Piggy had a better grasp on reality than most people would have credited her, and the shock of her partially shorn scalp and angry wounds passed too quickly to soften the blow. Her horrified scream died sickly into a whimper, but not before it gave cold chills to everyone within earshot. Staff came running. One short gasp and the whimper became a wail, and soon after she was fully immersed in her grief. She wept, and these were no diva, crocodile tears to gain favour. Piggy shook violently with great, hulking, almost painful sobs that belied any kind hearted attempts by nurses to murmur them away. When the adrenaline rush left her trembling with fatigue and misery, nurse Janice took the anguished blonde’s face in her hands and spoke quietly to her, neatly distracting Piggy from the sedative a doctor was adding to her IV.
She fought to control herself even as the medication began to do its kind work. Piggy didn’t mind making a scene when it suited her purposes, but this wild hysteria was an embarrassment even in her distress. Within minutes, sobs were stifled into shuddering hiccups and she felt warmth envelop her. Unable to resist, she resisted anyway according to her nature, forcing her heavy eyelids open in spurts of fading strength. Piggy only knew she’d lost the battle when she woke up the next morning.
“Oooh,” she moaned, when consciousness returned accompanied by what felt like Crazy Harry’s birthday bash running amuck in her skull.
“Ah, good, you’re awake.”
Oh, it can’t be.
Piggy prepared herself for the less than amusing experience of opening her eyes in the warmth of the sun she could feel on her face.
It wasn't enough.
“Gah! Window!”
“Hmm? Oh-”
“Window!”
“Of course, let me get that for you.” The voice was far too dryly cheerful for any sane person to bear. A moment later, the soft brush of curtains dared her to open her eyes again. It still hurt, but less so.
Nurse Janice, now dressed in civies instead of her hospital gear, slid a chair closer to the bed and took it up. “How are you feeling?”
“Oh, just gloriously, thank you.” Piggy grated crankily, turning her head away.
“You have no one to blame but yourself.” Janice offered calmly.
“Yeah, I caught that part. Why are vous still here, anyway? Don’t vous have a family to irritate?”
The woman took no offense at Piggy's snarling. “I do, in fact, so I won’t be sticking around too long. However, I wanted to make sure you’re alright.”
“Oh, that’s so very sweet of you,” Piggy replied, anything but sweetly.
“Not really. I just know your reputation and I don’t want you coming after me for cutting your hair.”
Piggy frowned at her. “Then maybe vous should cease reminding moi about it.”
The woman smiled, unflappable in the face of the vaguely threatening atmosphere. “Maybe I should.”
Silence fell over them, and Piggy stirred restlessly, puzzled my the nurse’s concern and wishing that she would go away.
“Moi am fine. Go away.”
The nurse did not reply, and nagging curiosity finally led Piggy to roll over and face her. “Moi am fine,” she repeated in growing frustration. Please, just go away.
“Good. Glad to hear it.” The other nurse Janice nodded, but she was no longer smiling. “Kind of a bad spell last night though.”
Piggy shrugged awkwardly, not knowing what to say. “Yes,” she settled on eventually. She touched her head and grimaced. “Wrapped moi up like a mummy again.”
