Sorry for the wait, lots of GCSE work, but here's chapter 3 and I hope you enjoy it!
Huge thanks for all the awesome feedback, it means a lot! 3
"I don't like it," grumbled Digby from behind the main desk, he was looking down at his papers, scratching his head, "there is something more going on here. The coughing up blood, the fainting. There is something he isn't telling us..."
Zosia sighed and placed a hand on Arthur's shoulder, "Relax will you, he'll tell us when he's ready." she said softly, before scooping up a folder and heading to one of the beds.
"No," Digby said, grabbing his own folder, "I don't think he will tell us."
"No, Dr. Digby, I don't think he will." Arthur spun around to see Mr. Self striding towards him.
"Oh, sorry Mr. Self, thinking out loud there," he bumbled, "how is Dominic?" Guy appeared to hesitate before answering.
"He's not doing great. Mrs. Campbell has taken him into surgery now, we will know more in an hour or so." he said, placing a hand on Digby's shoulder.
"Thanks Mr. Self." Guy nodded, and walked off, back towards his office.
"I have an hour or so to figure out what's going on for myself..." Digby thought, nodding subconsciously as he shunted his glasses back up his nose.
Serena smiled down at Dominic, "See you on the other side." Dominic smiled faintly back, letting his eyes flutter shut.
"Alright everyone, I want a bronchoscopy, lung biopsy, pulmonary arteriography and a sputum culture. Now please." The nurses in the operating room began their work. Mrs. Campbell anxiously presiding over it all.
It was more than an hour, and that had Serena worried. They should be finished by now, Dominic's sedative was no where near strong enough to keep him under much longer, or to reduce the pain. The fact that Dr. Copeland was allergic to the best sedative made everything much more complicated.
A voice came over the speaker from the observation room, and Serena turned to see Guy, "Everything ok Serena? You should be rapping up now..." Guy said, his voice cracking over the audio.
"Y-yes Mr. Self, but the bleed has come back, and we cannot locate the source. We need to make a block in here until we find the source otherwise his lung will flood." Serena said, checking Dominic's statistics over on the monitor.
"Would you like me to come in?" Guy asked. Serena shook her head.
"I've got it for now, but you could always book another chest CT for me, and rush the results of the lung scan and lung biopsy, as well as the sputum culture." Guy sighed.
"Thorough as ever Serena." he said, leaving the area to chase up the results.
Serena turned back to everyone. "Alright, let's patch up this bleed, see if we can hold it off until we know more."
Digby kicked his legs out from under the table, fidgeting as he looked at the research and results before him. Thanks to Mr. Self's results rush, Digby had been able to see the results.
At first even Guy didn't know what to do or say, but Arthur knew Dominic much better. Layed out before him were all the options as to why this had happened. And the one he was favoring was the drugs.
In fact he was almost positive it was that Dominic had had a reaction to a drug, that he was going to show Mr. Self.
There was a soft knock at the door. "Arthur, he's out of theater." Zosia muttered, coming over to the table, "What's all this?"
Digby sat back, confidence beaming off of his poise. "I think I know what's going on with Dominic," he said proudly, collecting all the papers off of the table. "I have explored every option and have come to the conclusion that Dominic has been taking drugs."
Zosia's eyes widened. "W-what! You're mad! Dom would never do that! He hates drugs, and he would never have the guts to stick a needle in his arm!" Zosia cried, trying desperately to defend their friend.
"Who said it was an injection," Digby countered, "I believe it was crack cocaine. And I plan on showing this to Mr. Self, once I have told Dominic that I know wat's going on."
Zosia's hand was over her mouth, she was shaking with anger, "How dare you accuse our friend of drug taking! Dominic wouldn't do that Digby, get over it, you don't know everything!" Zosia cried, storming out of the room.
Dominic shuddered a breath, stirring from his sleep. His eyelids felt heavy, and he struggled to see. His throat felt sore, and as he lifted his arm it took more effort than he had expected. But that was enough to tire him out again, and he allowed his eyes to close.
Dominic... Dominic...Dominic!
A voice was calling him. Dominic sat up, he could see Zosia and Digby, they were standing by the door. Why were they so angry.
"We know what you did Dominic! It isn't all about you! You don't deserve a pity party, you are worthless." they said in unison.
"B-but I didn't ask for this." Dominic pleaded back.
"Ha! Ha! Ha!" They mocked, "It is always the Dominic show, but what will you do when no one wants you, no one can be bothered with you!"
"That, that won't happen." Dominic said weakly.
"It already has." They retorted sharply.
Suddenly Dominic was at the front desk, Malik and Kyle were there.
"You thought that we loved you!" They laughed, "How could we ever love someone as pathetic as you Dominic. You're so caught up in lies!"
Dominic watched as they walked away from him. The whole ward empty as they left.
"Dominic." A male voice called, he spun around to see Guy Self, "You're fired, you must leave immediately. You are the worst doctor I have ever met, and a hopeless case. I would wish you well, but you don't deserve it, and frankly I'll be all too happy to see the back of you...
His voice faded along with Guy. He was back in the town hall, the music thumping loudly to the sound of his increasing heart rate. The men, they were after him. Dominic sank to his knees. He deserved this though, death. He heard them approach him, felt one grab his arm and shake violently, he yelped...
"Dominic! Dominic! Wake up!" Dominic's eyes flew open, sweat dripping down his forehead, his hospital gown soaked through with sweat. Serena and Guy stood, Serena holding Dominic's arm tightly as Guy looked over Dom's monitor.
"You were screaming, we thought something had happened." Serena said, catching Guy's eye, "Is everything OK?" She asked. Dominic shuddered, it had been a dream, a twisted nightmare. Then why did he feel like it was still happening, like it would suddenly unfold before him.
"Dom?"
"Y-yes." his voice caught, his frame shaking.
"Serena, he has a fever, I'll go and get some morphine bags and aspirin." Guy said, casting a sympathetic look Dominic's way before leaving.
Serena stood, and sat on one of the chairs, Dominic lay back against the bed, his trembling had not ceased, and continued to rack his body.
"Dominic, can you recall that dream. You sounded very distressed." she said her voice laced with concern.
"No," he lied, the vivid memories of it taunting his brain, "I don't know what it was..."
"Would you like a dose of sleeping pills before you go to bed, it may help you to relax." Dominic shook his head.
"No thank you, Serena."
The door opened, and Guy came in wheeling the bag. He attached the UV line to Dominic's hand and sighed.
"Dominic, your results were fairly inconclusive. Though I would assume the bleed is from another place that is leaking into your lung. We will have to do a second op in order to properly seal it as we could not locate it this time. The broken ribs will have to be completely reset, and beside a few small fractures to your other ribs, you should be OK. I would say at least 2 months, if not more do to the internal trauma." Guy added with a forced smile.
"2 months!" Dominic protested, though as he did so his ribs flared, and his lung made a tight contraction. Dominic winced, clutching his side, having to squint up at Guy. Serena watched for a moments, before taking the tube that carried the morphine, and turning it on, giving the bag a gentle squeeze.
"Would you like to be alone, Dominic, because I know Zosia and Arthur are desperate to see you?" Guy asked.
"They can come in," Dominic sighed, relaxing under the new drug induced ease.
"Alright then." Serena said, watching Dominic worriedly.
"Ah, Arthur," Guy said, coming around the corner from Dominic's room. "He'll see you, where's Zosia?"
Digby beamed, "she's on her way." Arthur squeezed past Guy and hurried over to Dominic's room.
He softly opened the door, closing it gently behind him. "Hey Dominic." Digby said lightly.
"Hello Diggers." Dominic said quietly, still basking in the soothing drug state he was in.
"I need to talk to you about something..." Arthur said, pulling a chair up to Dom's bedside and placing his folders and research on his knees.
Dominic eased himself up slightly, concern flickering in his eyes, "Go on." Dominic insisted.
"Well, after the incident with you coughing up blood, I had to find out why, because I know you won't tell us," Digby paused, and noted the sweat beading on Dominic's brow, "And from all that I could find, it points to cocaine. Crack cocaine to be precise." Digby finished, meeting Dominic's gaze with a hard, judging glare.
"What!" Yelped Dominic, all too happy to be under the effect of the painkillers as he sat upright, catching Digby's accusing gaze with his own surprised one. "You think I snorted cocaine, and that that's why I'm here, that that's why I'm like this?" Dominic roared, and even with the painkillers the pain in his chest flared.
"Of course it is," snapped Arthur, standing now, the chair he had sat on shoved backwards, "you were out all night last Saturday, with that Alfred guy, taking drugs, that's why you came back so late! See, I got my head around you Dominic, I know what your game is!" Digby yelled back, eyes glittering with triumph.
"I would never do drugs! How dare you even suggest that that was what I was doing," Dominic felt his brow dripping with sweat, his head, his chest, everywhere throbbing, "I am your friend and you come in here and accuse me of drug use!"
"It is because I am your friend that I do this, you won't tell us what happened, and when I find out you deny it!" Digby screamed down, inches away from Dominic's face.
Dominic's face was inches from Arthur's the mans harsh words stinging his eyes with every breath, Dominic's soul felt crushed, it was like his dream. They did hate him.
"I have never done drugs!" Dominic roared back, suddenly the monitor began to beep, loudly. Dominic ignored it and continued to stare at Arthur defiantly.
Arthur turned his head, and stepped back from Dominic as he observed the man's high temperature, his BP soaring.
"Get out Arthur," Dominic panted, Arthur spun around to see blood trickling down Dominic's nose, the corner of his mouth also alighted with blood.
"Dominic, I-"
"GET OUT!" Screamed Dominic, his chest suddenly clenching, causing Dominic to wince, the stitches pulling and he felt them snap.
A loud scream was heard down the corridor, as Guy and Serena discussed who the new CEO might be.
They both jumped up, knowing exactly who it was.
"It must be one of his dreams again," grumbled Guy, "I thought you gave him a sedative for when he wanted to sleep." Serena shook her head.
"No, he didn't want them."
"Just confess Dom!" Digby cried, "then we can stop this!" the monitor beeped away wildly.
"You still have some on you, that's why your nose is bleeding!" Digby said, feeling excited at catching Dominic doing something wrong, "where are they?"
Dominic winced, looking up at the morphine bag he gasped as he realized it was in fact empty. All the pain rushed back, causing him to cry out, grabbing his side.
Digby misinterpreted this as Dominic hiding his drugs and grabbed at Dominic's side. However, he made contact with the stitches and pulled.
Dominic's scream, caused Digby to jump back, tearing out the stitches. Digby snarled, "Just hand them over!"
Serena and Guy burst into the room, Digby's hand dripped wit Dom's blood from the stitches. On seeing their faces, Arthur began to feel guilty, Guy should have been there to help him, this made it look like it was his fault.
"What is going on here!" boomed Guy, yanking Digby away from Dominic, who appeared to be on the verge of unconsciousness.
"My office Dr. Digby, now, I'll be there in a moment." Digby hesitated. "NOW!" Yelled Guy, shoving Digby away. Digby gave an accusing and angry look to Dominic before slamming the door shut behind him.
"Ok Dom, breathe, in... out..." Serena instructed, as she pulled out a needle. She hurriedly began to fix the stitches as best as she could, while Guy inspected the morphine bag.
"It's empty, I'll send for another one, in the mean time, pass me that towel." Serena pulled out the towel from under the bedside table and passed it to Guy. Guy doused it in cold water, and pressed it to Dominic's forehead, the young man shivering and drifting between consciousness.
Once Mrs. Campbell was finished stitching, she inspected Dominic. The blood from his nose had stopped, however his mouth still had a steady trickle.
"That block you made must have broken when Dr. Digby pulled out the stitches." Guy inputted, as he surveyed Dominic.
The young man was breathing heavily, his fever still dangerously high. He appeared to be conscious, but the muttering and twitches suggested otherwise, his eyes looked blurry, and unfocused, they were only half open.
"Dominic, Dominic, concentrate on my voice." The door opened as Zosia wheeled in a morphine bag.
She stopped as she entered the room, the blood spattered sheet and Dominic's pale complexion made her freeze.
"Thank you Dr. March." Guy said, taking the IV from his daughter.
"Is-What, is he OK?" She asked frantically. Guy gently pushed her towards the door.
"Not now, I need to have a talk with the staff later, alright?" Zosia relented and left.
Dominic blinked several times, Serena's voice guiding him back as he could finally see.
"M-Mrs. C-Campbell." he moaned, eyes mere slits as his hand stroked his sensitive side.
"Ah, Dominic thank goodness. Alright, can you hear me?" Dominic nodded slightly. "Good. Well then, what happened?"
Dominic blinked again, "H-he had evidence..." Dominic said, almost inaudibly. It was then that Guy noticed the folders scattered on the floor.
He scooped them up and opened one. 'The effect of Crack Cocaine on Men', 'Coughing Up Blood due to Drug Overdose.' Guy snarled, closing the folders and tucking them under his arm.
"He thought you were doing cocaine?" Guy said, Serena's eyes widened and filled with anger. Dominic nodded, which only made her more angry.
"I'm sorry Dominic." Dominic nodded.
"Sh-should be." he laughed. Serena looked at Guy, the two both fuming over Digby's accusations.
Dominic suddenly opened his eyes fully, blinking as though he had just woken, with Serena's hand on his arm he flinched, shuffling away.
"Easy, easy. It's over." Serena said gently, Guy still staring in disbelief at the folders.
"He-he was gonna, he pulled them and..." Dominic began to mutter, almost incessantly, his brow streaked with sweat. Serena noted his fever was still high, and gaining.
"He's gone now, so you need to rest." Dominic appeared to relax as he saw it was in fact Serena and Guy in the room not Digby.
Serena eased Dominic back, pulling the blanket up to his chin, making sure he was comfortable.
"We'll be back later, or Sacha will come and make sure you're sleeping, if not, we can give you a sedative, alright?" Dominic nodded meekly, before closing his eyes.
It was only once they were closed that he began to cry. His sides heaving as he brought up all his sorrows, the hot tears caressing his cheek, burning his eyes as the dribbles down and wet his pillow. He lay there in the darkening room, the first night he would be fully aware of sleep.
He felt miserable, his entire form shook with the effort it took to not scream out and cry until he lost conciseness, like he had done so many times before. But the knowledge that his ribs would ignite, his lung wouldn't be able to take the strain, beside, Mrs. Campbell and Mr. Self would be listening out for him now.
So he just lay there and wept, allowing his soul to crumble beneath the fact that his dream had been right, he did deserve to suffer.
"What on earth did you think you were doing Arthur!" roared Guy as he threw open his office door. Digby jumped from his chair and looked at Guy alarmed as the man threw down Digby's files.
"I was helping him, helping us find out what he's hiding!" Digby retorted.
"Helping, you accused him of drug possession and usage? Of overdosing on cocaine? Are you mad! He has been through a traumatic experience and you do this!"
Digby flinched, but continued to explain himself, "I did it because I know he is lying, it's what Dominic does! I wanted to make sure he wasn't at risk."
"Yes, you wanted to catch Dr. Copeland doing something bad and come and report it to me? Am I right? Because I know I am." Guy growled.
"But Mr. Self, you don't understand I-"
"I understand perfectly. Leave my office, come into work tomorrow with a new start. Anything else like this and you're out. You cannot harass patients for information, or go around accusing them of things, understand! I don't want you near Dr. Copeland's room for the rest of the week, or longer if this snooping and accusing doesn't stop. Understand!" Digby nodded, turning o leave the room, his hand hesitated on the door knob.
"I want to know the truth." he said, turning to look at Guy, "I need to know the truth."
"There are some things in life that you cannot know, things that people don't want to tell you about."
"I'm still going to find out." Digby said, before exiting the room, the door closing on the quiet office.
Guy stood there for a moment before cursing, running his hand through his hair.
Dominic sat in the bed, his eyes still red from the tears. A soft knock signaled Sacha.
"Hello Dominic," he said brightly, "you're still awake I see." he said, hovering over Dominic's monitor.
"Yes, I can't sleep. And honestly, I don't want to..." he said, the weakness in his voice surprising him.
"You need to sleep Dominic, if you want your strength back." Sacha said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I know, but-"
"No buts, here Dominic," Sacha said, producing a small box. Inside were several viles of clear liquid. He brought out a needle, and penetrated one of the bottles with it, "I was told that if you weren't sleeping to give you a vile of this. There is no benzodiazepines in this one though." he said with a smile, before injecting it into Dominic's IV bag.
"It shouldn't take long to take effect, so don't worry." Sacha said, easing Dominic back onto the bed, "Get some sleep, alright, I'll see you in the morning." Sacha said, softly.
Dominic nodded, "Goodnight Mr. Levy, thank you." Dominic said with a soft smile, laying back slowly, his sweat covered forehead and the damp pillow connecting uncomfortably in a mixture of damp.
But Sacha had been right, it didn't take long. The drug eased his heavy eyelids closed, his body easing for a precious moment to allow him to drift into a peaceful unconsciousness.