Shadu: Okay, I'm back and ready for action. So is Zentar, right buddy?
Zentar: Sure. I have just one small request.
Shadu: And it is?
Zentar: GET THIS IDIOTIC BULLET OUT OF MY STUPID SHOULDER!!!!!!!
Shadu: Moving right along, here's chappie five.
Ch. 5
Pain
I was a little unsure on how this would work. I mean, I've taken out splinters and stuff before, but never a bullet. I was so nervous as I walked up to Zentar's home. What if I made things worse? What if I couldn't help him? Then what would I do? I decided I couldn't think about that now. Now, I had to worry about the task at hand. Just concentrate on getting the shell out, nothing else.
"Zentar," I called into the box. "I'm back."
Once again I heard a groan, and saw Zentar move out of his box. His head emerged and looked at me with a piercing glare. But that glare softened and disappeared when he saw me. I pulled out the pair of tweezers that I had borrowed from Joey. I knew it would've been much better if my mom had done this, but he had already stated that he wouldn't go to her. I figured I was lucky to even be getting this far.
I was relieved to see that Zentar hadn't put his shirts back on. That would make things a little easier. And then I realized I didn't have anything to wrap the wound in after I had gotten the bullet. I surfed through my backpack to find nothing. I didn't have a thing.
"What are you looking for?" Zentar asked me.
"Something to wrap your wound in," I stated, looking back at him.
Zentar thought for a moment, then turned back into his box. He presented me with a bandana that already had a little blood on it. I looked at him in confusion.
"I use it to clean my sword," Zentar stated. "It's the only thing I have. You may use it."
"Zentar, I," I began to protest.
"Listen, take it, or leave it, I don't care, I'm not the one who insists on taking it out," Zentar stated pointedly.
I took the bandana hesitantly, looking at him unsurely. He sighed impatiently.
"Well, if you're going to take it out, then let's get it over with," Zentar growled.
I took a deep breath, and began. Using my forefinger and middle finger, proceeded to spread the wound open. I could feel Zentar's muscles tense and relax and tense again as he tried his hardest not to pull away.
I'm sorry for your pain, Zentar, I thought silently. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry that I had to cause you pain.
I wedged the tweezers into the wound until I found the end of the bullet. Grasping a hold of it, I began to rock it back and forth. With every rock, every movement, Zentar winched and grunted. It made me want to cringe every time he cried in pain. I hoped it would be over soon. It seemed like forever before the bullet was out. Quickly, I pressed the bandana against the now gaping wound. Zentar groaned loudly at this, but did not move. I tied the bandana tightly, making sure it wouldn't slip off. Now that it was over, Zentar was looking very pale indeed, and he was breathing even heavier now.
"Lie down Zentar," I urged.
He didn't have to be told twice. He laid down willingly, moving slowly in order to not jostle his arm. I took one of his shirts, the black one, and draped it over him. He didn't protest. He laid there, breathing heavily, as he waited for the pain to go away.
"I'll be back tomorrow to check on you," I told him in a soft voice.
He didn't reply other than nodding his head weakly. I reached in his box and brushed his cheek. I watched as a shiver ran down his body. Standing up, I made my way home.
It didn't take my mom long to notice that there was something on my mind. But at least she let me finish my homework before asking questions. It was at dinner that she decided to say something.
"Serenity, what's on your mind?" she asked.
"Oh, it's nothing mom," I lied.
"Serenity, you've barely eaten any of your food, what's wrong?" my mom tried again.
"It's just, remember that guy I told you about that saved me?" I stated.
"Mystery man?" my mom asked.
"Yes, that's him," I confirmed. "Well, his name is Zentar and I found him today on my way to Joey's, and he was looking really bad. The wound had become infected. I would've come to you to get advice, but I didn't think he could wait. His bullet had to be taken out today."
"How'd you do it?" Mom questioned.
"I used from Joey Tweezers and wedged it out," I replied.
"Why didn't he go to the hospital?" Mom wondered.
"Mom, this guy lives in a cardboard box," I stated.
"How's he doing?" Mom asked.
"I don't know, he was looking very pale when I left," I stated.
My mom paused, and then inquired, "Honey, do you like this guy?"
I could feel my face turn pink as I shook my head and told her, "No, no, it's not that at all, it's just, I owe him my life. But since I can't really give him that, I thought that helping him like this was the best thing to do."
"Are you really that worried about him?" my mom looked at me.
"Yes," I nodded, looking back.
"Then how about we go down and check on him after dinner, sound good?" she proposed.
I wasn't sure. It sounded good, but Zentar had said that he wouldn't go to her. So, why would he allow her to come to him? I was in a tight spot. Should I go against Zentar's wishes and get him help? Or, should I accept his wishes and let him die?
Shadu: Whoohoo! Another done. Sorry it took so long. I haven't been that inspired for this story until just recently.
::Magic walks in::
Magic: Hey, how's it going?
Shadu: Going good.
Ish: ::begins to sing terribly off-key:: Oh, oh, it's Magic, ya know!!
Magic: ::backs away slowly:: Right...
Shadu: Uh, please review. Maybe that'll shut up Ish.
