Chapter Text
Screams woke him. He wasn't sure whether they came from one throat or from many. He wasn't sure whether they were from him. Or something inside of him. The jagged clamour reverberated through him, a rushing of echoes layered upon echoes until he feared his skull would shatter. The side of his face was wreathed with flame. A ghostly starburst shivered white-hot in the darkness behind one eye.
Footsteps crunched against stone.
“Over here.”
More footsteps, nearer this time. “Is he dead?”
Was he dead?
Fingers brushed feather-light across his cheek, then pressed firm against his throat. He tried to lift a hand to push them away. Dirt scraped his knuckles as his fingers twitched. Pain flared in his head, through his shoulder, down his side. He moaned.
“Easy, now. We've got you.”
Leaden eyelids refused to respond. He dredged up the last of his strength, was rewarded by a sliver of light. The blurry confusion made no sense and he screwed his eyes shut, blinking several times before trying again.
The world canted to the side, booted feet moving in and out of his line of sight. Something warm and wet pooled under his head. Flickering torchlight fell upon the pale, bloodstained fingers lying motionless in the rubble.
A shadow fell over him.
Hands reached for him. Something jarred loose as they lifted him. Everything was spinning, the throbbing in his head pounding hard and hot. A vice tightened about his ribs and he was unable to stifle the whimper. He drew in a shuddering gasp. And another.
****
6 23 NRy841: Received Patient #31. Male, admitted by the state and delivered under guard. Arrived unconscious, condition poor. Numerous abrasions and broken bones. Head injury, severity unknown. Lacerations to right side of the face, extending to right eye. Moved to Men’s Ward, Room M12, for observation and treatment. ~ Nurse Aubermill
6 23 NRy841: Repaired scalp and facial lacerations: schedule for removal of stitches after 6 days. Left distal clavicle fracture reduced and figure-eight bandage applied. Strapping to left 5th/6th rib fractures. Left proximal tibia/fibula fracture reduced and plaster bandage applied. ~ Doctor Huntfield
6 23 NRy841: Coma. Pulse soft and slow, Respiration slow without stertor. Unresponsive to verbal command. Unresponsive to pain. ~ Nurse Aubermill
6 24 NRy841: Coma. Dressings replaced. ~ Nurse Thurlow
6 25 NRy841: Coma. Pulse soft and slow, Respiration slow without stertor. Unresponsive to verbal command. Briefly responsive to pain. Dressings replaced. ~ Nurse Aubermill