Estelswolf: Ha, ha, ha your review really cheered me up. Thanks.
Ghostwriter: I am happy you are still with me. Thanks.
Fortune: I am fortunate to have such reviewer like you. Thanks.
To Daizia: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for your last review. I don't mind your questions at all, in reverse though I read them with great interest and respect. You see, before I update any chapter I am the only person who reads it and tries to find mistakes and errors. I am aware that many things may slip out of my eyes, after all I am not too objective when concerns my story. Your reviews often open my eyes and I realize that I overlook or forgot about something. As it was this time. Now I feel obliged to explain myself in case others had the same doubts as you.
Explanation: The corrupted agent who Tom might recognize appeared shortly before the car accident. It was Mr. Wallace in chapter 8. Tom watched him dealing with Guardian in the laboratories. He didn't know who it was but if asked about the guy later he could easily recognize him. After Tom escaped Guardian he called to Chapel and talked with Fuller. He mentioned then that he saw Guardian dealing with some guy. Later Fuller informed about it the FBI agents (he didn't have any idea they were corrupted) who at the moment started make plans how to get rid of their potential threat.
Enjoy and don't be afraid of pointing out my mistakes.
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Chapter 21.
oOo
'Still alive'
oOo
There was loud laugh and talks coming from waiting room. Doug frowned puzzled and looked towards the room, his gaze stopped on the closed door. He cocked his ears. It didn't sound like relieve. And certainly it didn't sound like reaction on any news about Tom. Anyways, if doctor finally finished with Hanson and came here looking for his family to share the informations with, he would have to pass Doug. And there was nobody walking around except nurses and Dennis who restlessly made circles around the corridor walking there and back again slowly getting on Penhall's nerves.
The fuss coming from the room intrigued him so much that he couldn't ignore it any longer. He decided to check the cause. Besides he was getting too depressed sitting here in the corridor floor worrying and analyzing all past events. Those thoughts increased in him irresistible need to act like hit somebody or destroy something… Just to vent his frustrations.
He stood up carefully from the floor ignoring objects of his stiffened muscles and moved forwards. A bit disappointed he thought that sitting on the floor for last, he checked his watch, four hours wasn't good idea.
"Four hours." Doug repeated the two words in his head and started analyzing them. Four hours of waiting here plus one hour he spent with doctor Stalker give about five hours long or so which Tom had been on OR. Penhall thoughtfully stamped his feet several times and soon he felt blood circulation coming back to numb limbs.
He couldn't decide if the fact that Tom was on OR so long was good sign or bad. On the one hand it was good, because it meant Tom was still alive but on the other hand it meant he was in so bad condition that... The cop raised his head irritated, as another burst of laughter broke his thoughts. Angrily he moved forwards and approached the door. He looked past the glass and surprised noticed Blowfish, their maintenance engineer, standing in the middle of the room saying something with lively support of his flying arms. Everybody's eyes were set on him. Doug drew the door slightly aside and listened.
"I'm telling you, it's true!" Sal threw his arms up amused and irritated simultaneously.
"No way!" A young looking red haired police officer pointed index finger at the smaller man and laughed. "You are lying. Tom dressed like a woman?"
"Believe it, Sally!" Judy smiled cheerfully. "I made the make up by myself. I must admit he looked very cute."
"But…" The girl's face reddened a bit.
"Sally!" Sitting next to her officer put his arm around the younger woman's waist and trying to stay serious said: "There were some guys in the Chapel who not realizing it was Tom thought about inviting him for dinner."
"Including you, Walker?" There was shout from right corner of the room.
"Ehm… yeah." The declaration met with overall laugh and whistles. Doug initially felt rush of anger that all people here were in such good moods while Tom was still fighting several rooms away. It was inappropriate. But then to his surprise he noticed Mrs. Hanson joined the joy and laughed sincerely with everybody. Seeing smile on her face last days was really rare occasion. He shook his head. Maybe Sal was right. Maybe entertaining in such situations was the best remedy for stress caused by uncertainty and fear of what news they are waiting for.
"Tom in dress, Doug?" Dennis whispered the question straight to his ear, startling slightly the man. Doug didn't notice Booker joined him by the door. "Do I need to know something?" Penhall turned to his partner smile lightening up his face as he remembered the case. They had much fun then. He just opened his mouth to start answer when he felt somebody's hand on his shoulder.
"Excuse me, gentlemen." Middle aged man dressed in white gown drew them apart and entered the waiting room. His intrusion was greeted by sudden silence and growing pressure and uneasiness. Earlier happiness was cut instantly and forgotten as if never existed.
"Doctor?" Mrs. Hanson rose up and folded her hands in pleading gesture. The newcomer walked up to the woman, extended his hand and asked:
"Are you Tomas Hanson's relative?"
"I am his mother."
"My name is Ian Zarmansky." He introduced himself shaking Mrs. Hanson's hand. "I am your son's lead doctor. Please sit down." He waited until the distressed woman rested back on her chair and he himself sat on the next one which was kindly given up by Judy.
"How is my son, doctor? Will he be all right?"
"Unfortunately I can't give positive answer to your question yet, Mrs. Hanson." The older man said with heavy voice. It met with overall full of concern whispers and Margaret's groan. "Tom is in critical condition at the moment and he has been transferred to Intensive Care Unit. In about twenty minutes you can see him."
"Yyes, of course." Mrs. Hanson swallowed with difficulty. She wanted to rub off the tears filling her eyes but her hands shook so badly that she failed miserably. Judy crouched next to her and hugged her waist tightly giving the woman support she visibly needed and seeking one for herself as well. The news was crushing.
"Doctor." Captain Fuller spoke. "There is hope he will be better, isn't it?" He stated more than asked.
"It is too early to be sure." Doctor Zarmansky answered carefully. "Only what I can say, that if his body starts responding on our treatment and he survives next twelve hours there will be very much chance he will be all right." The older man reassured and then turned towards his patient's mother and asked gently. "May I talk with you in private, Mrs. Hanson?" The woman nodded and with doctors support she managed to stand up. "I would like to talk with you Captain Fuller as well."
"Of course. Just give me a minute." The asked man answered. "I will just send everybody home. There is no sense staying here all night."
The doctor nodded and left with Mrs. Hanson leaning against him and Judy holding her by right arm. Doug, Ioki and Dennis followed them silently.
oOo
"I didn't want to talk about details in presence of all those people." The doctor started. "Usually our patients do not wish too many people knew about their health problems too much. Especially, if they are not related or close friends. And we respect their right to privacy."
"Thank you doctor." Mrs. Hanson whispered, really grateful for that gesture. She was surprised and grateful there were so many people who cared for Tom, but talking about his current condition in front of all them wasn't what she wanted at all. "I do really appreciate this."
"Is there something…" Doug started uncertainly, afraid the worst wasn't spoken yet "…that we should know about Tom?"
Doctor Zarmansky exhaled deeply before he spoke.
"The paramedics informed me what happened to your son, Mrs. Hanson. And after what I have seen with my own eyes I have to say I am amazed Tom is still alive."
"But he will be all right?" Mrs. Hanson raised her worried eyes on the doctor. To her great concern the man frowned a little before he spoke.
"It's really difficult to say at the moment…"
"Please doctor." The older woman interrupted. "Tell me what's wrong with my son."
"Tom received numerous injuries. There are signs he had some accident not long time ago. He gained twisted right ankle and wrist. His right hip joint got strong blow and certainly caused him much pain. I am afraid that lack of proper care and cold seriously worsened its state. There is serious inflammation settled and it can cause the degeneration of the joint in the future."
"Will he be disabled by the leg?" Captain Fuller asked worried.
"If rehabilitation taken and time given… I believe no." There was an answer. "Though, the leg can be in the future very painful at times, especially when weather changed." Margaret nodded and looked at the doctor expectantly waiting for continuation. The man didn't hesitate and carried on. "Tom was beaten up couple of times. Certainly fists and feet were used. Except uncountable cuts, abrasions and bruises covering all his body he has got two cracked and three broken ribs. He has bruised internal organs, but luckily no internal bleeding. We just found small bleeding to right kidney, but it doesn't seem to getting worse, so we decided not to operate it. Though, he will be under very close supervision for some time."
The doctor paused for a moment and watched surrounding him people. All faces were frozen pictures of worry and pain.
"Tom has deep cuts on his back." He continued. "I truly don't know what caused those, because certainly it wasn't knife nor any other sharp weapon. The edges are ragged; in some places it was hard to stitch. The skin seems as if it was torn not cut. If I had to guess I'd say he was attacked by some animal."
"And you would be close the true, doctor." Doug answered heavily. "Guardian, the man who kidnapped Tom, used some kind of whip. Knout it calls. It was…" He broke suddenly as he heard Mrs. Hanson's sudden weep. It was visible how terribly she suffered listening to the list of her son's injuries and additionally imagining how he received them, how bad he was treated. Doug took deep breath. He was going to describe how the whip was constructed, but now he changed his mind. It wasn't that important. "Ehm… It was the cause."
The doctor nodded. He understood. There was one more thing he would like to get answer about; he wondered what was the source of strange abrasions on his young patient's neck. But seeing the woman's distress he just gave up. Instead he continued matter of factly.
"Although most of named injuries are very serious and painful they are not life threatening. Or they wouldn't be if not lack of proper care, hypothermia, malnutrition, serious dehydratation and general exhaustion."
"Dehydratation?" Judy asked not believing her ears.
"Yes. I have reasons to believe that he was deliberately refused to get any food and water for all the time he was kept as prisoner. He lost more than ten percent of his bodily water and he lost about twelve kilograms of his weight. Ironically the cold which caused many his injuries worsened in fact it safed his life preventing too fast loosing of fluids. Normally people die after five days without water." Doctor paused with those words with respect as he noticed Mrs. Hanson bent miserably her head and covered her face crying visibly unable to take any more.
"It couldn't happen to Tom." She whispered. "Not to my son."
"I am really sorry." Doctor Zarmansky answered sincerely and waited patiently until Mrs. Hanson calmed down.
Doug felt stings of horror pierce his insides. Even when he first saw Tom today he would never think that he had to endure so much. He didn't look well, certainly he was injured and painful, but all of this… His mind boggled at the amount of suffer his friend received. And as if all of that wasn't enough, there was one question hanging in the air. Though, nobody had heart or courage to ask it. Even the doctor waited for some kind of sign to continue.
"Doctor." Mrs. Hanson spoke finally with strange mix of confidence, anger and sorrow. "Was my son raped?"
"I don't know." He answered surprising everybody. "I was informed about the possibility, it could happen. But unfortunately I can't give any unambiguous answer."
"What does it mean?" The Captain asked, hope and relieve uncertainly rising in his eyes.
"It means the examinations didn't prove anything. I didn't find any typical signs of rape. But firstly the tests give results only during first seventy two hours after the deed and Tom was kept there much longer. Secondly if the rape wasn't brutal, those, who kept Tom could manage to cover proves by washing him, which concluding from relatively clean wounds and lack of old and dry blood took place."
Doctor Zarmansky looked at Tom's mother and put his hand on her shoulder. "The only person who will be able to answer that question is only Tom now." He wanted to say something more but already at the moment he became aware of familiar nurse approaching the group and giving signs understandable only for him. He stood up. "Now, if you will follow me I will take you to your son."
oOo
The small group followed doctor Zarmansky mutely. Everybody was unnaturally silent, maximally absorbed in their own thoughts. On their way Doug took Judy's place on Mrs. Hanson's side and supported her carefully. Judy on the other hand let unconsciously Ioki being carried similar way as another woman. Fuller and Dennis closed the procession.
They traveled long and pedantic clean corridors until they reached the Special Care Unit ward entrance. Doctor stopped them in front of it and said:
"In this ward there is necessity of wearing protective clothes and shoes. So I'd suggest everybody to stock up in one from the machine there." The older man acknowledged them and waited until everybody was ready. "Normally it's not allowed to let so many people in at once, not to mention non family members. But as I was informed by agents who ID'ed themselves as FBI that my patient requires continuous guard and you" he looked meaningfully at the group of five police officers "have extraordinary permission to be on this ward." It was clearly visible that Zarmansky didn't like the idea of trespassing the extremely antiseptic part of hospital, but Fuller could only imagine what FBI did say to him to convince him. Captain as he heard that statement wasn't even that surprised in contrary to the rest of the cops, who were prepared for some kind of fight with doctor. It was first step FBI did to keep Fuller and the rest shut up. A favor for a favor.
Not that Fuller complained.
That way, after several minutes, all group found itself finally standing next to clouded-glass door leading to Tom's room.
"As I am concerned about my patient's safety and well being no less than you are, I can't allow to enter the room anybody except than his closest family." Seeing that the statement met with discontent and readiness to argument the doctor raised his hands and broke quickly in before anybody had time to start. "Those are the rules in this hospital and I expect you obey. Now. Mrs. Hanson will come inside with me; you on the other hand can see your friend through the glass here as soon as I draw the curtains open. Agreed?"
"Yes." Fuller answered instantly. The rest just nodded.
"There is just one thing I would like you to know." The doctor put his hand on the door knob and looked straight on Mrs. Hanson. "At the moment Tom's body is too weak to carry on even the most elemental processes responsible for keeping him alive. That is why he is connected to multiple machines sustaining his life. I just wouldn't like you to be shocked by the sight." After he said that he opened the door and let Mrs. Hanson to follow him.
oOo
There are rare moments in your life when you feel your own mortality very strong. Not that you will live with that awareness every day now until your death. It is just, sometimes you forget about your own youth and relatively long life ahead and remember that life isn't everlasting.
You realize that world doesn't run around you and that death will wait until you finally feel ready to accept it coming.
You realize that not everything that is happening to you is as important as you used to think.
Your girl left you without word of warning. Your friend chases and jokes at you, you can't bare somebody's disadvantages. Fuller is pissed off because you've blown an action and your neighbor is last asshole and flooded your bathroom.
Who cares?
When you see somebody dying from drugs, car accident, bullet, illness you realize that it could be you. After all you are the same human being as that dying man. The same principles rule our lives. Next time it can be you. No matter how, but it happens, sooner or later. It matters only that everybody is going to die finally. The difference is you don't know when.
In face of your own mortality you become more serious, you think about what important did you do in your life, what man you were, everyday problems instantly seem ridiculous and unimportant. You want to live your life as best and as intense as you can.
In face of your closest friend's mortality you wish you had spent more time with him and used every possible occasion on telling and showing him how much he means to you. How you love him, respect, need.
Tom's mortality hit everyone who looked at him.
Doug knew him always as a man full of passion, energy and life love. Strong and tough as he was he was also sensitive and caring. As soon as they got know they became friends. They were opposites, but in spite of that and in spite of some occasional disagreements they understood each other very well. Tom saved his life many times, he saved his. Penhall knew he could rely on him; he never had to fear about his back when he knew there was Tom standing behind. Maybe he looked innocent and harmless but when there was need he could be really dangerous and fearful.
But now…
Doug couldn't fight tears which forced to his eyes when he saw the picture displayed before him. On bed, barely alive, covered with white sheets, lied Tom Hanson, his best friend and only brother.
He never looked so broken and helpless as now, bandaged all over, his body hooked to several IV's and unnamed machines. It seemed as if gravity was stronger over him and pressed mercilessly his defenseless body to bed. There was constant and regular beeping sound audible coming from the room and indicating that Tom's heart was still beating. "For how long yet?" there was a question. The sound was so weak and unsure Doug feared it will stop suddenly. The same concerns he had about the machine pumping air to Tom's lungs with strange whiz. It was so unnatural and forced. It gave an impression that any smallest disturbance, lauder talk or touch could destroy the fragile balance achieved between life and death and Tom will be lost forever.
Mrs. Hanson had to feel the same, because she moved very slowly and carefully around her son. She reached her hand to his face and moved it down towards bruised neck and then further more down towards bandaged torso. Though, she never touched him. She kept small distance from Tom's skin moving her fingers like a blind person trying with fingertips feel shape of somebody's aura rather than his true material form. As if she feared he could fell into pieces under her touch.
oOo