The Hospital

I’m supposed to tell you the first thought that ran through my head when I woke up was ‘Where am I?’ or ‘What happened to me?’ but, honestly, it was ‘What the hell is that beeping noise?’ I was in a hospital, you see. I had no memory of life before this room. But while we’re here, let’s start from the beginning.

I woke up one boring, normal day in a room with four walls, a bed and the usual medical paraphernalia with this high pitched beeping ringing through my head. All I could see was a redness, a million suns burning in front of my eyes - etching their endless tongues over my vision. Blinding me. For hours I was stuck there, slowly being driven insane by this incessant noise. Luckily for me it was time for my daily doctor’s visit - if you could call it luck. Slowly, the fire parted in my eyes, to be replaced with a blurry mess. Colours mixing freely, distorting my world. I wanted safety, I wanted the fire.

‘Hello Mr. Rawke, I know you’re there. Your vitals have changed. Would you care to speak?’

‘Beeping,’ I croaked, the air rasping through my throat, ‘stop the beeping.’ Some fumbling followed and finally, peace. ‘Thanks,’ I muttered, feeling something well up deep in my throat. ‘Water?’

‘You’re very demanding, Mr. Rawke.’ The doctor chimed, annoyingly cheerful. ‘But I suppose I have to treat you well, someone up top’s taken a special interest in you.’ Finally I felt something cold run down my throat - filling the valleys of my mouth, subduing the monster trying to burst out.

‘Thanks,’ I said. More powerfully now, ‘can you help me up?’

‘Well that’s more of a nurses job, you know.’ But I saw his shadow turn, and slowly move. Strong hands gripped me, shifting my body, dulling the fire. I tried opening my eyes again and found it tolerable.

‘Who are you? I asked.

‘You may go now, doctor.’ A voice interrupted before he could answer. Rushing out, he turned back. Obviously frightened, he mouthed one word.

‘Fight.’

-- written by George Lee