Chapter 1 - Waking up
AUTHORS NOTES:
Just so there is no confusion, the font in italics determines a characters thoughts or memories.
DISCLAIMER: IN NO SHAPE OR FORM DO I OWN THE JUSTICE LEAGUE.
George Anderson shot up from his pillow, eyes wide, saturated with sweat and gasping for air. He shook his head around to check for any possible dangers, but could only see the dark outline of his university bedroom. George placed his hand on his forehead and let out a defeated sigh.
"That damn dream again". Removing his sheets he rose up from his bed and toddled his way to the bathroom. Switching on the light he went to the sink, scooped up his hands and splashed crisp water onto his face. Letting it drip down his muscular chest, George closed his eyes and felt the relief the cool water offered amongst his fevering skin.
As he opened his eyes, George looked into the bathroom mirror and stared at his ghastly reflection. His sandy blonde hair was a total mess, it resembled a wild animal that couldn't be tamed. His oval face and full lips were pale in colour and purple bags could be seen under his hazel eyes. For a while now, George had been experiencing the same recurring dream which resulted in restless, sleepless nights. During the day sometimes, George could barely stay awake during his university lectures and when he tried to get a few hours of study in, he would fall asleep either at the library or at his bedroom desk. But whenever George seemed to close his eyes, the same events kept replaying within his head.
Flying in the night sky, laughing with his former favourite superhero, The Green Lantern, and then falling. Just as he was about to hit the ground, George would wake up in hysterics not knowing where he was. He knew this was no ordinary dream. He had experienced it six years ago when he was thirteen and still in high-school.
His dreams were actually memories of when he had his accident all those years ago. George recalled the events that occurred on that tragic day.
When he got home, Mum confronted him about his school grades and how she was confiscating his comic books. He had felt stricken with loneliness and couldn't bear the thought of losing something that was so close to his heart. Appearing to him, a figure wearing a green bodysuit had given him the option of a better life. A life free from misery and heartache. Somewhere where George could explore to his heart's delight. Following the figure, he went to the window seal and jumped off.
That was the last thing he remembered until he woke up again in an unfamiliar room. Slowly opening his eyes George was blinded again by a bright white light. The room smelt like cleaning products mixed with underlying blood and metal. Attempting in lifting his arms he struggled as it felt like he was trying to move lead. It hurt to breath and his throat was parched. Every swallow felt like sandpaper was being rubbed against his raw flesh. Slowly turning his head, George could see an IV drip attached to a needle punctured into the vein of his arm. He could also hear the rhythmic beep of a heart monitor and see other medical machines and instruments that was situated a few feet away from his bed.
He heard a silent gasp. Turning his head further, he could see the exhausted and tearing but happy faces of his parents.
"Oh my God, George. My beautiful little boy, you're finally awake."
"Mum?", George's voice barely came out in a whisper.
"Yes! That's right" A tear has made it's way to the surface \ and slipped down the apple of her swollen cheek.
"Where am I?", George asked still confused on what was going on.
"You're in the hospital son. We had to rush you here after we saw-". His father paused to swallow, struggling to continue with his words. "-after we found you outside the house. There was a lot of blo-blood and you're body was beginning to shut down-" His father stopped again with his head hung. Taking a deep breath, he looked into the curious eyes of his son. "The doctors did everything they could to restart your organs and eventually they did. But what they didn't realise was that your brain had gone into a state of shock and hence, it placed your body into a coma".
George widened his eyes at the revelation of this new information. He blinked and shook his head as he prepared himself for his next question.
"How long have I been asleep?"
"You've been in the hospital for 9 months sweetie", his mother continued. "It's a miracle you've awaken now considering the great ordeal your body has been through. The doctors told us you wouldn't wake up for a very long time". A smile creeped onto the lips of his mother and she went over to the bed gently embracing her son.
"We thought we lost you George". His father rose and walked to the side of the bed, taking George's hand. "We've been visiting you every day, hoping and praying to God you would wake up. And now our prayers have been answered". He too joined in the hugging of his only son and the family stayed like that for a period of a few minutes. The occasional blubbering could be heard from his mother until the doctor came in surprised over the witness of the intense family moment.
Returning to his university room, George became saddened at the memory. The amount of pain and suffering he must have put them through. Witnessing their only son almost die in front of them must have been most traumatic for the usually gleeful couple.
George knew from that day he could never again put his family through something like that. He promised to himself he would train his mind and body so he would prevail and become strong. So he could make something of himself. And those years of challenging himself, working hard in his studies and sacrifice had been rewarding.
After graduating from high school, George sought a new adventure away from his rural hometown of Tamworth. Instead he began a new life attending the University of Technology located in Broadway Sydney. Seeing how the university was so far away from Tamworth George became a part-time resident at the university, only returning home during the Easter and Christmas holidays. Sure leaving his family was hard but George felt this was the right step he needed to take in his life. He was starting his second year in university and George couldn't remember a time when he felt happier.
But why was he having the same dream every night? He had never told anyone about his experience after he blacked out. He never confided in his parents about it and never opened up with his psychiatrist about it. And strangely after his accident, George never again saw his group of powerful friends and was never visited by his closest friend, GL. For a long time, George had tried to find his beloved hero. However, after time and time again the Green Lantern never revealed himself to George. Slowly he began to forget about his closest friend as well as the many adventures he has shared with the Justice League. If only he had the chance to talk to them one more time. To see how they were doing or at least say good-bye for the last time.
Turning off the light, George walked out of the bathroom and back to his bed to check the time on his digital clock.
5:12 AM, it read in neon blue digits.
"Well, I've still got some time to kill before boxing training starts", George thought to himself. Soon after his accident George decided to take up the art of boxing as suggested by his rehabilitation therapist. He found it intoxicating and strangely relaxing. When George stepped into the ring, it felt as if he stepped into a different world entirely. He became a whole different person. The way his body moved as he connected an uppercut at his opponent or dodged a punch from his opponent. The burning sensation his muscles felt, the amount of sweat that would drip after an intense workout. The way he felt out of breath afterwards but also how he could feel his body getting stronger. It made George feel powerful but also made him feel protected.
Seeing how sleep wasn't an option, George went over to his desk to revise notes he had taken from his lecture the day before. Another assignment was coming up and George couldn't afford wasting anymore time worrying over some silly dream.
END NOTES:
Well that's the end of another chapter. Sorry if there are any inaccuracies with medical terms and information. I am not a doctor so I don't know all the details. Thanks for reading and don't forget to review!