A/n: Sadly, I haven't been able to work on this as much as I would have hoped this past month. But that's why I make sure to have a few chapters in reserve. Hopefully with school ending soon, I can focus on writing more, since I really like where this story is going. Thanks once again for WoundedHearts and Snap for betaing
Chapter 4: Waking Up
Pain.
Everywhere.
My arms, legs, chest, back, head, everything in between.
Ouch…
I'm lying down, at least, I think I am. Somewhere between being asleep and awake. You know, when all those strange dreams make sense, and you know that you aren't just you laying in bed. Yeah, add about 200 pounds of pain, and that's how I feel now.
I open my eyes, only to find my face is buried in the pillow. I turn, and am blinded by light. I close my eyes and yank the sheets over my head to protect me. Who in their right mind leaves the lights on like that when someone is trying to sleep?
"You're awake?"
I mumble something, though I know it can't be coherent. I think it was something about the French Revolution, but that doesn't matter. I try figuring out who it is. It's a women, but not Mom. Maybe Kyle is trying to mess with me, but I don't think he can fake a voice that high.
Wait…Kyle.
The mall
The explosion
The fires
Those twins
The helicopter
The hot Asian knocking me out.
Now I remember. That can't be Kyle.
I throw the plain white sheets off me, now remembering why I'm in so much pain. Sitting up in this, hospital bed apparently, I glance across the room at someone with some medical supplies. "How are you feeling Alex?"
"Pretty crappy." I look at my body, noticing I'm wearing some type of hospital garment, and have a number of bandages across my body, and the skin that I can see is covered with scratches. Still, I'm pretty lucky compared to those other people.
Looking back up I notice the kind of room I'm in. It looks like a bedroom with two twin beds, though the one on my right is unoccupied. The wall paper is a brightish green, not really my color, but oh well. There's a window letting light in, a clock which is too far away to read, along with some other furniture including what looks like a hospital medical cart.
She starts walking over to me, some kind of equipment in her hands, and one very shiny point. That better not be a needle. They poke and hurt and get under the skin and the doctors say they won't hurt, but every time they do. I'm getting queasy just thinking about it. I'd rather…um, I don't know what. I just don't like them!
"Are you okay?"
"I just don't like shots," I say as composed as I can. I can't just act like a wimp here, I have to have some pride as a man.
"This is just an IV, it won't hurt much."
"Yes it will" I glare up at her. Apparently they have a different definition of 'hurt much' than me. Okay…my pain tolerance might not be the highest, but I still hate those things!
"We need to get some nurturance in you, and I'm not sure you should eat after being out like that.
My stomach growling begs to differ. "Oh, I'm hungry enough to eat an extra large deluxe pizza all by myself, just keep that needle away from me."
"Okay then," she says with a smile, putting down the pointy object of doom. "But that might be a bit much for you just getting out of the anesthetic."
"As long as no needles enter my body, I'll be fine."
"Let me make a call first."
As she pulls out her phone to call someone, I collapse onto my back, though the pain grips me from hitting the mattress too hard. I close my eyes, everything going through my head. Those images of the destruction, feeling the ground caving in right out from under me, Zack grabbing me and throwing me to the floor to save me. Escaping the mall despite all the ruin. Heh, I wonder if this means I get out of doing homework.
"Alex," she says causing me to open my eyes, just as I was about to fall asleep. "We're getting some food up here soon."
"Good, I'm starving."
"That's to be expected, you were out for over 20 hours."
"Twenty hours!" I yell, sitting back up, but way too fast. Something my body regrets.
She nods.
"So," I take a breath. "Who are you?"
"I'm Jackie. I guess you could call me the resident nurse here. From ear-aches, to poison ivy rashes in strange places, I handle it all."
Poison ivy rashes in strange places…that sounds like a fun story, but for another time. "What happened to me?"
"Well, Cody brought you in here, and asked me to do what I could to help. I have to say, you were in pretty bad shape."
"It could have been worse though."
"Yeah, after he explained what happened, you're lucky to have so few injuries."
Yeah, I just wish others could have been as lucky too. "How badly was I hurt?" I can't think about that now. I was just in the right place and right time, so I have to make the best of it.
"Well, a lot of cuts and bruises. You lost a lot of blood, but we were able to find someone here who was willing to donate some. There are five stitches in both your legs, but the others were okay just bandaging them up. You'll be in a bit of pain for a while, but I'm working on getting you some medicine for that."
"Thanks." Yep, pain meds will be helpful. I'm really not looking forward to getting those stitches out though. Last time I had to have them, getting them out hurt worse than getting them in.
I guess I'll just have to get over it then, maybe ask for some of that drug that makes you loopy before they take those out. Then again, that could cause me to do something to hurt myself worse. Eh, it will be a week or so at least before they take those out, so I'll worry about that then.
I lean against the wall and close my eyes, I really feel confined here, but it's painful just to sit up, and if the worst injuries are in my legs, staying here might be for the best.
"Hey Alex," Cody calls out to me causing me to open my eyes and I see him walking into the room with something that looks like a tasty cheeseburger. My stomach rumbling indicates its agreement.
"How's it going?" I ask politely, REALLY hoping that the food is mine. I can't be greedy though, after all he's done for me, I'll just wait until he offers. But once he does…
"Okay; I brought you some food since I'm sure you're hungry."
"Oh, thanks." He hands me the plate and I waste no time in digging into it. At a time like this, I don't really care about the taste, but I can't help but notice how good it is. The burger is the perfect blend of juiciness and tenderness, and the cheese is just so melty and gooey and good. I can taste some ketchup in their too, which I could do without, but, the rest of it is so good and I'm so hungry, I don't care.
"You like it?"
I would answer him, but my mouth is fuller than should be possible, so I only nod in response. Man, whoever made this is good.
"Are you feeling okay today?" Jackie asks Cody. Had something happened to him too during the explosion? He seemed to be doing fine when we were getting out of there, but I was so focused on myself I probably wouldn't have noticed, and he seemed to be the type of person who could hide his pain.
"A bit light headed, but that's to be expected," he says nonchalantly.
"Which means you shouldn't push yourself," Jackie says sternly, "You didn't have to make the food yourself."
"You made this?" I say, or attempt to, but my mouth is full so it comes out more like, "Ew ma fis?"
"Yeah, I'm glad you like it."
"Don't try to change the subject Cody," Jackie says. "You lost two quarts of blood, and that's not something your body will instantly recover from. Don't lie to me and say you're fine either, you are extremely pale."
"Okay, so I'm not perfect, but it's nothing to worry about," he says with a roll of his eyes.
"Have you at least been keeping your fluids up and eating regularly?" she asks, a strange blend of anger and concern, like a mother watching over her children.
"Yes, I've been drinking the apple juice you gave me and eating something every few hours." Cody seems exhausted, his tone soft, though I can tell he's getting irritated with Jackie's interrogation.
"Good."
"What happened?" I ask, able to talk coherently after swallowing that bite.
"After he brought you in here, we saw that you'd need a blood transfer, but we don't have a supply here, and after seeing that your type was A-negative, we didn't have anyone nearby who was compatible, other than him. He ended up giving you two quarts of his blood, even though I warned him that doing so would be dangerous to his own health."
Cody shot Jackie a look, likely wishing she didn't tell him that. I don't remember exactly how much blood is in the body, but I know that's a lot. "You didn't have to," I say.
"You needed it more than I did." He closes his eyes for a second and rests his head in his palm, an obvious reaction to the low blood supply.
"Thanks." I wish I could say or do more to show my gratitude…for everything. This food, taking me here, and now giving me the blood I needed.
Suddenly, a blue light appears at the other side of the room. A strange sphere like thing flashes around, blue sparks racing along it. I mutter something that I'm sure isn't coherent, but Cody and Jackie seem unfazed by it. Two figures appear in it as the light begins fading. When it clears, I can more clearly see the two. One is a kid, several years younger than me and he's carrying on his shoulder someone who looks to be hurt really badly. His clothes are a mess, his skin looks burnt, and there are streaks of blood running down him. It's not as bad as the people in the mall, but the sight of him still makes me want to hurl.
"Zack!" Cody says, running toward the two. The wounded man looks up, and I can tell it's Zack.
"What happened to him?" Jackie asks.
"I'll explain later, but he needs help now," the younger one says.
A/N: Yay, chapter four written. But what happened to Zack? Stay tuned for more...