Limping home
It's not a wise idea to wake up in the industrial blocks of downtown L.A. wearing nothing but a pair of lycra bike shorts and looking like you've just gone twelve rounds with a very hungry Mike Tyson. But, since I didn't have much of a choice in the matter, that's exactly where and how I ended up after the fight
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I almost didn't realize that Fred had been about six inches away from me as I collapsed down on the couch. Either that was just good instincts, or she'd seen plenty of people get injured in her time with these folks. I'd have bet on the second if I were in shape to.
"Careful there. We don't want to loose you before we even got to know you. Not that there will be losing, nothing looks that bad and really, I've seen worse. A lot worse. And not that there isn't knowing... or won't be."
My head was already starting to swim and get a little hazy, but I had a feeling I still wouldn't have really followed all of that even if I'd been at 100 percent. The way Fred checked me over, though, really did show off a familiarity with battlefield medicine.
"Well," I started, and was surprised to hear how slurred my words sounded, "I wasn't planning on going anywhere soon... And it's always nice to get to know new people..."
Why'd I say that? I forgot for a second where I was and what I'd done the day before, and started trying to stand up from the couch. Fred gently kept me down and raised a hand.
"Hi, I'm Fred, and --"
"Jun Shang-Da," I mumbled, "nice to meetcha..."
My vision was sort of dim by now, and it was tough to keep my head upright. But I could see the face Fred made when she looked under my jacket. Guess it was worse than I'd thought.
"I think... we're gonna need something bigger than a bandaid. Wait right here."
Fred left, and I waved after her, trying to keep my eyes open, even with the room turning slowly around me. Soon enough, there was a blurry-looking, brown haired, female-scented someone unbuttoning my shirt.
"Don't think that's such a good idea right now, Gwen..." I mumbled.
The blur came back into better focus, and I recognized Fred again, sort of.
"Fred!" I whispered, then blinked a few times, the blurring coming back.
"Lizzie? Lizzie, it's okay, sweetheart... I got him!" My hands moved of their own accord, gesturing uncertainly. "The vampire, the one who killed you... I got him."
There was a long blink where I think I lost consciousness for a second.
"He's gone, sweetie... you can rest now, I promise. Just like I promised..."
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Years and years of accents, twangs, and the lack kept me on the understanding part of the statement, but I still I had to work harder that I was sure either of us could like. I pressed once hand to Shang Da's forehead, looking for any sign of a fever or infection. Just how long had he been like this?
"Yes it is, isn't it," I agreed, eager to keep him awake and talking...at least long enough for me to get a look at all of the wounds. "And it's amazing how much people take that for granted," I added, my voice overbright with concern. I kept looking down at the first aid kit, and hoping it was enough.
"Jun Shang-Da...nice to meetcha..."
"And you caught my name already," I answered quickly. "Can you focus on holding onto it for a few minutes for me?" I hated how silly I sounded, but I wasn't sure what else to do. Shang Da's answer was to sway dangerously, and I immediately reached out with both hands to steady him, not liking how heavy the weight already felt. "I'm sorry," I ordered quietly , "but you just can't do that yet. Not until I get a look at everything." If Shang Da passed out now, there was no saying if I would be able to move him like I needed to. As quickly as I could I began undoing the small, even buttons that ran down the length of his shirt.
"Don't think that's such a good idea right now, Gwen..."
My hands stilled, and startled I looked up into Shang Da's eyes, immediately seeing the way they were glazed over in pain. Gwen and I had gotten past most things, but I couldn't stop myself from that small second of hurt at what was being suggested. Pushing that away, I touched Shang Da's shoulder reassuringly. "It's ok," I offered quietly, not really addressing anything at all.
"Fred!"
"Good," my nerves stretched even more, a new assurance in my voice. "That's exactly right," Peeling more than pushing the shirt away, I set it aside and tried to keep any visible reaction from my features. A wound the size of my hand cut deep into his back, and judging but the dried blood on top of dried blood on top of...I hated to think how long it had been seeping, unstaunched. Finally willing to let Shang Da move, I reached out to take his hand in mine.
"Lizzie? Lizzie, it's okay, sweetheart... I got him! The vampire, the one who killed you... I got him."
Biting my lip to stop myself from telling Shang Da it was ok again, when it obviously wasn't, I grabbed his hand just like I had intended. "Come on," I whispered, as if that would be enough to will it into happening...I wasn't even sure if he was concious. But somehow together we managed to move over to one of the long, narrow couches that spotted the lobby floor. Part whatever other strength and healing Shang Da might have, and part what was sure to be a sore shoulder, I was able to stretch Shang Da out on the couch, the wound now much more accesible. Suddenly he blinked, eyes making contact with my own again in that sort of far away...way.
"He's gone, sweetie... you can rest now, I promise. Just like I promised..."
Busying myself with the first aide kit, I was greatful for a reson to look away. I wasn't really what he wanted or needed right now..and no one ever would be. I just couldn't sure if I should pretend, if only for a sentence or two. Or if it would even help. No matter what I was ure when he woke up, Shang Da would immediately sort through the truth of it. That's what waking up was.
"We'll rest," I whispered as warmly as possible, settling on a compromise that didn't feel like too much of a lie. "But that means you have to too," I added. I brushed at his temple once in part of the command, hoping it was enough.
And then I went back to work.
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I nodded kinda dumbly, only half understanding the words that were making it through the fog that had wrapped itself around the inside of my skull. Something about it made some kind of sense, though.
"And you caught my name already... Can you focus on holding onto it for a few minutes for me?"
Tried to nod again, but instead, I felt the floor heave underneath my feet, like we were having a big roller of an earthquake. Small hands steadied me a little, and I heard Fred's voice again. It was soothing, and a lot more confident than I thought I was going to get from anyone in this hotel. It always seemed like everybody was constantly ready for the other shoe to drop, which I guess we always were. But it was nice to hear someone say things were gonna be okay, even if it might not be.
Getting more and more unsure about what was going on, I thought I could feel myself getting moved around. The stabbing pains through my side and back and the dull throb through the rest of my body were actually starting to lessen, which had to mean I was either getting better, or I was close to passing out. I was pretty sure on the latter.
For a second, I thought I caught Lizzie's scent, and I could hear myself talking to her, which was about the craziest thought I'd had for a long while, but then again, that would be par for the course with this life.
"Come on... We'll rest. But that means you have to too,"
"Well, uh..." I slurred, "Okay... but just for... a minute."
The blackness was really easy to let slip right over me.
When I finally came to, the jackhammer in my brain had quieted down to a low pounding, and pretty much everything else felt kinda numb. I raised my head to find Fred slapping down the last piece of surgical tape to the big gauze bandage over my side.
"Thanks," I whispered weakly.
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