Page 20 of Healed By the Grumpy Elf

"Send them to me right away," I instruct. "Anyone with symptoms."

As soon as I put down the phone, it rings again. And again. And again. Ten more students in different grades showing symptoms. My heart races as I realize this is quickly spiraling beyond what I can handle alone.

I manage to collect all symptomatic students and quarantine them in the recovery room, which is now filled with uncontrollable giggles and the soft glow of luminescent freckles. The youngest, a pre-kindergartener named Leo, floats around with Zinnia over the beds, the two of them holding hands.

Principal Braggstone stops by briefly, his massive frame filling the doorway. For once, he doesn't seem to want to come close to me. Maybe he didn't catch Pixie-Pox as a child. The illness is quite uncomfortable as an adult and maybe he doesn’t want to catch it now. Those glowing freckles itch a lot, from what I've heard.

"Should we send everyone home?" he asks without stepping inside.

"Not yet," I say, gathering the files of all the students afflicted so far. "But we need to notify all parents and call the guardians of all the exposed children."

He nods solemnly. "Whatever you need, Maeve."

After he leaves, I stare at the phone for a long moment. I know what I need to do, who I need to call. The thought makes my stomach clench, but the health of my students comes first.

With great reluctance, I pick up the phone and dial Saltford Bay's medical clinic. Mrs. Beckham answers on the second ring and it doesn't take long for her to transfer me tohim.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself as I wait for him to answer.

"Dr. Reizenhart speaking." His deep voice comes through the line, somehow managing to sound both bored and authoritative at the same time.

My voice catches in my throat for a moment before I force myself to speak.

"Dr. Reizenhart, this is Nurse Maeve from Saltford Bay Elementary. I'm afraid we have an emergency situation."

I explain the situation and my students' symptoms in a few breathless sentences.

There's a pause on the line before he responds, his tone suddenly sharp with attention.

"I'll be there in ten minutes."

I hang up the phone and lean back in my chair, bracing myself for what's to come.

The giggling from the recovery room grows louder, and I notice with alarm that Millie now hovers several inches above her chair. Zinnia's hair has begun to change color, cycling through the rainbow as she laughs.

Ten minutes. I just need to hold everything together for ten more minutes.

Then I'll have to deal with Dr. Reizenhart again, whether I'm ready or not.

Chapter 6

Lorian

IdrivetowardSaltfordBay Elementary, careful to respect the speed limit but gripping the steering wheel so hard my knuckles are white against the black leather. Maeve's voice on the phone still echoes in my ears, the sound of my name in her mouth. I want to hear it again. I want to hear it as she moans with pleasure.

Alone in the car, I growl. This line of thinking is unacceptable.

No matter how hard I tried, the last two days have been plagued with visions of her, thoughts of her. I even dreamed of her. But I won’t let this affect my treatment ofthe children.

Maeve Callahan has no interest in me. She called me because she believes there is an outbreak at the school, not because she wants to see me again.

And it's my duty to focus on this outbreak and not on Maeve.

Pixie-Pox. Highly contagious. Potentially an epidemic, if not contained quickly.

I swerve into the school parking lot, park my car, and grab my medical bag from the passenger seat. As I stride toward the building, I catalog treatment options, quarantine protocols, and necessary medications.

I'm definitely not thinking about her.