Encased

6. The Awakening

The doctor walks into the room, staring down at his clipboard and scanning the pages. When he steps completely into the room he looks up and places his hands behind his back.

"Fortunately, when Sammy fell and hit his head he hit it is a very... Ah... Cushioned place, let's say. He should be alright but these next 24 hours are critical." the doctor informs us, his voice almost robotic, cold and unfeeling.

Mom and dad mod, clutching each others hand in worry. I just stand off to the side, quiet and expressionless. This was my fault, I turned away and wasn't watching. This is all my fault.

Beep beep, beep beep, beep beep

The constant rhythm of the heart monitor anchoring me to reality. I watch the small line spike then drop with every heart beat. Up, down, up, down. It's calming, so precise and reliant. It shows that my little brother is alive and that his life is beautiful.

I sink into a chair in the waiting room, not wanting to leave but also not wanting to stay. So I let my body relax and allow my eyes to close. Slowly I fall asleep, slipping into the dream world.

I wake up the next morning with a light shining right into my eyes. I groan and look away, shielding my eyes. I slowly stand up, stretching my arms and cracking my back. I take a deep breath and venture back into Sammys room.

There he lies, awake and alert. I can't help my smile, reaching from one ear to the other. I make an inhumane noise of joy, kind of like a squeal. I quickly walk over to his bedside and take his hand into mine.

"Sammy" I say quietly, wanting to just wrap him in a bear hug. Of course I stop myself from doing so because of the wires and IVs.

Sammy smiles tiredly and nods slowly "Thats... That's me" he says with a smile, it was a weird smile. Probably the drugs they were giving him.

"Your alright, oh thank God" I whisper, sinking into the hard plastic chair beside the bed.

"Yeah and uh, what happened?" Sammy asks, confusion seeping from all of his pores. I grin and can't help but laugh. He slipped.

"You fell into the pool and hit your head on the tiles" I tell Sammy, starting to wonder how they cleaned the blood out of the water.

"Oh okay, why was I there?" sammy asks, one of his eyebrows raised. He should know. Why doesn't he know?

"I'm just kidding. You should have seen your face!" Sammy tells me, bursting out into laughter. I roll my eyes but can't help smiling. He really was a tough kid. Nothing stopped him from being, well, him.

I look around for mom and dad. Unable to see them I assume they're at work. Yet again, another reason to hate the abode. Forcing people to work even when their son is in the hospital. It's disgusting.

I smile at Sammy again before leaving his room so he can sleep.

I hate the abode and I will escape. Someday, I will escape.