Shattered

Morphine Administered

Eleanor's Pov

"Louis, are you ok?" I ask quietly.
He was laying with his head in my lap and for the past hour we have been watching TV.
I could tell he was in pain from the moment we started, but he was getting worse and worse at keeping it from view. His breathing was laboured, he was pale and was noticeably shivering.
"N'not really" he stammered.
Louis' answer took me by surprise. Normally he would much rather lie than admit or acknowledge any pain. Once when playing soccer he had rolled an ankle, sworn he was fine and continued playing, only to be told afterwards by the local phyiso that he had torn several ligaments and required crutches. Him admitting it was most unusual. Now I was worried. Leaning down to kiss his forehead I asked
"What's wrong"
This small motion caused him to whimper in pain.
"Oh I'm so sorry Lou" I apologised rapidly.
I switched of the TV and gently began to lower him off my crossed legs. Louis shut his eyes, face now a ghostly shade of white. When he was once again resting with his head on the pillow his eyelids slowly opened.
His blue eyes were wide and shining with the tears he was trying so hard not to shed. His laboured breathing could be heard in my ear as I searched the floor in a panic for where the nurse call button must have fallen. Retrieving it from under the dresser I pressed it and squeezed Louis' hand tight.

Moments later a nurse hurried in gripping a clipboard.
She bustled about checking the heart monitor and drip before even acknowledging us.
Mr Tomlinson, she began, however realising Louis was in no state to answer, she turned to me. Her harsh gaze softened as she noticed my creased eyebrows and worried look.
"How long has he been in pain love?" she asked gently.
"Pretty much ever since he woke up from surgery but it has been getting worse I think."
"I'll have to examine him" she said a frown appearing in her face.
She turned to Louis again. She pulled the covers down to his waist. Seeing what the nurse was about to do and knowing it was going to hurt I reached in before the nurse had the chance.
I began pulling Louis' hospital shirt up as gently as possible, knowing he was unable to raise his arms I pulled both through the arm holes and set them gently back on the bed.
He was now grimacing in pain.
The nurse smiled at me causing me to flush red with embarrassment. Proceeding, Louis' heartbeat was checked and temperature taken.
"I'm going to feel your abdomen Louis , tell me if you fell any pain."
The nurse began pressing on Louis' stomach causing him to gasp.
I reached over and grabbed his hand. The nurse continued.
"Almost done" the nurse assured.
I tore my gaze away from the nurses hands and glanced at Louis.
His back was arched in agony and his eyes squeezed tightly shut. However they snapped open as the nurse pressed below his ribcage on his right side. He cried out, his suffering broadcast openly.
"I'm going to notify Dr Jamison" the nurse confirmed.
She left the room with assurances she would be back shortly.
Louis' hand went slack in mine as he tried to recover. I rubbed his knuckles with my thumb.
"It's gonna be ok" I soothed while brushing his hair off his forehead which was now shining with sweat.
"God it hurts though El" he gasped through gritted teeth, gripping my hand tightly again.
I leaned in and kissed him gently on the cheek, hating that I was so helpless, hating that I couldn't take this pain away from him.
Before I had time to formulate this into words the door reopened and Dr Jamison entered, followed by the nurse.
"Evening, Louis, Miss Calder." Dr Jamison greeted.
Then, as usual he got straight down to business.
"Have you experienced any vomiting Louis?"
He gave a weak nod in response.
"Perhaps I would be better asking you the questions Miss Calder"
I nod.
I answer all his questions telling him that Louis vomited after waking up from surgery and has been shivery ever since. I tell him of the pain and the sore stomach but all the while noticing that Louis' grip on my hand is getting weaker and weaker.
The nurse seems to notice too as she inserts  a needle into a vein in the back of his hand and the words 'Morphine Adminstered' are scribbled onto the clipboard.
She then pushes a second needle into Louis' arm and draws out a syringe full of blood. She empties it into a vial and hands it to Dr Jamison. She then removes Louis' bed pan and frowns before renewing it and pouring the contents into a different vial.
I gulp as a recognise the reddish brown substance. Blood, he had been peeing blood.
"We will analyse these and have the results back by tomorrow morning" says Dr Jamison as he holds up the glass vials.
" Make sure Louis gets some rest, it nearly 2am", he finishes glancing at his watch and closing the door behind him.

I sigh sliding into the bed beside Louis, careful not to hurt him or touch his stomach or leg. I pull the covers over us, making sure to rest his hand with the needle in it atop the covers. Moving onto my side I kiss his jaw and rest my hand on his bare chest. Despite being hot and sweaty less than an hour ago his skin was now cold to the touch. Unsure if he was still awake I whispered into his ear.
"I love you Lou and I wish I could take all this pain away from you"
Grimacing at the rhyme and its cheesiness I closed my eyes only to hear an unexpected reply.
"You help numb the pain El, like morphine"
"You are my morphine" he finished weakly before succumbing to sleep and leaving me with a small smile on my face, praying that the morning would bring good news.

What's wrong with Louis? Comment your thoughts and please vote.
M