Project Far Reach

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Keiko woke up in a strange bed. Star wars posters, a life size replica of a raptor from Jurassic Park, and a poster detailing every deck of the enterprise were all fastened to the walls. He noticed that he wore different cloths than he did before. As he tried to get up he was reminded of his injuries and laid back down. The TV was playing on a nearby flat-screen and he decided to just rest for a while.

Creak!

The door opened, reveling a beautiful young woman with dark wavy hair. Keiko was so awestruck by her beauty that he was unable to speak.

The young woman's expression was neutral, if perhaps a little fearful. She hesitantly took a step forward into the room, biting her tongue slightly as she entered.

Keiko still couldn't speak. As he tried to move to sit up, he realized that his body was hurting at every attempt to move. Pain could be seen on his face. It was all he could do to stare at the beautiful goddess that had entered the room and walked closer to the bed.

She moved a stool to the side of the bed and sat on it. Putting a comforting hand on his chest, she spoke softly. "It's alright. Your safe now." She bent over and reached under the bed, pulling out a small medical supply box. "I'm going to have to ask you to sit up if you're able. I have to change your bandages. So... can you?"

The awestruck man tried to say something, but all that came out was an incoherent mumble. She wondered what her brother had given him. What ever it was, it was powerful. The man couldn't even speak.

The best he could manage was to nod his head and lean forward. It hurt like hell, but the pain was tolerable when he remained still.

"That's good. There. Now give me just one minute and I'll have you all done now."

For the first time she smiled at Keiko. There was something very familiar about that smile, but he couldn't place it.

The woman unwrapped the old bandage. There was a lot of blood on it. She looked at Keiko, "You should have seen the first time we changed it. Solid red. You've lost a lot of blood. You should be alright though. You were lucky I think."

She removed a small bottle of alcohol from the kit and poured some on a cloth. "This is going to sting a little."

Keiko struggled to balance himself. He knew this was going to be bad. The woman put the soaked cloth to his mangled skin. All of a sudden the pain hit him. His face trembled in contortion and his head drew back. He gritted his teeth. The pain was unbearable, but before long it subsided, at least to a dulled out backdrop he could deal with. He felt heavily drugged.

"There. That wasn't so bad now was it?" She seemed optimistic. "Alright, now lets get some new bandages on you, shall we." She took out a new roll of the gause bandaging and proceeded to wrap his mid-section again.

It felt better. "Thanks," Keiko muttered, surprising even himself by talking. The cooling sensation of the alcohol evaporating off of him was chilling, and his hands trembled.

The woman's caring smiled brightened at his words. "Here, let's get you dress, alright?"

"Sure," the dumbfounded Keiko managed to spit out. He extended his arms upwards as she slide the shirt over his head. "What day is it?"

"It's Monday, around one O'clock. I'm surprised you didn't sleep longer as banged up as you were."

He looked down, "yea, sorry I've been such a burden to you."

"Nonsense, you're no burden, trust me. Now just lay here and relax. Their's someone who's been dying for you wake up." She winked at Keiko and then left the room.