After a restless night's sleep, Oz cleaned up and headed to the hospital. He hadn't heard anything about Toby since last night, which to him meant there was nothing new. Even knowing this he still needed to go see his friend just to make sure.
As he approached the nurse's station on Toby's floor, Oz could see that the nurses were keeping busy with their tasks. A male nurse headed in his direction.
"Hey, Oz," Adam said, "how ya doin' this morning?"
"Tired man," Oz stopped. "Any changes in Toby?"
"Naw, sorry man. Nothing new." Adam faced the quiet waiting room. "Who's she? She's been here all night. The night nurse said she wouldn't leave, so they let her stay in there."
Glancing into the room, Oz could see Rachel lying asleep on a couch. She was covered with a hospital blanket.
"Oh, that's a friend of Toby's." Oz headed toward the room. "Thanks man."
Opening the door gently, Oz entered the room. Walking into the room, he went to the couch where Rachel slept.
"Hey," he said gently touching her shoulder.
Without warning Rachel jumped up, startling Oz. Losing his footing, he almost tripped on the coffee table in front of the couch.
"Sorry Oz," Rachel said quietly realizing what was going on. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah," he smiled, brushing it off even though he still felt the adrenalin run though his system. "I wasn't trying to scare you."
"I know, I just didn't hear you." Sitting up, she started to fold the blanket. "Have you seen Toby this morning? It is morning isn't it?"
"No I haven't and yes it is morning." He said sitting next to her, he went to place his hand the side of her shoulder. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine," looking away from him she pulled herself away from his hand and stood up. "Can I go see Toby now?"
"Yeah, sure." Oz stood watching her slender figure move toward the door of the room.
Leaving the room, Oz followed her to Toby's room. As they entered, they saw Olivia sleeping in the chair by the bed. She too, was covered in a blanket. She was still in the clothes from the day before. She moved around in the chair hearing them walk in. Opening her eyes, she saw Oz standing at the foot of Toby's bed.
"Hey Oz," she pulled the blanket off herself.
"Liv, you look exhausted," he had seen her tired, but this was a point that he'd never seen before. "Really, Liv, you look like you haven't slept at all. Are you sure you're ok?"
"Yeah Oz, just a little tired," standing up she placed the blanket on the chair. "There's no change in Toby. Are you going to be here with him for a while?" She then noticed Rachel moving closer to the bed where Toby lay. "Rachel, right?"
"Yep," she nodded.
"Did you stay here all night?" Olivia questioned. She already knew the answer, she had seen Rachel in the quiet room a few hours before.
"Yes," Rachel sighed.
"Well, I'm gonna go shower and eat. I'll be back later." Olivia said walking out the door.
"Ok, man," Oz started as he walked around the bed. "The jig is up. You need to wake up." He was feeling as helpless as he did the day before when Toby first fell ill.
"Oz," Rachel could hear the desperation in his voice. "They'll figure it out," she reassured him.
Oz sat on the chair staring at his friend. How would you know? Toby's the one that helps figure these things out. He was getting frustrated.
"I know, they're trying to figure it out." Rubbing his head he watched her walk around the bed, slightly touching the end of the bed with her fingers.
Rachel stood by the window, looking outside. It was still early in the morning with the sky tinged pink and blue. She watched as the colors of the sky changed into a deep blue cloudless sky.
They made small talk for a short while. Rachel asked Oz many questions about his experience as a paramedic. She learned many things about their friendship.
The sun was shining brightly into the room. Oz watched the beams of light creep onto his friends face. The anticipation of Toby moving from the discomfort of the light shining so brightly in his eyes was shattered when he did nothing.
"Oz, he can't see it," Rachel said walking to his side.
"Yeah, I know," he stated. Come on Toby, can you hear me? What is going on in your head? Why won't you wake up man? What do I do? It's not like I know someone else who can read minds. Oz leaned back in a slump on the chair.
Rachel sat gently on the end of the bed near Toby's feet. Placing her hand on his ankle, she looked intently at his face.