Tomorrow

Chapter 16

A dull pain throbs in my head. I try to open my eyes but they are too heavy and I'm too tired.

Voices talk around me. But instead of hearing words, I heard static-like between stations on the radio when you turn the dial.

Someone is crying.

Someone is laughing.

Someone is snoring?

Someone is singing.

I try to open my eyes again and they aren't so heavy. I just have to...

I have to blink a couple of times to clear the blurry images. Once in focus I find Ross slouched over in the chair with his feet kicked up on the edge of my bed.

It's dark outside and in the room. I glance over and see the door cracked open and people walking around outside.

I'm in the hospital, but why?

I sit up a bit and see a glass of water sitting on the tray in front of me. Picking it up, it shakes to my mouth. I've never tasted water so good! I suck the cup dry.

Putting it back on the tray, I turn towards Ross.

"Hey!" My voice squeaks.

"Ross? Wake up, man!"

Frustrated, I kick his legs off the bed and pain shoots down my leg. I scream.

Ross jumps, "Riker?"

"My leg!"

"Yeah, you got shot. I'll get the nurse."

Ross stands and stretches.

"Today, please! It hurts!"

"Yeah, sorry." Ross rushes out of the room and returns a few minutes later.

"Mr. Lynch, I'm glad to see you awake. Your brother says your experiencing some pain?"

I stare at the young nurse holding the clipboard in front of me.

"Seriously? Where's Tracey?"

"Riker, Tracey isn't..."

"Now Mr. Lynch..."

"Are you new? Get out of my room! Where's Tracey? Ross, go find Tracey."

The nurse sets down the chart and places her hands on her hips.

"Mr. Lynch, that isn't..."

"Get out of my room!" I roar.

The nurse steps back.

"What's going on in here?" Tracey asks, stepping into the room. "Who are you?"

"I... I'm..." The strange nurse stammers.

"Get out of here before I have you arrested," Tracey orders.

The nurse flies out the door not looking back.

"Tracey..."

"Your fans are insane! They are rallying downstairs in the lobby, fangirling all over the place. You would think you got shot in the head instead of the leg the way they act."

Tracey pulls out a syringe, taking the cap off she flicks it with her fingers.

"Here. This is for the pain." She inserts the needle into the IV tube that's connected to my arm.

"Tracey I..."

My eyes instantly become heavy and I don't have the strength to keep them open any longer.

***

The next time my eyes open the sun is out and my room is bright.

Ross stands in the corner looking out the window.