starting line — ' don't move, you'll just make it worse '
In which Phoenix cannot, for the life of him, remember why he's in so much pain, and the stranger who tried to offer words of aid.
" It's nothing, " he forces himself to say, offering the stranger a weak smile.
Phoenix likes to think he's been through worse — being tased by von Karma, the blow to the head by way of fire extinguisher, running across the burning bridge ( and proceeding to fall into the river below as it collapsed ), the hit and run, just about everything. A little blood never hurt him, right ?
( I'm fine… I've had worse things happen to me. )
He feels weaker than usual, and this time, however, Phoenix might just have to admit that maybe, just maybe, thi the worst. Primarily due to two factors.
1. ) He's never been in this much pain in his life.
There's a distinct ache in his right leg, and honestly, he's starting to think that the word ' ache ' is a bit of an under-exaggeration. He's restraining himself from saying anything far too vulgar out loud, but it's obvious from the twist of his lips — into an ugly, upset frown, teeth digging into his bottom lip so hard he's shocked he hasn't drawn blood yet.
He hasn't done much but allow his face to contort into a hurt expression, eyes scrunched and pained frown, clench his fist, and let out one brief hiss of pain the moment he'd tried to move.
2. ) He has no idea what just happened.
Call it a memory lapse, call it amnesia, hell, call it trauma, if you're willing to employ such hyperboles.
Phoenix's recollection of the past five or ten minutes just simply doesn't exist. The more he tries to think of it, the more his head begins to throb, and he worse he'd find his current state. It's all radio static at this point, and on one hand he's starting to think that was for the better, but on the other hand, the lack of memory, or memories, for that matter, frightens him. He's not quite sure just how serious his injuries are, just how much trouble he'd managed to get himself in once again.
It's barely a moment after he forces a weak smile to the stranger that he freezes, with pure fear, and nothing but concern, looking up at him — and making damn sure he keeps his attention off the mess that has got to be his leg — ocean blues wide and eyebrows knitted with pure concern, speaking with a shaky voice.
( Shit. )
" Is Trucy okay ? " The memory lapse had made him unsure if he was the only one injured or if there were any other injured parties. When he didn't immediately receive an answer, he pressed again, voice firmer, and more demanding:
" Forget about me. Go help my daughter. "
trivia!: the guy who wanted to help nick was none other than Norman Jayden, from Heavy Rain!
