My eyes flutter open, as I stare at the wooden board ceiling above me. Where am I? I turn my head to look off to my right, only causing immense throbbing pain in my skull. I find beds lined up from wall to wall, each covered in white linen sheets. The infirmary. Why was I here? Party got a little crazy? Wouldn't be the first time…
Suddenly it dawns on me. The final! Out of sudden reflex I try sitting up, remembering I had somewhere I needed to be, only to feel the stabbing pain rip from my skull down through the rest of my body. Everything hurt. I looked down at me. I was covered from head to toe in bruises and broken skin. Based on the bandaging over my nose I'm pretty sure it's broken. I laid back and closed my eyes.
Okay, the final. We had that all out brawl among all the trainees. It came down to Levi and I, and…. What happened next? Do I really want to know what happened next, considering I'm currently laying here with a bashed in nose and who knows what else. Each breath I took came with searing pain, I wouldn't be surprised if I broke a few ribs. Knowing Levi he wouldn't have held back this last fight, and apparently I didn't either.
I opened up my eyes again, trying to see if there was anyone else here that I could ask what the hell is going on. My head was still facing right, towards the back of the room. No one. I close my eyes again, and try to slowly move my head to face the other direction. I slowly open my eyes, to find Levi lying in the bed next to me, still knocked out. What the hell happened out there? Whatever it is it must have been some real good shit. Usually we both know our limits… right? I guess not?
I try to look over Levi to see what possible injuries he had acquired. Bandage around the forehead, probably concussion. Based on the way I can't seem to remember anything I probably have the same around my head. Other than the usual bruises and cuts, the only thing different is the large swing attached to the ceiling keeping his foot elevated. Hopefully just a sprain. Could we both really do this much damage? To each other?
Suddenly I hear footsteps approaching, and in the moment of panic I pretend to once again be sleeping. I'm assuming it's the nurse. I allow my eyes to flutter open as she steps over by my bed, pretending as if it's the first time I'm opening my eyes.
"Don't move," she scolded me immediately. "You'll worsen the injuries."
"What's going on? What about the final?" I asked.
"Corporal Haff told me you and Levi each threw about three punches before passing out in each other's arms from exhaustion and your mild concussions." The nurse started fiddling around with some glass bottles next to my bed as she spoke to me, only seeming to be half paying attention to the conversation we were more or less having.
Seriously? Well no fucking wonder. "So, what about the choosing ceremony?"
"I was told the commanders of each division will be visiting you too later tonight to hear your decisions, considering you both are number one in your class. Now drink this and get some rest." She handed me what was seemingly a shot glass of yellow liquid. Holding my breath, I swallowed. It burned on the way down, and tasted of milk if you left it out in the sun for hours on a hot day. I started coughing, only making my chest feel like it was collapsing on itself. I let out a small screech of pain.
"Two broken ribs will do that to ya!" the nurse called as she closed the door behind her on her way out of the infirmary. I glanced back over to Levi. He seemed so peaceful. I just wanted to reach out and stroke his red and purple swollen face. I guess we just don't know when to give up, now do we?