CHAPTER 2
Light.
Pain.
Voices.
Hank?
Bright light.
Noise.
Faces in masks.
Holding me down.
Everything blurs.
A steady beeping. Floating. Numb. Confused. My eyes heavy. The room dim. The ceiling white. I'm lying on a bed. I feel so heavy. So tired. Something on my hand. Holding my hand? My head is heavy. Everything is heavy. Everything is slow. I turn my head. Someone is there. A dark head resting on the bed. A black hand gripping mine. Hank.
Waking hurts. My throat burns. Everything aches. It all hurts. The room is to bright. Someone talks, voice low. The room dims. I open my eyes, they feel gritty. Hank leans over me, his face pale and tired. I try to talk. Not sure what I want to say. I barely groan.
Hank is quick to bring over a cup. The straw sticks to my lips but the water is heaven. I drink greedy for a moment before he pulls it away. He keeps his voice low, "Nicki, it's ok, you're gonna be ok. I'm here,Nicki. I'm here and you're gonna be ok."
I barely notice the tears rolling down his cheeks, the soft way he strokes my hair, his eyes red and puffy. I try to talk, to reassure him, but nothing comes out.
He calls in a nurse, the conversation escapes me. She check me over and asks questions, I can't answer most, everything seems slow. The doctor comes in, talking and touching. Beeping noise is loud and speeding up. Hank grips my hand, his voice soothing as he whispers "it's ok."
They seem concerned and much of it I can't catch. But they soon leave with encouragement to rest. Sleep comes easy. Hankshand gripping mine. He talks, voice relieved, I don't catch the words.