I hope the explanation for the burn is plausible. I'm looking to really have Zack go downhill. This chapter is leading up to a really bad event

Chapter 3 Tests and Surgery

"So what do you think could cause a burn to develop in the boy's stomach?" asked Allison. Jim sighed as he watched Carey and Cody stroke Zack's arms.

"He probably ingested something," said Jim.

"But a chemical of some kind who had done major damage to his intestinal tract. Not to mention it would have eaten away into his bladder," said Allison.

"I know. Unless we're looking at slow acting chemical," said Jim. "Maybe he drank some bad water?"

"What?" asked Allison.

"Remember last year when we helped that nine-year-old with the stomach pains. Turned out he'd ingested some contaminated water near his house. Maybe Zack drank some bad water and it's slowly killing his insides," said Jim.

"We need to run some tests," said Allison. Zack woke up suddenly. He tried to smile but gagged on his air tube. Cody stayed with his brother as Carey went to get a nurse. Cody hugged Zack and told him everything would be OK.

"I think we should have Tom talk to Carey about the possibility of a major exploratory operation. We need to take a tour of Zack's stomach cavity and bladder," said Jim. Allison nodded.

"I want to talk to his brother. Maybe he can help us figure out what happened," said Jim. Carey arrived with a nurse at that Cody stepped back as the nurse took the tube out of Zack's mouth. Zack gagged and coughed. After the nurse was done, Carey and Cody went over to Zack.

"How do you feel, honey?" asked Carey.

"Tired and hungry. Why does my stomach hurt so much? I thought the surgery only required a small cut in my stomach," said Zack.

"There were complications. You just had a major operation," said Cody.

"What? What kind of an operation?" asked Zack.

"They had to open you up all the way. You started bleeding a lot. But it's all fixed now," said Carey. Zack groaned. Jim poked his head in.

"Carey, Cody, can I see you for a minute?" asked Jim.

"We'll be right back, baby," said Carey, kissing Zack on the cheek. Zack nodded. Carey and Cody followed Jim out into the hallway. Jim told them what he thought was wrong with Zack. Carey put a hand over her mouth. Cody bit his lip.

"That makes sense. Zack was skateboarding upstairs on a floor undergoing renovation. There was a water fountain there and he took a drink," said Cody.

"What? What do you mean a floor being renovated? Where do you live, the Tipton Hotel?" asked Jim.

"Actually yes we do," said Carey. Jim nodded.

"Interesting. Well if that's the case, then the hotel water supply may be contaminated," said Jim.

"That floor has a separate water system. Don't ask me why but it does.," said Cody.

"How do you know that?" asked Carey.

"Arwin told me," said Cody.

"So what can be done to help Zack?" asked Carey.

"He'll probably be in and out of surgery for the next few months. Hopefully this way we can stop the chemicals, if that's what it is, from causing significant damage," said Jim. Carey jumped as her cell phone rang.

"One sec," said Carey. She answered and walked away to have more privacy. Cody turned his attention to Jim.

"So how are you going to see if there are chemicals in Zack's stomach?" asked Cody.

"Test his stomach content. Take a stool and urine sample. Maybe take a look down his throat with a fiber obtic camera," said Jim.

"Is there anything I can do to help you?" asked Cody.

"Yeah. Be there for your brother and comfort him," said Jim.

"I know that. I mean can I help you examine Zack," said Cody. Jim snickered.

"You don't have the credentials, Cody," said Jim. Cody narrowed his eyes.

"Zack's my twin. If there's something wrong inside of him, I'll know about it," said Cody. Jim sighed. It wouldn't hurt if Cody lent a hand with the simple stuff.

"OK, you can help a little," said Jim. Carey walked back up.

"Cody, Moseby needs me. The singer for tonight cancelled. I need to run. But I hate to leave Zack," said Carey.

"I'll take care of him, Mom," said Cody. Carey smiled.

"OK. He seems to be OK so it shouldn't be a problem. Besides the CDC are here," said Carey. Jim nodded.

"OK. Let me say goodbye to him," said Carey. She walked back into Zack's room. Zack gave her a weak smile

"Zack, honey, I have to go sing. But I'll be right back. Moseby says the Tipton is going to help us pay for your medical expenses," said Carey.

"Cool," said Zack, weakly.

"I love you very much and I'll be back as soon as I can. Cody will be here to take care of you," said Carey. Zack nodded. Carey kissed him on the mouth and then left. She said goodbye to Cody and after Jim told her about the tests and Carey agreed to them, she left for work. Jim went and got Allison to help him out. Cody went to see Zack.

"Hey, Zack. They're going to run some tests on you now," said Cody.

"OK," said Zack.

"How does your stomach feel?" asked Cody.

"It feels a little numb. But there's no pain," said Zack.

"You need anything? Water? Food?" asked Cody. Zack shook his head.

"I'm fine. I'll eat when the tests are done," said Zack. Jim and Allison walked in. Jim holding two containers.

"OK, Zack. This won't take long. First, do you think you can walk? I doubt it but I thought I'd ask," said Jim.

"I think I can," said Zack. He managed to sit up and dangle his legs off the bed. Cody helped him stand. Zack swayed a little but managed to take a few steps.

"I'll be alright," said Zack.

"We need a urine sample and a stool sample," said Allison, handing Cody the containers.

"I have to help him do this?" asked Cody, a look of disgust on his face.

"Just take the containers to the bathroom over there and then help your brother walk over," said Jim. Cody went and put the containers in an easy to reach place and then went to help Zack. He held onto Zack's sides, careful not to touch the wound on his stomach. Zack didn't really need help but Cody wasn't taking any chances.

"Take all the time you need, Zack," said Jim. Zack nodded and closed the door. He came back out seven minutes later.

"That was kind of gross," said Zack.

"Cody, can you go get those?" asked Jim. Cody groaned but knew he had to. He came back out holding the smaller container.

"EWWWW. Zack pee," said Cody, handing the container to Jim.

"Thank you," said Jim. Cody went to get the other container. He gagged as he walked out of the bathroom.

"Never say I don't do things for you, Zack," said Cody, handing the container to Jim. Jim gave the containers to Allison to take to the lab.

"Is that it?" asked Zack.

"One last thing," said Jim. "Follow me." Cody held Zack's waist as his brother followed Jim. Jim took them to a small room. He helped Zack onto the table in the room. Two nurses were getting a machine ready.

"I'm going to make you sleepy, Zack. These nurses are going to suck out some of your stomach content with a hose," said Jim. Zack nodded. Jim gave Zack a shot to the arm. Cody went and comforted Zack as he became tired. A nurse stuck a plastic support between Zack's lips. The other nurse then slowly started to feed a hose down an opening in the middle of the support. A camera let them see when they reached Zack's stomach. They started sucking out his stomach content. Zack drooled a lot through the procedure. Cody was grossed out but stayed by his brother, holding his hand. When the procedure was over, Jim took the container full of Zack's stomach content to the lab. The hose was removed from Zack and the plastic support was taken from between his lips. It took Zack a few minutes to snap out of his sleepy state. Cody really had to help him get back to his room. When Zack was back in bed, he was given a strong painkiller and a relaxant. A nurse brought in dinner and told Cody he would have to feed Zack since Zack was too weak. Zack ate a good amount of food before he fell asleep. Cody put the food aside. He watched Zack sleep for awhile. Cody yawned. He laid his head down on the bed and fell asleep.

Cody awoke to find Carey standing over him.

"Hi, honey. How'd the tests go?" asked Carey.

"Good. Haven't heard from the CDC people yet though," said Cody. Jim walked in at that moment.

"We need to operate. There is some sort of chemical in his body. All three samples we took from Zack traces of a chemical used to decompose toxic waste," said Jim.

"Zack swallowed toxic waste?" asked Cody.

"He might have. He needs surgery right away," said Jim. Zack woke up.

"Mom? What's going on?" asked Zack.

"Zack, the doctors need to operate again. This is the only way to make you better," said Carey. Zack groaned. Nurses arrived with a gurney. They helped Zack onto it. Carey and Cody quickly kissed Zack goodbye and then Zack was rushed to surgery.

Zack was moved carefully onto the operating table. The drugs given to him soon had him in a deep sleep. A tube was put down his throat and his lips were wrapped around a piece of gauze to keep the tube in place. Tom cut Zack open and then began searching for any damage in Zack's stomach. Then blood started gushing out of Zack. His intestines were drowned and blood started to leak into his bladder. Zack was drowning in his own blood.

I hope that seems somewhat realistic. Keep in mind it's such a story. Please review.