Chapter IV: Awakening
Open…open…
They feel so heavy. My…eyelids. It feels so hard to open my eyes. Like…I'm lifting a tonne of rocks, or a building or…
Wait…I…I can think…I'm thinking. I haven't…it feels like I haven't done that for ages, but why? Why is it so hard to open my eyes…and why does my body suddenly feel so stiff when only moments ago I…couldn't feel anything at all?
First things first…I have to open my eyes. It feels so difficult and part of me just…isn't bothered. I'm not sure I want to. Why should I? I want to go back to floating; that feeling of being nowhere, of not thinking. I feel so tired, why should I…why should I wake up?
…No. I have to wake up. There's something I didn't do…or I have to do…someone I need to see…or to talk to…or something…I can't…I don't remember what or who. Maybe if I open my eyes things will make more sense.
Okay Tala…countdown from 3. On 1, I will open my eyes. Alright. Okay. Deep breath.
Damn…my chest hurts…it feels even heavier than my eyelids. Do I have a truck on top of me or something! No, don't panic…slow, deep breaths. The pain's lessening…it's alright…I can take it. I can do this.
3…2…1…1…1…come on! Open already! I order you to open. OP-EN. Fine. You don't understand English? Maybe you'll understand Russian…
…Finally. My right eye's cracked open…partially. My left one seems determined to disobey my brain's orders. It feels like someone's super glued it shut.
I wonder what'd happen if someone super glued…
Irrelevant, Tala. Shut up about super glue.
With much effort my left eye finally opens.
…It's…so bright…the ceiling…so bright it hurts…I close my eyes for a moment before opening them again slowly, blinking at the light. I still feel so drowsy…like I'm not really here. What an out of world experience…and I don't like it. My limbs feel like dead weights…like bricks.
I'm…lying down and there's something…on my face. It's…covering my nose and mouth…I can see it if I go cross-eyed. It's…a…wait…I'm in hospital! But why? I shift my eyes to look to the left. Someone's resting their elbows on the metal rails of my bed. He looks familiar.
I blink. He is familiar…I know him…it's Bryan. I direct my eyes to my right. Someone's talking to Bryan quietly in Russian. The words sound jumbled to me but I know the language…it's my native tongue. The person talking is also familiar…Spencer. I try to concentrate on what they're saying but all I can hear is a stupid steady beeping sound. What the hell is that? It's getting on my nerves!
…Oh…it's my heart rate. It must be because it's making noises in time with my pulse. Wait a minute…that means I'm not breathing on my own…but I am…I don't need to be on an oxygen unit or a life support unit or whatever they call it…why am I on one?
What…what happened to me?
I blink, trying to think. Bryan and Spencer haven't noticed I'm awake yet. They're too busy talking. It's good to see that they're okay…that they weren't hurt too badly by…
……Oh no…it's all coming back to me so suddenly. I remember!
I…Garland…BEGA…Garland of team BEGA did this to me. He was…under orders from…
Boris Balkov…I went to confront him. Bryan and Spencer came with me, we got past security. I wanted to prove to Boris that he'd made a mistake in underestimating us…I wanted to put a stop to his crazy plans but I…I lost. I lost the match against Garland…he was so strong. I threw everything I had at him but I still lost. And my beyblade…Wolborg…did it survive?
Everything turned out so wrong…the last thing I recall is…someone talking to me, asking me if I was okay. Who was it…?
T…Tyson…yes…it was Tyson and I blacked out after that…I'm sure I…I did didn't I? I blacked out…which means…that floating feeling…I've been…in a coma.
For a moment I can't think. The shock is huge…I've actually just woken up out of a coma.
…Oh…my…God…how much time have I lost? How long have I been asleep for? What's happened in the time that has passed? Is the tournament over? Who won? Is Boris back behind bars where he belongs? I've got so many questions and I need answers. Right now. But Bryan and Spencer still haven't looked down at me. Can I talk to them? Through this thing on my face? Maybe it's better if I try and catch their attention by lifting my hand. But my arms feel so heavy…
So did my eyelids but I did manage to get them open. Okay, concentrate…I can feel my arms…and my fingers.
Move your left index finger Tala…move it…yes…that's right…it's moving…now my other fingers…and my thumb…they feel a little stiff but it's not so hard if I put my mind to it…they're moving fine. Now for the hard bit…lifting my arm up.
But it's so heavy…
No…don't think negatively…concentrate…lift your arm…lift your arm…lift…your…arm…
Yes…it's lifting a little…that's good…now Bryan's hand…if I could just reach his hand.
My muscles feel so weak…it's making my arm shake. I know it's because I haven't used my arm in I don't know how long. I need to know how long it's been. If I can just grab their attention…
It takes a lot of effort but I manage to lift my arm up enough. Then my strength seems to vanish and I can feel gravity pulling my arm back down. I manage to brush Bryan's fingers with my own but the contact is so light and so slight, what if he doesn't feel it? What would I do then?
'The doctors are doing nothing and…' As my hand slumps back to rest on the bed again, Bryan breaks off and looks down at me.
Finally…someone's noticed I'm alive here. Bryan looks stunned, which is a first for him. He hardly ever has any emotion on his face apart from anger or irritation or a sneer of some sort. But at that moment so many foreign emotions pass across his face so suddenly I don't think he could have hidden them if he tried. Surprise, relief and even a flash of happiness, though that's the first and quickest emotion to disappear.
I wish I had a camera to take a photo of your face Bryan…it's a classic.
'Tala!' He exclaims.
The one and only…
Someone grabs my right hand. Spencer looks just as astonished and relieved. Then an actual smile breaks out on the big man's face.
Whoa…he's smiling…gee guys. I didn't know you had such a vast array of emotions at your disposal. Anyone growing up in the abbey would end up messed up enough to forget all about emotions with that 'victory is life' mantra.
I guess we haven't turned out as messed up as we thought, huh? Though I'm convinced I'm crazy. I'm talking to myself. Thinking actually…first sign of madness, right? Well at least I feel more like myself now…and not some zombie fresh out the grave.
'Tala, you're finally awake!' Spencer shakes my hand in his excitement. It hurts. I frown and he seems to get the message instantly, because he places my poor hand back on the bed.
'I'll get the doctor.' He says. Bryan nods and then looks down at me. I blink back at him, still feeling a little groggy.
'Are you feeling alright?' He asks at length, while examining my face. I probably look like such a clown. It's good there aren't any fan girls here right now…that wouldn't be good for my image at all. Or maybe it would…maybe I can scare them all off and they'd leave me alone.
That's wishful thinking…
But to answer your question Bryan, no, I don't feel okay. Get this stupid thing off my face so I can talk properly. I want answers. Can I even speak? My voice is probably rusty. I'm thirsty. My throat feels so dry.
I try to ask for water but nothing happens. There are loads of tubes stuck in my arms. Great, just like old times, except I know this stuff is good for me, unlike the stuff I used to get at the abbey.
'Tala.' Bryan peers down at me, frowning, his more customary expression, second to the blank cold stare he's renowned for. 'Can you hear me?'
Of course I can, you fool. I just can't speak. Yet. I feel frustrated because of that…I want answers. But there's something else…I feel like I'm forgetting something. My team is here…so what else could I possibly be missing right now?
…My mind's a blank mess. I'm usually so intellectual but right now I'd say I have an IQ of below 50. I feel that stupid.
The doctor's just come in and she's probably going to fuss over me. I hate people fussing over me. She's staring down at me like I'm an exhibition. Yes? Is there a problem? I'm aware I don't look my best right now but that's only thanks to your stupid oxygen mask. It can make anyone look like an alien. Just wait until I'm up and sort myself out. Do you think I'm the object of infatuation of so many girls because of my beyblading skills? Haha. You must be more stupid than you look, which is worrying for a doctor.
'Tala, can you hear me?' The doctor waves a hand in front of my face.
For God's sake, do I look deaf to you? And what are Bryan and Spencer looking at? I'm getting really annoyed here. I'm not one to sit around, or in this case, lie around, in ignorance. It's just not me.
'…Yes.'
That wasn't my voice. Was it? No way. No way was that pathetic squeak my smooth, suave normal tones. Ugh…face it Tala, you're a wreck and that croak was indeed your voice. I sound like a toad. Still, at least I finally have a voice, even if it isn't what I'm used to.
The doctor nods and holds up a hand. 'How many fingers am I holding up?'
How stupid and pointless is this? These are games you play with two year olds! I'm seventeen for God's sake.
'Three.' I manage to say through my teeth. The doctor nods again.
'Now Tala, do you remember what happened to you before you woke up?' She asks next.
I fell unconscious, isn't that obvious?
'What's the last thing you remember?' The doctor asks in a slow tone of voice people use when talking to babies and small children.
The last thing? Tyson, right? That's the last person I heard, but what's the last thing I saw? His face? That'd make sense, but no. No…not Tyson…I saw a face; I did…who's was it?
'Do you know why you're here?' The dark haired doctor adds to her list of stupid questions at my silence.
Of course…Garland beat me…it is bad enough coming to terms with the defeat to myself, she wants me to declare it out loud?
Yeah right. I'd sooner tell Kai that his little chicken bit beast actually has some power…
…
……
…Kai!
…I take a sharp intake of breath and it sounds more like a gasp…I don't think I've ever…gasped in my life…my eyes widen and I can feel my heart begin to pound. The doctor looks alarmed and I hear Bryan demanding what's wrong. I can hear the beeping getting faster…but that doesn't matter…the doctor's talking to me but I'm not listening to her.
Kai…Kai! That's who I saw…that's who I was forgetting…
I remember…I had a dream about him. Was it a dream? It had to be, if I've been in a coma all this time.
'Tala, can you hear me!'
'What's happened? He was fine a moment ago…'
'Do something! You're a doctor aren't you!'
I dreamt…I dreamt he…he died. Someone killed Kai…someone with…orange hair…he drowned…he was hit by dark objects…he was fighting someone, trying so hard to win but he lost despite his best efforts…the fire of his Dranzer extinguished…I dreamt his beyblade cracked to pieces and the bit chip broke. I saw him…on his knees, alone in a dark hall, with no one around to help him; he was exhausted, leaning his head against the wall, his eyes closing, and his shattered beyblade on the floor close to his limp left hand.
…I don't remember the last time…I cried…but…I was sure I did. I must have…did I? It was a dream though wasn't it?
Wasn't it!
But if it was…why isn't he here? With the others? Where is he? Has he been here at all? To see me? Where is he? Where the hell is Kai?
I ignore the questions the doctor is asking me. I'm sick of giving answers, it's her turn now.
Forcing my hoarse voice to speak, I demand: 'Wh…where is he?'
'Tala…please, I understand you may be shocked and this is entirely normal after waking up from a coma, but I must ask you to…'
'Where is he!' I interrupt the doctor. My voice is rising. I'm panicking. I know I am. I know I shouldn't be, considering that I've just woken up, but I can't help it.
…I…I don't think I've ever felt this…worried…this…scared over someone. I don't like this feeling…but it won't go away…it's just there…
If anything's happened to him, it's my fault. I'm team captain…it's my fault…for not being there…damn it, where is Kai!
'Please try to take deep, slow breaths, Tala. I don't believe there's a need to have to inject you, please, calm down and I will answer your questions.'
Calm down? Calm down? He…something's happened to him…I can feel it…I know it has. I feel sick. I know I hated his guts on numerous occasions but never enough that I wanted him dead. We used to be good friends when we were younger. I've known him forever. He's one of the few people in my life who hasn't disappeared completely, one of the few people I would ever consider as being someone I could respect. We were finally starting to get along again…when he rejoined the team. We were just starting to really get along…I was just realising that he wasn't always such a pain in the ass…we were getting along and cooperating and I respected him.
He was…one of us. He made our team so much stronger. He was…a friend.
The beeping is slowing. I feel dizzy. I want to close my eyes and float again. I don't want to wake up to this…
'You said that's normal.' Bryan says to the doctor.
'Yes. It's likely he remembered something. That's often the case for patients who have woken up from a coma.'
I can hear them but it's not really making sense. I stare dully at the white ceiling.
'…' Spencer's looking down at me. 'Tala?' He asks. 'What's the matter?'
Why won't they tell me what I already know? Kai's dead. Or hurt, or something. Why are they prolonging it? Do they think I don't know? That I can't find out? That I'm…I'm stupid!
'Where's…Kai?' I whisper.
'What?' Bryan leans over me also.
'Kai…' I force myself to repeat, despite the fact I want to throw up so badly. 'Where…is…Kai?'
Bryan and Spencer exchange looks. Bryan looks back at me and frowns: 'Kai? Why are you asking after that traitor?'
Traitor? No…
'Bryan.' Spencer looks at him and Bryan glares back coldly.
'I don't care what he did in the end; his intentions were clearly to betray us.'
In the end? In the end! No…nonononononono…
'Part of his final motive was what happened to us and to Tala; he did it for us also.' Spencer responds.
Final motive? In the end? I'm going to be sick. This can't be happening! Kai can't be gone…this is all just one big and horrible mistake.
I never got to tell him…that I've always respected him and considered him a friend…he was like…almost like a brother, who despite frequently being away was still a part of my life. I've known him for as long as I've known Bryan and Spencer and Ian. Longer. I met him before the others. We used to train together, we used to have snow fights and he always used to lose…we used to pull pranks on the staff at the abbey and we'd sneak out and climb the ruins of an old dead tree at the back of the snow covered yard, even if we weren't allowed to. We used to have silly arguments, I always used to tell him that my wolf would eat his birdy bit beast for breakfast…and it made him so mad.
I was there when he got his face tattooed…everyone else thinks that it's face paint…
So many memories…and now it's all gone? No. It can't be. He didn't betray us. He couldn't have. Not again. He was born one of us and he'd die, as one of us…wouldn't he?
'Believe what you like.' Bryan snarls. 'If he had come with us, Tala wouldn't have lost so much time!'
'If Kai had come with us, Tyson wouldn't have a chance to stop Boris in the final in four days.' Spencer states back.
The final? Then…it's not over yet? What did Kai do to give Tyson a chance? What did he sacrifice? What's going on!
'Excuse me.' The doctor interjects. 'But the young man being treated two doors from here is called Kai Hiwatari. Is this the same Kai you are referring to perhaps?'
Her words initially don't register in my mind, but once they sink in, I blink.
…Kai's being treated…he's…not dead! The relief I feel is so intense I think I'm going to pass out. But I won't…I need to see him….he's not dead.
He's not dead!
But if he's in hospital, he's obviously been hurt somehow. What happened to you Kai? What did you do?
'That's him.' Bryan mutters.
'I see.' The doctor looks at me. Suddenly she's not so annoying. 'Your friend Kai was brought into hospital two days ago. He was suffering from severe blood loss, exhaustion, and dehydration.'
That…sounds bad…my spirits plummet at the new information.
'Is he…okay?' I manage.
'I'm not treating him, but my colleagues tell me his condition is stable.'
'Stable? I thought he was in a coma.' Bryan states.
A coma! No…no way!
'Bryan.' Spencer snaps. 'Shut your mouth. You choose the wrong time to open it.'
Bryan glares back. 'It's the truth!'
The doctor shakes her head. 'Never mind what your friends say. Kai is stable. As soon as you're better, I'm sure you can go and see him.'
As soon as I'm better? I want to see him now. I need to make sure he's okay, that he'll make it okay. But I know I couldn't get up if I tried. The doctor's probably right, she knows best, even if she does ask stupid questions. If I concentrate on getting better, maybe I can go and see Kai tomorrow.
I've always been a fast healer.
'Your two friends here have hardly left your side.' The doctor informs me. I glance at Bryan and Spencer and smile slightly, though I doubt they can see it with this silly mask on. Worried, about me? How touching. Haha. Well I guess I am their team captain and the one they look up to. They'd be so lost without me to keep them in line.
'You two should get some rest. Tala is going to be fine. We'll get him off this oxygen unit and he can start to eat and drink again. We'll have him back on his feet in no time.' The doctor smiles at me.
Good…I don't know how long I've been out for, but by my calculations based on the fact it's the tournament final in four days, I'd guess it's certainly been more than a week.
Whoa…a week…that's…terrible. But I'm alive. I just have to make sure Kai makes it too.
I know he will. He's a fighter.
The doctor's peering down at me again. 'Alright Tala? I'll let the nurse take over from here. Are you thirsty?'
Finally…an intelligent question. Yes I am thirsty. I want some water, right now.
-
(A day later)
…
I always wanted to be the one looking down on you, instead of you turning your nose up at me, but never like this. I never in my life would have wished this upon you. I never wanted to see you like this Kai.
It looks so strange. You look so out of place in that bed. A strong person like you never gets hurt. But to see you like this now, it just proves that not even a great blader like yourself is invincible.
You're always so full of blazing life; your eyes always have a spark of fire that's matched by no one. Now your eyes are closed. Your face has plasters all over it, a lot like mine. You've got bandages wrapped around your head, covering your right eye completely. There are bandages around your neck, and from what I can see, your chest too. Your left arm rests on top of the white sheets. It's completely bandaged.
You look like…you've been through hell. It's the fourth day you've been in a coma. The doctors say you're breathing on your own but you don't seem to be responding to anything. They say it's like you're asleep, or hibernating.
What happened to you, Kai? Bryan and Spencer tell me you fought against Brooklyn, BEGA's 'special, secret weapon' twice. The first time around, you lost but the second time around you joined up with Tyson again and you managed to win the rematch. You'd gone out to the beydish on fire. Literally. Like you were outraged, furious, and were fighting for more reasons than just wanting to battle Tyson, which was why you rejoined our team in the first place.
I knew it all along, of course. You must have known I did. I knew you had reasons for coming back to us. It's not like we're your preferred team. Well, we weren't ever anyway, were we? Our reputations precede us don't they? The Blitzkrieg Boys of Russia. The bad boys of beyblading. The team that wreck their opponents' beyblades without so much as blinking and will use any nasty tactic to achieve victory.
I suppose when you joined us, you found out we weren't exactly so predictable. We like to take out our opponents quickly, yes. But so do you. Which made you a perfect addition to our team. I found it odd at first that you came to me asking me to allow you back into the team. I had a chance to snub you and turn you away. But what senseless fool would turn you down? I know how hard it must have been for you to do that, to ask me. Two years ago, you would have sooner hung yourself than ask for anything from anyone, especially from us. But you did. And I accepted you back, whereas if it were two years back, I surely would have insulted you and rejected you downright on the spot without a thought.
Just goes to show how much you've changed. How much I've changed, how much we all have. I guess everybody does, huh?
You probably don't even know I'm here do you? But I am. I finally managed to persuade Mr. Dickenson to ask the staff to let me see you. So here I am. On crutches by your bed. There's an entire bunch of 'get well soon' cards next to me. I can't help but smile. You'd hate that. You'd hate the attention. You'd find the flowers and the cards superfluous and not pay them any attention; despite the fact they're all from people who care about you and want you to get well soon. I watched some TV earlier this morning. You were all over the news. Your battle was the most intense one anyone had ever seen and all your fans want you to get better. They're probably all swarming outside the hospital, wanting to come in and see you too.
My eyes move to the machine that's monitoring your heart rate. It's slow but steady. I'm not sure how long I've been standing here. It doesn't really matter anyway. Mr. Dickenson told me that while I was in a coma, Tyson and his friends had come to see me. They had brought Dranzer after your first battle with Brooklyn, the one that you lost. He told me Tyson left Dranzer by my head. Mr. Dickenson said that when he had come to see me the following day, the beyblade had gone. He said it wasn't possible that anyone stole it because Bryan and Spencer were always with me. He said the only other person who could have taken it was you. But he checked the visitor book and no Kai had signed in to see me. I know it was you though. How else could you have battled Brooklyn again? Just to think that you had stood over me a few days ago, and now it's the other way around. Ironic, isn't it? We've kind of been through similar experiences. We've always have had a lot in common in that aspect.
Why did you do it Kai? You didn't need to suffer like this. I watched the replay on TV. Mr. Dickenson brought it in for me. The old man's been watching over me almost as much as Bryan and Spencer, which is a surprise. I mean, I don't really know him personally. But he told me that it was important that I see what you went through and what you accomplished in defeating Brooklyn. You weren't even fully healed from the wounds of your first battle with that orange haired freak. The fact that you won just makes it all the more remarkable. You fought so bravely. Everytime you were knocked down you got up again, against all the odds. It even scared Brooklyn. I watched the entire replay, even though by the time it reached its final stages, I could barely look.
You were magnificent Kai. Brilliant. I've never been one to compliment people, especially not you, but credit must be given where it's rightly due. He hurt you so badly. You were exhausted in the end. But your determination saw you through. You took so much punishment and still you gave everything back. Brooklyn matched all your moves and in the end you were fighting with your very life force. It's all you had left. You threw every last ounce of strength at him. You were on fire. And when you summoned Dranzer in the end and she surrounded you with her flame, it was…amazing. Your eyes were literally blazing and your yell was one full of such pure rage anyone would be scared off hearing it. Dranzer's stronger than I thought.
She's…a beautiful bit beast. Great in her blazing glory. It's funny how I never really noticed how bright she was until she shielded you with her wings. You're the perfect owner for her Kai. That battle confirmed what everyone already knew. Even the commentators were speechless. The crowd loved you for your brave victory. They always have, you know. Even back home, in Russia, they love you. You're a confirmed fan favourite, despite the fact you usually scowl at the cameras.
Mr. Dickenson told me you wanted to get revenge for your defeat and for what BEGA did to me, Bryan and Spencer. You wanted to stop Boris. Is that true Kai? I can hardly believe it. You'd risk your very life to get revenge? I never realised…
…I never thought you actually cared about any of us. Maybe you respected us, yes, in your cool, indifferent manner, and maybe you started to trust us, but care? It's not like you Kai. And it wasn't worth it. We're not worth someone like you losing your life. You're the kind of person who makes mistakes but learns from them and does amazing things and goes to unbelievable lengths to set things right again. You're fearless. You really are a warrior. I understand why Voltaire wanted you to join BIOVOLT and tried so hard to get you back after you left. You're the kind of person people wouldn't dare to defy.
But maybe I've got you all wrong. You've surprised me on many occasions while we were team-mates again. Your Bladebreaker friends are all very fond of you, and I've always wondered why. You were always so cold and silent and distant with us. But I think I finally understand now.
You…care about people, your team-mates, but you'd never admit it out loud. You respect them and look out for them. Maybe…since you never really did that for us, you felt even more responsible and that's why you challenged Brooklyn again.
…I've made it Kai. I'm alright. But what about you? What if you don't wake up? I don't think…I can't imagine how that'd feel. I'm not really used to feeling much, but its funny how I seem to be able to feel a lot of things when its people from the abbey that are concerned, especially Ian, Spencer, Bryan and…as I've lately rediscovered, you.
You're one of us Kai. Even if you don't declare your Russian nationality out loud or as proudly as we do, you're still one of us. I want you to know I've always thought that, despite everything. The others never trusted you and neither did I, but you stuck by us in the world championships this year and didn't even look at another team. I have to admit I was pleased to have you back on board. Not initially, but you soon proved your worth in the first battle against the F-Dynasty by taking Raul out in one masterful move. I knew then I'd made the right choice. And we almost won the tournament.
If I could go back in time and change anything, I'd change nothing. I'd still accept you into our team Kai. Because despite everything, I've gotten to know you a lot better. We all have.
Wake up Kai. I don't want it to end like this. There are so many people who want you to wake up, so many people who would miss your frowns and your 'hn's. Life wouldn't be the same without you. Your story can't end here. Not now.
…And I…I've come to respect you and value you. Not just as a team-mate…but as…a friend. Even if you don't consider me one back, I want you to wake up, Kai.
And I won't leave this room. Until you do.
Author's Note:
That was so long. I wanted to make his thoughts realistic of one just out of a coma. I hope it delivers. Anyway, please review and I'll start on the next one. Only 2 left now. Chapter 5 will be Kai waking up from his coma. Thanks for reading and watch this space.
