Ocean Kisses

Please Wake Up

Doc pov

The sound of the shaver buzzing in the quiet room was almost deafening, but it was the least of my concerns. My hands were shaking as I carefully worked to remove the last of the matted fur. I had to be extra cautious, knowing that every time I moved too quickly, there was a risk of cutting into his tender, bruised skin. The mats were stubborn, clinging to the wounds and skin with an almost vicious grip, and I could feel the tension building in my chest as I pressed on.

His body twitched occasionally, even though he was still unconscious, and I couldn’t help but wince every time I moved too fast. His skin was so raw and bruised underneath, and each cut I made to remove the mats seemed to expose more damaged tissue. The areas around his legs and chest were the worst, the fur matted so tightly that I feared it would pull the skin with it. I took my time, carefully slicing away what I could and trying not to cause him any more pain.

Once I had finally cleared the last of the mats, I sat back, breathing heavily with the effort. It felt like a relief, but I also knew the hard part wasn’t over. His body was covered in abrasions, some deep, others shallow, but all painful-looking. The skin was red and raw from the pressure, and there were scabs and old scars that hadn’t properly healed.

I immediately began cleaning the cuts, dabbing the wounds gently with a cloth to remove the dirt and grime that had settled into them. He didn’t stir as I worked, which I took as a good sign. My fingers were steady as I applied ointment, hoping it would help soothe the pain and prevent infection. The wounds were deep, and I had to patch each one up carefully, making sure the bandages were secure without putting too much pressure on the injured areas.

His head and tail were still furred, though, and I decided to leave them that way for now. There were no mats there, and they seemed to be less affected by the storm. The fur on his head was matted in places, but it was nothing compared to what I had already dealt with. I could tell he’d appreciate having something familiar, something that felt like his natural form.

I focused on the rest of his body, covering the worst of the wounds with gauze and bandages, using whatever materials I had on hand. The night had been long, and I had worked tirelessly, but I didn’t mind. My worry over him was overwhelming, and I just kept telling myself that once he woke up, he would be safe.

I finally took a step back, exhaustion weighing on my limbs as I looked over what I had done. The fur was gone, the worst of the wounds treated, and he was resting more comfortably now. But the scars and bruises, the evidence of what he had been through, still remained. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of guilt, but I pushed it away. The important thing was that he was alive, and he wasn’t alone anymore.

I leaned back against the wall, watching over him as he slept. His breath was steady, but his face looked so vulnerable, the calm of sleep masking the strain he had been under for so long. I hoped that, somehow, the care I had given him would be enough to start the healing process. I wasn’t sure how long it would take for him to recover, but I was determined to help him, no matter what.

I carefully moved back into the room, feeling the weight of my injury as I gingerly checked my arm. The bite from his sharp teeth had left a mark that was already beginning to bruise, and while it wasn’t anything life-threatening, the concern for infection still gnawed at me. I had bandaged it as best I could earlier, but I needed to make sure it was properly cleaned and taken care of now.

With a sigh, I rummaged through my supplies, grabbing antiseptic and a fresh cloth. I winced as I cleaned the wound, trying to ignore the sting. The thought of him potentially having rabies made my stomach twist, but I pushed it down. I had no idea what his physiology was like or if he even had the same diseases as humans, but the possibility hung over me like a storm cloud. Still, I did my best to ignore the nagging fear and focus on the task at hand.