Immortal

Born Under A Bad Sign (Chapter 9)

I unenthusiatically rose up from the mattress placed on the floor next to the big window. I had to admit it was pretty damn comfortable for a makeshift bed. If it wasn't for my insomnia, I'd be resting pretty well. I lifted my arms up lazily and stretched them while yawning. It's been a week already...

The first thing I did every morning was to tend to the unconscious prisoner, administering the sedative along with the rest of his medication through an IV catheter. Then, I'd appreciate the luxury of taking a long, hot shower. The steam would eventually make it hard to breath inside the small bathroom, I'd reluctantly take that as my cue to get dressed and ready for a brand new, uneventful day.

With nothing fun to do, I'd started brushing up on some needed medical knowledge, reading some books that Dana brought me. An asian girl would periodically come in to bring me food. She'd never say anything or even look directly at me, always wearing a small, apologetic smile that let me know she was ordered not to stick around. After she'd leave she'd always lock the door behind her. The faint clicking of the lock always left a weird, lingering, claustrophobic tightness in my chest. I'd settled into a routine by now, but days had been passing slower than expected due to alcohol withdrawal symptoms, being alone most of the time and the constant obligation to care for someone. I was fine, even though I'd really appreciate some booze and human interaction. Bad luck and trouble's been my only friend for a while, so this doesn't bother me all that much.

I was startled to hear the bedridden man grumble while I prepared the antibiotic and sedative, mixing them inside a mini bag. He was supposed to be out cold. I was careful to make sure I always got the dosage right. Thankfully, Dana was able to get me the sedative that I asked for. Unlike the first drug I'd used, this one didn't mess with respiratory function and heart rate. However, I warned them I'd have to wean him off of it eventually, otherwise it could easily have long lasting effects on his health. The house owners didn't seem very worried about that, they just wanted him immobile. So did I, to be truthful, but I wasn't about to let myself hurt anyone else again. Luckily, they decided it would be for the best to shackle the guy to the bed frame. However, looking back at the events that took place a week ago, the steel chains didn't make me feel a whole lot safer.

I hung the medication next to the big IV drip bag and carefully, correctly connected it to his main IV catheter. After apprehensively watching the fluid drip for a moment that dragged on for way too long, I soon realized he'd gone back to being quiet for the time being. I cleaned him up and changed his bandages, inspecting and treating his wounds to the best of my abilities while still pondering about what may had gone wrong with his sedative dosage. Things were looking good, he seemed to be healing with no signs of infection.

I was checking his temperature when the usual maid came in to bring me breakfast.

"Damn, I know you won't answer me but, seriously, wouldn't you be kind enough to bring me some spirits along with my lunch?" I casually smiled at her. I did indeed crave it, yet my request was only half serious because I knew it would fall on deaf ears. Still I insisted, for the sake of it. "I'm sure these guys are loaded. No one needs to find out."

"Miss." I felt like I almost did a double take upon hearing her small, high pitched voice. It was then that I noticed the clothes dangling from her forearm as she settled the iron food tray on the foot of the stranger's bed. "I was asked to bring you this." She carefully placed the clothes next to the tray before shyly making eye contact. "Boss requested that you put them on and make yourself look presentable."

"So you do have a voice... Does that mean I get to leave the room t-" The door was closed on my face. "... today?" I sighed. I could admit I was a bit desperate for human contact.