Tidal-Bore

22. Suffocating

Seonghwa found them once more as the guards brought the battered group into the spacious underground area of the palace. Before the water wouldn't rise to the castle grounds, the thick door remained open. All Atlanteans milled around inside in an area stocked with food rations and oxygen converters that breathed air into the room as if through gills.

Hongjoong carried Wooyoung down the stairs more than he lent his arm. Once they arrived, they were ushered to the infirmary that was parted off by a ceiling-high curtain to offer some privacy. A window looked out onto the streets here, spanned by a faint blue net in case it ever got drowned in the water pressure. The water was still rising, but they were safe in there.

The relief to see them alive brightened Seonghwa's glum features until he did a headcount. No matter how he spied behind them for more people to come, the entrance remained empty. They sealed Petra's body away in a different room so no one would fall into panic upon her sight. Though Hongjoong assured them the coffin would remain safe through this emergency, Wooyoung wondered what it was worth it. Bringing her body up to the surface or saying she found her grave in the endless depths, both were equally dreadful.

Wooyoung groaned when Hongjoong lowered him onto a stretcher. In a flurry, Seonghwa dashed around between them. He sent someone to diagnose Kiko, checked on Yeosang's head injury, and had Mingi sit down next to Yunho so his leg could be treated. In an attempt to hold back his wails until the others were tended to, Wooyoung lay curled up, face pale and clammy as he gritted his teeth.

Hongjoong was the one who tattled on him by telling Seonghwa he had collapsed outside. Immediately, Seonghwa was back by his side.

"Where does it hurt?"

"My back," Wooyoung groaned. "The wave slammed me into a building."

"May I take off your shirt?" Seonghwa's hands hovered with their offer and moved only after Wooyoung's laboured nod. The scientist concentrated on Yongguk, who sat in a corner untouched by all the drama. He was the only one with the time to digest Petra's death, but he had also been closest to her. Wooyoung knew her for barely two months.

Praying that they would find the time soon to tend to their mental injuries, Wooyoung let himself be rolled around. Stretching out was pure agony, but the doctor's hands were cool on his skin.

Wooyoung's numb hands rested near his face and he tried to control his breathing by feeling the air brush over his skin. While the doctor explained, Seonghwa rapidly translated his every word.

"I don't know the proper English terms, so excuse my fumbling, but one of your spinal bones has been shoved out of place by the impact and you have bad bruising. You should be fine to stand upright once the bone is back in order. Pushing it back hurts and makes an alarming sound. Are you ready to get it fixed?"

"Go for it," Wooyoung whimpered. He just wanted the pressure and the pain to end as he buried his teary eyes in his arms. San's ring on his finger spent comfort.

The doctor's hands slid up his spine, making out the slipped vertebrae. When he found it, his fingers pressed to its side, guiding it into place with increasing pressure.

Wooyoung bit his lip so he wouldn't scream and endured it bravely. A moment later, his body spasmed when a gross crack sounded from his spine. Some pain lingered, but the feeling of blockage was gone.

Wooyoung exhaled. Though moving was still hard with his bruised bones, he at least didn't feel like his spine might snap at any second.

Weak, he turned his head to his saviour.

"Thank you."

Seonghwa didn't need to translate that. He hurried to the next person while some volunteering helpers from the folk provided Wooyoung with water and a pillow to relieve the strain on his back. The doctor mixed some painkillers made of plants into his drink, promising that Wooyoung's pain would ease soon. While he recovered, Hongjoong came to check on him. Upon Wooyoung's relieved nod, the prince smiled fleetingly.