Chapter 6
CHAPTER
SIX
Flyboy
The night is long with nurses in and out checking my vitals and looking me over like I’m a specimen on a microscope. Making it even longer, and harder to deal with, is the fact that I am alone. I know there is either a brother or a prospect nearby, and if I truly need anything all I have to do is shout and they’ll get me anything I need. I lay in the bed unable to even go and take a piss on my own, hating everything there is about life right about now. The pain is undesirable and debilitating.
I hurt from the roots of my hair to the tips of my fucking toe nails. The nurses have said that I can have pain meds but I’m not going to take the chance of getting addicted to that shit. I reach up with my left hand trying to fix my pillow, unable to get it situated into a comfortable position. I finally doze off just after daybreak.
My dreams are fitful, full of the heartbroken and devastated look on Riley’s face. I want to kick my own ass for the shit that I said. I lay there watching the stupid shit that’s on the TV for another hour or so until I give up on sleep altogether and decide to do some research on what all the doctors had to say today about my prognosis.
The orthopedic doctor told me that getting back on my feet is a real possibility. I would get mobility back in my hand but I may have to recondition myself to be left-handed. That makes the fear of not being able to ride my bike anymore sit so deep in my soul that I can’t shake it. The dreary thought has all but shattered my psyche. I don’t know what, or who I would be, without my brothers. I know that I could step down as an officer, and be just another retired brother, but shit, I’m not that fucking old and prepared for a long-term sabbatical from the MC lifestyle. I’m not ready to be sidelined, not a part of the team—the brotherhood.
I grab the new phone that Razor brought with him earlier. Thanking whoever, that he was able to transfer all my content and personal stuff from my destroyed phone. When I unlock it, I don’t even try to stop the bark of laughter at seeing that he made one little change.
My home screen holds a picture of a Duck, looking ridiculous with puckered lips, blowing a kiss at the screen. Pulling my messaging app up, I'm shocked by all the missed messages I’ve received while being stuck in this hell hole. Right this second, I ignore them shooting Duck a text. I know I won’t get a message back at this hour, but regardless, I need to send it anyway.
Me: I love my new background
I spend the next several hours going through all my missed messages and well wishes. I reply to most of them before my eyes finally start to get heavy and drift shut, and I start to doze off. My dreams are tumultuous in every way. One second, I’m on my bike with Riley on the back. The next, all I see are headlights aimed in my sight, and then we are laying on the ground. She is unconscious and unmoving. I can never get to her in time to help or save her.
This time, I’m getting close to her, almost able to touch her when I feel hands on me, stopping me from moving. I start fighting against the hands holding me back as the puddle of blood around Riley grows heavier. I’m struggling with everything I have in me to get free from the hindering grip. As I fight, she slowly starts to fade away, and I can do nothing but scream for her to stay. Don’t leave me.
“Come on, brother, wake the fuck up,” I hear stated from above me.
I’m fidgeting, too lost in the fact that Riley is gone. I have to find her. I have to bring her back and save her from the unknown threat against her.
“Man, if you don’t wake up, you’re going to fucking hurt yourself!” Torch yells.
“She’s gone, man. I can’t leave her on the road like that. Fucking help me!” I roar back at him, disgruntled that he’s not as upset about her being gone as I am.
“It’s a fucking nightmare, brother. Come the fuck on,” Torch states, his tone calmer.
Slowly, I open my eyes, seeing the early rays of the sun shining through the off-white blinds. Looking up, I see Torch hovering over me, that’s when I recognize that he has one hand on my chest, and the other holding the bicep. about half way up on my bad arm. I look up, and when our eyes clash, the worry I see gives me a moment of pause.
“You straight, brother?” he inquires before letting me go, slowly.
Clearing the clog from my throat, I announce, “Yeah, man I’m straight. What happened?”
“You were having a nightmare that had something to do with you needing to get to Riley. You want to talk about it?” Torch watches me closely, analyzing me.
“Naw, man, I’m all good. What time is it?” I wonder, absentmindedly.
“You know that you don’t have to go at this alone. We’re all here for you,” he tells me with a pointed look.
I have no words, because if I’m completely honest with myself, I don’t know how I am right now. The only feeling I can seem to grab a hold of is anger. The way I’ve handled things, and what I’ve said, is not something I can deal with. The first thing I have to deal with is getting out of here and back to the clubhouse. The elderly nurse from yesterday comes into the room, smiling at me as she does.
“Well, good morning. How are you this fine morning?” she questions me.
“I’m awake. My pain is probably at a level of six. My name is Felix Holloway, and I’ve now been in the hospital for four months, and two fucking days,” I recite to her, not in the mood to deal with the twenty questions quiz today.
“Seems you have all the answers to everything this morning. I see you haven’t had any pain meds since about seven A.M., it seems you are due more pain meds. I’ll get you the Percocets they prescribed for you.” She looks over at me, then explains, “The doctors should be around about nine-thirty to answer all the questions you have.”
“I told the nurses yesterday, and you need to make a note in my file, I do not now, or ever, want an opioid distributed to me.” I know my tone is entirely too harsh, and it’s not her fault, but right now, I simply don’t care.
“I understand completely and will make a note for everyone. In that light, I will get you some extra-strength acetaminophen. All your vitals look great, so hopefully, the doctors have some good news today about your recovery.” She smiles wide, patting me on the shoulder before turning and walking out of the room.
Using the remote on the bed, I sit the bed upright, adjusting the pillows for my arm so that I’m in a comfortable position. Once I’m reclining, I turn to look at my brother who is scrolling on his phone, pretending not to listen.
“You can stop pretending not to listen,” I gripe, scolding him.
The smirk he throws my way is a far cry from the disappointment and sadness I saw yesterday afternoon. I grab an extra pillow and throw it at him, hitting him right in the face. I laugh long and hard for the first time since I’ve woken up from my coma, finally feeling more like myself. Torch laughs with me, throwing the pillow back at me being sure not to hit my injured side.
“You truly are such a fucking asshole, you know that right?” he asks as he continues laughing.
Shaking my head, I insinuate. “It’s why you keep me around, fucker. How long before everyone else shows up?”
“You have about two hours before the first wave comes marching in. I would use this time to get some beauty rest. We both know you fucking need it.” He winks, ignoring me and going back to his phone.
“Fuck you!” I flip him the bird.
I lean back on my pillows, closing my eyes, finding that sitting up like this is better and more comfortable. It doesn’t take long before the wave of darkness take me under, and thankfully this time, I don’t dream.