Dog Face

Waking Up

Scott Steiner, Rick's younger brother, was the first one the police had contacted concerning Rick's accident. Upon hearing the news, Scott grabbed his jacket, got into his car, and rushed to the hospital. He was worried sick, and he had every reason to be.

The two were always very close, only being not even two years apart in age. They did practically everything together, and if they didn't the other was filled in as soon as possible. There was no sibling rivalry- they both cared too much about each other where if rivalry was put upon them, they were very uncomfortable with it. Such as the case of West Virginia Championship All Pro Wrestling- they wanted Scott and Rick as singles competitors- to compete against each other; Steiner vs Steiner. They grabbed their bags and quickly left. It was always going to be Rick and Scott- not Rick vs Scott.

Scott never dealt with less than pleasant situations well. And the news of his brother being in a crash and getting electrocuted was not something Scott was going to be too fond of. No one, not even Mother Nature can beat up Ricky... only Scott had that right. No one else. Not ever.

Scott got to the hospital in less than 15 minutes. He did a horrible parking job in the parking garage, but that didn't matter, if someone hit his car, so be it. Rick was way more important than any car. Besides, Scott didn't even like that car. Cars could always be replaced- Rick Steiner could never be replaced.

Scott frantically made his way to the counter and stared at the young secretary who was filling out paperwork between sips of coffee. He waited maybe only 2 whole seconds before screaming frantically.

"WHERE IS MY BROTHER?! WHERE THE FUCK IS MY BROTHER?!"

"Calm down sir! I can't help you unless you are calm!"

"CALM?! MY BROTHER JUST GOT IN A CRASH AND ELECTROCUTED AND HE'S SOMEWHERE IN THIS HOSPITAL WITHOUT HIS BROTHER! AND YOU WANT ME TO REMAIN CALM?!"

"What is your brother's name? I can't help you unless you tell me who your brother is."

"RICK STEINER! GOD DAMNIT MY BROTHER IS RICK FUCKING STEINER!"

Scott simply was not remaining calm. The secretary was very weary over the amateur recently turned pro wrestler whom was screaming at her.

"Oh... okay s-sir. Your b-brother is is in in r-room 305 on the the top fl-floor."

"Thank you." Scott nods and runs to the stairwell. He had no time to waste on waiting for the elevator. He needed to get to Rick and get to Rick now.

*****************************
The TV was stuck on a German language music channel. It was all the still sleeping Rick could hear, and it was what his mind was absorbing.

The nurse thought that having the television on would help Rick wake up. She wasn't sure how the hospital's new satellite TV system worked, as she could only get that German music channel to come in without annoying static. It was something that was well intended, but probably wasn't the best idea. Especially for someone who had suffered a brain trauma such as Rick had.

The music had a very poppy beat, and colors were bright and flashy. It was cheery enough, but also quite odd. Rick was becoming more conscious as the minutes went by, but he was still sleeping... however soon enough he would wake.

Scott rushed into the room, and jumped onto the bed on wich Rick was in. He grabbed his brothers hand and begged him to wake up.

"Come on, Ricky. Wake up. Please. Don't leave me. Don't leave me, Ricky. You can't do this. You can't do this to me!"

Scott thanked himself and whatever higher power there was, that there was no one in the room other than himself and his brother. He would kill anyone who saw him in such a venerable state.

He wanted Rick to wake up. He wanted to know everything was going to be okay. Seeing Rick in that bed, unconscious, made Scott rage inside. He didn't know what happened and why it happened. Why did it happen to Ricky? Why not him?

It wasn't right. Rick never deserved anything like this. Rick always protected Scott... Rick always made sure no one but him could hurt Scott. Rick even got into it with their father because he struck Scott. No one, not even their own father could hurt Scott and get away with it- not on Rick's watch.

Not that Scott would ever admit it, because it was obvious to everyone and actions speak louder than words- but Rick was his hero. He always was, and always will be.

Rick was always the smart one of the Steiner family. He was always a mix of strong and smart. He knew everything- and he got his teaching degree. He could do anything he wanted... he has the world at his disposal. It was no fair that this stupid accident could put it all in jeopardy.

Suddenly Scott heard the sound of dog barking, it was coming from the TV- it was how the song started. It startled him, but not as much as what would happen next.

"Scotty?" Rick murmurs, his voice low, tired and confused.

"Ricky?! Ricky!" Scott cheers and hugs his brother close. "You're alive!"

Rick looks up at Scott and had a look of confusion.

"What happened to me, Scotty? What happened?"

"You... you were in a car crash. The police said you hit a telephone pole. And then a telephone wire came crashing down on you and lightning struck and you got electrocuted."

"Really? No! That couldn't have happened! No! You're silly Scotty."

"Ricky..."

Scott wastes no time and hugs his brother once more. He was so lucky Rick was alive... that he was awake. That he was okay...

But Scott had a feeling that something was off. Rick's response was almost childlike.

Scott knew that something had changed in his brother's brain. Regardless, Scott was going to make sure Rick would be okay.

No matter what.