The First Runner

I Feel Like Klunk

Jess POV

I woke up with a splitting headache, the kind that made every sound feel like it was drilling into my skull. The medjack hut felt stifling, and even the dim light seemed too bright. I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness hit me, forcing me back down. The nausea followed, making my stomach churn.

Before I could process what was happening, I felt the bile rising. My body acted on instinct, and I turned my head to the side just in time. I threw up over the side of the bed and onto the floor, the suddenness of it catching me off guard. The motion sent a sharp pain through my ribs and head, leaving me gasping for breath.

Clint and Jeff were immediately at my side. Clint quickly moved to hold my hair back, his other hand steadying my shoulder. "Easy, Jess," he said, his voice calm but urgent. "It's okay, just take deep breaths."

Jeff brought over a bowl of water and a cloth, swiftly cleaning up the mess. I felt embarrassed and weak, but I couldn't focus on anything except the pounding in my head and the nausea twisting my insides.

"Jess, can you hear me?" Clint asked, his hand resting gently on my shoulder. "Do you feel dizzy or have a headache?"

"Yeah," I managed to croak out. "My head... it feels like it's splitting open. And everything's spinning."

Clint exchanged a quick look with Jeff, then turned back to me. "Alright, we need to check something. Just follow my finger with your eyes, okay? Don't move your head."

I nodded slightly, trying to focus on Clint's finger. He moved it slowly from side to side, but I couldn't keep up. My vision blurred, and I felt a new wave of nausea. I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling the room tilt and spin around me. I gagged, and before I could react, I threw up again, although this time into a bucket thanks to Jeff.

Clint held my hair back firmly, keeping it out of the way as I retched. His other hand remained steady on my shoulder. "Easy, Jess," he murmured soothingly. "Just let it out."

Jeff moved the bucket closer, catching most of the vomit. I coughed and gagged, feeling tears prick at my eyes from the effort. The taste and smell were awful, but the relief of getting it out was immediate, even if temporary.

As the retching subsided, I leaned back against the pillow, utterly spent. My entire body felt weak and shaky, the headache pounding with renewed intensity. Clint carefully wiped my mouth with a damp cloth, then used another to gently dab my forehead.

Clint frowned, his expression serious. "That's what I was afraid of," he muttered. He glanced at Jeff, who nodded in understanding.

"Jess, it looks like you have a concussion," Clint explained gently. "That's why you're feeling so sick and dizzy. The nausea and vomiting are symptoms, and the headache is part of it too."

I groaned, closing my eyes again to block out the spinning world. "Great," I muttered, frustration evident in my voice. "Just brilliant,"

Clint's expression softened with sympathy. "I know it's rough, but we'll take care of you. You need to rest and let your body heal."

Jeff nodded, taking a seat beside the bed. "We're going to keep a close eye on you. Make sure you don't try to get up or do anything strenuous."

I nodded weakly, though it was clear that I was far from comfortable. "How long do you think this will last?"

Clint sighed. "It varies. Typically, with proper rest, symptoms like these can start to improve in a few days. But we'll monitor you closely and make sure you're getting better."