What Came Down the River

Chapter 16: My Protector

A soft bed with crisp warm sunlight prods me to wake up from the nightmare I had. But opening my eyes instantly leads me to believe it was anything but a dream. Only shades of whiteness filled my vision. I couldn't see anything that was in a solid form, everything was fuzzy. W-wait...it wasn't a dream? Th-then-...have I really...?

I feel my heart beat start to quicken as I look around, scared and alone. Not knowing where I was is horrible enough but I can't hear either. I can't see or hear and all I feel is the leftover pain that spread everywhere.

Suddenly I feel my eyes leak, but I know it's not tears because I'm not crying. There's something going on with my eyes! Please someone help me. Where am I? What's happening? I try to speak, but I can't hear what I'm saying. I don't even know if I'm pronouncing words correctly.

Flash backs of last night flash through my memory. The taller gruby man grabbing me tightly, licking my neck, the sensations of having been slammed against the wall repeatedly, and him pressing against me. I begin to hyperventilate as I remember the feeling of his tongue and brusing my neck. I quickly grab at it as if he were still holding me and claw to get him off. Feeling overwhelmed with a ringing sound in my ears, I wince and hold my ears as my heart begins to pound again. The newly open scratches on my neck trickle a little and I use one hand to hold it while using the other to cover one of my ears. At this point I'm breathing in such a panicked frenzy I feel as if I'm going to pass out again.

Almost like answering my calls, I feel the warmth of a hand slip onto mine. Gently prying it off my neck and lowering it into my lap, then repeating the process with my other hand. My heart rate calms slightly as another set of hands, more masculine, rest on top of mine. Instantly I feel the scratches on my neck begin to be treated and realize I must've made it to a hospital. Although I don't remember much before passing out.

It must've been a nurse earlier who took my hands off my neck so I don't hurt myself anymore...

The nurse's hands rub my back comfortingly as I start to breathe normally. Only thing that's obviously still not fixed is my hearing and eye sight. Still, I try to turn my head to see a face, a body, anything. But I just see shadowy clumps of figures. I whimper and try to think about something else. But my mind randomly flashes images and sensations that I wish I could forget. I grip the hands on top of mine tightly and look back down at my lap. I'm not 100% sure, but I get a feeling that it's Kakashi's hands. Considering he hesitates for a moment before holding my hands back with a reassuring pressure.

The nurse's hands disappear from my back and I see her shadowy figure disappear from my sight of vision. I turn to see if I can at least make out Kakashi's spiky hair, but it's almost- if not completely- impossible. I feel frustrated, tired, pain, everything that I don't want to be. And I'm sure it shows.

Kakashi let's go of my hands and wipes the liquid off my face that had leaked out earlier. To which he then places something round on my lap. I go to feel it, but he quickly stops my hands by holding them in his. As if telling me to just let him do whatever it is he's about to do. He lets one hand go, but keeps the other one. I slowly hold his hand again, trusting in him.

Gently, he taps my chin to which I-confusingly- open my mouth. Almost like a mother feeding a child, he puts a spoon in my mouth. I'm a little shocked at first, but begin to chew. It's liquidy yet also sweet. And as I chew I notice crunchy pieces of food that break apart and dissolve into the liquid. I swallow and I can tell Kakashi waits for me to open my mouth to give me another bite. To which I open my mouth. I wasn't really hungry. I don't feel anything except pain right now. And I try to stop eating after the second bite, but he insists on me eating more.

I turn my head to block his path to my mouth eventually and I can tell he is disappointed I won't eat anymore, but decides not to push it. Taking the bowl off my lap he gives one last squeeze before letting go. Thinking he's leaving me, I reach out for him without any hesitation. Grabbing what I instantly recognize as the shape of his face. I pause for a moment, holding the sides of his face before releasing him and feeling embarrassed. A second passes and I end up turning my head away from him.