Jack was retching.
It wasn't unusual for them, to wake up vomiting after dreams. They all had bowls next to their beds, and cleaned them in the morning. It was normal, especially for Tish. It was part of her 'sleeping pattern'. They all had one. Martha woke up countless times, silent even if she was crying. She was still in the war-mode, too scared to make a sound. Tish spewed and went to Jack, where Marta always found her, after waking up alone in the room. Mum and dad were holding each other, not releasing the grip when they fell asleep, and dad collected mum back to their bedroom when she started pacing between the rooms to check everyone was there.
Leo woke up and watched them. Or guard them, if he was honest with himself. The only one calm during the night was Jack, who was just lying there motionless, not even half-alive. There was always someone screaming, someone being nervous, and always, always someone being violently sick.
No; unusual was blood.
Jack was deathly pale, shaking, and he was vomiting blood. It was more blood than Leo ever saw coming from a man, but he knew it was only because he didn't remember the Valiant. He died onboard, failing to defend his family.
Jack didn't seem to be aware of any part of his environment, like Leo holding him upright, or Tish steadying his head at the right angle. They didn't expect him to; it was his first proper wake up for almost two weeks. He started to emerge from his coma-like state few days before: he started to respond to the touch, become restless in his sleep. And then he started screaming.
He screamed until he died, first time. Today was the third time, and he was screaming so long and so hard that for a moment Leo believed it would actually kill one of them.
He didn't loose consciousness when it ended though. He threw up. It was an improvement.
"
Someone gave him water, and then they laid him back. He watched them with unfocussed eyes when Leo got up to clean the bowl, and Tish prepared to clean him. He knew she was talking to him, but he couldn't make up the words.
- Don't… summer… mum thinks… worrying…
It didn't make sense, but it was soothing. Her voice was calm, and familiar, and it meant that the Master has ended for today, or at least for a moment. He wasn't sure if it was his first or second time this day. If he gathered enough strength, he could ask Tish… but he wasn't sure if he cared that much. He thought about his team, they…
His eyes shot open. His team. He was sure the Master was talking about them. Fear run trough his veins.
Then the screams hit him.
Someone was screaming, and it was someone he knew. He wanted to go there, stop it, stop it now… but he couldn't. He couldn't move, it was impossible… because of the chains. This scream, he knew the voice… He tried to remember someone, anyone… There were people he loved… names, faces… but he couldn't catch any.
The scream became distant suddenly, and his mind got into his reach again. Then he remembered. Team.
"
- …need ice-creams, I promise you, I get you the biggest ice-cream you have ever had. And we will go on a walk with them, just to see how beautiful the world is. And it would be raining. Remember when you told me that you miss rain? I missed it too. I didn't realize it until this storm last week. I went out right into it, and it was marvelous. It was so dry on… Anyway, what would you like to…
Tish jumped when Jack suddenly grabbed her hand. She wasn't used to being touched like this.
- Dyoo…
She took a calming breath.
- Hush… it's ok Jack, don't try talking yet…
The grip on her hand tightened.
- Dhryy…
His breathing got labored again, and he paled from effort. It was too early for him to be talking. Few days earlier he was barely able to stay alive. She used to find him with his eyes wide open, staring into space. Then his eyelids shut, and he was breathing once again.
Before that, they needed to check his heart to know if he was alive or dead.
- …aghhee…
He needed to stop this, or he would be back in that state in no time. She could tell that he was preparing himself to try again. Her mind was racing. Not releasing his hand, she slid under the covers, and gathered him in her arms.
- It's ok, Jack, you're safe… it's ok…
He tensed, but relaxed slightly when he heard her voice. He wasn't used to being touched either.
"
He was silent now, and there were tears running down his cheeks.