AN:
So, here's the next chapter. I hope you like it. Please review.
Chapter 2 – A blank space
Beeping. Annoying beeping. Strange noises. Pain. Pressure in his head.
Awareness came slowly for Swain. His eyelids felt incredibly heavy. It took him several attemps to open them. Finally he cracked them open a bit and immediately regretted it. The light was so bright, he thought it must singe his retina. Chris narrowed his eyes to slowly adjust to the brightness. After a few minutes he was able to tolerate the light. He had a splitting headache, that made him nauseous. He literally felt the blood rushing through his head. Swain adjusted his position in the hospital bed just a bit, but the movement was to much for his head. The room tilted and it got dark around the corners, as he slipped back into oblivion.
As Chris awoke next time, nothing had improved. He was still incredibly dizzy, his eyes and head hurt really bad and the sick feeling was back instantly. He was so caught up in his misery, he didn't notice a person standing beside his bed.
„Good, you are awake. You had us worried there for a while." The doctor said with a friendly smile.
„What happened? Where am I?" Swain wanted to know.
„You are in a hospital on Keppler Island", the doc answered. „Can you tell me your name? You had no ID on you, when you were found."
Chris glanced at the doctor. „I am … I am …", his breathing became laboured. „I don't know who I am! Oh God, who am I?" Panic and the pain got the better of him.
„Ok, don't worry, you have to take deep breaths. Calm down." But Swain couldn't. Fear consumed him, he was terrified. The blood rushed in his ears, he saw the doctor move his lips, but couldn't make out the words. Only the beebing was audible, it was as frantic as he felt. Chris thought his head was gonna to explode. And then nothingness. He had passed out again.
After a few minutes he came to. His head was hammering. His mouth was dry and he felt, like he had to throw up any moment.
„Easy, take slow deep breaths", the doctor was still by his side. Swain tried to do as he was told. Slowly the sick feeling abated.
„It's ok, it's not unusual after a head injury, that your memory is affected. It often comes back very quickly, try not to be concerned about it." The doc soothed.
Chris croaked: „I'm thirsty, can I have a drink?"
„Sure, but just little sips."
The water felt good on his dry lips and his sore throat. „Thanks. Do you know what happened to me?"
„A fisherman pulled you out of the port basin last night. You were unconscious and you had a nasty looking head wound. You were floating on an old board, you are lucky you didn't drown."
„And I didn't have a wallet or something?"
„No, maybe you were ambushed and the thief pushed you in", suggested the doc.
That sounded reasonable. But Swain was more concerned about WHO he was than what happened to him. He thought hard, but in his condition, that was not the wisest thing for him to do. The pressure in his head seemed to increase if possible and he finally lost the battle with his stomach.
The doctor knew the signs and had a basin ready for him. After he was finished, he gave him a wet, cold cloth, which Swain accepted gratefully.
„Try to get some rest, I come back later to check on you."
The CO and Dutchy arrived at the hospital and went to the reception.
„We were told that a man was brought in last night with no ID on him. We are missing one of our sailors and would like to check, if he is our Coxswain."
„He's on Doctor Howards ward. I give him a call."
A few minutes later the doc appeared. „I'm Doctor Howard. Jenny here told me that you are missing a crew member?"
„Mike Flynn, Commanding Officer of the HMAS Hammersley. Yes, our Coxswain was at a bar last night, but he left early and it seems, he never made it back to the ship", Mike reported.
„Can you give me a description of him?" The doc wanted to know.
The CO did as he was asked.
„Sounds like you've found your man. But there is a problem. He has a serious concussion, he woke up an hour ago, but he has no idea who he is. He has amnesia. What's his name?"
Mike answered: „He's Petty Officer Coxswain Chris Blake."
„Well, Chris is confused. He doesn't know what happened to him. A fisherman pulled him out of the water in the harbour with a nasty wound on the back of his head. He has a hard time, because of the concusssion. As he registered, that he couldn't remember who he is, he got really upset and passed out again. He has trown up, is dizzy and naturally has got a really bad headache."
Dutchy swallowed hard: „That sounds horrible. But his memory will come back, when he gets better, won't it?"
„The mind is a tricky thing, especially amnesia is something, the science hasn't been able to solve completely. Most of the patients get their memory back after some time. It can be bit by bit or it comes back in a rush. Very few though aren't able to remember a thing their whole life. But let's go to him, you have to identify him anyway and maybe we are lucky and your sight triggers something in him."
They went to Swains room in silence. Both were shocked to the core, by what they've just learned.
Hesitantly they stepped into the room behind Doctor Howard. Dutchy swallowed as he saw Swain lying in the bed so pale and vulnerable. He had an IV in his arm and a monitor was registering his heartbeat. His eyes were closed and he seemed asleep.
The doctor looked at Mike. The CO confirmed Swains identity with a nod. They neared the bed. Chris opened his eyes slowly.
„Congratulations! The mystery about your name is solved. You are Petty Officer Coxswain Chris Blake and these two men are part of your crew."
All three of them waited with baited breath. Chris looked confused. „I … I'm in the Navy?"
Disappointment mirrowed on the faces of Mike and Dylan. They had hoped their presence and the mention of his name would be enough to erase Swains amnesia.
The CO stepped forward. „Yes, you are the Coxswain of the HMAS Hammersley, which is anchored in the harbour of this Island and I'm your Commanding Officer Mike Flynn. You didn't come back from a visit to a local bar last night, so we contacted the police and the hospital, where we finally found you."
Swains breathing became laboured. This didn't sound familiar at all and he was sure he hadn't seen this man, who claimed to be his boss, before. If what they told him was true, then he should have recognised them or remembered at least his name. This was a nightmare! Chris Blake, Chris Blake. Was that really his name? The Navy. He would have remembered to be in the Navy, wouldn't he? All three were watching him, waiting for a reaction. What if they were lying? What if these were the men, that ambushed him? He was afraid, no, he was terrified. He couldn't get enough air in his starving lungs, the monitor confirmed his fast heartbeat.
Doctor Howard tried to calm him down: „It's ok, if you don't remember. Don't get upset about this, that's not helping your condition. Concentrate on your breathing, Chris. Slow and easy."
Mike and Dutchy were standing there, never feeling so helpless in their whole life. Dutchy wanted to reassure his friend. „Hey mate, I'm Dutchy. Everything is gonna be alright, you're going to remember."
All the comforting words didn't reach Swain. He was trapped in his nightmare. Chris. Navy. Ship. Coxswain. Harbour. Blake. Hammersley. Chris, Chris, Chris was this his name? Black spots appeared before his eyes, his vision blurred and then his eyes rolled back and darkness beckoned him.
„He's passed out, but I expected it, as I saw that he didn't recognize you" the doctor sighed. „It's a difficult situation. He is affected by the concussion and the amnesia. He will have a lot of headaches in the days to come, that makes it harder for him to concentrate. He is confused and isn't able to think straight, but I expect this to be better by tomorrow." Doctor Howard explained.
The CO asked: „So, what are we gonna do? When can he leave the hospital? We were due to sail today. We can't sail without a Coxswain and I wouldn't leave him behind anyway. Don't get me wrong, I'm really concerned about him, but I also have a ship to command. We have a second medic, but she is still young and can't take on full responsibility of the job. I understand, that he needs to rest to get better. I assure you, that I will do everything to make him feel better. We are like a big family on the ship and he is loved by the whole crew, so he will get every help he needs. What do you say?"
Now Dutchy spoke up: „I'm his best friend. We have come through a lot together. He saved my life a couple times. I'll make sure, that he doesn't overdo it. We are able to talk about everything, maybe I can help him to remember."
„Well, first and foremost you have to confirm his identity. I can't let him go on your say-so. I'd like him to stay in hospital a couple more days. But I understand your point, Commander. I'll let him go tomorrow, but just under some conditions."
Mike nodded in agreeement.
„He has to go with you willingly. You have to be careful concerning his amnesia. You can tell him a few things about him and his life, but not to much. You mustn't fill his mind with these informations, he has to remember on his own. He will have headaches, dizzy spells, he may be confused from time to time and he will be naseous. He might even faint. So, you have to be extremley careful. A ship is a dangerous place to be, for someone with a serious concussion. Don't let him go on deck alone, he might keel over and fall into the ocean. Make sure he gets enough rest. If he feels up to it, he can do light work, but not too long, this might help to distract him from his memory loss. If you agree to these terms, I will let him go with you tomorrow. Until then, we'll have to watch him in case we missed something or there are other complications."
The CO promised: „I promise, to do everything you asked me. I will talk to the crew and I'm sure everybody is willing to help. As for his identity, I'll contact Navcom, they can confirm his ID."
„OK, now comes the hard part. We have to convince Petty Officer Blake, that this is the best for him."
The doctor stepped to the bed again. „Chris, wake up please." He was rubbing Swains chest and was rewarded with the flutter of eyelids.
It wasn't as bad as before, as he came to. His vision cleared pretty quick and he looked at the unfamiliar faces again.
Dutchy shot him a smile: „Hey mate, time you woke up."
This guy seemed nice. Chris looked at the CO. He could see, the man was concerned, but his smile seemed genuine. Mike started: „I know this is scary, Swain. It must be incredibly difficult to trust someone, you think you don't know. I want to tell you something, a few years ago you saved my life. I was injured by a grenade and my leg was bleeding badly. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't standing here. For that I will forever be grateful. Please believe me, we just want to help you. The doctor says, you can leave the hospital tomorrow, if you feel up to it. We want you to come with us. You are an important part of this crew, of this family and we are all willing to help you, if you let us. What do you say?"
Swain didn't know, what to think. He wanted to get out of the hospital. But to leave with this strangers on a Navy ship? He shuddered. What choice did he have anyway? Obviously this Island wasn't were he lived, so he had no relatives here. These men and the Hammersley were the only connection to his life, the key to his memories. He sighed. No other options. He searched the faces of Dutchy and Mike. All he saw was honesty and real concern.
Chris slowly nodded, his head was still killing him: „I'll go with you."
A big smile appeared on both faces. „You won't regret it, mate. This is where you belong." Dutchy reassured him.
The CO spoke up: „We'll leave you now, to get some rest Swain. We'll come back tomorrow and pick you up."
Chris looked pretty tired already. The doc advised: „You should try to sleep a bit."
The three men left the room.
„I can't believe it! We have shared a cabin for some years now and he doesn't recognize me." Dutchy was clearly frustrated.
„Easy sailor, it's not his fault. You have to try to see it from his point of view. He's boarding a ship full of strangers tomorrow. That must be pretty scary, when everybody around you knows things from your life, you can't remember." Doctor Howard explained.
„I know, I'm sorry. It's just so hard to see him so vulnerable and distressed." Dutchy apologized.