Precious injects my arm with the injection. I feel the liquid medicine flowing through my veins. I open my eyes.

“There, hope you’re feeling better now,” Precious says.

Weirdly enough I do feel better. I’m wondering what is in the liquid and think that I better ask. “Thanks, but I thought… I thought…”

“You thought what?” Precious interrupts, as she gives me her hand to help me stand up. “Here – drink some water, it’ll calm your body,” she says offering me a glass of water.

“Oh, thanks,” I say.

“So, what did you think I was going to do?” she asks softly.

I nearly choke as I drink the water. “Oh, uhm…” I stutter. “Well, I thought you wanted to drug me,” I say.

She laughs softly. “Why would I do that, Benard?” she asks in a joking way.

“It’s just that your actions… well, you got to admit that it did look like you wanted to drug me or something.”

“What if I did?” she asks.

I look at her seriously.

“Haha! Relax – don’t look so serious. It’s an energy drug,” she says.

“But, how did you know that I needed it?”

“I know about that police officer – the fat one that give you the energy drug. He told me that you’re addicted to the drug. So it came as no surprise when you lost your balance – your body must be so used to the drug. It’s addictive after all.”

I’m gonna need a vacation when all this is over, I thought. “All right. I might not be thinking clearly but I’m sure I can come up with a plan.” I place my hand on my chin and look at nothing but the ceiling. “Er…” I scratch my head, then say, “I got nothing.”

“Are you for real?” Precious asks amazed, if not stunned, by what I’ve said.

“Hey, don’t blame me. Everything just feels cloudy in my brain right now. But seriously, I’ve got no plan,” I say.

“I think that we should first go to the hospital here at Middle Stallian where you got treated. With any luck the doctor could explain to us how serious the dosage of the drug is – because it seemed like you were recovering.” Precious adds, “We should go now – we’ve wasted enough time.”

I stand up and take a last sip of the water in the glass. “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” I respond.

After a short while we head over to Precious’ car, or rather, her father’s car. She explains that he went to a business trip in Africa and that’s why its here. It’s a Nissan GT-R (R35). It’s very fast. Well at least that’s what I’ve heard. I head over to the driver’s seat and hold onto the steering wheel.

“Wow, I never knew that you knew how to drive, Benard?” she says.

I don’t respond. Because I don’t know how to drive. Nonetheless, I start the car and put my foot down on the clutch, place my foot on the brake. But, the car ain’t moving.

“What in the world of god are you doing,” Precious asks shocked.

“I’m seeing things – I see four clutches,” I say as an excuse. “It must be the drug making me do that,” I add.

“Let me drive then,” she exclaims.

She slides across the driver’s seat and I get in on the passenger side. Man, it looks so easy when someone drives a car, I think to myself. Best I take a driver’s licence test next year.

Precious starts the car and she drives. “Do you have that small thing that you kept the energy pills in?” she asks.

“Yeah, I do,” I respond. I place my hand in my pocket to reach for it. As I remove my hand, Precious’ phone falls. I pick it up then say to her.

“Hey, I forgot to give you your phone.”

“Hold it, I’m driving,” she responds.

I then remember that that fat police officer was supposed to come to Precious’ home. I wonder what changed?

“Hey, I had told that policeman that I would be coming to your home. What changed?”

“Oh, he did call me to confirm that you were coming and I lied and told him you weren’t coming anymore,” she explains.

“Would he have killed me if I had come?” I ask.

“I don’t know what their intentions are. But one thing is for certain, I don’t think he’d have let Justin go even if I had set you up,” she says.

“All right, then.” I respond.

I see a red cross pointing us in the direction of the hospital. The sign shows that it is just a kilometer away.

“Tell me again what we’re doing here,” I say in a bored way.

“I’ve already told you: For you to be given a check up. I think that you had too much of that energy drug – more than your body could handle. So it’s good to know as it may otherwise be harmful to your body or your brain,” she elaborates.

I sigh.

“Look, I don’t like this anymore than you do, but we’ve gotta make sure we know what you’re dealing with here,” she adds.

“Wait, Precious. You have used this drug haven’t you?” I ask.

“Yes,” she responds.

“But then why don’t you look or feel high,” I ask again.

“I only take it part-time, silly,” she says.

“I’ve got an idea,” I say.

Precious stops the car. We’ve arrived at the hospital in Middle Stallian.

“Why don’t you also get checked up. After all, we’ve taken the same drug.”

“I use it part-time, Benard,” she interrupts.

“Yes, but it’s in your blood. Besides the doctor will explain the symptoms and all that kind of stuff, so we’ll know what we’re dealing with,” I explain.

“The idea is rather for you to get the check up, Benard. What if the drug kills you next time you use it?” she asks. “Tell me why you don’t want to get a blood test. And, it must be a good reason,” Precious asks looking agitated.

“A reason?” I ask.

“Yes, I want a reason,” she responds.

“Trust,” I say.

“What was that?” she asks.

“Trust, I need you to trust me.” I say.

“That’s not a reason. You see I wanna have you checked up now. The drug is messing with your brain,” she reassures me again.

“What do you take me for? I know that’s not the reason. Look I need you to trust me on this,” I say. “Just because my brain is damaged doesn’t mean that I’m a total… what’s that word again?” I add while asking.

“Idiot – that’s the word,” she answers.

“Yeah. I ain’t a total ‘idiot’. Look, we’re wasting time here and who knows what’s happening to the people we love?” I ask.

Precious sighs, “We don’t.”

“So, you agree?” I ask.

“OK, you win, Benard. I’ll do it. But you owe me big time,” she says.

“Nah, it’s the other way round,” I respond.

We get out of the car and go into the hospital. It is full – and I mean really full – with school pupils in the waiting area to my amazement.

“What on earth is happening here?” Precious asks shocked.

“Don’t know,” I respond.

I look at the school pupils that are sitting down. They all look so worn out, tired and exhausted.

“Why do you think they’re here?” she asks again.

“I don’t know – they might be here for a school assignment or something. Let’s go,” I say again.

“They all look like they’re possessed or something,” Precious exclaims.

“I’ll behave like a possessed freak right now, if we don’t go… as in NOW,” I say convincingly.

“Go where? We’re in the waiting room, remember?” Precious responds cheekily.

“Yeah, I know. There’s the doc that treated me previously. I’ll ask him to check up on you,” I say.

“Fair enough. Lead the way then.”

We head over to the doctor’s office. I knock on the door.

“Come in,” a voice calls.

I open the door.

“Ah, Benard,” the doctor says as he stands. “How are you doing, son? You look kind of different?” He asks.

“Never been better, doc, it must be the weather or something. It’s very hot in my area now,” I say.

The doctor looks at me suspiciously. After a short while he notices Precious standing behind me.

“Who’s that behind you?” he asks with a smile.

“Oh, yeah, that’s Precious. She’s my… she’s my…” I stutter.

“Girlfriend,” Precious says, finishing my sentence.

“Yeah, what she said,” I say.

“OK, so what brings you here.” The doc asks.

“Well, you see, my girlfriend has felt sick over the past few days and I was wondering whether you could check her to see if she’s all right,” I say.

The doctor looks at Precious carefully. “Well, she looks fine to me,” he says.

Maybe I should have said it differently, I wonder.

“What my dear boyfriend is trying to say is that sometimes I get headaches, feel feverish and all that kinda stuff,” Precious intervenes.

“Yeah, exactly that,” I exclaim.

The doctor nods his head. “I hear what you both are saying. But you’re gonna have to wait in the waiting room just like everyone else,” he says.

“Please, doc, this is a life and death situation,” I say, trying to look calm.

“Why’s that?” he asks interestedly.

“I can’t tell you now. You probably wouldn’t believe me anyway, doc. Please, just do it as a favour…” I say.

“There are strict protocols that I must follow, I can’t just…”

I interrupt, “But, you can just break the rules… just this once, please, doc,” I beg.

“OK, but just this once,” he says firmly. “There’s a patient’s room that empty. I’ll check her in there.”

We head up to the room.

“All right, after I check you up and find that you’re OK, I’ll prescribe some pills for you,” the doctor explains.

“Cool,” Precious responds, looking a bit bored.

“Yes, but if it’s the opposite and it’s serious, then you’re gonna have to undress so that I can use an injection on your bum,” he explains further.

“Yo, well, then I guess I’ll head out and wait,” I say hurriedly.

“OK,” the doctor responds and leaves the room.

Precious looks at me with a hard to identify expression. “You know I’m going to get you for this, right?” she says.

“Haha, c’mon. I’m sure the injection isn’t painful. Besides, he’ll give you a lollipop if you don’t cry!” I say jokingly.

“Darn you,” she says.

“Hey, look on the bright side – we’ll know more about the drug,” I say.

“You should be getting the check-up, not me. Why am I doing this again? Oh yeah, you didn’t give me a reason,” she says sarcastically.

“Yeah, just trust me on this one,” I say.

The doctor returns. “This will only take 30 minutes,” he says.

“Where’s my phone?” Precious asks.

“Oh, yeah, here it is,” I show it to her.

“Call Collen,” she says.

“What? Why?” I ask.

“Trust me. Now who says that?” she teases with a smile.

“OK, yeesh. No need to get sarcastic and all.”

I close the door as I head out. I look at Precious’ Blackberry. How does one used a mixed up phone like this, I ask myself.