Whatever It Takes pt.17
Hello, everyone. Just so ya guys know, I only have 2 or 3 more chapters of Hunter suffering and then we'll be done. So, you guys can rest easy soon. ENjoy.
Day 52 of 83
Hunter sat on the porch steps rocking back and forth with his finger twitching and fumbling with the threads of the blanket wrapped around him. He was watching the world around him trying to calm his shaken nerves. Omega stood at the door watching him sadly.
"How is he?" Omega wondered.
"He's dealing with a lot of issues right now. He's trembling so much that he can barely walk. He has extreme mood swings. Hot and cold flashes." Fives replied.
"I just want him to be better."
"I know, kid. We all want Hunter to get better."
Omega walked back to the kitchen where Crosshiar was eating breakfast.
"Breakfast is at the table." Crosshair said.
"I'm not hungry," Omega murmured. She wrapped her arms around Crosshair's waist and he sighed. After a moment of hesitation, he placed a hand on Omega's back and rubbed her back.
"You need to eat something."
"I can't."
"You and Hunter are definitely siblings. Worry yourselves to the point that you can't even eat. He'll be fine, kid, but he wouldn't want you to starve."
"I know."
Omega walked over to the table and tried to eat her breakfast but she couldn't. She watched Echo walk out only to walk back in.
"He says he can't eat." Echo sighed. "He tried to drink some water, but his tremors are making it hard."
"Well, he needs to come inside. I'll get some water in him. Get his supplement ready." Rex replied.
"He's barely able to handle that anymore. He may not drink it."
"We have to try."
Echo prepared Hunter's supplement and walked outside and saw Rex getting Hunter to take a sip of water. Echo handed Hunter's supplement to Rex who tried to get Hunter to take a sip. Hunter shook his head and looked away.
"I can't keep that down," Hunter murmured.
"You have to try. Just one sip." Rex replied.
"I can't, Rex."
"I'll go take it back inside. Maybe you'll want it later." Echo suggested. Hunter nodded and Echo took the supplement back inside. When Echo was gone, Hunter lunged at Rex knocking him down. Hunter ran as quickly as he could away from the house.
"Hunter, no!" Rex exclaimed as he sat back up.
"What happened?" Crosshair questioned as he and Fives rushed outside.
"He ran off to the west. He was fast and unpredictable. I couldn't see it coming."
"We'll find him."
Crosshair and Fives chased after Hunter who knew how to avoid the two.
A couple of hours passed and there was no sign of Hunter.
"Where could he be? Crosshair, where would he go?" Fives questioned.
"If Hunter doesn't want to be found, chances are, we won't find him. He hasn't been able to explore much. He's gonna lie low and stay hidden. It's been raining for the past hour. His footprints are gone. We need to go back to the house and try again." Crosshair replied.
"What about Hunter?"
"He knows what to do. Hunter went into survival mode. He'll find a place to rest and stay dry and warm until we find him."
Crosshair and Fives walked back to the house.
Meanwhile, Hunter was stumbling around in the rain. He was growing tired and weak. He wanted to go home, but his feet would move in the direction he wanted them to go. He looked around trying to find someplace he could rest but found nothing. Eventually, he saw a ravine and he looked down into it to see what was there. Then he walked alongside it hoping to find someplace to rest. What he didn't see was an old animal trap that snapped around his ankle causing him to cry out in pain and fall into the ravine.
Crosshair and Fives arrived home and saw Omega waiting at the door.
"Why are you back without Hunter?" Omega questioned.
"The rain washed all the tracks away. There was no way we could find him. He's probably found someplace safe to hide. We'll go back out and look for him when the rain calms down. We'll pack our bags in case something happens. Fives and I will go back out." Crosshair explained.
"I'll go with you." Wrecker suggested.
"I may not be as good as Hunter, but I can track. I might be able to help you find him." Omega said.
"No. You should stay here." Echo stated.
"She's right. If Hunter was training her to track then she's our biggest help. Besides, she's explored this area more than us. Based off of what we all know about Hunter, we may be able to find him." Crosshair replied.
"Crosshair's right. Omega can do this." Rex stated.
"Echo and I will stay with AZI in case Hunter returns," Tech stated.
Wrecker, Fives, Rex, Crosshair, and Omega bagged their bags and when the rain died down, they went back out and picked up where they left off.
Hunter woke up and cried out in pain as he moved his left ankle. He looked at his ankle and saw that it was still stuck in the trap. He carefully sat up groaning as every bone and muscle in his body ached. He carefully moved his leg so he could see his ankle better. He tried to grab the release mechanism, but because of how wet his hands and the trap were, he couldn't. The wind blew and he shivered heavily. He looked up at the sky and saw that if he didn't find shelter soon, he'd be caught in another storm. He carefully stood up using the ravine wall to help and he walked around hoping to find shelter. He could feel his fever burning through him and the cramps were intense. He found what looked like a cave and he quickly but carefully rushed towards it. When he saw that it was empty, he took a few branches and stuck them in the ground. Then he hid in the cave as another storm started.
Meanwhile, Omega searched high and low using the skills Hunter had taught her.
"We'll never find him in this rain. Let's go back before we get trapped." FIves suggested.
"No, I can do this. Hunter needs me to do this." Omega replied. Rex knelt beside Omega and looked around.
"Omega, follow your instincts. Where do you think Hunter would go?" Rex wondered.
"Well, there's a ravine nearby and I know there are small caves along with it. It's dry and safe, but it's surrounded by old traps. I almost caught my ankle in one of those traps."
"But would Hunter go there?"
"Yes. He can avoid the traps."
They all rushed towards the ravine and saw what looked to be a scuffle.
"Someone or something got caught in a trap and fell into the ravine. There's blood along the way." Crosshair said. Crosshair carefully climbed down and everyone followed him. Crosshair looked around when he reached the bottom and saw the branches. "He's over there."
Everyone followed Crosshair to the branches. When they got to the branches, they saw the cave and saw Hunter inside unconscious.
"Wrecker, we need to get this trap off his ankle." Crosshair said as he climbed into the cave next to held Hunter's leg while Wrecker removed the trap. HUnter moaned and whimpered as he felt the trap around his ankle move. Wrecker removed the trap and moved so Omega could help bandage the ankle.
"It's not broken, but it's bruised and there's a lot of damage. I don't have what we need for the swelling." Omega stated. Omega bandaged the ankle and Hunter inhaled sharply causing him to cough heavily. Crosshair helped Hunter sit up and he held Hunter gently. When it was over, Hunter laid his head on Crosshair's shoulder and mumbled. Crosshair placed a hand on Hunter's forehead and looked at the others.
"He needs to get home, now. He's burning up." Crosshair stated. Rex looked up and noticed that the rain had stopped.
"We need to get out of here safely. With the rain stopped, it may be easier." Rex suggested. Wrecker carefully picked Hunter up and carried him out of the cave. Fives searched the ravine and tried a few paths before finding one that would work. It wasn't long before they were out of the ravine and on their way home.
Halfway home, Hunter started convulsing.
"Put him down on his side," Rex ordered. Wrecker did as he was told. Fives and Crosshair moved all the rocks and debris away from HUnter. Less than a minute later, Hunter relaxed and another minute later, he was conscious.
"Cold," Hunter murmured.
"We know, Hunter." Crosshair whispered.
"Water."
Fives grabbed the canteen of water and helped Hunter to take a few sips. When Hunter was done, he shivered and Omega grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around Hunter. Hunter relaxed and Wrecker picked him up. When they arrived home, Hunter was almost unconscious. They took Hunter inside up to his room where Echo and Tech were waiting.
"How is he?" Echo questioned.
"He had a trap on his left ankle. It's swollen. On the way back, he had a seizure. It lasted about a minute and then he regained consciousness. He's burning up, but he's also freezing." Rex explained.
The next hour was spent trying to get Hunter comfortable and lower his temperature and reduce the swelling in his ankle. When it was done, everyone relaxed slightly.
"He's improving, but just barely." Tech sighed.
"Good," Rex replied.
Day 59 of 83
Echo hushed Hunter who had been mumbling incoherently for the past day and a half. Extreme waves of pain, seizures, high fevers, malnourishment, and dehydration meant that Hunter's body was too weak to do much of anything. For the past three days, Hunter was in a dazed state. His body was weak from all that was happening. His speech slurred to the point that no one understood what he was saying or trying to say.
"Hunter, take a sip." Echo whispered. Hunter looked at Echo and mumbled something but Echo didn't know what. Echo helped Hunter sit up enough to take a sip of water, only for Hunter to cough it up. Hunter pushed the cup away and looked at his arms. He started rubbing his arms in confusion. "It's just a rash, Hunter. It'll go away." Hunter looked at Echo trying to understand what Echo was saying. "I'll go get you something for it if it's bothering you."
"Out of me." Hunter slurred.
"There's nothing in there, Hunter. What's wrong?"
"No! I want... out. It out."
"Hunter, there's nothing in your arms."
Hunter shook his head and continued to rub his arms. Echo could tell that Hunter was in distress.
Several minutes later, Hunter calmed down and laid back down in his bed. When Echo thought Hunter was asleep, he left the room to get more clean water from the bathroom. Hunter opened his eyes and started rubbing his arms again. All he could think about was getting rid of the creatures in his skin. He saw that the windowsill had a sharp edge and he started cutting his arm on it. He applied more and more pressure till his skin burst open.
Echo walked with a clean bowl of water and saw Hunter cutting his arms open on the windowsill.
"Hunter, stop!" Echo exclaimed as he dropped the bowl and rushed over. Wrecker and Fives rushed in as Echo tried to stop Hunter.
"What's wrong?" Fives questioned.
"He's cutting himself on the windowsill. I need help."
Wrecker rushed over and with Echo's help, they were able to pull Hunter away.
"NO! GET IT OUT OF ME! GET THEM OUT OF ME!" Hunter screamed. The others rushed to the door and Omega gasped loudly when she saw Hunter now scratching his blood-covered arms and fighting his brothers.
"Fives, get Omega out of here." Crosshair stated.
"Will he be alright?" Omega wondered. Crosshair looked at Omega and then FIves who lead Omega downstairs. A minute later, Rex walked downstairs and saw Omega pacing with FIves watching her in concern. When Omega saw Rex, she stopped and looked up at him.
"They're doing all he can, but he's losing a lot of blood." Rex sighed.
Upstairs, Wrecker was holding Hunter while Crosshair kept Hunter's arms separated. Echo and Tech with the help of AZI cleaned Hunter's wounds and stopped the bleeding. Wrecker took a cool wet cloth and wiped the sweat off of Hunter's face and neck. Crosshair noticed that HUnter seemed to be a little more alert so he squeezed Hunter's left hand. Hunter looked up at him and rested his head on Wrecker's shoulder.
"How do you feel?" Crosshair wondered.
"COld." Hunter croaked. "Thirsty. Tired." Crosshair grabbed a cup of water and Wrecker helped Hunter take a sip.
"We're almost done, Hunter. Can you tell us why you did this?" Tech questioned.
"It felt like something was in my arm."
"But what? Did you do something to you that would make you feel this way?" Echo asked.
"They put this creature on my arm and it burrowed its way into my body and I could feel it and I... I wanted it out, but it hurt so much. Finally, they gave me this... this drug and it killed it." Hunter explained.
"I don't remember that?" Crosshair said.
"You weren't there."
When Tech and Hunter were done, they bandaged Hunter's arms and Wrecker helped Hunter up.
"Can I... I just need to walk around." Hunter murmured. Wrecker helped Hunter walk around while Echo went downstairs. He saw Omega, FIves, and Rex waiting and he sighed.
"He'll be fine. He's walking around right now. He's confused and weak, but he's fighting." Crosshair stated.
"Can I see him?" Omega wondered. Crosshair nodded and Omega ran upstairs and saw Hunter in the hallway next to the open window. She rushed up to him and hugged him close. Hunter looked down at Omega and hugged her close.
"I'm sorry for scaring ya, kid." Hunter apologized.
"I know," Omega whispered.
Hunter moved them so that they were sitting on the floor and he hugged his sister close.
Day 64 of 83
Wrecker walked in and saw Tech examining Hunter.
"How is he?" Wrecker wondered.
"Well, after the incident a few days ago, he seemed to have more energy. Yes, most of the time he was incoherent and hallucinating and we kept having to hold him down. He was able to eat a little and drink a little water, but the past two days, he's been getting worse. We can't get him comfortable and we can barely keep him hydrated." Tech explained.
"Yeah. How about his..."
"Seizures?"
"Yeah?"
'He had one last night and it lasted quite a while. AZI checked him and the doctor will be here soon, but... Rex is right. We need to consider getting him to the hospital. If he has another seizure like that, it could kill him."
Hunter murmured and thrashed about.
"No. DOn't... kill me. Don't test me. I won't fail you again. I promise." Hunter exclaimed. After that, his speech started slurring and he started mumbling incoherently. Tech checked his temperature and sighed.
"We need to cool him down." Tech sighed.
Tech and Wrecker helped Hunter to the refresher and tried to cool him down in the shower. When the water hit Hunter, he started screaming and fighting. He looked around seeing things that were not there. Everything that came out of his mouth was a jumble and Tech and Wrecker were unable to understand him. After a few minutes of Hunter fighting, Tech turned the shower off, but took a cup and filled it with water. He slowly poured it on Hunter's shoulders and Hunter whimpered but did not scream. Soon, Hunter's fever was lower and he was returned to his bed.
Hunter woke up a little while later moving his arms around and shaking his head. He mumbled something and Tech looked down at him.
"What is it, Hunter?" Tech wondered. "Are you thirsty?" Hunter mumbled and shook his head and started smacking his face. Tech grabbed Hunter's hands and Hunter looked around as though he didn't know where he was. "You're safe, Hunter. You're home."
Wrecker and Crosshair walked in and stayed near the door. Hunter saw them and when he saw Crosshair, he started panicking.
"I'll leave the room." Crosshair stated when he saw Hunter's reaction. He left the room and walked into his room and looked out one of the windows. He could hear Wrecker and Tech trying to calm Hunter down, but it wasn't working.
"AZI, get in here!" Wrecker boomed. Crosshair rushed out of his room and saw Azi whirl into the room. He looks in and sees Hunter lying in bed convulsing.
"AZI, I want to monitor everything," Tech stated.
"How long has Hunter been convulsing?" AZI questioned.
"2 minutes."
2 minutes turned into 15 minutes very quickly. Hunter's doctor arrived and examined Hunter.
"We may have to give him medication. It's been too long." He stated.
"You may not have to. His body is relaxing." AZI replied.
Sure enough, Hunter was relaxed but unconscious.
"When he wakes, we should get him to the hospital." The doctor suggested. "If he wakes up."
"What do you mean?" Crosshair wondered.
"He means that if Hunter has brain damage, it could cause a coma and if not treated, he could die," Omega replied.
"She's right. Regardless, we'll be moving him to the hospital in 2 hours. We have everything needed to take care of him and still allow the withdrawal to finish." The doctor explained. "But only if there isn't any brain damage. If there is, then we'll have to give him something."
Everyone sat around the room waiting for Hunter to wake. Wrecker held Hunter's hand gently and watched him carefully. Two hours passed when Wrecker felt Hunter squeeze his hand. Wrecker looked at Hunter's face and saw that he was waking up. He pushed the doctor out of the way so he could move closer to Hunter's face. Hunter opened his eyes weakly and looked up at Wrecker.
"Wrecker." Hunter croaked.
"At least you still have your memory." Wrecker replied.
"So... tired. So...so much...pain. Cold. Hard... to breathe."
Hunter's breath caught in his throat and when he exhaled, he coughed heavily. Wrecker helped him sit up so the doctor could listen to his chest.
"It sounds worse than it is." The doctor sighed. Hunter calmed down and looked around. "On a scale of 1 to 10, how much does your chest hurt?"
"7." Hunter croaked. Crosshair grabbed a cup of water and helped Hunter take a sip. Hunter swallowed the water painfully. The doctor finished examining Hunter and sighed.
"You're very lucky. We're still going to take you to the hospital just in case. Don't worry, we won't give you anything that could stop the withdrawal."
Hunter nodded and the doctor grabbed a washcloth and wiped the blood from Hunter's nose. When Hunter's nose stopped bleeding, Hunter was prepared to be taken to the hospital. Everyone grabbed what they would need for the next few weeks and they shut everything in the house down. They took Hunter to the hospital and soon, he was settled in and resting.
Day 65 of 83
Tech looked at Hunter who seemed to be sleeping. He gently shook Hunter only for him to not wake up. Tech checked Hunter's vitals and then pushed a button. An alarm went off and soon, the doctor and the rest of the family rushed in.
"What is it?" The doctor questioned.
"His vitals. SOmething's not right." Tech replied. The doctor examined Hunter and ran a few tests.
"He's slipped into a coma. I have to do a test to see how bad it is, but based off of what I'm seeing, it's just enough."
Omega walked over to the bed and squeezed Hunter's hand.
TBC
