Fighting for Home
I know that last chapter was a bit harsh but it's get's better just got to read on so here it goes.
Chapter 4: Coming Home
James woke up to the doctor "Mr. Hiller I;m sorry for waking you but we need to change your bandages before you go" James nodded before the doctor helped him sit up. James winched as the bandages were peeled off his skin.
"This may hurt for as the blood from your wounds have crusted onto the bandages." The doctor explained.
"I understand just rip them off. The quicker the better" James said preparing himself. The doctor did as he was asked. As the wrappings were ripped off James threw his head back clenching his teeth trying to hold back a scream.
The doctor cleaned James's wounds and frowned the words carved on James's back and chest as plain as day. Looked down at the one on his chest and sighed. His eyes darkened "What did they 'write' on my back?"
"It doesn't matter, you're alive that's all that counts"The doctor said wrapping his clean wounds. "Your friends should be here within the hour."
The doctor grabbed his gear and walked towards the door "I-I just got to know. What does it say. Please" James said looking at the doctor. "I told them where I was going, what I was reporting. They were going to burn down the press and I don't know what they would of done to the others"
The doctor sighed and closed the door "It says 'traitor'. But don't fret over it, other would of done the same thing" With that the doctor left.
James moaned in pain "This sucks" he closed his eye. He couldn't even open his other eye, and the bandages covering the gashes covered his whole head besides his good eye and his mouth.
His head was still spinning. His eye widened and he lunged to the left and heaved what little food he was able to keep down in the afternoon. He spit the access and collapsed back on his back. He was sweating profoundly and shaky. He shut his eye and fell asleep hoping the pain and nausea away.
Two hours later a wagon and a man on horse back arrived.
"Sergeant, I've brought them. They are here for the kid" The rider stated jumping off his horse
"Welcome I'm the sergeant in charge of this post. I hope your journey went smoothly"
"Yes sir thank you" Sarah replied.
"We'll just take James and head back home as too not cause you any trouble" Moses said
"Nonsense, you've traveled quite a ways. Join us for dinner and rest for the night" the sergeant offered
"If you insisted" Moses said getting off the wagon "Thank you" he helped Sarah down as well
"Sir, I was wondering if we might be able to see James" Sarah asked
The man frowned and nodded. "He may not be awake but I'll take you to him, but what you see may disturb you. Just be prepared."
Sarah and Moses nodded and followed him to what looked like a small miniature barn. The walls on the outside were covered with bullet holes and marks made from swords. Sarah frowned and her heart sunk. The sergeant opened the door and let them pass.
"I'll leave you guys some peace and quit" he said and left closing the door behind him.
Moses and Sarah stopped dead in their tracks the two candles in the room brightened the room and what they saw broke their hearts.
"My heavens" Sarah brought her hands covering her mouth tears started to form and fall from her eyes.
There on a cot was James. The blanket the soldiers provided only covered from his hips to his ankles. His feet were covered in wrapping. His while upper body was bandaged up including both of his arms. As they neared closer they saw his right arm in a sling. And his whole head was covered. They didn't even recognized him.
Sarah slowly sat in the chair next to James and reached for his hand but quickly stopped. Both of his hands were splinted and wrapped up.
"Moses, how, how could anyone do this?" She asked weeping
Moses grabbed the damp rag soaked it in water ringed it and put it on James foreheead "People do cruel things in a time of war" He said as he looked around the room. He saw the dry blood and cuts on the walls.
He also noticed the liquid on the floor near James's head. "Maybe we should get you..." Moses was interrupted when James's eye flew open and he flung himself to the side throwing up a mixture of water and blood. He breathed heavily coughing in pain. Sarah and Moses quickly rushed to his side to help lower him back on the cot.
"Sarah get the doctor he's bleeding through the bandages" Sarah rushed out the door and no sooner came back with man who he presumed to be the doctor.
"Young lady I need you to leave the room and get me and Mr?"
"Moses"
"Some help. I need one more to help me change and maintain these wounds" The doctor said
"James is my friend I'll stay here and help anyway I can" Sarah said
The doctor nodded " Okay then, Moses left James up carefully for me." Moses did as asked. James hissed and moaned in pain as he was moved.
"Didn't we already go through this?" James asked weakly
"Don't questioned me? The doctor said "Miss. Phillips help me with the bindings" They unwrapped his bindings from his chest and back. As the doctor cleaned them Moses and Sarah got a look to exactly the extent of the damage James had taken" When they were done the doctor nodded and left"
"Glad you guys could make it" James spoke quietly tired from the lack of food, energy and pain.
Sarah and Moses rushed to James "Thank goodness you're awake" Moses said. Sarah placed a hand on James's head in which James flinched from the contact. Sarah brought her back
"I'm sorry" Sarah said frowning. "Were here to take you home, we'll be leaving tomorrow morning"
James nodded "home sounds good right now"
"How did you manage to..." Sarah paused when she noticed James was asleep
"Come Sarah, lets let him get some rest." Moses and Sarah left the room to get some dinner.
An hour later Sarah walked back into the room and pulled up a chair next to James. She looked at him while he slept. Her mind was numb as she looked at his sleeping body. She felt something wet hit her hand. She looked down and saw a tear drop. She brought a hand to her cheek and wiped the tears away.
"I didn't even notice" She sniffed "It pains me to no end knowing you were here, enduring all that pain. And that your still suffering" She wiped more tears "For a long time I've had mixed emotions, unknown feelings, and now in the darkest of hours I've finally come to realize that you are so much more to me, much more then I ever imagined."
She listened to James's breathing while watching his chest rise and lower. He showed no sign of waking. His breaths were uneven and were getting quicker and he starting to sweat. What started out as a whimpering escalated into screaming.
"James, James wake up" Sarah tried her best to wake him up calmly. Moses and another soldier.
"Step away Miss. Phillips" The soldier moved Sarah away from James
"What's happening?" Moses asked
"Night terrors. He is reliving the experiences when he was tormented." the soldier informed them. He walked up to James and shook him a bit. "Kid time to wake up"
James eyes flung opened and gasping for air. "You okay kid?"
James looked around at his surrounding and calmed down "Yeah I'm good, thanks"
The soldier checked James's eye then walked away. "The night terrors will take some time to get use too. You'll be able to numb them out soon enough. They'll drain you but the more rest you get the better off you'll be"
"Get some sleep we'll be off in the morning" Moses said. Sarah nodded and looked at James who had already passed back out. Sarah smiled and walked out of the room with Moses.
"The wagon is all set for James's transport tomorrow, hopefully it's smooth traveling from here on out" Moses said.
"How long will the journey take back to Philadelphia in James's condition?" Sarah asked
"Don't know. We'll have to go slow in the condition he's currently in, it could take all day" Moses answered. "Now let's get some rest, we got a long day ahead of us"
"You're right" Sarah said as everyone went to their separate sleeping mats.
The next morning was one of the more stressful days of Sarah's life. It all started with the struggle transporting James onto the wagon. The process was slow due to his injuries. James attempted to stand when Sarah walked in the room.
"I can walk. I'm not going to be a burden on anyone any more" James said trying to get off the cot.
"No you can't and won't James Hiller." Sarah said easing him back on the cot "And you're not bothering anyone. You're hurt and in need of help. Until you've fully recovered you are not to push yourself."
James sighed and looked at her. "Fine" This made Sarah smiled.
"Let's get you ready then"
James was put on a sling to move him from the cot onto the wagon, every move made James flinch. A cloth was put over James's face to protect his eyes from the suns rays. He was hauled in the wagon and on a thick bedding of straw.
"Ah" a cry escaped James. Sarah rushed over and patted his head. She took a wet rag and put it on his forehead.
"You have everything?" The doctor asked
Moses nodded "Yeah, and thanks" he said shaking the doctors hand
"Anytime. Have a safe trip."Moses nodded and started the wagon.
Every bump on the road made James winch. "It's been three hours how much further until we reach Philadelphia?" Sarah asked trying to distract James from the pain.
"Two more were making good time. I wanna make it back to the shop for James to get proper treatment" Sarah nodded
Sarah dabbed James's forehead again keeping him cool. "Almost home" She smiled.
"How has everyone been since the last time I've seen them" James asked looking up at Sarah
"Fine. Mother and Dr. Franklin have returned from England. Henri has gotten better with his reading and writing skills. Still working on cooking though" Sarah laughed
"How has your mother been?" James continued
"Wonderful, I'm thrilled she decided to come to America. It's so good to see her" Sarah exclaimed
It went like that for hours. James asking questions with Sarah and Moses to answer then. They talked about the new baby the neighbor had and how blessed she felt. As they made their way into town, its was past dark.
Moses pulled the wagon behind the shop so no prying eyes would witness James in his current state.
"Moses, how are just the two of us going to be able to get him up to his room?" Sarah asked
"That's where I come in" Thomas Pain stepped out of the print shop.
"Thomas Pain" Sarah exclaimed as he walked up and hugged her "So good to see you again"
"Ben Franklin sent me a letter and asked me to help, so here I am" Tom announced
"Good, I need help carrying James to his quarters." Moses said
Tom nodded "Then let's get started shall we?"
Moses and Tom put James on a homemade stretcher and started into the print shop. Sarah's mother was setting the table when she Sarah's voice.
"Sarah? Sarah is that you?" Mrs. Phillips called out
"Mother" Sarah ran and hugged her mother
"I've missed you dearly. How have you been?"
"I'm well, but James..." Sarah looked down. Her mother hugged
"Do you wish to tal..." Just as Mrs. Phillips was about to ask what was wrong she saw Moses and Thomas Pain carrying something or someone on a stretcher covered in bandages.
"Oh no don't tell me, oh Sarah I'm so sorry" she said and hugged Sarah
Sarah felt tears form "He's alive, but" Sarah couldn't finish her sentence
"It's alright, he's home and safe. Surrounded by friends will help him recover. You'll see" Mrs. Phillips comforted her daughter.
Moses and tome managed to successfully to Bring James up the stairs and into his room. Ben Franklin was there checking over James's wounds.
"I'll contact a doctor tomorrow. We don't have the necessary supplies for all of his wounds." Ben Franklin took off his glasses "But the wounds on his back and chest I'll take care of I imagine he won't feel comfortable having many people know about what has been inscribed on his person."
"I'll get the doctor in the morning" Moses said. Franklin nodded
"He made it here, he is a strong fine young man. What did not kill him makes him stronger" Franklin said
James stirred. Hearing more voices James opened his eye and saw he was in his room. His body pulsed in irritation. His major wounds on his chest and back hurt but everything else was numb. He blinked a few times and smiled.
"Glad to be home" He said. Ben Franklin walked to his bed.
"And it is good to have you home my boy" Franklin said putting his hand on James's head. "You've endured quit a bit. Now it's time for relaxing and recovery." Franklin said
"Yeah sounds good" James said. He blinked a few more times. "Can you please take off the bandages from my head?"
"I don;t think that a good idea James" Tom said.
"Just humor me" James persisted. Moses and tom looked at Franklin who nodded.
"Okay" Tom said. They started unwrapping the bandages around his head.
"Well it seems like your wounds just needed some air. They seem to be healing just fine. Can you see out of you left eye?" Moses asked
"Just shapes and shadows" James answered "how are my cuts?" James asked
Franklin bent over inspecting the wounds on James's heads. "Swallon, but healing. Would you prefer the wrappings off for the night?" Franklin asked
"Yeah, if you don't' mind" James answered. "Less constricting and way more comfortable" James finished. At the end of his sentence his stomach rumbled. He blinked a few times before smiling "Anyone up for some dinner?"
"Dinner has already been prepared. I'll come up with your dinner, then i'll eat." Franklin said. James shook his head.
"It's no trouble I can wait. I can enjoy being back home for a bit. Speaking of which, where id Henri?" James asked "I haven't heard or seen him, he's not that quite" James looked around
"He's asleep, tired from helping me around the shop. But I'm sure he'll be wide awake when dinner is ready to be served" Franklin laughed
"Are you sure you can wait to eat James? You've barley been able to keep down anything at the camp or on our way here" Moses asked concerned.
"Yeah I'll be fine." James sighed "It's just nice to be in my own bed"
"Well alright if you say so" Tom said and they all left James to his thoughts.
'and the boredom sets in. I wonder how much of my notes are left. A small price to pay for my life and safe journey home' he smiled. He looked out towards the window in deep thought he didn't even notice the door open and someone walking towards him.
"James, are you alright?" a voice asked
He looked at the owner of the voice "Yeah just in thought" He told them
"I've brought you your dinner, it's mother's own chicken with green beans with bread" Sarah finished
"sounds good" James smiled with hunger. He tried to lift himself up but with his right arm in a sling and both hands splinted and wrapped there was no way for him to get up by himself let alone feed himself.
"Here" Sarah brought the fork to James's mouth for him to eat
"You don't have too. Besides isn't it unlady like?" James smirked
"You're injured, can't even sit up and you're cracking jokes about me being unlady like. James stop joking and eat. It makes me feel better knowing you've kept something down." Sarah argued.
James chuckled and took the food into his mouth and started chewing. As she fed James she couldn't help but notice the gashes on his face.
"They probably look a lot worse then they feel" James said
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to.." James shook his head
"It's fine. They look better then me whole head wrapped up though" James said. Sarah raised an eyebrow. James smiled "Who would want this handsome face covered from view?" James finished with a smile.
Sarah started laughing "Glad you haven't lost your sense of humor"
"someone has too" James said.
"Alright, it's late and time for bed. I'll check on you tomorrow morning" Sarah said getting and gathering the plate and silverware "Goodnight" She looked at him and shut the door
"Goodnight" James said looking out the widow.
Well there you have it. Hope you liked it :)