Arcadia Ink Max Caulfield X Reader (Life is strange)

Part 10 I know why Judas wept.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The rhythmic sound of a heart monitor was the first thing I registered as consciousness slowly returned to me. My body felt heavy, weighed down by a blanket of pain that seemed to seep into every bone and muscle. Each breath was an effort, sending sharp aches through my ribs. My head throbbed, and the metallic taste of blood lingered in my mouth.

As I lay there, the beeping of the machines became my anchor, something to focus on amidst the haze of pain and confusion. I tried to open my eyes, but the bright light overhead made me wince, forcing them shut again. The effort was exhausting, and I felt myself slipping back towards the darkness.

I wasn't sure how much time had passed when I finally managed to keep my eyes open. The sterile white walls of a hospital room came into view, the beeping of the heart monitor now accompanied by the soft hum of other medical equipment. Tubes and wires were attached to my arms and chest, monitoring my vital signs and delivering fluids.

The room was empty, save for the machines and the uncomfortable hospital bed I was lying in. I tried to move, but a wave of pain stopped me in my tracks, forcing a groan from my lips. My entire body protested the slightest effort, and I realized just how badly I had been beaten.

Memories of the attack flooded back, the fear and helplessness crashing over me. The blows that had left me broken on the floor.. I had no idea how I had ended up here or how long I had been out. The last thing I remembered was the cold, hard floor beneath me and the flickering light from the broken lamp.

I lay there for what felt like hours, my mind racing with questions and fears. Who had found me? How had I gotten to the hospital? And most importantly, were those men still out there, waiting to finish what they had started?

The door to the room creaked open, and a nurse walked in, her expression one of practiced calm. She smiled when she saw I was awake, moving to check the machines and my vitals.

"Good to see you're awake," she said, her voice soothing. "You've been through quite an ordeal. How are you feeling?"

"Like I got hit by a truck," I muttered, my voice raspy. "What happened?"

"You were found in your shop, unconscious," the nurse explained, adjusting the IV drip. "You've been here for a couple of days. You suffered some severe injuries, but you're stable now. Do you remember anything?"

"Yeah," I said, wincing as I shifted slightly. "I remember everything."

She nodded, her expression sympathetic. "Try to rest. The doctor will be in soon to talk to you about your injuries and recovery. If you need anything, just press the call button."

I nodded weakly, watching as she left the room. The reality of my situation was starting to sink in. I was alive, but I was far from okay. The attack had left me battered and broken, and now I had to face the aftermath.

I closed my eyes, trying to block out the pain and the fear.

The sound of footsteps approached, and I opened my eyes to see a doctor entering the room. He was holding a chart and looked at me with a mixture of professionalism and concern.

"Good to see you awake," he said, standing by my bedside. "I'm Dr. Matthews. You've been through quite an ordeal, but you're stable now. How are you feeling?"

"Sore," I admitted, trying to keep my voice steady. "What exactly happened to me?"

Dr. Matthews consulted his chart, then looked back at me. "You sustained multiple injuries: fractured ribs, a concussion, several deep bruises, and some internal bleeding. We've managed to stabilize you, but you'll need to stay here for a while to recover. Do you remember what happened?"