The Unfortunate Ride

Chapter 10

 
29/07/2017. St Andrew's Hospital, Virginia. 13:05 hours.

Something felt wrong. Very wrong. And Spencer could not put a finger on the cause of his discomfort. He had been assisted out into the hospital gardens in a wheelchair. His robe was pulled tight around his thin frame. He stared at the grass, the bleaching sun beating down on his skin. His hands were folded in anxiety on his lap, his elbows resting against the arms of the wheelchair. He did not want to be there, or anywhere for that matter. He simply wanted to hide in a hole away from existence. He had been disconnected from his oxygen and drips. A Southern accent and the sound of giggling children attracted Spencer's attention. He slowly turned his head to peer over his shoulder, his brown curls bouncing against his cheek. JJ and Will were approaching with Michael and Henry. Spencer's face burned with shame at feeling so low when his beautiful godsons were there to see him. Henry spotted Spencer first and ran towards him, arms extended out for a hug. Spencer initially stiffened, then relaxed into the older boy's embrace, his good arm curled around his waist and head nuzzled into his shoulder. Henry pulled back and stared at Spencer, a giant grin across his face, blue eyes sparkling. He looked so much like his mother.

"Uncle Spencer! You okay?" Spencer smiled softly.

"I'm getting better but I've still got a long way to go. Your mom is helping me so much." Henry glanced back at JJ, then turned to Spencer.

"Mom says you're sad." Spencer encased the boy's hand in his own.

"I am. But I'm getting better. Really I am." Henry threw his arms around Spencer once again.

"Love you, Uncle Spence."

"Love you too, Henry." Spencer and Henry parted. Will encouraged Henry over to go get ice cream and give JJ and Spencer some privacy. Michael, however, was latched to his mother's leg, a toy train grasped tightly in his small hand. He blushed as he peeked out from behind JJ's leg, chewing on the plastic of the train. Spencer smiled warmly at Michael to coax him over, then his eyes fell upon the toy train and his entire body tensed, eyes wide. His breath caught in his throat.

Images flashed through his brain, fragments of memories colliding in a supernova in his mind. Spencer could hear nothing but the screeching of metal against metal and blood-curdling screams. His eyes were fixed, wide and unblinking on the train. He was unable to hear JJ calling for Will. He did not even notice Will taking both boys away. His chest rose and fell rapidly, sending shockwaves of pain through his ribs. He was unable to catch his breath. His tongue felt like sandpaper as all moisture was drained away. JJ knelt down and cradled Spencer's face in her hands. He could not hear her soothing words of reassurance. He could only hear the train scraping along the rails. Fight or flight. Spencer chose the latter. He darted to his feet and started at a sprint across the freshly trimmed lawn. He tugged the sling over his head and cast it off as he ran. He ignored the burning agony raging through his injured leg. He needed to get away. Weakness in his leg caused him to stumble and hit the ground with a thud. Tears streaked his face as he dragged himself across the grass to escape, his fingers limply entwining in the green blades. JJ was trying to hold off the swarm of medics that were descending on the broken man, using her body as a shield, arms outstretched.

"Spence? Spence! You're safe. You're not there now." Spencer rolled onto his back and held his hands up over his face in defence.

"Go away! You're going to get hurt! You need to get off the train! Now!" JJ knelt down and grasped the man's quivering hands.

"Spence, you're not on the train. None of us are. You're in the hospital. Henry and Michael came to see you. Remember?" Spencer's breathing slowed as his eyes darted around him. Tear-filled eyes stared pleadingly into JJ's.