How Things Are

twenty two

When I wake up Teedo is next to me with a bottle of water and some pain medicine. I look at his face but like usual he doesn't say anything but any of his usual expressions aren't there. He just looks exhausted. My ribs are wrapped and I can't see out of one eye.
"The only reason your arms and legs aren't broken is so you can resume training." Teedo finally speaks. What the heck did you do?"
I looked up at the ceiling and try to remember. "I asked a question."
"You and your questions." He shakes his head. "No more questions. You know better."
I didn't answer. I'm too irritated. How could Joey do that to me? That's a good question. I don't plan on ever asking him that though. Perhaps I should be petty and never speak to him again.
"Are you even listening to me?" Teedo yells
"Huh?" How long has he been talking?
He sighs "of course you haven't. Well Lucas or Joey won't tell me anything so I'm guessing that's all I'll be getting out of you."
I nod. Looking around I don't know where I'm at. "What room is this?"
"If you weren't injured I'd hit you just for asking a question." It makes me smile "it's my room. Joey brought you here then left."
I try to keep my face neutral
"This is my bed you're getting blood on by the way. I probably have to get a new mattress. The nurse I paid to stitch you up wasn't cheap either!" I get it. His way of working is complaining. "You owe me Tibby!"
"I'm sorry Teedo. Thanks for looking after me." I pat his hand
He sighs "Lucas is giving you a week to rest. Then you go back to work." He shakes his head. "I had to talk him into it. Told him I couldn't train you after you performed in front of all his men. They'd be expecting a show. Which is partly true."
"So I got a week to heal." I looked at him. "How am I supposed to do that?"
Teedos weariness disappeared. "My home isn't ordinary. The Mafia has its secrets and my family's swordsmen isn't all we're known for. For those within the family we have land owned reserved for its healing properties. The spring waters where we bathe to the herbs we make medicine."
I try to sit up "That's impossible."
"It's reserved only for members of the Mafia. We don't sell anything on the street." He gave me a serious look. "If anyone found out about this there'd be wars for our territory." He was right. "We make sure those that have been healed stay out of sight until an average person would recover."
I blinked up at him. "That wasn't a pain pill you gave me."
"No. The way it heals you will be painful though." He brings me some food. "You have one week but you slept two days so the only way now is to force your ribs back into place as well as keeping your muscles strong so you don't get rusty."
My eyes went wide "What are you saying?"
He crossed his arms over his chest. "You'll feel as if you're burning from the inside out. And it will keep you away the whole time."
There was silence. "How come every time you talk a lot it's never something good?"
He shrugs then points to my plate. "Eat. The pain will start in a couple hours. The room is sound proof so I don't have to hear you scream." Then he just walks out.

He was right. My body was on fire. It felt like someone was pulling onto my ribs, tugging them, stretching them. Who would invent such a thing? I can picture this drug as part of Lucas torture techniques. Break them, heal them this way, then break them again.
I was sweaty. I already threw up what Teedo gave me all over his smooth carpet. There was drool coming out of my mouth. My nose were snotty. My eyes teary. There wasn't places I felt dry. Teedo was right, he'd gonna need a new mattress. It was disgusting. Greasy. After the mattress was damaged enough from my many fluids, I rolled to the floor. I threw up until there was nothing left. Then I threw up stomach acid. The pill forced my body to keep rebuilding the muscles my empty stomach ate. It was like a living parasite growing, slicing and burning within me. Why would they create this? Just let them die. My lungs burned from screaming, healing themselves then screaming again. But I couldn't stop.
I don't know how long it has been. I heard the door open and close a few times the pain began to fluctuate. It finally got to the point where I controlled my screaming. Then I was able to get up on my own and bathe myself. The burning was there but it dimmed. I walked out naked and didn't care who saw me. Finally the vomiting stopped. I found Teedos food and grabbed some fruit. Another bath. More fruit. The burning slowly dulled. I was still naked and in the corner on the floor when I heard someone walk in. Some clothes and my katana was tossed at me.
"You owe me a new mattress and carpet." It was Teedo.
"Sorry." I smiled and got dressed
"Mmhmm. Let's go."
I got dressed. No matter how afle that was, he still helped me in a way no one else would. "Thank you Teedo. I owe you more than that."
We both walked out and I got to see his front lawn. It was beautiful. So peaceful. There were noises in the back however when I looked back he pulled me forward. "No questions. That's what got you in to this."
He was right. We both got into his car and he drove us to Lucas.
"Great. I forgot about this troublesome creature." I mumbled
Teedo looked at me like I was an idiot. "Tibby, it's called an elevator. Not a creature."
"It's a trial I must face so be it." I looked straight ahead. "However, if there several of beings during Lucas armada test, I'm afraid I'll fail." I grasp my Katana
Teedo shakes his head and pushes on the wall to face it. "If you pull that blade out I'll shove another pill down your throat."
I step away from Teedo. He takes my arm and we enter inside. I cling to the wall until the next room appears then run inside. Teedo looks annoyed. "Come on. Let's see how well you are."