Can't You Hear the Roaring Fire?

September 14, 2001

i own nothing

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3 Days Later

The darkness turned to light, and Blaine turned over in his bed. The world seemed to be on volume one, where he could barley hear anything, just a slight murmur that couldn't be made out. The beeping of his heart monitor was a whisper, far away.

Looking over, he watched as Cooper walked in desperately. "Hey..." He tried. He walked in with a tray of food, and set it in the counter gently. Making his way to his brother, he prepared to tell him of the horrible things that had been going on while he was in a coma.

However, all that Blaine heard was an incoherent noise. It frustrated him, and he blinked away angry tears. He hoped it would get better, and that this was just a side effect of some sort of medicine. That hope was the only thing that kept him from crying.

"Hey, don't cry. It's fine. Don't talk." Cooper's face is tired, with dark circles surrounding his eyes. A slight stubble of a beard whispers across his cheeks, but his face seems to brighten as he looks into his younger brother's eyes. "I'll just do the talking."

Blaine shook his head, his throat tight. He couldn't understand why he couldn't hear his brother, and had no way of explaining this to him. When he opened his mouth, no words came out except a dry croak. It infuriated him, so much that he shook his head, and clutched his fists angrily.

"Shh. You've been out for three days. You-You saved so many people. There was a terrorist attack. Two planes hit the twin towers, and they fell. The country's a mess, and scared. Hell, I'm scared too."

Blaine's eyes narrowed, trying to focus on reading his brother's lips. All he could make out was people...attack...towers...fell...country... He was confused and disoriented, and just looked away silently.

The doctor walked in, knocking on the door. Cooper looked up, but Blaine heard nothing.

"Hello. My name is Doctor Lyle." She was a pretty woman, with red hair pulled into two low ponytails down her back. "Cooper Anderson?"

He nodded, "That's me. What's wrong with my brother?"

Doctor Lyle smiled a little, "Right to the chase. Well, your brother is going to be okay."

"Yes!" Cooper smiled, clapping his hands once in victory. He turned to Blaine, who didn't share his excitement.

He laid still, staring at them with confused concentration.

"Then what's his problem? He doesn't look exactly...Well."

"Yes, uh..." Doctor Lyle smiled weakly. She walked across the room and grabbed a pen and paper. Scribbling down something, Cooper sat confused.

"Excuse me, I asked you a question?" He mumbled.

"Yes, I heard you, Mr. Anderson, but I'm afraid your brother didn't hear you. That's the problem."

"What?"

The doctor sighed, and looked up at Cooper. "Your brother endured a traumatic experience. He got hit by a big piece of debris, and when he was knocked down he hit his head on more debris. His hearing was lost in the accident."

"What..."

Doctor Lyle handed Blaine the pad, and he looked down to read it.

Hi Blaine.

I'm your doctor, Doctor Lyle. I first want to thank you for your service, especially during this time. I've heard many good things about you from your colleagues, to the ones you saved.

I'm sorry to say that you've lost your hearing in the accident. You hit your head, and as of now we aren't sure if your hearing will come back, if ever.

Now, that doesn't mean there isn't hope for you.

Blaine looked up at the doctor. His eyes were wide and scared. No... He thought, No, this can't be right. I-I don't know sign language. How am I going to work if I can't hear? Will I still be able to work?

Cooper shook his head, "What do you mean, his hearing was lost? That can't be true. How am I supposed to talk to him? Will he get better?"

Doctor Lyle was already scribbling on another note for Blaine and looked up at his brother. "You can always write down your words and show him, or you can take up sign language. There is no foreseen future were we see him getting his hearing back, but he could be one of the few miracles that end up getting some of their abilities back, but that doesn't happen often." She hands the note to Blaine, who quickly reads it eagerly.

At the bottom of this note, I have given you a name of a class at the local community college. It's a night class, and it teaches you sign language. I strongly advice you to take this class, so it will better your communication with the world.

We will give you tests in order to prescribe your hearing aids. We will also prescribe some medicine to help with the pain. You underwent more injuries, such as bruised ribs and cuts. You were very lucky.

ASL For Beginners. Taught by K. Hummel
NYU Community College on Kirkville Ave.

Cooper shook his head, "I can't believe this..."

"Our hospital is very sorry about what has happened. All of your medication, and the hearing aids, are on us. We are very grateful for your brother's service during 9/11. I looked into your insurance, and it will help cover the costs of the doctors visits and the college classes. I am very sorry."

Blaine read his note over and over again, not wanting to believe any of it. His entire life was his work, and now he was unsure if he'll ever be able to do it again, let alone speak.