Page 58 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

He nodded.

“Okay. I think we’re going to have to wait this out, but I’ll find out if there’s anything we can do to make you feel better.”

Ben came back and handed Sam his phone. “Now, go get Henry some clean pajamas and underwear, okay?”

He hurried away again, the weight of his guilt rounding his shoulders. Sam called Vaughn, not surprised when he picked up on the first ring.

“Sam?”

“Hey. Henry ate some ice cream and is throwing up and has diarrhea. Anything I can do to help him?”

“How long has he been sick?”

“I’m not sure. Ben just came and got me.”

“Okay,” Vaughn said. “I’m almost finished here. We’ve got some peppermint tea in the pantry that should help calm his stomach down a bit. Lactose attacks don’t normally last long, so we just have to get him over the worst of it.”

“Okay. See you soon. I’ll get him set up downstairs so we don’t wake up the rest of the horde.”

Vaughn chuckled and ended the call.

Ben carried clean pajamas back into the bathroom.

“You want to stay up until he’s feeling better?” Sam asked.

Ben nodded, still looking worried sick.

“Okay. Go on downstairs. I’m going to help Henry get cleaned up, and then we’ll come down too. Will you bring the little trash can from your bathroom down with you so Henry can use that one if he needs it? This one’s kinda gross.”

Ben nodded, happy to have yet another task, and went across the hall.

“Quick shower time, Henry. We’ll be quick, but we need to get you cleaned up.”

Henry nodded again. Sam eased the trash can out of his arms and helped him take off his dirty T-shirt. He quickly turned on the shower, helped Henry take his pants off, and guided him into the shower. “Just rinse off, buddy. I know you’re not feeling well.”

Once he was cleaned up, Sam helped him get dressed again and guided him downstairs. Ben sat on the couch, nervously twisting his hands together with the trash can sitting by his feet.

“Go lay down by Ben. Let me know if you have to run to the bathroom again.”

Henry nodded pitifully and went to crawl on the couch beside Ben. God, these kids. He’d been thinking about calling the guidance counselor from school to see if she had any suggestions for them. Vaughn had been looking for a specialist, but needless to say, traumatized cubs were few and far between so it was taking a little longer than he’d hoped.

Sam put a pot of water on the stove before digging in the pantry for the peppermint tea. He found it on the top shelf and pulled down the box. With a quick glance toward the living room, he confirmed that the boys were both sitting quietly.

Henry still looked pale and shaky, but he hadn’t bolted for the bathroom yet so Sam counted it as progress. Vaughn got back from the clinic about the time Sam had the tea ready. He gave Sam a quick look but went straight into the living room where Henry and Ben were curled together pitifully.

“Hey,” Vaughn said gently. He ran his hand over Henry’s hair and put his other on Ben’s shoulder. “How are you doing?”

“Better,” Henry whimpered.

Sam took out the tea bag and dropped a piece of ice in the mug to cool it down a bit. When he went into the living room, he snuggled up next to Ben.

Vaughn took the cup and helped Henry sit up. He handed it to him, encouraging him to take small sips, and then sat across from the three of them on the coffee table.

“So… first of all, Ben, I can smell the fear on you. We’re not mad. I promise. You guys did something a little silly, right? What’d you eat?”

“Ice cream,” Ben sobbed and curled up even tighter into Sam.

“Oh man, ice cream’s the worst when you can’t have milk. Henry, buddy, no more ice cream, okay?”