Part 3: A boy and his bandages
Days in the hospital were always the same for Tommy. They consisted of mainly eating breakfast, trying a new medication or treatment, and then feeling miserable when it ultimately left him bedridden for the rest of the day. Today's medication was a substance called 'Emeldine', and was supposed to act as a painkiller for his aches, but it had just made them worse. He'd slept through the worst parts- a side effect was drowsiness- but now he was awake at eleven, when the rest of the ward was asleep. So, here he was, not Tommy Medlin, but Sir Medlin, captain of a large fleet of ships, respected by all. Of course, he was only playing- the only thing left to do was dream. Diagnosed with an incurable disease at five, he was sitting in hospital, lucky to even have a bed after his adoptive grandfather had saved him. His sister Elle and his parents weren't so lucky- they were taken to the workhouse months ago- but he ran down alleys and into hiding places, until he'd collapsed of exhaustion on a doorstep, waking up in a soft bed and with a kind old man taking care of him. Nurse Kait had also helped, making sure he was comfortable and visiting him now every single day- though today he hadn't been awake to greet her. But there was little time to think of such matters! Sir Medlin stood up, captain of the bed-boat, and jumped overboard, abandon ship! He swam through the wooden waves, reaching the only patch of light- the window! And that's when he saw something which changed his life forever.
Upon opening the window, the cool breeze had hit him immediately, so Sir Medlin swam back through the wooden waters to get a blanket from the boat, covering himself so he didn't feel any worse than previously. He gazed out at the darkened streets, before something caught his eye. Drifting on the wind toward him- a little red hot-air balloon, powered by a candle. He outstretched his hand, reaching for it, and grabbed the basket, pulling it toward him. It was warm, the heat of the candle stopping his shivers almost instantly. He stared at the details, tracing the tiny painted gears and playing with the pulleys. Hearing a nurse's footsteps, Sir Medlin used the light of the candle to guide his way through the wooden seas back to his boat, clambering aboard and running into the Captain's cabin, blowing out the candle and letting the balloon fly onto a nearby island. Lulled to sleep by siren's song, something told Sir Medlin that things would get very interesting…and that one day, he could fly in a balloon just like that one.
For years, the same cycle of medicines, nurses and dreams continued. The young boy grew from six to thirteen in a flash, still the same idealistic boy he always was. He spent his days drifting off into dreams, before one strange day, something changed. His new pills, Ombizine, didn't put him to sleep. He was awake, the aches dulling, his headache dissipating. They had finally found him something to help. For the first time in months, Tommy Medlin could be Adventurer Medlin in the daytime, going outside to the park with Nurse Kait that day. The breeze hit his face and he took off his shoes to walk in the dewy grass. He walked into a patch of trees, before almost tripping over a bag. There, sat a brown-haired girl in a patch of mushrooms, quietly reading a book. Tommy, deciding not to disturb her, tried walking away, but she suddenly spoke. "Aren't you going to say hello?" she teased, bookmarking her spot and closing the pages, turning to face him.
Her eyes were a chestnut brown, her hair almost a perfect match. She wore a pinafore and a blouse, a ribbon tied underneath the collar, wearing tights and black school shoes. It was clear she was rich, or at least middle class, as her clothes were nice and pressed. She was reading a book called 'A little princess', something which interested Tommy greatly. "What's your book about, miss?" He asked, Evelyn taken by surprise at the formality. "Well, it's about a girl called Sara who loses her father and all her money…so she has to work as a servant for her boarding school. But luckily, something good happens and well…I won't spoil the ending for you. And, you don't have to call me miss…" The girl smiled, Tommy returning it with a grin. "So, what's your name, miss bookworm?" he teased, the girl giggling slightly. "I'm Evelyn. Evelyn Stirner." She replied, her name matching her perfectly. "Cute name for a cuter face. I'm Tommy Medlin." He laughed, Evelyn going a little pink. She felt slightly awkward around this kid- he was very different to the servants and helpers she had at home, but she barely spent time with others around her age, so it was nice to meet someone who treated her like a normal person rather than bending to all her whims. "Well, you've got nice blonde hair, Tommy." She complimented, Tommy smiling.
Sitting together, the two spent the entire afternoon chatting, a nice change of pace from the quiet afternoons spent reading the same book over and over for Evelyn. She learned that Tommy was taken care of by his adoptive grandfather, and that he got sick easily, but that he enjoyed going outside and playing imaginary games. His favourite games were ones involving travelling, something they seemed to have in common. Tommy learned that Evelyn had an interest in mechanics and a love of reading seemingly inherited from her parents, who she explained would read her stories and tell her tales all the time. As she spoke, her voice seemed to become melancholy, Tommy gently probing her. Evelyn sighed, before hugging her book close to her chest. "Tommy…my father has been missing for seven years." She whispered, Tommy's eyes going wide. "He flew away one night in a hot air balloon we created, and never came back. And he promised…" her voice cut off, overcome by sobs. "I'm sorry, you shouldn't have to deal with my tears." She whispered, Tommy putting an arm around her. "It's understandable, miss. I lost my sister and parents too." He whispered, the two sharing a tight hug and bonding over the shared loss.
After some time, Tommy heard Nurse Kait calling his name, and bid Evelyn goodbye. He gave her the address of his adoptive grandfather so they could write to each other, Evelyn promising to write every week. They walked back to the hospital, Tommy telling Nurse Kait all about his new friend, truly happy for the first time in years.