Otis and Venti squeezed into the cargo elevator. The otter insisted on using it. According to him, regular elevators would be too crowded. Venti had to admit he had a point. He pushed the button to Ted's floor.

Otis grunted. "I hate hospitals."

Venti raised his eyebrows. "Never knew you felt that way about them."

The elevator lurched and the jackal felt his stomach had been left behind.

"So what was it about 'em?"

"Had an aunt stay there while she was sick. The lady next to her started vomiting blood."

"Yuck."

"Some of it got splattered on me."

"Double yuck!"

"I was about six at the time. Ever since then I can't watch a slasher flick without freaking out!"

Venti glared at his best friend and bared his teeth. "Are you pulling my leg, dude?"

"Up to the point where I can't watch slasher flicks without freaking out," Otis grinned.

Venti punched his arm. "Ass!"

"I lived in the South, Venti. Rough and tumble play in the backyard was expected. I got more scrapes and cuts from briar patches in the woods than anything else. A little projectile blood on me doesn't phase me one little bit."

"...and they say television desensitizes you."

The elevator finally came to a halt. The doors opened. Venti had to crouch because of the low ceiling. He took no comfort from Otis having to do the same, though he chuckled when the otter complained bitterly about hospitals being built for short people.

They stood at the receptionist's desk and waited for the nurse to notice them. "Ahem ... excuse me, ma'am, can you tell me what floor Ted West is in?"

The nurse smiled warmly up at Venti, then checked a chart on her desk. "Edward West? Are you a friend of the family?"

"I'm his brother."

"According to our records, Mister West was discharged about two hours ago."

Venti fought back an annoyed feeling from the pit of his stomach. "Thank you," he said and turned away.

As they re-entered the elevator, Otis asked, "Did I mention how much I hate hospitals?"

"Not as much as how much I hate Mom forgetting how call use a phone."

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