, who was absent.

Hey, Stef. Great to see you. When did you get back? Jake inquired.

Stefan grimaced in irritation and shifted in his seat. Two nights ago. The facility we were guarding decided they didn’t need twenty men, so they sent half the team home. Frankly, I’d rather be here than guarding some business that doesn’t listen to their professional guards. I just hope their cost cutting doesn’t get our men killed.

I suspect it is as annoying as a patient arguing they know more than you after thirteen years of education and residency. Jake blew out a breath. I get those at least once per day in the ER.

Daniel inclined his head to Jake. Your patients should be glad they have Dr. Perlman and not Dr. Chernenko. They’d be removing sterile gauze from uncomfortable areas. Just a year older than Stefan, the pair had been roommates at boarding school. They met in middle school, and their friendship occasionally invoked a mild jealousy in Jake. He’d never formed a bond like that in school, before or after the dam break.

A scion of a wealthy family, Daniel owned several corporations focusing on the economic development of agricultural regions worldwide. The parent corporation engaged in fair trade for crops and would help farmers develop more sustainable techniques in exchange for the exclusive rights to purchase the crops for several years. Dan’s stylishly cut dark hair and jade eyes were a striking difference from his best friend given Daniel preferred suits to jeans. Around his brothers, Dan was relaxed and gregarious. The rest of the time, Dan was serious and all business.

At Daniel’s side sat a woman whom Jake didn’t like. The brunette, Lauren, was self-interested, had a vicious streak, and had a bad habit of pretending to be generous and kind. Jake raised an eyebrow at Daniel, who generally didn’t like her. Dan rolled his eyes because the gold-digging woman couldn’t see him. Jake chose to drop it; exhaustion prevented him from caring about how the night led to her sitting with Dan.

It’s good to see you, Jake. We don’t get to see you that often. Dan seemed surprised to see Jake. From Dan’s expression, he was grateful to have an excuse to ignore Lauren.

Working eighty to one hundred hours per week makes for a shitty social life, but I decided to come in and relax for a bit. Jake leaned forward in an attempt to stay awake.

The third man seated with the group was Vadim Kuznetsov. The older man was in his late fifties and served as a mentor figure to the group. Vadim performed as an actor in Odessa in the former Soviet Union before coming to the US. His wife, Ksenia, sat next to him. She was an IT specialist at a local server farm. The two were one of the happiest couples Jake had ever met. Vadim’s ownership attracted many Russian and Eastern European club members. He always had an aura of calm and control. With slightly graying black hair, deep brown eyes, and an aquiline nose, Vadim appeared more Roman than Russian. Ksenia’s timeless beauty only enhanced her kind disposition. Unlike Lauren, she wasn’t vain or self-conscious, so she relied only on her natural beauty, allowing her blonde hair to gray slightly. Ksenia surrounded all her friends with a mother’s affection. Those lucky enough to get to know the couple intimately couldn’t help but love them. Jake’s parents loved him but were too busy with their pharmaceutical research to give him their undivided attention and often seemed detached. When Jake visited the Kuznetsovs in a private setting, they focused solely on those with them and nothing else.

So, how are you all doing? Jake sat back feeling more like falling asleep than enjoying the company of his friends.

Stefan assessed him. You’re exhausted. Is the hospital pushing you with longer hours again?

One of the attending surgeons is out with a broken wrist, so the senior residents are picking up the slack. None of us have had a full night’s sleep in two weeks. I’m just grateful I only have ten more months of this before I finish the program. Jake involuntarily yawned. I hoped to hang out with all of you, but apparently I chose poorly. Jake ignored Omiel’s I told you so look.

Ksenia expressed concern and glanced to Vadim and then to Jake. Are you going to be safe to drive home?

I think I can make it home; after four and a half years, I’m used to dragging my ass home and passing out in bed.

Stefan’s jaw set with determination. I’ll drive you home tonight. You can take a rideshare in the morning to collect your car. Drowsy driving is just as bad as drunk driving, and I’m not ready to lose a friend due to his own stubbornness. Or Dan can follow us in your car, and Dan’s bodyguards can bring him back. This isn’t a request; you have two options.

Jake ground his teeth; a battle of wills with Stefan most often ended in defeat. His deployments in Afghanistan forged him into someone as stubborn as one could get. He often said his stubbornness was born out of his Eastern European heritage. He often used the Pittsburgh slang that labeled individuals with Eastern European blood as Hunkies. Stefan’s mother had been Russian American, and his father Ukrainian. Still, Stefan was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh with a thick regional accent occasionally creeping into his speech. His father, mother, and sister were dead; the latter two died in an accident when he was a kid and the father succumbed to lung cancer while Stefan fought in Afghanistan. Jake thought the combination of deployments and the tragedy that robbed him of his mother and sister shaped the overprotectiveness for those Stefan cared about.

All right, I’ll take the second option only because you’ll be assholes about it.

I have no problem doing this for you, Dan reassured him.

Ksenia smiled softly at each of them. Thank you. You all know how worried I get.

Thank you, Mama, Jake affectionately replied to Ksenia.

Jake felt burnt out, and being honest with himself, admitted Stefan and Ksenia were correct. The stress of the long hours and learning the complex, high-speed craft of trauma surgery caused more than one resident to quit over the years. Most days, Jake slept no more than six hours. He probably shouldn’t have driven to the club but instead gone straight home. Jake needed a break, but as a senior surgical resident, it wasn’t possible. After he finished and passed his board certification, Jake would take an extended vacation to some tropical destination.

Putting in long hours for the last four and a half years had taken its toll on him. Jake loathed going home to an empty townhouse. He attempted to have a few relationships over the previous thirteen years of college, medical school, and residency, but they inevitably ended because of his work schedule. Jake was jealous of the relationship Vadim and Ksenia had. Amber and Victoria also made for a perfect match; they were in love and committed to each other. Jake realized he craved a stable relationship with a wonderful woman who would love him the way Ksenia loved Vadim. Only Stefan could come close to understanding his desires due to traveling out of the country too often to have a serious relationship.

In his exhaustion, Jake glanced around the room and focused. The Shepherds came and went while checking on their charges. Currently, only Stefan’s, Dan’s, and his were present. It concerned him that Stefan’s Shepherd stuck close these days. It could be nothing, or it could mean his friend was in danger. One of the most observant people he knew, Stefan squinted at him then peered over his shoulder to see what Jake was looking at.

Jake, are you seeing ghosts? Stefan narrowed his eyes.

Jake cursed at himself for getting caught looking at his Shepherd. No, just thinking that I need a strong drink on a white sand beach. He stifled a yawn.

Dan leaned against the arm of the couch. When you finish your fellowship and pass your boards, we all need to take a trip. Hopefully, you’ll be able to relax some when we go to Vermont this winter. It’s not a beach, but it’s peaceful up there. If you’re insistent on tropical after residency, I’ll pay for it. You know I’m always searching for an excuse to get away.

That would be appreciated; I’ll promise to lose the argument on costs. Jake yawned again. I think I need to get going. Are you sure you two are willing to leave? I wouldn’t want to interrupt your night. I can call an Uber.

Dan and Stefan both stood up, and Stefan shrugged. I was ready to go anyway. Stefan bent over and hugged Amber. Tell Vicky to call me tomorrow.

I will. Amber hugged him back.

Stefan headed for the entrance. Dan looked down at Lauren. "Good night,