It's surprising what human beings can accomplish when death is staring them right in the face. When things began plummeting, few knew how to react. Most were confused, seeking guidance from the very foundations and institutions that, once meant to h...
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He's the first to speak, his words disturbing the long-drawn-out silence.
"He-h-hey," he says, barely a whisper. His voice is coarse and drained. He coughs and I watch the bandages on his chest move up and down. "I think this means we're mates."
I watch his lips form into a weak smile, finally daring to break eye contact. Slowly, I release the breath I've been holding since the lights flickered back on and try to match his steady rhythm.
My muscles feel paralyzed and limp. The only sensation I am able to separate is the faint heat causing my palm to tingle in his.
Neither of us has dared to untwine the coiled fingers positioned between us.
My words are nowhere to be found and I continue to study his face, blinking as little as possible. His voice mingles with my thoughts as I try to will my numb lips to form a response.
"You're...awake," I gasp, "...sorry if my palm is sweaty." The words escape before they have the chance to reach my brain.
He laughs, heartedly, before clutching his side with his free hand and wincing in pain. His clipped breathing breaks me out of my dazed state and I release his hand, moving to lay him down on the bed again.
"Stay with me, Lawton. It's okay."
I push his shoulders back onto his pillows and sprint around to the other side of the bed to grab the oxygen mask, ignoring the protests of my weakened limbs. I place the mask over his nose and mouth and firmly hold it there.
"Breathe, nice and easy, just like that. You are going to be just fine." I will myself to look at him directly in the eyes as I too take some calming breaths. His hands wrap around mine and he closes his eyes, ravenously taking in the oxygen.
Sparks shoot up my arms and warmth spreads across my cheeks. I begin to sway on my feet, my body feeling drained, as I look between Lawton and the readings on the machine.
It only takes a few minutes for his levels to go back to normal and his chest moves up and down steadily again. I move to get some morphine for his pain from the medical supply bag, but only make it a couple steps before having to steady myself on the bed.
I quickly shake away the stars in my line of vision and manage to reach the back table and grab the morphine. I feel his eyes on me and when I turn back around, Lawton is siting up again, watching me carefully.
I try to balance myself as I reach the side of his bed again, but my legs are begging me to sit down.
"...You...need to l-lay down and rest," I breathe. "This should help with the pain." I'm fiddling with the pouch and getting it ready to be hooked up when his hand rests over mine and the other begins removing the oxygen mask. "No, don't-"
"I'm fine," he interrupts. "Please, sit down. That hot flash was intense." He gently guides me down on the chair. I refuse to meet his eyes, focusing on the task at hand.
