I couldn’t remember how I got where I was, but I knew for sure, I wanted out as soon as possible. Preferably, right now.
I tugged on the tube which was shoved into my throat. I sensed movement from the corner of my eye, a beautiful woman approached. One hand closed over mine, the other pressed on my chest. Her lips moved, but there was no sound. A moment later, the tube slid from my throat, blessed relief. A man approached the bed next, he blocked the harsh white light from burning my eyes.
I knew him. He was familiar, but it couldn’t be. I slammed my eyes closed and shook my head to clear the fog which lingered within.
My eyes flickered open again, I squinted in an attempt to sharpen the blurred images before me -Brad and Ari.
“Ari, is that you?” My voice was hoarse.
The pungent smell of hospital disinfectant invaded my nostrils and burned my already fucking insanely, raw eyes. I blinked over and over in what proved to be a futile attempt to lubricate them. I closed them again, trying to remember exactly what had happened. Then it hit me with the force of an out of control freight train. Every memory – the explosion, blood, dead team members.
“Not Ari, Kaden but it is me.” It was the voice of my best friend.
The woman pushed a button behind my head, an orange light blinked around us. Her hands were soft and warm, comforting. I'd felt them before. I knew her.
“Hi soldier, welcome back. It’s nice to finally see your eyes.” A smile curved her warm, rose-pink lips. I tried to run my tongue over my dry lips, but it was like caressing a piece of wood with sandpaper.
“Here, let me.” Her voice was angelic and had a calming effect over me. She reached for a cup on the bed table which had a swab type stick soaking in it. She removed the swab which dripped water into the cupped hand she held beneath it, moved closer and lowered it to my lips.
“I can’t give you anything yet. I’ll organize ice chips, but until then, I’ll swab you mouth and lips. It will help alleviate some of the dryness.”
I opened my mouth and welcomed the cool, damp swab as it was wiped around the inside of my mouth.
“Suck lightly to soak the water from the swab.” The request held so much sexual innuendo as it left her beautiful lips, at least to me it did.
I did as she asked and she repeated the process half a dozen times. The blessed cool of the water made a world of difference.
When the doctor entered, the orange light vanished, replaced by the white light which illuminated the space.
He stood by my bedside and began to explain what had happened after we’d been hit, the transfer to the hospital and the time I had spent in a drug induced coma. The list of my injuries was horrendous, but explained the pain which now gripped my body.
The delicate, beautiful woman linked her delicate fingers into my massive, blood shedding hands. I felt guilty, as if by touching me, I would taint her with the horrors which ran through my body. The images of death were locked inside my brain, I’d never be free of them.
I closed my eyes, picturing her lips over mine. No! I had no right to imagine her innocent lips kissing me.
The doctor explained, I had lost two of my men in the attack on our Humvee, it was something I already knew. Pain rippled over me. I was a man who didn’t deserve to be here.
The doctor left once he was satisfied I was okay and I was alone with the pretty young woman and Brad, who stood silent by the window.
“I shouldn’t be here, I’m not worthy.”
“You are worthy, Kaden.”
Her breath as she leaned forward was sweet with the scent of peaches, not laced with the bitterness of liquor.
“Stop playing Russian roulette with your thoughts, your body is strong and I will help repair your mind.”
I turned my head toward her and her lips grazed my temple, she was so close. The mind I’m trapped in, slowly becomes clearer.
I watched when she moved back and began writing in a file. My wrist was held between her fingers and she focused on a watch which was pinned to the chest of her uniform.
Then, two fingers pushed into my throat, I felt the pulse in my ears as she pressed down. A bright light was shone into my eyes and she smiled at me while making her checks. When the sheet was lifted, a chill licked around my heated body. She checked tubes and bags of fuck knows what before lowering the sheet.
“I’ll be back, don't go anywhere.” She winked at me and walked away. With her gone, I felt empty and lonely, anxious and I couldn't explain why.
A few minutes passed in awkward silence. Eventually, Brad spoke. “You look like shit, brother.”
I lifted the sheet and glanced down at my broken body, covered in scrapes, bruises and cuts. What a fucking mess.
