Here's the next chapter. Enjoy

Chapter 5 Caring for Zack

Tom and his team raced to get the blood out of Zack's stomach. He had a huge leak in his lower intestine. Luckily Tom had about four guys working with him. Two held up Zack's intestines while the other two sucked the blood out. It took an hour to clean out the stomach and give Zack some donor blood. After that Tom went looking for the leak. It was in the same place as last time. The old leak had reopened and grown. Tom refixed it and then searched for any other damage. There was no sign of any damage. Tom was stumped. Zack's stomach content had traces of a chemical. The only explanation was that it had maybe soaked into his organs. Zack's best hope for survival was Jim and Allison. Zack was closed up and the tube was taken from his mouth. Zack suddenly coughed and opened his eyes.

"This kid's a tough one," said Tom. Zack moaned. His lips quivered as he looked around.

"I want my Mom," said Zack.

"You'll see her soon, Zack," said Tom. Nurses helped Zack onto a gurney and took him back to his room.

Zack didn't look good. Although he was awake, he was weak and his stomach looked awful. The stitches had closed the wound but there was some blood and stomach juice leaking out. Carey knelt down and kissed Zack all over his face. Zack cried softly as Carey talked to him quietly. Cody walked over as Carey went to talk to Hodges. Cody kissed Zack on the forehead.

"It's OK, Zack. Everything will be fine," said Cody. Zack looked at his brother with tear filled eyes.

"What's wrong with me, Cody?" asked Zack weakly. Bloody spit was in the corners of his mouth. Cody used a napkin to wipe Zack's mouth off.

"Remember when you were skateboarding upstairs and you drank from that water fountain?" asked Cody.

"Yeah," said Zack.

"There was something in the water that's making you sick," said Cody.

"Oh, man. That stinks," said Zack.

"Do you need anything?" asked Cody. Zack shook his head.

"I'm tired. I'll probably fall asleep," said Zack. Cody nodded.

"I'll go then so you can sleep," said Cody, standing up.

"No. Please, Cody. Don't go. I don't want to be alone," said Zack. Cody sat back down.

"OK. I'll stay," said Cody.

"Thanks," said Zack. He looked down at his stomach.

"Man, I am messed up," said Zack. He shivered.

"I'm cold. Can you pull the sheets over me?" asked Zack.

"Let me ask a nurse," said Cody. He stood up and went to go find a nurse. There was one right outside the door.

"My brother says he's cold. Is it OK if I pull the covers over him?" asked Cody.

"Sure. I just need to bandage him first," said the nurse. She went to fetch some bandages. Cody walked back into Zack's room and sat down.

"They're going to bandage you and then I can tuck you in," said Cody. Zack nodded. The nurse arrived with the bandage. Cody helped Zack sit up. Zack whimpered in pain. The nurse wrapped the bandage around Zack's stomach. When she was done, Cody helped Zack lie back down. He then pulled the covers over Zack.

"There you go," said Cody. Zack closed his eyes.

"You want me to stay?" asked Cody.

"Yeah. At least until I'm asleep," said Zack.

"OK," said Cody. He held Zack's hand as Zack went to sleep. Cody laid his head down next to his brothers. He felt so helpless. He wish he could make Zack better. But he was powerless to help. All he could do was make Zack as comfortable as possible.

Cody woke up at around two in the morning. Zack was still fast asleep. Cody sighed and watched his brother sleep. Cody could feel Zack's breath on his face since he was sitting so close. There was a faint smell of blood on Zack's breath. Cody couldn't take it. He had to get out. He stood up. He kissed Zack on the cheek and promised that he'd come back later. Carey was sitting out in the hall.

"Hey, sweetie. What are you doing up?" asked Carey.

"I had to get out of there. Besides Zack needs some sleep," said Cody, sitting down.

"You are being so good with him," said Carey. Cody sat down next to his mother.

"He's getting weaker," said Cody.

"We need to make him eat more," said Carey.

"I've tried. He starts whining and won't open his mouth," said Cody.

"Jim told me that you may need to force his mouth open. It's mean but it's for the best," said Carey. Cody nodded and yawned. He leaned his head on Carey's shoulder. He was asleep in seconds.

Cody awoke to find Carey gone. It must have been morning because there were a bunch of people walking past him. Cody went back to Zack's room. Carey was sitting next to Zack, rubbing his head and whispering to him. Zack just nodded. Cody could see tears falling down his face. Carey kissed Zack on the cheek and then stood up.

"I'll be back as soon as I can. Cody will be here to take care of you," said Carey.

"OK, Mom," said Zack. Carey walked over to Cody.

"I've got to go rehearse. We need to have money. The hotel can't pay for all of Zack's hospital bills. Make sure he eats. And make sure you stay with him if there are anymore tests," said Carey.

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

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Jim wants to examine you just in case you're sick as well. He doesn't think so but he wants to play it safe," said Carey.

"That's fine," said Cody. Carey kissed Cody goodbye and then walked off. Cody walked over to his brother and sat down.

"Hey, Zack. How you feeling this morning?" asked Cody.

"A little better," said Zack.

"If you need anything just let me know," said Cody.

"Thanks for taking care of me, Cody. It means a lot," said Zack.

"Hey, I want you to get better," said Cody. Zack smiled.

"Now you have to eat this morning. And not just a few bites. You need to get some food in your stomach," said Cody. Zack groaned.

The food arrived thirty minutes later. The nurse left Cody to feed his brother after checking Zack's bandages and giving him some medicine. Zack ate willingly at first. But he soon refused to eat anymore.

"Zack, you need to eat. Come on. Just finish this oatmeal," said Cody. Zack shook his head. Remembering what Carey had told him, Cody reached forward and forced Zack's mouth open. It wasn't hard since Zack was so weak. Zack was forced to finish his breakfast and afterwards he fell asleep. Cody smiled, knowing that he had helped his brother. He had no idea that soon he would find himself in his brother's condition.

Sort of a cliffhanger. Next chapter may get gross. Please review. I'd like it very much.