perfidia

chapter 6

I knew when starting this job it wasn't going to be easy. I know there would difficuly men that id have to face everyday, which is understandable seeming they have been through so much.

I have been talked too in an awful manner, but nothing I can't handle. Everything was fine. That was until Luke and Franks arrived. Ever since they arrived I've had nothing but miserable days. It is hard but I am stronger than I look.

After my meeting with Dr. Adair, Lillian and the devil himself, everything has been suspiciously quiet. Well not quiet that are still men being rushed in from the battle field everyday with open wounds and missing limbs but I mean in regards to the bullying... I haven't been tormented since Frank was moved to ward 2C. Despite his threat lingering in the air, I always keep in an eye out just incase.

Even Luke hasn't said a word. It has been about 4 weeks since I spoke with him last, and he asked me about the bruises on my neck. 

Despite this, he does allow me to do my job properly now, not without a long sigh or a grunt, but I suppose we are making progress.

Some nights are harder than the others, I will not leave my room at all, even if I need to use the bathroom. I wait until the sun comes up just incase.

This paranoia is very tiring. So when I walk onto the ward today I don't particularly have a pep in my step.

I walk up to Lillian and she gives me my jobs for today which is just the usual, check on the men, the newer soldiers first, give them their food and mend any wounds that need mending. Last on the list is the individual check ups for the men who have been on the ward for around a month to see if they're making any progress.

I get to my jobs, and before I know it the clock hits four. It is time for the individual consultations.

I begin with Walter, who is recovering well from his surgery. We take a quick walk around the halls of the building just to stretch his legs, and engage in friendly conversation which puts me in a good mood.

"How have you been sleeping Walter?"

"Not too bad Miss. Addie, some days are better than others. People be screaming of a night... must have terrors."

"yes it must be hard sleeping on a ward. a lot of them are struggling a great amount."

He nods, "yes especially that Luke fella, he screaming an shouting all night long some nights."

Images of Lukes first couple of nights flash through my head when he grabbed my face and called me Cora.

"Yes Mr. Jenkins is known to struggle in his sleep..." I say still preoccupied with the first night I spent tending to Luke.

"He's troubled that boy" Walter says as 4D comes into view. We stop outside the ward and I turn to look at Walter.

"What do you mean?" I ask curiously.

He looks into the ward as if checking if anyone can hear him, "he just seems like he's been through a lot you know... very sad soul." he nods sadly.

Luke as a child appears in my brain. I think of when I went through his file and found he was an orphan and the guilt rushes to my chest.

I smile a tight smile to Walter and help him walk to his bed, not knowing how to respond.

"Now you get a good sleep Walter, that walk has probably tired you out." He lays down and I lift the cover over his body.

"Is there anything else I can get you?" I ask.

"No Miss. Addie that'll do, thank you for walking with me really helped." he lets out a small yawn and begins to close his eyes.

I smile and move onto the next bed, with a man in two leg casts, he's been here for about a month. I check over him and he soon falls asleep cutting my inspection short. Next is Luke.

I walk over to his bed and set my utensils down beside him not looking at him.

"Hello Luke." 

He looks up and nods. Thats the best I get out of him these days.

"I need to sit you up, and we are gonna try and stand maybe even a little walk. You are passed the healing time, so you should be good to go. I am just gonna check your wound and then we can try it okay?"

He nods.

So I place one knee on the bed and lean over his body that laying down, and tuck my hands under him ready to lift. I am directly above him when he says "Adelaide I am too heavy for you to lift I can do it myself." I look down into his eyes and he is frowning. Why is he worried about that now? I have done this millions of times.

"Luke I have done this dozens of times now, I'm stronger than I look" I smile down at him and begin to lift him, he helps slightly by moving his arms and doesn't seem to be in as much pain.

Once he's sat up I pull the chair next to him and roll his shirt up so it is just under his pecks.

I check over the wound and find it is all out heeled, there isn't any open wound anymore which is good, I don't want him to move to much though incase it tears. I quickly bandage him back up. During this, he is as quiet as ever.

"Okay... lets try and stand up shall we. Try and shuffle your body to the end of the bed and put your feet on the floor. Take your time."

He looks up at me nervously and nods his head. He begins to shuffle and place his feet on the floor with a look of concentration.

I smile, "Good okay... do you want to try and stand on your own first? Or would you like my help?" I don't usually give people the choice, but for some reason I want Luke to say that he needs my help. I just want to hear him say it for my own ego I suppose.

He contemplates for several minutes, "I would like your help." My inner ego begins to dance but I realise there is no time for that.

I nod and walk closer to his now sitting body at the end of the bed. With his knees parted a stand slightly in between them. 

"Give me your hands and I will guide you."

His eyes travel up my body to my eyes and slowly nods. He places his hands out and I place my hands in them. He has huge hands but they are surprisingly soft. Our eyes that were both focused on our hands travel up to each other and I quickly say, "Okay ready?" 

He nods.

I begin to gently help him up but he does most of the work surprising me again. Once he is up and standing straight in front of me he winces slightly. "are you okay?"

"yes... its just been a while" 

Now that he is standing in front of me I am... shocked. I look up and see how tall he acctually is. Soaring nearly a foot taller than me. He is a tree.

He looks down at me, I look up. Why am I hot all of a sudden.

"erm... are you okay?" I ask again stupidly.

"yes" he looks down at our hands that are still joined.

I quickly pull them away. "Oh right okay... shall we walk? Do you feel okay to do that?"

He questions this and nods "I think so."

He looks around "could you maybe hold my arm though, I don't really want to fall." 

I swallow, get your act together Adelaide. "yes of course"

This should be interesting.