Greg staggered over to Nick, and Nick sat him down on the sand. Greg had just been through hell, and Nick was there to save him.
"The ambulance is on its way," he said, reassuringly.
"Uh huh," said Greg.
"Are you okay?" asked Nick.
"I feel weird," said Greg. "I can't stop shaking"
"You're in shock," said Nick. "You're breathing really quickly too"
"I can't help it," replied Greg, staring at the floor.
"Come here," said Nick. He picked up Greg's hands, and held them against his chest. "Can you feel my breathing"
"Uh huh," said Greg.
"Breathe like that," said Nick.
Greg closed his eyes, and matched his breathing rate to that of Nick's. A few minutes later, he'd calmed down considerably, and stopped shaking.
"Is that better?" asked Nick.
Greg nodded. "Thank you"
Where's that ambulance? thought Nick. Greg was looking terrible.
Greg leant forward, and rested his head on Nick's chest.
"It's going to be okay," said Nick, putting his hand gently on Greg's back. Greg winced, and Nick looked down at Greg's back, and saw the torture that he'd been through. "I'm sorry"
"Will the ambulance be here soon?" asked Greg.
"Yes," said Nick. "Very soon"
"Will you come to the hospital with me?" asked Greg.
"I'll follow in the car," said Nick.
"Please come with me," said Greg. "I'm scared"
"Okay," said Nick. "I'll come in the ambulance with you. I'll be there the whole time"
"Promise?" asked Greg.
"Promise," replied Nick.