Inner Workings

Inner Workings - Part 24

Floss?

Louis, keeping a hand on Massaru, reached up to the floss stuck on roof of Will's stomach.

"Lay level, I can't reach it."

The chamber tilted again and Louis grasped the green loop. He handed it to Massaru, wiping off some of the spit, mint coming off in his hand.

"Put your leg through."

Massaru pawed at the floss. "Through what?"

"Sorry, I keep forgetting you can't see in here."

Louis helped Massaru into the loop, and tied another one further up for a handhold. He kicked at the slick floor.

"He's ready." Patting Massarus shoulder, Louis leaned in. "Take a deep breath and keep your eyes closed."

"A shame I cannot see this," said Massaru. "I know a few gastroenterologists that would kill to be in my place."

Let's hope you don't end up dying because of it.

The walls shifted again, the chamber tilting and making Louis go to his knees. Slowly, the floss and Massaru drew up to the tight opening.

***

After he set the stethoscope aside, Will laid a towel down and stuffed a pillow under his shoulders, making his head tilt back so his throat could be as straight as possible. He had to be slow enough that his throat wouldn't get hurt, but fast enough that Massaru wouldn't pass out. How had Rachel managed it all those times? Strangely, he kept picturing his teen cousin snorting a strand of spaghetti up his nose and then pulling it out through his mouth.

Bad time for that memory.

Holding the floss in line with his head, he looped the strand around his palm and pulled.

The slack in the floss lessened, slithering up his throat and pulling taunt as he caught Massaru's weight. He felt tightness in his stomach as the floss drew sharp against his esophageal opening. Then the tightness turned into a drag at his insides. His shoulders drew in, but he kept his neck straight. Massaru was in his esophagus, being dragged up inch by inch and it hurt, making Will want to either swallow and push the lump down, or heave and vomit it up. Will squeezed his eyes shut and looped his hand again, the floss hot and wet. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

Right under his sternum the lump moved, causing Will to choke down a gasp. Massaru was losing air. He had a ways to go.

***

The stomach heaved, throwing Louis to the ground. The heartbeat around him quickened, Will's exhales leaving in bursts. On a good day the process of Rachel pulling him out of Will's insides was rough. This was worse.

"I knew this was a bad idea."

***

Will gave another hard pull, the lump moving to the base of his throat, pressing against his windpipe. He couldn't breathe.

The lump twisted again, and Will's bodily nature took over from there as he gaged. He turned over and got on his hands and knees, just in time to feel Massaru's small, wet, body drop out of his mouth and plop on the towel covered pillow, holding fast to the floss.

Will's heaves devolved to coughs and then to gasps, a thread of bile tainted saliva dripped from his lips to the pillow. His gut ached, his throat burned, but when Massaru turned to his back and looked up, blinking from the light and gasping for breath, he felt relief.

"William?" said Massaru, untangling himself from the green floss.

Will sighed and sat back on the bed, hands over his stomach. "I know this is a bad time to say it and in bad taste, pardon the pun, but do you know you taste like curry?"