Random meeting and blood~Nick~

[Nitya Demont]

I really admire Nick. With how bad his injury is, he's still manage to tie down a rope and to not completely freak out or if he is I can't tell it. Not sure that I would have the same reaction. His strength gives me some as well. This is a good thing as things are really starting to heat up now. The wheel strains against my hand, and I know that I could honestly lose control if the wind gives me much more resistance. The blessing is that the rope that Nick has retied is still holding out for us.

Rain whips into my face, and my eyes sting slightly with all the liquid that is now going in. However, the lights are still visible through squinted eyes. That's what I head for while trying to keep us from smashing into anything. Around this time, I take a quick glance back and realize that Nick is making his way towards me. He reaches me, and I offer a small smile. I'm strained, but I want to give him some encouragement. "Nearly there," I say. It's true, but I'm not entirely sure if we have that much time.

The lightning continues to dance around us, and I worry about our mast. I don't look back though; I just keep going and follow Nick's directions. He is next to me when another wave hits. He gets knocked over, and I shout. "Are you alright?" It's a dumb question, but since I can't do much without letting go of the wheel, it's what I feel I can do. The wheel digs hard into my hands, but I manage to keep us on course. The coast is so near now; nothing is going to keep me from getting there.

More lightning strikes, this one so close that I feel my hair stand up. Luckily, we make it to land only a minute or two after. The next question is how am I going to move him. The ship is secured, and I kneel next to him. "Nick, can you hang on for just a minute? I don't want to leave you, but I have to run to get the coast guards. Their house isn't far from here. It's just a ways down the beach. If you don't want to do that, we can think of something else. I can try to carry you."

[Jack Lexington]

Only when the next lightning almost strikes the mast do I realize that my eyes are closed. I open them to see the coast within reach. A weak smile spreads on my lips as I whisper. "You made it." My words are drowned out by the storm that is beating down on us without mercy and drenches us to the bone.

It has one upside though. Because of the strom the coast guard is on high alert and out searching for lost boats.

Just as Nitya asks me whether she should run and alert them and I am about to agree I can see a guy running along the beach from the other side of the guard house with a flash light in his hand.
"Everything okay?" He yells at us from a distance so I take it upon me to groan loudly. "No! We need help." Well, just I need help but that doesn't matter.
He shines his bright light over the side of my boat and right in my eyes so I turn my head because that's all I can do.

Despite the pain that just doesn't get any less I feel absolutely aweful. My heart is racing like a wild horse but I'm cold like on an icy winter day and can't stop my teeth from clattering. Yet I feel like I could drink a whole river. I'm in too bad shape to explain what happened or what I need, I can only motion for the obviously bleeding wound on the right side of my rib cage.

The man nods because he immediately realizes how serious the situation really is. He pulls Nitya closer and shouts. "We have a doctor on our staff. I'll radio for him to come to the base."
Quickly he takes the radio from his belt, a luxury that only the fire department and emergency services have, and calls in our emergency.

He then climbs into the boat and reaches under my armpits to lift me up. "Grab his legs. We have to carry him up the beach."
I can see Nitya hesitate. She's too nice, too sweet. So I give her a nod to assure her.

As much as I want to be saved I wish right that moment that this would all end quickly. I just want to pass out. The pain that rips through me when the guy lifts me up and hauls me out of the boat is more than I can handle. I scream. Loud and clear.

Somehow I get lucky half way up the beach when all sounds get drowned out, my vision goes black and my head falls back. How merciful can unconsciousness be!

[Nitya Demont]

Rather than getting an answer from Nick, the choice is taken out of our hands. One of the coast guard members has spotted us, and I could not be more relieved. I squeeze Nick's hand as the flashlight comes bobbing up to us. He and Nick have a short exchange, and I simply stay near. Rain still whips us, but it feels a lot less stinging since we are now in District four.

The guy is immediately in action once he takes a look at Nick. He radios the doctor at the base, and I know that the hope of Nick being alright is getting bigger and bigger. The radio crackles with a response from the base, but the words are drowned out in the storm. I still can barely believe that we made it and with me driving. Now it's just a matter of getting him to the doctor and finding out how really bad it is. Instinctively I know it isn't good, but I want to know where he was hit that made it gush so much.

The guard shouts at me to grab Nick's legs; I'm hesitant to do so having seen how much pain it gave him to move just a little. I can't imagine what picking him up is going to do, but his nod reassures me. Slowly we lift him, but it doesn't matter how careful I or the guy tries to be with him. Nick still lets out a scream that makes me want to scream. I wish it was me or that I could at least take away the pain. However, there isn't time for thoughts like that. Instead, I continue to walk and carry Nick's legs while shouting that we are almost there and that I can see the light from the guard's house.

Suddenly, I realize that he has passed out. Part of me panics, but perhaps this is a good thing. At least he can't feel the pain, and we can move him quickly. As we move, the coast guard asks what happened, and I shout out a shortened version of the story. Shark attacks are rare in District 4, but that's only because not many are equipped to go out that far, or have the no how so it isn't a problem, either way he is definitely surprised at what's happened.

It seems to take ages even though I can clearly see the light, but we finally arrive with the doctor waiting. Immediately they set to work, and I'm pushed into another room. Somebody takes a look at me and bandages up my ankle a little and puts some ointment on the minor bruises I have, but I barely notice any of it as I try to get back to at least see what is happening to Nick. They won't let me. All I can do is wait.

One of the guards recognizes me as I wait. I've seen him plenty of times both at my father's shop and coming in on the boats. He asks me about notifying my parents, but I tell him not to worry about that right now. They may worry, but I know that they'll trust I'm somewhere safe. We have signals and other sorts of plans for what to do in storms. Right now it's too dangerous for people to do much. He gives me something to drink, and then I'm left alone again with my thoughts.

[Jack Lexington]

Unfortunatelty the sounds, vision and feelings return much sooner than I wish. I'm not fully aware of what's happening but I can feel a flat, cold surface against my back while somebody is talking to somebody else nearby. Both voices are male, which makes me a little more alert. Where is Nitya, what happened to her?
Drousily I look around and groan her name. "Nitya?"
My gaze falls onto two men in coast guard uniforms, which makes sense and gives me some relief. But instead of telling me where the girl is they stick a needle in my left arm, from which a tube leads to a fluid filled bag.

Next thing I know an older guy rushes into the room and suddenly his face is above my head. He feels for my pulse and he's asking for the stats but I'm not alert enough to understand what they are. All I know is that my body is shaking violently and I just want to pass out again but I can't. If only I could! Then I wouldn't have to endure him uncovering my wound and pushing his fingers on the skin around the spear cut to test what organs might have been injured. It takes forever. His nimble, cold fingers reach a certain spot that makes me scream bloody murder before I roll off the table and drop onto the floor. Even there I can't get away from the splitting pain in my side, which suddenly seems to be on fire.

A moment later they lift me back up and finally a wave of darkness engulfs me and swallows me whole- at least for a moment.

The frown on the doctors face is deep when he wipes his bloody hands on a towel and quickly steps over into the room where the girl has been seated. On either side he's framed by a coats guard. "You brought him in? Are you related?"
He's quickly checking our relationship but then decides to continue fast.
"I'm afraid I'm not the right kind of doctor for this. It looks like he's got a ruptured kidney. I'm no surgeon!"
He is looking for answers in Nityas young face as if he is waiting for her to tell him what to do.

One of the coast guards offered. "We could try to take him up the coast by boat and into town to the hospital...in this weather it would take us about one and a half hours."

The doctor turned his attention on the helper. "I'm not sure that he'll last that long. His pulse is too fast and weak. Do you have blood bags?"
A shake of the head crushes that hope.

Then his eyes are on Nitya again to figure out what she'd decide assuming she is my sister or wife.

[Nitya Demont]

Waiting is unbearable; I find myself fiddling with anything I can get my hands on. Moving makes me feel like I'm doing something, and it keeps me focused in the current and not on thinking about what could happen. Unfortunately that doesn't work for long with the things that are happening in the next room. Hearing sounds makes me worry more though; with no context, one can't help but think the worse.

What seems like an eternity passes and suddenly the doctor is talking to me as though I'm related to Nick. Rather than speak up and say I'm not, I listen. There's no time to banter around with the facts, so I don't bother correcting. The news makes me feel physically ill; almost immediately I feel like it's my fault, but I bite my tongue and stay silent. When I realize he wants me to tell him what to do, I'm shocked. Why couldn't there be a surgeon on call?

Thankfully, one of the coast guards mention an option. Unfortunately, it isn't really a viable one. Without blood bags, it's going to be impossible to move him. My head is swimming with choices, but through it I know one thing for sure. "I want him to live," I say. It's an obvious statement, but that's what I want to choose. This sort of thing is outside the realm of what I usually have to do or decide.

That's when it occurs to me. "What is his blood type? Can we take some from me and give it to him? Whatever helps him live is what I want to do." This seems to me like one of the better options since there was no blood already. I know that if given the choice I will figure out how to get blood into him myself. "If we don't have bags, we can rig something up," I say. "He needs to get help."

[Jack Lexington]

I'm fading in and out of consciousness. My surroundings are cold and empty when I open my eyes. Slowly I close them again. It looks like everybody has abandoned me. Nitya isn't here nor are the coats guards. They probably all think it's hopeless and I can't blame them. I feel so weak and overwhelmed by the shivers and pain that I think they must be right. Maybe they think I'm already dead. The thought that they have given up on me scares me so much that I start shouting for somebody. I don't want to die. Could it be that after wandering from district to district and evading peace keepers, reapings and detention for so long my life could end because of a fishing accident?

Next door the doctor is considering Nityas suggestion. "We don't know his blood type. It takes too long to test but maybe he's got a tattoo. Some people have tattoos with their blood type and personal registration number: Soldiers, peace keepers, even coast guards."

"I'll check." One of the coast guards offers and runs away as everybody is on edge and trying to help.
"Is anybody here a universal donor. Blood type o- ?" The doctor let's his eyes scan the small gathered crowd. "That would buy him some time. Probably not enough to get to the hospital but some..."
He runs his hand through his grey hair and wrinkles his forehead. Obviously he's not ready to just stand back and let me die but at the moment every possibilty seems to risky.
The man starts pacing the floor and finally states.
"Contact emergency dispatch and see if they can send us a surgeon from the hospital or anywhere else down here. I'll start and see what I can do. I might be wrong about the kidney. Maybe it's just a deep cut." His face clearly reveals that he's got strong doubts but everything else seems even riskier.
"Forget putting him on a boat for an hour. He won't survive that."

Through the haze I'm in I can feel somebody pull my sock down but before I can tell him that I'm still alive he's gone again. Are they searching for my toes to attach a tag with my name? I'm not dead yet! Why have they given up on me? Desperately I lift my head, it feels heavy as a ton. So I drop it back onto the hard surface. A moment later I try again with just as little success.
"Help." I shout but it comes out as a mere whisper as a tear slips out of my eye. Nobody will hear me like this.

"No tattoo." He the coast guard tells the doctor, who sighs and nods.
"Okay, get me all the supplies we have...saline bags, pain killers, anaesthetics, take off his clothes, sterilize you hands and bring all the clean towels you can find."
Then he stops a moment to look at Nitya, his face as stern as can be. "I'll do what I can do but don't get your hopes up. Chances are he won't make it."


OOC: Not quite the right pic...looking for a better one!


More like this.

[Nitya Demont]

I hadn't noticed any tattoos on Nick when I had spent time with him, but I'm hoping that I'm wrong. Perhaps it was somewhere that I hadn't seen or where I wouldn't notice. Still, I don't believe that Nick is a soldier of any kind, and he clearly isn't a coast guard or the people here would know him. I bite my lip again; this is just so much to handle right now, but I'm still managing to keep myself fairly in control though I can feel my hands starting to shake slightly.

The doctor asks about anybody being type o-, and I and one other person raise our hands. This is crazy; can two of us really have the universal donor blood? It's a stroke of luck in what has been a less than lucky day. I almost want to leap for joy. It's something. The doctor is right; it won't buy him much time, but any little it can help is a blessing. I just know that we can rig something up to help. We have to. "Looks like you have two here, doctor," I say. It goes without saying, but my mouth is slowly starting to go on autopilot.

It feels better now that decisions are being made. The doctor is making some now, and I feel at least that it isn't all up to me. My eyes go to the window, and while the storm has let up slightly. It is still dangerous out there, and it is going to take the surgeon a while to make it. However, at least they are going to try. All of us are going to cling onto Nick's life; there is no way that I'm going to lose him. Too much loss happens around this world thanks to the Hunger Games and other 'accidents,' and this isn't going to be another.

I want to go into Nick, but I can't get through all the people. He's still alive, and everybody has left him alone. The same coast guard as before takes a hold of my wrist and asks me if I'm sure that I don't want to go home. I nod and tell him that I'm staying here no matter what. I note that he hasn't told them I'm not related to Nick, and I'm thankful for that. Now, I start to try and push my way in to see Nick.

There's no tattoo, and now the doctor is making moves. It's going to be so touch and go; it has been from the moment he got hit. "Please," I say taking hold of his sleeve weakly with my hand. "I want to be with him; let me go in there. He can use my blood anyway. I have to be there." For the first time, I feel tears start to well up in the corners of my eyes. The last time there was an accident, I wasn't there when somebody needed me. It was my own brother. Now, I will make darn sure that I am there for Nick. He looked after me and took care of me. Now it's my turn.

[Jack Lexington]

Things get hectic when a decision has been made. While one of the coast guards heads off to radio for a surgeon, the others start gathering supplies and cleaning themselves, the doctor gives Nitya a small but hopeful smile. “What are the odds of having two donors?”
He grabs Nitya by the arm, in a hurry to get her blood rather than being the nice, caring guy he usually is. After she’s confirmed that she doesn’t want to go home and nurse her own injury she’s in on the show, no matter how bad it will get. With tears in her eyes the girl is begging to come into the room with everybody else, so the man briefly stops her. “Don’t you fall apart on us. You’re no help that way. We’ll kick you out.”
Obviously he’s very much on edge himself because he’s never performed an emergency operation before. Secretly he’s still debating whether he’ll risk jail time by trying to help me.

As soon as the door opens and people are filling back into the room I know they haven’t abandoned me and feel the worst desperation lift off my chest. Then my teary eyes find her, Nitya, among the men. She’s my ray of hope in this mess.

Because I’m so weak and shaking I can’t help the men peeling me out of my clothes until I wear nothing but my underwear and the pressure bandage around my midsection. I just endure it and hope they’d speed up because I can’t hold on much longer.

Out of the corner of my eye I see everybody getting rid of their shirts and cleaning their hands and arms, probably to get rid of as much bacteria as they can.
For a moment I close my eyes and wonder whether these might be the last moments of my life. I sure hope not. I want to spend more time with Nitya and my little girl. Suddenly I feel panic rise in my chest because I might never see my daughter again. How will she know how much I love her if I can’t tell her myself? Unfortunately I don’t have the strength to tell Nitya everything I haven’t said yet. Like my daughter living in a different district and what her name is.

When I roll my head to the side I see the doctor stick a needle and tube in the pretty girls arm. Bright red liquid travels down the tube like chocolate milk through some rich kids straw. ‘My life savior’ I think as the other end gets stuck into my vein. Despite the overwhelming pain I’m in I can feel a warm tingling sensation spread in my arm. A second man donates his blood into a plastic container.
“Thank you.” I mouth to Nitya but doubt she will understand.

“Ready?” The doctor, who is now wearing a mask, and already has beads of sweat build on his forehead, asks around with a quick glance. Is he asking me?

The doctor is nervous but still tries to remain calm and cover all possible cases. Therefore he turns to the young woman and instructs her. “You need to do one more, very important thing. Take the stethoscope and carefully listen to his heart beat. Tell me if it slows down or speeds up. And you, Captain Sanders, stand by with pedals in case something goes wrong.”

I process his words. Oh goodness, I’m doomed. This is life or death and I’m getting the impression chances are I might not make it. Fear, overwhelming fear, floods every possible nerve in my body and all my senses. Never in my life have I felt this lost and desperate. I do not want to die right here and now. There are still so many things I want to do and see. I want to feel true love and passion, build a home and raise my daughter. What if it all ends right now and here?

My hand slowly curls around Nitya’s, who’s sitting right next to my left shoulder now. I feel her skin against mine and hold on to it for dear life.
A moment later the room starts spinning just before my side gets cold and the incision is made. I’m out.

[Nitya Demont]

I'm thankful that the doctor brings me back down to earth; I was definitely about to lose it. He's right; it wouldn't help anybody if I did. Slowly I draw a breath before walking into the room. Everything is so busy, and I wonder how we will all be able to maneuver around one another. By this time, the doctor has a hold of my arm. He's washing the area, and for a moment I'm scared. My veins haven't always been the easiest find, and I know every second counts. It feels weird to be worrying about something so small.

After I'm washed, I stand to the side and wait for them to be ready for me. My eyes go immediately to Nick; he looks so different from the way I know him. It hurts me to think how much pain he might be in, but I keep my face calm, free from worry, and encouraging. It isn't easy to do, but I manage it by thinking of the things that have happened between the two of us. Somehow, it is easier to remain calm that way though I can still feel a tugging around my eyes.

I see the tears in his eyes and watch as he is undressed by the men. His bandage is bloody but not nearly as soaked as the pressure cloth before that. He's fighting; it's hard to say how long that is going to last. It must be a struggle; I can't imagine what he must be going through. At least I can't imagine the pain; I remember what it's like to feel as though you're going to die. It's not a feeling I would wish on anybody, and once again I have to remind myself that I need to be strong for him.

Then it's time, and the doctor sticks the needle in my arm. It hurts for a moment, but it eases as the blood throws through. I hold my arm completely still worried that I might accidentally pull it out if I make a single move. My eyes follow the blood as it goes into Nick. I feel relieved that even in small part I am able to help him after all he has done for me. His lips move, but I can't make out what he says. Slowly, I reach over with my other hand and stroke his shoulder.

A breath doesn't leave my body for a moment as the doctor prepares himself. Without realizing it, I nod my had that I'm ready and see others doing the same. He instructs them to be ready with the pedals, and my throat catches for a moment. Every once in a while, it hits me how serious this really is. It's the first time I've really seen a touch and go type of injury. That and the looks of the other people in the room do not seem to be helping things. It is clearly tense in the room, and I can't help but wish that the surgeon were here already.

My mind is starting to go on autopilot just so that I can concentrate on what it is that I need to do though it isn't much. It also helps keep me together. That's when I feel his hand curl around mine. I squeeze back trying to put everything I'm feeling into that one motion. I want him to live to be safe, and I want him to know that I'm going to stay here the whole time and that he is special to me. I need him to know that.

Before I know it, he is out, but I don't let go of his hand. I keep hold of it;even if he is unconscious I'm going to keep up this link between us. He is not alone. The doctor keeps making slight noises and faces that have me worried, but I keep my tongue silent as does everybody else. It's a good thing that no other accidents are coming in. It feels like the whole thing has been engineered, but that's silly to think. This isn't the Arena after all.

What seems like ages later and the surgeon finally arrives. Immediately I feel relived since we now have a specialist, but he confirms what the doctor though. Nick's kidney has been struck, and he might not make it. I want to scream but again bite my tongue and taste blood this time from the force I put behind it.

The surgeon washes and is soon taking over from the doctor. Blood continues to come, and the doctor is using an awful lot of gauze. From where I am, I can't see anything happening very well. As things progress, i realize that Nick is starting to get cold and that it doesn't seem as though he is breathing normally or anything anymore.

I break the silence. "Umm...doctor. I think something is wrong."

[Jack Lexington]

My chances definetly improved when the surgeon arrives, who actually knows what to fish for in the bloody mess inside my intestines. Let's say they improved from 5 to 15 percent, which is still not an aweful lot.

The men trade spots and blood vessels get clamped and the young professional decides."Forget saving part of it. Let's just get rid of this one. He's got another kidney."

Just when he's about to completely remove it, things go south.
Nitya suddenly has everybody's attention when she announces that something is wrong since she is the one in charge of controlling my heart beat.
Faster than light the doctor is by her side listening to my heart and checking my pulse. All eyes are on him as time stands still. An aweful half minute passes as he wrinkles his brow and listens intently before he announces. "The pulse is still there, barely though. Hurry up. Get the defibrillator in case his heartbeat becomes irregular."

I'm on my side so the surgeon has perfect access to my kidney but Nitya never let go of my hand. By now she's pale and probably a bit shaky from the amount of blood she has already given me. Her lifeline is saving mine, dripping right into me and keeping me going all the while hers is decreasing.
"How are you doing? Getting dizzy?" The older man asks her with great concern since he doesn't want a second person to get into trouble. Without asking again he hands Nitya a cotton swab. "Pull the needle out and press that on your arm. Then step aside so the other donor can attach his blood."
In his book Nitya has had enough and would be better off leaving the room and waiting outside but ultimately it will be the girls call how far she wants to go for the guy, who lays seemingly lifeless on the table. We must be close if she goes to such lengths for me.

Giving commands to the coast guards the surgeon sets to work again and announces that he's about to remove the destroyed organ. On everybody's face it's visible that this moment is crucial. The air seems to freeze over and every tiny sound gets drowned out, even the storm outside. It seems somewhat surreal. Only seconds later he hands a hand size dark red mess to one of the other men and keeps dabbing up blood with gauze to get a better view.
A strange stench fills the room when he's cauterizing all loose ends. Every now and then he shoots a look at Nitya, who is pale as the wall and the other doctor. It's affermative, yet nervous.
After what seems like an eternity he announces the first words of relief. "Looks good." He announces . "Let's close him up."

When he's done stitching up my side he injects all the goodies he can find from pain killers to antibiotics into my vein, disconnects the anaesthetics and stands back. Once again silence fills the room because nobody knows whether I will survive or not. The doctor is still listening intently to my heartbeat.
The few coast guard allow themselves to take a deep breath and let out a sigh, then start cleaning up and retreating to the other room.

Just then another call comes in. "Ship average due to storm."
The wound up coast guards pack their gear and are out the door within five minutes despite their obvious mental distress. That's what these guys signed up for, helping others in need no matter how much stress they personally had to go through or how bad the weather conditions are.

Only my beautiful friend and the two doctors are left with me. Both still seem very tense but also tell Nitya. "It's time for you to lay down. Put your feet up so you don't get in trouble. It might be hours if he wakes up. This is all we can do. Get used to the idea..." He leaves the rest unsaid because he notices how devastating his words might be for a person who cares about the victim on the table in front of them. Then he leaves the room as well.

The older man gently touches the young woman's arm and adds in a low tone. "Don't give up. He might pull through."

On the contrary to what they are thinking I'm already coming to. I cannot move or speak, nor can I see properly through the tiny slits my eyes are opened but I can feel that I'm starting to shake again. The more my senses become alert the more the pain intensifies until I think I went straight to burning hell. Daggers are getting shoved into my side and chunks of my insides are exploding. Nobody could possible be able to endure this. I scream, I wiggle away from it, I curse and cry but not a sound leaves my mouth, nor does my body move an inch. I'm in hell! What is going on? Am I dead? Or are they still cutting me open?

Through the blurr of my half opened unfocused eyes I make out a shape...is this her? Is she sitting right in front of me? I try my best to focus on the outline of the girls body and suddenly note that there is some warmth on my hand. It's her. Nitya is still with me. I feel our connection. In that I find enough hope to calm down and endure what I have to because I have no other choice. Her presence is soothing, like warm nurturing milk and honey on a cold day, like the blue skies after a storm or the first flower blossoming after a long, snowy winter. It allows me to pass out again until much, much later.

The doctor has left for a moment to get a drink of water and discard of his bloody coat. When he comes back he picks the stethoscope back up and nods his approval.
Then he turns to the pale girl and hands her a blanket he brought. It's rough but warm.
"He's not from this district, is he?" The doctor suddenly states and when the girl doesn't react he points at two small round scars on my upper arm. "We haven't had a small pox outbreak in a century here. Nobody has been vaccinated in district 4 in over 50 years." His face is stern and his eyes seem to bore right into her. "You'll have to report him."

[Nitya Demont]

Though I know it is the right thing to do, I still wince slightly at the idea of taking out his entire kidney. That means he will be on bed rest for a while. At least he hadn't already lost a kidney for some reason; that would've just been the cap on this.

My alert on Nick's condition gets an immediate response. I feel as though my heart has stopped while waiting for the doctor to say something. His silence worries me. The worry is confirmed when he says to hurry up. That is one thing that one shouldn't do when somebody is undergoing surgery unless it is for something dire. Nick's heart is still going steadily, and I hope that he can hold on. "Just a little longer, please Nick," I whisper gently.

Our hands still are locked together which is good; at this point, I'm starting to feel a little weak, and Nick's hand is anchoring me to where I am. The doctor asks how I'm doing but then hands me a cotton swab before I can answer. Slowly I pull out the needle and press on the cotton swab; the feel of the needle leaving makes me wince, but I keep my breath normal. All the while, I keep hold of Nick's hand.

I'm sure the doctor wants me to leave, but I am not going anywhere. Though I know they are trying to save his life, I don't want Nick surrounded by strangers. I want to be there like I couldn't be there for others. The other donor comes in and gets set up, but I keep hold of Nick. Though I know the idea will be immediately rejected I say it anyway. "If he gets tired, I can give Nick more of my blood," I say referring to the new donor. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get Nick more of a chance.

When it comes time to remove the kidney, I gently squeeze Nick's hand reassuringly. Everybody in the room looks deadly serious, and I don't know what to do other than to keep stroking Nick's hand. The surgeon reaches in, and my eyes close for a moment. After a deep breath, I open again and see him handing the kidney over to someone else. Blood is still everywhere but is slowly being cleaned up. I still feel as though I'm barely breathing, but then the surgeon offers a bit of good news. He seems to be doing well and it is time to close. The feeling in the room changes immediately, and I almost want to squeal in joy and cry in relief.

Unfortunately, silence rules again when they finish closing him up. The doctor is still listening to his heart, and I start to worry. It should be getting stronger right? Everything should be looking up right? It worries me even more that the others start to almost run from the room. It adds to the already palpable tension in the room. It's crazy how much emotions have changed in this room over the past couple of hours.

It's a bit of relief when they get another call. Now it doesn't feel as though they are going out of their way to try and get away from the uncomfortable feeling. Still, I have to give them so much credit for all they do. It can't be easy dealing with things like this, and yet they do it. I wonder if I have that amount of courage and dedication.

Next thing I know, the same guard as before is pushing me onto a makeshift bed and elevating my feet before he heads out with the others. He winks at me, and I'm not sure how to take it, but I am grateful to lay down. Things were still swimming a little, and now they are calming. Still I have hold of Nick's hand. The guard had been nice enough to set up my makeshift bed right next to Nick's bed. The doctor leaves, and again I'm grateful. He has done so much to help, but he keeps seeming to hint that Nick won't live, and I just can't afford to think like that or I will lose it. At least his last words were encouraging.

My eyelids are feeling heavy, but I want to keep awake for him. Once in a while I stroke his hand, but mostly I lay there trying to watch him for any signs of anything be it good or bad. That's when he starts to shake; it's so small that I almost don't realize it. When I do, immediately I'm on my feet and stroking his hair and whispering things to him. The world dances for a moment in front of my eyes, but I will it to stop so that I can talk to him. He is my focus now; whatever else goes on will just have to take a backseat.

He passes out again, and my head goes to his chest. The beat is still strong. His face is pale, but I think I can see a slight hint at his cheeks. That's when I let myself drift off after I curl back onto the bed they made for me.

Later I wake and realize the doctor is back. The thing he asks me and what he tells me is something I would never have guessed, and leaves me feeling slightly queasy. Nick isn't from this district. I know that there could be punishments that stem from this, but I don't say anything really. "I didn't know," I say to him. What else is there to say?

[Jack Lexington]

Over the next three hours the storm causes a power outage throughout the coastal area of the district but the emergency generator kicks in. Two more boats get hauled in and fishermen as well as two coast guards get treated for hypothermia and minor injuries.
The doctors as well as the coast guards are busy as can be.

Just before midnight they get a moment to rest so the doctor comes back to find Nitya sound asleep. The poor girl finally gave in to her need to rest, which is one thing he’s definetly looking forward to as well.

Quickly he checks my pulse and then my pupils but I have no intensions of reacting. “Too bad.” He mutters but when he remembers that I’m a wanderer he just shrugs. With that he leaves to get some rest.

For me these hours mean a struggle for life. Never ever have I been as close to biting the dust.
I fade in and out of consciousness but never enough to actually open my eyes or speak. Each time I’m in so much pain that I’m thankful when another wave of blackness engulfs me but finally that wave doesn’t come anymore and one thought is so dominant that it makes me more and more alert: The girl, who was with me, who kissed me and slept next to me last night. I care for her so much that I finally come to after about three hours.
My senses become more and more clear even before I open my eyes. Vaguely I remember the tip of the spear getting rammed into my side and how we tried to get back to district 4. From there on everything becomes a big blur. With worry I lift my shaky right hand and slide it onto my rib cage, which is covered with some soft fabric but hurts like somebody was shoving a dagger in my side. Scrunching up my face I let out a groan even though all this agony means one good thing: I’m alive.
Minutes later my blue eyes finally open and what comes into focus puts a weak smile on my pale lips: Nitya. Sound asleep by my side and still holding my hand. My gaze touches the fingers holding mine as if I was gently rubbing her skin but I don’t dare to move one inch because I’m afraid of what pain will erupt in my side plus I’ve never felt as weak before.
But I manage to whisper her name. “Nitya.”

Once the storm lets off the coast guards go home and the new shift comes on. One of them checks on what has been happening during the previous night and reads through the report.
He comes in to adress Nitya. “Excuse me, Miss. The storm outside has stopped. Would you like somebody to take you home? We also need you to fill in this form for your companion.”
He hands her a clip board with a form that asks for my name, address and more details that she simply cannot know about me. More serious he adds. “The chief informed me that your companion is from another district. Once the phone lines work again you can call the peace keeper station to report him. I’m sure they’ll come down here and take him into custody if you don’t want to go up there.”
He turns to leave with a weary look at me but then briefly turns back to Nitya and adds. “You know that it’s an offense not to fulfill your duty.”

All the time he was in the room I kept my eyes shut but my heart almost stopped when he mentioned that I’m not from district 4. How on earth did he know? The punishment for crossing district lines was different in every district but usually it ranged from several months in the detention center to being avoxed. None of these options I wanted to explore.
On top of it all Nitya now knows that I’m an outlaw and probably wants nothing to do with me anymore. Thank goodness I’m still so out of it that it only fazes me for a short time.

[Nitya Demont]

My dreams are full of scary and unpleasant things. At one point, I see Nick getting stabbed again and again. It's like some kind of sick show on repeat. It's like I'm trapped because I can't seem to wake up or do anything to save him. Guess the truth is that I feel guilty. If I hadn't been hurt, then maybe this wouldn't have happened. In my dream, I also see my brother next to Nick. Just as the repeat is about to start over, I hear my name from Nick.

It's just a whisper, but I hear it. "Nick?" I ask propping myself up. I can't tell if he is awake or not, but I bend down and give him a gentle kiss before laying back down and get ready to sleep. I feel a bit more relaxed now, though. It's strange to have somebody that can make this kind of impact, but it is a good kind of strange. Eventually I drift off yet again but this time with no bad dreams. In fact, I don't really have dreams at all, just a peaceful sleep.

I wake up again and lay there until a coast guard guy comes in and speaks to me. "No, I'm not going anywhere. If you could just get word to my family where I am that would be much appreciated, but I am not leaving him here." After everything we've been through, I'm not leaving him. The paperwork I accept and fill out what I can. It's not much at all. It honestly troubles me a bit that I don't know more because it might look bad for him that I don't know these things especially since he apparently isn't from district 4 originally.

His next words cause me to freeze inside. It was inevitable that this would be placed in front of me, but some part of me had hoped that nobody would ask me to do this. "Thank you," I say. "There's no need to bring them down here." Of course, I don't say that I'm not going up there either. It's best to let him think that I'm going to 'fulfill my duty' so that he won't report us both. If that happens, I can't help Nick. I'm thankful when the guard leaves us alone again. I have to think of what to do.

My hand squeezes Nick's. "They aren't getting you," I whisper more to myself than him as I'm not sure that he is even conscious. Immediately I wonder if there is anybody that I can strike a deal with. There are things I have to offer, and I'd be willing to trade or do whatever it takes to keep him safe. My only concern is that it's not like I live alone. While my family is an important part of the District, I know that if things get serious enough, punishments could be placed on them and not just me. Of course, the easy thing would be for them to arrange some form of accident that just takes out me.

I do not know what to do exactly. The problem is that I don't want my family involved; they don't know anything about Nick, so it's not like they are helping me in any way. I figure that the only thing I can do is to separate myself and make some sort of deal or to just get out of here and hope that we can figure something out so that the peacekeepers won't bother us. The only thing I know for certain is that I'm not giving up Nick.

"Nick, are you awake?" I ask.

[Jack Lexington]

I wasn’t aware that I had passed out again until Nityas voice woke me up. I overhear her say something like ‘much appreciated, but I am not leaving him here’ and can only assume she’s referring to me. What a wonderful girl.
Drousily I open my eyes just in time to overhear the end of the conversation with some guy standing off to my right. I cannot see his face, just his orange uniform. Coast Guard.

At first I had no idea where I am but the uniform reminds me and makes me remember that they brought me to the coast guard station and the aweful time and events that followed. Against all odds I made it though, which gives me a great sense of relief and thankfulness to whoever helped to keep me alive.

The man’s words however are reason for great concern. I remember vagely that somebody discovered that I’m not from district 4. Immediately my alarm bells go on again and I get tense because I know what the consequences will be. The coast guard is unaware of me being awake so I wait for him to leave.

With my eyes closed again and laying as still as a rock I hear her say. "They aren't getting you,"
If I could I would kiss her right now.
She asks me whether I’m awake, so I roll my head to the left I can make out Nitya, who is now talking to me. Squinting my eyes I urge them to focus. She looks pale and tired, yet beautiful.
“Yeah.” I let out in a raspy, barely audible voice.
All I can manage is to lift my left hand and squeeze hers. “Are you okay?” It might be ridiculous for me to ask this but seeing that she’s still by my side she must have been through hell and back, which is clearly visible in her expression. I’m sure anybody else would have abandoned me, especially when they found out that I’m not part of the law obeying civilization and my presence might put them in jeopardy.
“Thanks for staying with me.”
My senses finally become a little sharper. My eyes focus and sounds hit my ears crisp and clear. Unfortunately that also means that the pain, that seems to be taking up much more of my right side than just the small cut of the spear tip, intensifies. I try to get a look at my side, which is easy because I’m almost naked under the scratchy grey blanket, but all I can make out is a large white bandage around my midsection and some thin tube running from it. Groaning loudly I lay my head back down.
“That was close." I make the sad attempt of joking about my situation but then realize that I might not be out of danger yet. "Am I safe?” It’s the most pressing issue now. Will I live?
My gut tells me that the worst is over and I will get through this but every possible nerve in my side is on fire and I don’t even have the energy to sit up. It seems like half my life had been sucked out of me. Who knows, maybe one wrong move will kill me. Maybe in a few hours infection will take over and put me six feet under or if not, then the peace keepers will.
The thought alone makes me shake involuntarily because there seems to be no escape from this hell. Yet my eyes meet Nityas. Her brown orbs are so deep and warm, almost as if they are trying to keep me from giving up. I get a little lost in them as I try to hold on to that feeling she gives me.


Looks like there was snow storm LOL

[Nitya Demont]

I breath a sigh of relief when Nick answers. I keep on thinking that he might have slipped away, but by all indications he is going to be just fine. At least, his wound will be just fine. With the revelation that he is not from District 4, I don't know how either of us will end up. Still, at least I know he isn't going to die from what happened out in the ocean. I'm so relieved that I immediately kiss him on the lips. It's just a peck, but I am drawn to do it.

He asks if I'm alright. I look down at my ankle which they taped up. "I'm fine," I tell him softly. "I'm a lot better since my favorite guy is doing alright. I was worried you were going to leave there for a bit." I try to keep my voice under control, but it cracks slightly. I clear my throat and choke back the tears. That won't help us right now, so I need to keep it in check. My hand strokes his. "You don't need to thank me for that. I care about you; it's what anybody should do for somebody important in their lives."

He moves to start trying to get a look at himself, and I let him. I'm sure movement must be painful, but it would probably be reassuring to me to look at my wounds if I was him. He doesn't stay up for long, and when he falls back I rub him gently on his chest. It's as much for my benefit as his which may seem selfish, but even though I know he should make a full recovery, I still worry that he could leave me at any moment. We've both come too far for that.

I smile slowly at his attempt at joking. "No kidding," I say. His next question is a little harder. His wound will be alright, but does he know that they found out where he's from? "The doctor said that you should make a full recovery. It's going to hurt for a while, but there is medicine for that." I pause unsure of whether or not I should tell him the danger is from t he peacekeepers or wait until we get him checked out. He does have a right to know, so I end up telling him.

"They know you aren't from District 4," I tell him bluntly. "They want me to turn you in since it's my 'duty' to do so." He starts shaking, so I lay down next to him and snuggle up to add comfort and warmth to his body. "I can't do that, Nick. I can't turn you in, and I won't. You mean too much." I don't tell him of the worries I have for my family or anything; I just want him to know that I am not going to let anything happen to him if I can help it.

"We have to decide what we are going to do," I say softly. "I told them that I didn't need them to bring the peacekeepers here, so I know we have time to decide something."