SomeRandomShortStory. For some reason, I entered it in the Watty Awards 2011 :|
Vote and comments?
-Marie France xx
It was my third day here at the hospital. I had a severe cold that required me to stay here, until I get better. I was in a ward with two other boys. They’re names were Sam and Goncho. They kept me company. Well, at least Sam did. Goncho was either asleep, watching television or eating.
It was the day that Robert Blight came.
He looked gaunt with purple bags underneath his eyes. I stared as they wheeled him into our ward.
He looked like he in pain. Not pain. But pain.
It was rather sad, really.
My mother told me all about it.
“They say the boy was in a fatal car accident. Both of his legs need to be amputated in order for him to survive.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “They say he lost his memory as well. He can’t remember anything, unless you count his common sense, and he keeps denying it if someone calls him by his name.”
I can see it clearly in my head. The accident. The clash of metal, the smoke, the ashes. Robert in the midst of it.
“Well, shouldn’t he be in the intensive care unit, Ma?”
“There’s no space there yet. But he’s just sedated. He’s not going to wake up until after they finished his…operation.”
“Okay.”
***
Days passed.
Robert stayed where he originally was.
Sam left.
Goncho left.
It was eerie being in a room alone with Robert all day long.
Sometimes I would just stare at cracks in the ceiling. Sometimes I would watch television. Most of the time I’d gaze at Robert.
I decided to go by his bedside. I passed the board where his name was neatly written, just like a label.
I called him by his name. “Robert.”
His eyes shot open.
Surprised, I fell backwards.
“Oww!”
“Robert’s not my name.”
I looked up at him. “It is.”
His gaze hardened. “It’s not.”
“Then what is your name?” I countered.
He looked away. “I…I don’t know. But it’s definitely not Robert.”
I sighed. “Shouldn’t you be sleeping? Your…operation is tomorrow.”
“What operation?”
“You know.” I sat on my bed. And made slicing motions to my legs with my right hand.
“Oh, God.” He choked out. “No, no, no…”
“Calm down, Robert.” I sneaked my hand underneath my pillow and pressed the button that summons the nurse.
“MY NAME’S NOT ROBERT!”
Seconds later, the nurse came in and calmed Robert down. And by calming Robert down, I mean put him to a deep sleep.
I lied on my bed, turned around and fell asleep.
* * *
I felt motion. I opened my eyes and found myself in the hallway with two nurses wheeling me away somewhere.
“Huh? What are you guys doing?”
One of the nurses heard me. “Calm down, Robert. We’re going to make you better. You need this…operation.”
“My name is not Robert.”
“The doctors said you would say that.”
I started thrashing around but they held me down with their strong yet nimble hands.
“STOP,STOP! MY NAME’S NOT ROBERT! MY NAME’S NOT ROBERT!” I sobbed.
I got up slightly and saw Robert at the hallway. Laughing and waving goodbye.
