He is exhausted, but his sleep is interrupted. He knows from experience it is impossible to get sleep in the hospital. Too many things are checked too often. Even though he can't feel it, there this the ET light on his toe, and the one he can feel on his finger, keeping track of his pulse and oxygen levels. There are two IV lines into either elbow, one pumping antibiotics and fluids, the other so the nurses can come take out blood every few hours to check for sepsis. There are also the regular checks of his urine.
His father snores lightly from the recliner in his room. The snoring is comforting; it reminds him of just after the accident. He was never left alone in the dark, noise, Hospital. No matter how badly his father's back hurt or how many dark circles developed under his eyes, his father was there. The sound does not help his inability to sleep. The beeping for the machines, the snoring, the drip -drop of the IV line keep him awake.
His tired mind races. He might be on the mend, but he is afraid. Everyone says lightening doesn't strike twice. It's a lie. Lightening has a memory and it strikes over and over again. How else does a kid in a wheelchair end up getting a patriotic wedgie or locked in a port-a-potty?
The IVs make him feel like a muppet, except the strings detract instead of enhancing his movement. He hates having IVs, hates the cold weight in his hands. They make him feel trapped. His legs don't work, and now, his arms are too weak. They're heavy, and cold and sore. He fishes for the red call button and presses it.
The nurse comes and checks his temperature, his blood, his cath bag. She frowns, and sets down the heated blanket she was going to give him. He knows his temperature is rising, the chills have hit him badly. He fears the delirium, and the darkness of his mind.
He wants to sleep. His body is calling to him to let the medicine he knows the nurse slipped into his IV bag do its work. He is helpless against the vast powers of just about any type of sleep aid. Even Benedryl will put him under for close to a day. So, even though he is still scared of so many things, he stops fighting against sleep. He just hopes he can keep fighting for the other things.