Chapter Text
“Carter, earache in room three,” Carol says, handing him the patient’s chart. Carter takes it and makes his way into room three. Sitting on the bed is a young woman, looking to be about 25 or so.
“So, Miss…” Carter looks down at the chart. “…Beaumont. You have an earache?”
“Yes. And please, call me Beatrice,” the woman says.
“Okay, Beatrice. I’m John Carter. Are both ears aching or just one?” he asks.
“Just my left one,” she says.
“Alright. Well I’m going to take a look in your ear and see how bad it is.” He walks over and takes the otoscope off the wall. He leans in close to Beatrice and places the tip of the scope in her ear. He clicks on the light and takes a look.
“You’re very handsome,” Beatrice says.
“Thank you,” Carter says, still looking in her ear. “You’re not too bad yourself.”
Beatrice mumbles something. “What?” Carter says.
Before she repeats herself, she turns and dips her head, sinking her teeth into his neck.
“Ow!” Carter exclaims. He backs away from her, a look of shock and confusion on his face.
Beatrice smirks and licks her lips.
“Why the hell did you bite me?” Carter asks.
“Wondered how you would taste.”
“…oh.” Carter clears his throat. “Well, you have a minor ear infection. I’ll prescribe you some antibiotics and you’ll take them for ten days. The infection should clear up by then. If the pain persists after you finish the antibiotics, come back by and we’ll see what we can do.”
“Alright,” Beatrice says.
Carter takes out his script pad and writes the prescription. He hands it to her and quickly steps back again.
“Thank you, doctor,” Beatrice says.
“No problem.” Carter quickly leaves the room.
As he’s walking down the hall, he passes Susan. “Is blood in style now?” she asks.
Carter looks confused. “What are you talking about?”
“You have blood on your neck,” she says.
Carter touches his hand to where Beatrice bit him. He looks at his fingers and sees blood.
“Shit, she broke skin,” he says.
“What?” Susan asks.
“A patient I just had. She bit my neck while I was looking in her ear,” he says.
“Didn’t know you were into kinky stuff, Carter,” Susan grins.
Carter rolls his eyes. “Real funny. Now I have to go clean this up.”
Carter walks into an empty exam room and cleans the bite. He bandages it and gets back to work.
✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
Benton calls Carter in for a suture, something he’s done dozens of times. Carter talks to the patient before sitting down and starting on the suture, Benton watching.
About a quarter of the way through, Benton notices something.
“Are you feeling okay?” he asks.
“Yeah… why do you ask?” Carter asks, a bit confused.
“You’re incredibly pale. You sure you feel okay?”
“I mean, I’m kinda hungry, but that’s about it,” Carter says.
“Maybe you should take a break. I can take over from here,” Benton says.
“I promise I’m fine. I don’t know why I’m pale,” Carter says.
“Take a break. Just to be safe.”
Carter sighs and stands up. He hands the suture supplies to Benton and leaves the room. He walks to the break room and gets himself a cup of coffee and little something to eat.
While taking a bite, he accidentally bites his lip, drawing blood.
“What the-“ He pats at his lip with a napkin.
After downing his cup of coffee, he has to use the bathroom. He goes in and does his business. While washing his hands, he glances up at the mirror and has to do a double take. He has no reflection. He holds his hands up in front of the mirror and there’s still nothing.
He dries his hands and just looks at them. His skin is terribly pale, and seems to almost have a shimmer to it. He reaches his hand up to feel his teeth. His canines are more elongated.
Carter connects the dots. That damn patient was a vampire, and now he is too!