Chapter 26 – Pain

I sat with Mandy for a while just watching her. I smiled because as long as she was alive we could cope with anything else that might affect her. After a while I left letting the carers go in one at a time, they each stayed with her for a bit and then asked the nurse some questions, after filling out some paperwork and knowing she wasn't going to be let out the hospital tonight they left having to get back to work.

After they left I went back in to sit with her, I held her hand gently. I don't know how the fire had started, but I don't like to think of her scared in that fire by herself. My hands were hurting as I held hers but I didn't let go off her.

After a while of sitting with her she began to wake slowly. I smiled as she opened her eyes and looked at me and then she started looking around not realising where she was as she had last being in the school.

"Hey sleepyhead" I said

She tried to sit up then flinched because of the pain

"Don't move, stay still"

"What happened...I remember a fire...and I was trapped and then wood fell on me"

"I realised you were inside so I went to rescue you, luckily I did in time"

She looked at my bandaged hands then at me

"You went in a fire to rescue me?"

"Of course I did, you were trapped inside"

"You could have waited for fire fighters"

"There wasn't time"

She started crying I was worried it was because of the pain I touched her arm gently.

"Hey you what's with the tears?"

"I just can't believe you would go in a fire to save me"

"Of course I would I love you, you know that"

She smiled and went to hug me then lay back down in pain

"Oww that wasn't wise, Leo...your hands are burned"

"It's okay they don't hurt much" I lied

"Did I get burned...is that what the pain is?" she asked

"Yes..That's what the nurse said...I haven't seen them"

She was just about to ask me something when the nurse came in and saw she was awake she gave her some painkillers.

"How bad are they?" she asked her. The nurse looked down and didn't answer the question.

"Oi I asked a question, don't just avoid it" she replied getting annoyed

"Just tell her, she is going to see them eventually anyway"

"Ok fine, you got burned on your back badly, we can do skin grafts and other treatment but right now it will be painful"

She looked a bit shocked and looked at me I smiled at her letting her know it was okay

"I am sure your boyfriend will support you"

"Oh he's not...weren't not"

"Oh sorry...I just thought...you can see the burns when you are ready" she said before walking off to the next patient.

Later her dad and brother arrived, Mandy smiled and spoke to them but I could tell she was upset as well. They were staying in a hotel near here as they didn't want to be so far from her. We all spoke for hours and I was glad for the opportunity to get to know the family better.

"That is no way Mandy" I said laughing at some pictures Angus showed me of how Mandy used to dress, she glared at me.

"I was young and stupid I thought I looked nice"

I smirked at her and laughed trying to imagine her dressed that way which made me laugh more.

"It's not funny"

"I am sorry but it's hilarious, the headband kills me"

She glared at me but smiled trying not to laugh

"If I wasn't in this bed I would kill you Leo Fitzgerald" she said smiling