Lost To The Wild

Prey

The world came rushing back as the dark waters receded in my mind. I hated how fiercely I dreamed of all the moments surrounding their deaths. Did they dream of me in that eternal sleep six feet under? I hoped that they still dreamed, even if it wasn't of me.

First, I noticed the tingling in my fingers. It crept along my arm as I attempted to make some movement. The awareness of my limbs returned to me through the haze of my mind. I still couldn't open my eyes. Sometimes it was nice to just rest for a moment and enjoy the silent dark; to recollect oneself before returning to the chaos.

My eyes opened into slits. The harsh fluorescent lights overwhelmed my pupils, but I could still manage to make out that I was lying in Dr. Loch's examination room. My hand still tingled slightly, and beneath the sensation was a relieving sort of pain. I glanced down to see my wounded hand bound up nicely with clean gauze. A small smile slipped onto my lips with relief.

The door opened.

"Nice to see you looking alert again. How was your nap?" Dr. Loch casually questioned as he flipped through the pages on his clipboard.

"What happened?" I mumbled, confused.

"You had a panic attack. I am sure the trauma to your hand didn't help at all. Otherwise, everything seems normal."

"How long was I out for?"

"Not long. Maybe thirty minutes or so. Just enough time for me to clean and stitch up that mess of a hand. You should have come to me sooner, though I suppose I should be happy that you came to me at all. You are just like your uncle, you don't take care of yourself like you should."

"I didn't realize how bad it was," I said, looking away ashamed. Dr. Loch smiled.

"No worries, I am just giving you a hard time. Otherwise, you are as healthy as a horse. I am putting you on some antibiotics just to be safe, but I expect a full recovery."

"Thanks," I say before sitting up and sliding off the medical chair. "I really appreciate it, and I promise to take better care in the future."

"Good to hear" he smiled. "And be sure to grab some lunch before heading back out there. Your glucose levels were a little low."

I smiled at the obvious worry he held for me.

When my uncle got sick Dr. Loch didn't pressure him into any kind of treatment because he knew what kind of man he was. Dr. Loch understood how people like me and my uncle were not so worried about the number of years we lived, but instead the quality of those years. He did everything he could to ease my uncle's pain, and for that I would be forever grateful.

I moved towards the round-bellied doctor and wrapped my arms around him. He hesitated a moment before relaxing in defeat and returned my sudden showing of affection.

"Stay safe out there," he whispered before I grabbed my things and left his office.

Ruby's Diner was a quaint little restaurant that served breakfast all day. I ate an embarrassingly tall stack of pancakes, with a side of eggs, bacon and hash browns. The waitress was a short and plump middle-aged woman who reminded me of the classic "mother goose". When I had finished gorging myself in butter and maple syrup, she had asked if I was hungry for some desert. With an embarrassed blush, I looked away in shame and said I was fine, despite my desire for something sweet to complete my midday feast. As she brought the bill she set down a chocolate milkshake in front of me, winked, and told me it was on the house. I smiled back with gratitude.

Maybe not all townsfolk were so terrible.

I walked with a cheery lightness back to my snowmobile. It was incredible how a full stomach could make a person see the world in a new light.