A/N: Hi all - the end is approaching! I'm thinking another 2-3 chapters.
Nineteen
*Wesley*
Everything was hazy. I kept waiting for the dream to end and for me to wake up, bound and shivering in Dylin's cave. Was it even real? Had I really been rescued? The fact that I still couldn't speak kept drawing my mind to frightening conclusions of being forever trapped in that pit of darkness, bleeding and restrained.
I wasn't sure how many days I'd spent in sickbay. They'd all blurred together. I don't think I got any sleep either, despite being completely exhausted.
They refused to let me see my mom. From what Nurse Ogawa told me, her injuries required a great amount of surgery. My initial reaction was that she had died, and it took much reassurance that she was still alive before I calmed down enough to allow any procedures to be done on myself.
I keep eyeing the sites on my arms where the dermal regenerator had repaired my tortured skin. I found at times I had spent hours lying in that bed, gently tracing my fingernail along where Dylin's dagger had penetrated the skin, drawing out-
"Wesley?"
Ogawa's voice interrupted my thoughts. I looked up to see her standing at the foot of the bed, with the Captain and Riker not far behind her. Jaigin lurked near the doorway, attempting to make himself unseen; I saw a flash of sympathy in his eyes as he quickly thrust his gaze at the ground.
"Wesley, we're going to try and get this thing off your mouth, okay?" Ogawa motioned to Jaigin, prompting him to shyly move from the far end of the room. "You remember, Jaigin, yes? He's going to help me."
I nodded slowly. I wasn't sure if I felt comfortable with the extra audience, especially the Captain, but I was in no position or mindset to protest. As long as this comes off, I don't care.
"Can you walk me through your thinking, Nurse?" The Captain spoke quietly.
Ogawa gave her captain a tired sigh. "I have tried almost everything possible to remove this…'device', but it is of an unfamiliar material and design. I've used Starfleet adhesive removers, scalpels, acetone - this thing will not move. I spent some time consulting with Jaigin, who was able to provide some more detail on the restraint and I think I've got the formula to rip that damn thing off."
Both men gave approving nods, but Riker spoke first. "I can't help but say I'm impressed at the efficiency of this…'fabric'."
I had to suppress the urge to glare at Riker. I know he didn't mean anything malicious behind his words, but I couldn't help but feel angry. Just you try having this glued to your face for however many hours!
Jaigin stood at the foot of the bed. "I ask for your permission before I touch you, Wesley. I do not wish to cause any distress to you."
I inclined my head to provide my consent. Despite knowing that Jaigin did not pose a threat to me, I couldn't help but feel a wave of worry begin to rush over me as he sat on the opposite end of the bed. Upon closer inspection, I realised Jaigin looked just as sleep deprived as I did; he was reluctant to make eye contact with me. Whether it be because he was shy or felt guilty about his role in abducting me, I wasn't sure.
Jaigin lifted his hands slowly, his fingertips settling on the edges of the cloth around my mouth. His nails danced along the fibres that dug into my skin, working his way all around my head. I realised he must've been looking for a bit of fabric he could use to pull it off. He tugged on the material at times, but was far gentler than Ogawa in his attempts to remove it.
"It's as I feared," Jaigin said quietly, removing his hands. "The fabric has completely bonded with his skin. I cannot pull it away without reducing its grip first," He turned to face Ogawa. "I believe you mentioned you have a solution to show me?"
"Multiple solutions, actually," Ogawa came forward with four large vials of mysterious clear liquids, as well as a rag and bowl of water. She held the first vial and removed the lid as she spoke. "Jaigin, this is a special substance called baking soda. It is normally used for cooking, but can be used to remove dyes from the skin; I'm hoping it may prevent further damage and potential staining."
Jaigin took the vial, recoiling as he sniffed the unfamiliar substance. "Do you wish me to apply this first?" He asked tentatively, inspecting the liquid within. "I feel it will work better if we attempt to separate the fabric-"
Ogawa interrupted by producing the remaining vials. "These are lemon juice, vegetable oil and white vinegar. Humans have used these to remove adhesives from skin, so I'm hoping a combination of all three will assist."
Nodding solemnly, Jaigin replaced the cap on the baking soda and took the other vials from Ogawa. He appeared unsure of which solution to use first, and seemingly selected one at random. The strong odour of vinegar instantly filled my sinuses as he poured the liquid around the top of the seal. I fought the urge to cough, though I couldn't prevent my eyes from watering. He continued to soak the fabric until the vial was empty, massaging the liquid at particular spots around my head. I wasn't sure if he was targeting certain areas or if it was something to do with the seal, but I trusted he knew what he was doing.
Jaigin worked methodically, making his way through each substance with surprising speed. Each vial was delicately poured; I had a fleeting thought that he would make an excellent bartender with the way he held each vial. The fabric around my mouth was completely soaked, with a few drops running down my throat onto my uniform. The combined smell was threatening to make me gag, yet Jaigin was seemingly unaffected. I wonder if he's got super alien nostrils or something?
"I am ready for your assistance, ma'am," Jaigin's voice startled me from my thoughts.
Ogawa obliged, handing him the baking soda while producing something that I hoped were tweezers. She took the flat end of the instrument and gently probed the edge of the fabric, her eyes lighting up. "I think it's beginning to break down the seal."
Jaigin immediately looked over her shoulder at the area she was fiddling with. His face immediately brightened, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I believe it is safe to attempt removal."
I allowed myself to sag slightly. Thank God. It's almost over.
While Ogawa left her position to retrieve another tool, the Captain moved to the side of the bed. "I understand it must be difficult not having your mother here for support," He said softly, "but if you would like me by your side during the procedure, I'm willing and ready to do so."
I didn't even have to think twice. I nodded swiftly, prompting a small smile from my Captain.
Ogawa returned with a small pair of scissors. She inspected my face for a moment before taking a seat. "Wesley, I think the best way to do this is if Jaigin and I work simultaneously. I'll cut the fabric and pull it away, while he applies the baking soda at the same time. We'll try and be as quick as we possibly can, as it'll probably get very uncomfortable."
I didn't think I'd nodded so hard in my whole life. Yes, let's go! Please get on with it!
Nodding, Ogawa looked towards Jaigin. "Ready?"
With a confirming nod from Jaigin, Ogawa turned towards me, raising her scissors and tweezers-
Blades.
Sharp.
Dylin.
Cut. Bleed.
No.
Stop.
Stop!
The thoughts flooded my mind almost instantaneously. I was ashamed to realise I had pulled away from Ogawa. I felt my hand being taken into someone else's; a quick flash of red in my peripheral vision confirmed it was the Captain.
"Be strong, Wesley," The Captain murmured in my ear. "My hand is here to squeeze if needed."
I fought the tears threatening to leak from my sore eyes and nodded at Ogawa. Please continue.
Ogawa moved slowly, pushing the end of the tweezers underneath the fabric over my right cheek. She delicately slipped the scissors under the gag alongside the first instrument, her eyes gleaming when she successfully made the first cut. Working swiftly, she glided both tools further along the material, with Jaigin gently dabbing baking soda-covered fingers along my skin.
I squeezed my Captain's hand as the scissors drew closer. Despite my eyes seeing a pair of scissors, my brain kept seeing Dylin's dagger. I couldn't help but feel ashamed. It was just a pair of scissors, after all. Why couldn't my brain understand that?
"Wesley, I've finished cutting," Ogawa whispered gently. She put the scissors aside and moved her tweezers to the freshly-cut end of fabric. "I'm going to start pulling, but please tell me if it becomes too painful, okay?"
I clamped my eyes shut and nodded.
It was a sensation unlike no other. My first thought as Ogawa pulled was that the feeling reminded me of removing a bandage that had been on for too long. I felt myself shiver as cool air touched my skin for the first time in days, though it was quickly dampened when Jaigin applied the baking soda.
I wasn't sure how much pain I was expecting, but compared to what Dylin had subjected me to, it wasn't that bad. My skin screamed with irritation and felt extremely raw, but the real discomfort came from the actual material being removed. I had a brief, amusing thought of how much moisturiser I'd need to apply after this was all over.
"Okay Wesley, we're going over the lips now." Ogawa's words came only a second before she pulled the fabric across my mouth.
This was the pain I had been expecting. I felt what little skin I had left on my lip being ripped away. The taste of blood entered my mouth, though I wasn't sure if it was from my lips or from what was stained on the material. I involuntarily tried to flex my jaw as she was pulling; the need to have this thing off was becoming too much and I just wanted it to stop, why won't it stop, stop stop please-
My mouth flew open and I gasped. The cold air stung, but it felt so good.
It was over.
