Brave Little Soldier.
Where was I? I wasn't at home anymore. I was in a bed, but it wasn't my bed, or mummy and daddy's bed. I was lost, scared, I did not recognise anything. A curtain surrounded the bed, but why? Next to me was an object I'd never seen before, it was a grey box with a few flashing lights and a tube. The tube was connected to a mask which was just to my left. I picked it up and felt a gentle breeze. What was it for? I lifted the blanket from my body because I was sweating. Maybe the machine was meant to keep me cool? I sat up in the bed and started to wave the mask around. It wasn't working! I still felt hot, I hurt all over, my whole body itched. I gently stepped down from the bed and walked over to the break in the curtain. I popped my head through. There were many other beds, home to more children my age. They each had one of these machines, but the masks were on their faces. I continued to look around, still scared at what I might find. When all of a sudden I stumbled upon something familiar. It was Edie, she was sat at the entrance playing tiddlywinks! She looked up and started to walk towards me.
'Feddie! Feddie!' She said as she got closer.
I stumbled towards her, but fell at her feet. I felt all funny, my legs were all wobbly, my head was hurting.
'Mama, Dada!'
Edie's voice was the last thing I heard before I fell asleep. When I woke, I was again in the bed, but this time like the other children I was wearing the mask. My eyes took a moment to clear, but when they did I could see Mummy and Daddy, and Edie. Mummy and Daddy looked sad. Had I done something wrong? Had I upset them? Mummy had hold of my hand. Daddy was reading Edie a book.
'Peter, he's waking up!' Mummy said stroking my hand.
Daddy closed the book, much to Edie's disapproval and stood up. He placed her in the chair and walked to the top of the bed. He started to tickle me just below the chin. He knew it would make me laugh.
'Stop it daddy! It tickles!' I said through my laughter.
'You, young man gave us a fright! You're a brave little soldier!' He said as he ruffled my hair.
He sat back down and continued reading the book. Mummy had tears in her eyes, I still didn't know what had happened. She kissed my hand and gave me a wink. I smiled.
'Mummy? What's wrong?' I asked. 'Where am I? Why are you crying?'
Mummy looked to Daddy before answering; 'You're in hospital! You're here to get better!'
Get better? What was wrong with me? I started to weep, I was so scared. Mummy's grip on my hand got tighter.
She stood and kissed my forehead. 'You'll be okay in a few days. Trust me, you'll be up causing mischief in no time!'
I started to calm down, Mummy wiped away my tears with her magic handkerchief and chuckled to herself. I removed the mask and smiled to her.
Edie looked at me, her little face always wore a smile! 'Feddie, tell me a story!'
Daddy handed me a small bag of toys, I rummaged through the bag and pulled out six little monkeys. They were finger puppets Mummy had made me for my sixth birthday. I placed them on my fingers and started to think of what to say.
'Once upon a time lived a family of six monkeys! Mummy Monkey, Daddy Monkey and four little baby monkeys!'
The story was cut short, I started to cough, my chest started to hurt. The coughing continued. A doctor darted to my side. He listened to my chest before placing the mask on me again. Mummy, Daddy and Edie were ushered away as more Doctors and nurses surrounded me. Everything kept going black. I dazed in between awake and asleep. The doctors were scaring me, their cold hands pushed in places where it already hurt, the words they used confused me. My body started to share violently. My head hitting the pillow, my feet flying into the air. Three nurses held me down as the doctor poked and prodded my chest.
'The needle please Nurse Jones!' Said one of the Doctors.
My body was still shaking, two more nurses came over to help hold me down. The doctor placed the needle into my side. My body began to relax, the shaking stopped. I led there, my eyes fixed on the Doctor, I could feel my body falling asleep.