Page 44 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

“I know.” He carefully guided William into a sitting position, and then helped move his feet to the floor. He tucked the ice pack into the back of his pants and let him rest for a minute.

Sam came back with a bag over his shoulder.

“Do you have any of his medical paperwork here? Anything I can look over?”

“Yeah, we’ve got his records. We have to have them anytime we go to a new specialist. And I’ve got his list of current medications on my phone.”

“Excellent. Okay, Mr. Baker. We’re going to stand up now. I want you to put pressure on my arms and let me do the lifting okay?”

William nodded while Vaughn adjusted his grip on the man’s forearms and prepared to help him rise.

“On the count of three. One. Two. Three.” Vaughn lifted William, being careful not to pull too tightly on his arms. They managed to get him standing, even if he wasn’t able to straighten all the way. “Doing great. Sam, go get the car door open for us. We’ll put him in front. Push the seat all the way back and lean it back a little. Not all the way. We don’t want him flat.”

“Okay.” Sam hurried out the door.

Vaughn tightened his hold on William’s arms. “Let’s try taking a couple steps.”

William shuffled forward, breathing heavily, but was able to get most of the way to the door before he had to stop.

“Sir, I know you’re probably not going to like this, but I can carry you to the car much faster, and we’ll be that much closer to getting you help.”

William squeezed Vaughn’s arms. “I don’t like Sam seeing me like this.”

“I’m sure you don’t, but right now, he’s worried sick about you.”

“Do it,” William said quietly.

Vaughn moved fast, releasing his hold on William’s arms and scooping him up in his arms a second later. He hurried out to the car and lifted him into the seat quickly. “Breathe through it, okay. Deep breath in. And out.”

“I know how to breathe,” William griped.

“Dad!”

“It’s fine, Sam. Hop in and we’ll get him some help.”