Them

Chapter 21

Someone came up to me.

"Are you ok?... Are you from one of the wards?...ok...I'll be right back"

"...just here..."

"...ok thanks..."

"Dan? Dan can you open your eyes please? Try to stay awake alright?"

I opened my eyes a little to see Craig crouched next to me. He looked tired, annoyed and a little concerned. My eyes drifted shut.

"Hi Marian, he's conscious but not really responding. Should we call an ambulance?"

"Did he hit his head?"

"I don't think so, probably just collapsed. He still hasn't eaten so he's got to be weak by now, especially given all the run arounds and fights we've had from him today."

"His blood pressure was in the toilet earlier let alone now. I think it's best we put in an emergency NG just so his body has something to run on. Then we can try with food again tommorow."

"Good thing I'm on a late tommorow, I've had more than enough food thrown at me for one week." He chuckled.

"Dan? Dan, its Dr Clarke, you need to open your eyes"

I forced my lids up.

"That's it. Well done. We are going to take you to the clinic room now ok? We are just going to help you up." She and Craig grabbed under my arms and manouvered me into the wheelchair. "There we go."

"Don't close your eyes Dan. We need you to stay awake."

"Craig maybe you could get him a clean pair of trousers? His seem to be covered in tomato sauce or something"

"Yeah, I'll nip back to his room once we got him sorted. I doubt he's gonna be much trouble in this state but I'd better be there incase."

"Ugh what a day."

I drifted back out of consciousness.

"Lift him up. There we go. Dan? Come on focus. I need you to open your eyes again. We're in the clinic alright? Open your eyes for me."

I could hear rustling of plastic and hands moving around me. I opened my eyes as much as I could the bright fluorescent lights stinging my retinas.

"Welcome back pal. I'm going to move this table so you're sitting up ok? It might make a bit of a loud click ... there"

"Can you explain what's going on to him Craig? I want to get this in asap"

"Dan, we are going to give you a feeding tube now alright? I need you to lean your head back...that's it...and just relax ok. Marian is just measuring then you're gonna feel a bit of pressure and stinging in your nose. After that you might gag a bit. What I want you to do then is swallow as much as you can yeah? Ok here we go."

A gloved hand held my chin another rested on my forehead. A sharp pressure in my nostril brought me back toward reality. I tried to move but all I managed was a small flop.

"Ok Dan, try to stay still please. I know you're uncomfortable but it'll be over soon."

I gagged.

"Swallow... that's it keep swallowing. Good. Ok."

"Have you got the syringe?"

"Yeah...Dan, Marian is just going to check the placement ok? You might feel some cold on your chest from her stethascope. I'm just putting a bit of air through the tube. Nothing scary alright."

I felt a light sensation in my stomach.

"Perfect...ok let's secure that...alright Dan it's in your tummy now ok so I'm just going to put a little plaster here.."

I felt a tiny pull on the tube as she moved it across my face, sticking it on to my cheek.

"..and pop this over your ear like that so it stays in place. That's it. We are all sorted."

"Craig could you get him some trousers whilst I sort the pump? I don't think he's gonna be any issue now and I've got my alarm on me anyway."

"If you're sure, I won't be a sec. Behave please Dan."

//stop this while you still can//

I heard the door click. Focusing all my attention I slowly tried to lift my arm toward the plastic tubing on my face, my limbs heavy. My hand inched nearer.

"Don't even think about it. If you pull it out we will just put it back in as many times as we have to and that's not gonna be a fun game for you is it."

I let her move my hand away. My arms shaking from the effort.

"Ok Dan. You should start feeling better once we get this feed going. Just lie still for now."

Craig returned with a pair of light grey jogging bottoms, carefully removing the ones I was wearing and putting the new pair on. They were soft and warm and I started to drift off again. Marian was connecting my portal to the feeding tube and pushing buttons on the display.

"Okay Dan I'm starting your feed now. It's gonna take a while so just try to get some rest ok?"

//don't let them//

I was so exhausted. My body succumbed to sleep as they filled me with sugar water.

At some point a nurse shook me awake and helped me to a wheelchair. Then I was in my room again. I shuffled to my bed and collapsed down, the mental and physical exhaustion overcoming me once more.