All for you

Chapter 8

I awake. The first thing I feel is the temperature. It's cool and dry, not like before. A dim white light is shining through my eyelids. My thigh pulsates from the needle and my wrists feel incredibly bruised from struggling in the handcuffs.

I slowly open my eyes. I dull buzzing noise and a couple of beeps is all I can hear. I'm feel cool. Moving my neck slightly, I feel how tense my body is. I must've put up a helluva fight.

Trying again, I move my neck to the side really gently to see a bench with a cupboard above it. On the bench sits a small rack with glass vials, each with a tiny printed tag across the front. My eyes can't make out any of the writing. They try hard to focus but it's too fuzzy. Next to the rack is a yellow container with a biohazard sticker on it. Needle disposal?

Lifting my wrists doesn't go to plan. I thought 2-Dads said I would be safe but I gaze down to see my wrists in looped cable ties attached to the stretcher I still lie on. My right hand has an needle inserted into it that runs to a large bag with clear fluid. Intravenous drip for replacing fluids would be my best guess. On my index finger sits a large clip that puts almost no pressure on the top of my finger.

I'm still wearing my shirt and pants although I don't think my boots are on. My feet are still warm and I can feel the socks still on.

The room also has a sink at the bottom of the room, a small screen and on my left are benches to sit on. I think the stretcher is sitting on a table.

I hear clunky steps approaching outside and the door quietly opens. I lay very still with my eyes shut as someone walks up next to me carefully observing the screen that is mounted above me monitoring my pulse and blood pressure.

The person whispers something and walks out. I must be really out of it. Another person walks into the room and this time I lay still but with my eyes open. The medic, Swain stands next to me with a warm smile.

"How you feeling?"

I swallow slowly, "Pretty shit."

"No offence but you look it. Your temperature is up a bit and your blood pressure is quite low."

I shut my eyes again.

"The captain wants to speak to you when you're feeling a bit more lively."

I take a deep breath. "Can I ask some questions?"

"Yeah sure. I feel like we owe you some answers. Just one at a time and I will try my best."

"Uhh first question. Where am I?"

"North Queensland, on the border of the Coral and Arafura Sea."

I cover my face with my hands. Ffffffuuucckk.
"Uhh can you cut the cable ties off please."

"Yeah alright. Don't try anything though."
Swain grabs a pair of large looking scissors out of a drawer and cuts the white plastic off my wrists.

"Uhh, what ship am I on?"

"Only the best ship in Australia, the HMAS Hammersly captained by the marvellous Mike Flynn."

I suddenly forget the rest of my questions. I go blank.

"Trust me you're in really good hands. I've served on 3 other boats before this one and by far Hammersly is the best."

He keeps talking but his voice is drowned out by a million thoughts rushing through my head. I have to get home. Where's Yvan? Is he ok? Does he forgive me? My throat begins to catch and become sore and the backs of my eyes fill with tears. My bottom lip begins to quiver. I try to stay strong but a tear falls out of my eye and runs down the side of my face and into my hair.

Swain immediately stops talking. "Hey. You're ok. It's going to be alright."
I wanted to ask him how everything was going to be ok. I had nothing with me and no one around me that I knew.

He pulled a stool out from under the table and placed it next to me and sat down. His face reverted to a pale, worried stare as he watched more and more tears flood out of my eyes and into my hair. He outstretched one hand, placing it firmly on my right shoulder. "It's going to be ok."

The door opened and in walked Dutchy. "Now isn't a great time is it?"
I shut my eyes tightly and even more tears rushed down my face. Swain must've shook his head because the door shut quietly and I didn't hear Dutchy again.

"What are you scared of or worried about? We can help you, we can protect you."

Taking a deep shaky breath I try to talk.

"M..my boyfriend. Syd..Sydney. Back at h...home. I don't know i..if he's alive."

Swain runs his hand down my arm and tightly grips my hand.

"I'll help you find him. Tell me his name and I'll get our communications guy to give some people a call."