The Hospital

I wake up in the hospital bed.It's slightly breezy from the window being opened.What happened?Was I dreaming?Did I dream?I try to pull myself up,but my body is to weak.Why is my body this weak?Wait,maybe it's been this weak for a long time.I feel alone.If I was in a coma,this certainly is not the way to wake up.Why couldn't it have been like in the movies?You know,where someones in the coma,then he wakes up and everyone remembers how much they love and missed him.For me,I wake up and there isn't even a doctor or nurse in sight.Leave it to me to have something like that happen to him.

All it does is make me think.Make me think of how lonely this world is.Generations come and generations go.It's so empty.So bleak.Just all happens.Just like that.I don't feel good.Maybe that's why I'm here.Maybe I'm sick.It would explain why my body is sore.Or maybe I hurt it and it's numbed...or maybe something.I'm tired.That makes no sense though.I just woke up from a coma.I shouldn't be tired,I should be awake and ready to get back to living.I was in a coma,right?That's the only thing that makes sense.

Wait a second,who am I?I don't think I know what my own name is.Do I have a wife?Am I a father?What's my name?Who am I?

I lay there thinking and trying to gain back some memory,I'm getting nothing.I gaze out of the window.The suns shining as bright as she ever has.It reminds me of youth.The days as a child where we played every single day.We never questioned it,it was how life was and that was the only thing to it.I change my focus and notice a busy road.Cars zoom by.Everyone's off to work,or coming home,or something.Why do we do this to ourselves?Everyday,work and work and work and work.Then we get home and there's some sort of chore or project.It almost makes this bed seem comfortable.I look beyond the road to see a small park.There's younger kids running and playing tag,and there's older kids throwing a foot ball around.They're all outside while I'm rotting inside this hospital.It makes me want to get up.I've got an I.V. In my arm,so that plan may not work out so well

I'd still like to know why I'm here.Heck,I'd like to know who I am.I don't even know my name.Does it start with a C ?Or a D? I have no idea.I wish someone would walk in.I wish a nurse would come in.I still feel lonely.Maybe someone will come soon.Hopefully.And I have no idea what I do for a living.Maybe I'm some successful guy with a big house and big family.Or maybe I'm some loser with a dead-end job who won't live to see pass 60.Really,I have no way of knowing.I can't seem to remember anything.The possibilities are nearly endless.It almost feels like a good idea to keep it that way.And what about my parents?What do they look like?Are they still alive?What are their names?Where are they from?Was I an orphan?Adopted?Right now,I kind of feel like an orphan.Like someone just dumped me here and here I am,and here I will be.It's a weird feeling...you probably wouldn't understand

Just as I'm thinking and trying to remember,a nurse walks in.”Mr.Martin,you're awake!” she says.She walks over to me.I have a lot of questions,but I can't think of which one to ask first.Obviously,my last name is Martin.”What am I doing here?” I ask.”Oh,you had a fall,a bad fall.To be honest,I wasn't sure if you were gonna make it.But you're awake,so hopes are brightening up.”How'd I fall?” I ask.Maybe this will explain a bit more about my life.”A construction site.”I'm a construction worker?” “Yes sir,you were helping someone finish up a roof,when you fell about 35 ft. off of it and landed on your back.” “Wow,that sounds painful!” I say.I'm glad I don't remember the pain.”Oh,it must have been,it threw your body into shock,and that's what caused it to shut down and go into the coma.” Then,thee's an awkward silence.”Can I get you anything?” she asks.She seems sincere,so I ask for some water

“Comin' right up.I'll be right back.” Before she gets out of the door,and i say “Wait,can you hang on,I have a few more questions.She walks back in with a face that looks like she's waiting for me to ask.”What's my first name?” “Edward.” she responds.”Am I married?” “Yes,you have a beautiful wife named Sarah.” She smiles.”Children?” She gives another grin,and says “2.Both boys.” “Will they be coming today?” she looks through some notes and says “Sarah said that she'll be here at 2.The kids are still in school.” “They're 7 and 9!” I say.Weird,how did I remember that? I guess somethings just stick,and when they do,they stick for good.”That's right.Wow Mr.Martin,you're doing superb.” She smiles again.She seems like a positive person.That's good.”Alright,is that all?” “Yeah,” I say,”I'm good for now.”

She leaves to go get my glass of water.At first I didn't want it all that bad,but my throat is getting dry.Hospitals always make me feel clammy.I don't really know why,I guess it's just one of those things.I look to my left and look at the digital clock.1:14 it displays in bright green.I begin trying to remember things.I remember Sarah vaguely.I know she has black hair and green eyes.That's all I got right now.I'll know when I see her however.She'll probably bring back a lot of memories to me.

The nurse comes back in.She hands me the glass.She has red finger-nail polish on..I ask her what her name is.”Kelsey.” she kindly responds.”Do you want me to call you Kelsey,or Nurse Kelsey?” I laugh.I said it lightly,she gets the joke.She giggles a little and says “Whatever you want to call me Mr.Martin...or Edward.” We both laugh again.She's pretty nice to me,which is good.Who want's to wake up from a coma and have a nurse who's a jerk?Not me for certain.”Do you want the T.V. on?” she asks.”I hate T.V.” I say.”Yeah,rots the brain.Besides,there's nothing good on.I don't understand how's theres over 200 hundred channels and there's not any decent programming.” “I've always wondered the same thing.” I say.I actually start to think about that instead of trying to conjure up some memories.”Well,there's there anything else that might entertain you,or make you more comfortable?” Kelsey asks.”Uhh,got any cross-word puzzles? “Yeah,I'll go get one.” she says.She leaves again.

I like Kelsey,she's really nice.Just one of those people that's easy to get along with.Anyway,I shuffle through some old magazines.And that's what they are,old.One was dated back from 1988.I guess they're not extremely old,but they're not extremely current either.I fumble through them some more,then I put them back onto the night-stand.I sit there whistling to myself.I'm bored of course.I feel alone.Feel real empty inside.I wonder how long I was sleeping.Maybe it's been something dramatic like 2 or 3 years,ya know,something that'll get me on the news.Well,no,the kids are the same age.Probably a week or month,or something stupid like that.Kelsey walks back in.She hands me the puzzles and a pencil.”Didn't know if you wanted a pencil or a pen,guess it depends on how confident you are with yourself.” We laugh again.”No,the pencil will do.” I start on the puzzel and she sits down.”Well,don't you have other patients to tend to?” I ask.”Usually I would,but we consider comas pretty seriously in this hospital.Especially after a 35 feet drop.Plus,you're probably lonely too.”

It is true.I am a little lonely.Well,after sleeping so long,who wouldn't be?I continue doing the puzzle.It's weird,I have a good long-term memory.I can still remember these movies and events and everything,but as to my personal life and my family and job-blank.That's weird.The puzzle is going fine.I'm having some trouble with some things though.Maybe a word search would have been easier.Oh well,I don't feel like asking for a new puzzle,that's stupid.

“How long did I sleep?” I ask her.”About 8 or 9 months.Pretty long,eh? 8 or 9 months?that is long.

Then we just kind of sit there.I don't want to be rude and just not talk,I just can't think of anything to talk about.Honesly,I'm waiting for my wife to get here.How come I remember so little of her?I'd think I would remember her the most.I mean,she is my wife.You're not much closer to anyone else.Kelsey looks bored.I would be too.It's weird,I can't think of anything to say.I guess “So,how's things goin'?” would be out of place though.And I don't want to talk about the coma,that might make me feel a little weird.I wish we would talk

Finally,she breaks the silence.”How do you feel Mr.Martin?Are you doin' okay?” “Yeah,I'm doing fine.Actually,I'm really not all too bad.” I say.And realy,I'm not that bad.I almost feel fine.Almost.I got this weird feeling in my chest.I can't explain it.In fact,I've had it since I woke up.Maybe it'll pass-maybe.Kelsey says “Well,that's good to hear.I always feel bad for you coma victims.So unaware.So far from life.So distant from your friends and family.It's sad...can i ask you a question?” Her voice changes.It becomes more stern.”Sure...I guess.” I respond.”Well,I've always wondered,do you dream when your in a comatose state?” I begin to think.Did I dream?I can't gather anything up.I may have,I may not have.I sit there,trying to remember something.Little flashes of memory go through my mind.That's all they are though,little memories.All I remember are just little pieces of things,not enough to go into detail

“I'm not sure,maybe after I'm awake longer,I'll remember something.” I say.She nods her head.I'm still doing the puzzle.I turn the page,that one was too hard.Suprisingly,I'm not too miserable right now.I barely feel any pain.Maybe they got me on some medication.Painkillers probably.I look back at the clock.1:43.Time moves slow.I can't wait to see my boys either.My boys,what are thir names.Jack?Yeah,that's right,One of their names is Jack.And the other?I think it might be Peter,but that doesn't sound right.Oh wait,no,it's Donnie.Where did I get Peter from?I'm looking forward to seeing my family.Do we have any pets?I believe so.I don't think Kelsey would know,I don't think hospitals keep pets on record.

The minutes continue to pass.They pass,but why can't they pass faster.Finnaly,the clock hits 2.Of course,Sarah's not directly on time.She'll be here in a little bit.”Does Sarah know I'm awake?” I ask Kelsey.”No,I didn't tell her.Should I have?” She asks..”No,I'd like it to be a suprise.” I smile.Finnaly,the pale,grey door opens.I see Sarah walk in.Instantly,memories spring from my brain.It's coming together.She has Black hair and green eyes,just as I remember.She's wearing a red T-shirt and jeans.She sees I'm awake,she opens her mouth in excitement.”Edward,you're awake!” She springs after me.She wraps her arms around me,it's comforting.I can't stop smiling for some reason

“Oh,Edward,I'm so happy you're awake.Wow,just...wow.I mean,sorry,I can't,wow you're awake.” Sarah says.She is excited.So am I.I just wish I had everything pieced together.I'm still figuring this stuff out.It's different for her though.I've been asleep for 8 or 9 months,she's been waiting that long.I woke up an hour ago,I barely remember anything.,it's just different.”Wow,I don't really know what to say really.Like,how do you feel?” Sarah asks.There's too much spinning through her head right now.”I feel okay.I don't feel much pain.I'm pretty comfortable too.” I respond.”That's good,Ed,that's really good.Gosh,I'm so happy now.You're awake again.It was so awful.I'd come in here day after day,and you'd still be asleep.Day after day,everyday,and you just weren't there.Your eyes were closed,and you didn't know anything that was happening around you.But now,Eddy,you're awake.I'm so happy.I'm so happy.” We hug again.I'm still piecing everything back together.”Just wait until Jack and Donnie hear,Ed,they'll be thrilled.It's been lonely at the house.We've missed you.We have missed you a lot.” Sarah says to me.She's happy,and so am I.

All the sappy stuff is done and we're sitting and talking.I start reminiscing on all the things that I remember.I start to remember mine and Sarah's first dates,how we met,those awkward family dinners.Having memories is nice.Well,having nice memories is nice.I can tell she's having trouble coming up with things to talk about.I really can't blame.I basically dropped off the face of the earth for almost a year.It really would be hard to think of something to talk about with me right now.But,at least she wants to talk.”When are the boys gonna be here?” I ask.Sarah pauses a second.”They're still at school actualy.I was going to leave in 10 or 15 minutes to pick them up...is that okay?” She asks me just because she's not sure if I want her to leave or not.She didn't say it directly,but I know what she meant.”Yeah,yeah,sure,go get the boys.I want to see them.” I respond.I wonder how they'll react.

9 or 10 minutes pass and Sarah puts a jacket on that she had tied around her waist.”I'm gonna leave Eddy,but I'll be right back.The boys are gonna be so happy Eddy.She leaves and closes the door.Kelsey must have sneaked out somewhere in the middle of all that.And here I am again,bored.Left with nothing but my thoughts and the cockroaches crawling underneath me.I look back out the window.Nothing new.Same old street and same old park.I hope I don't stay in this hospital much longer.Who know's what will happen,I might crack.But,I guess they're trying to help me.Know what I don't understad?Why do people think of death and sickness when they think about hospitals when the hospital is there to help you?Makes no sense to me.

I look up at the ceiling.It's in pretty bad condition.It's cracked and withered.I can see small burrowed holes from insects and other small creatures.The insulation is peeping out through parts that have fallen out.I can actually see bugs scrapping their way acrossed.Their juices and enzymes seem to be scrawling out a message.But I don't know what.I feel funny.I feel like something is coming.Something horrible and unspeakable is coming.Maybe I'm just nervous?Maybe I'm just losing my mind already.Seriously,what is happening?Is this an anxiety attack?Then,I look back at the ceiling.I see a small serpentine creature crawl out of a crack.It's green and has bright red eyes.It seems like it's staring at me.What is gong on?What the heck is going on?I hear noises.I feel like my ears are about to explode.

As I lay there,losing my mind it feels,the door pops open and there's Sarah with the boys.I seem to be coming back to reality.”Daddy!!” one of the children shout,I don't know which one though.Then,I'm greeted by a small child with green shorts and a Captain America sihrt on.It's Donnie.He gives me,probably,the biggest hug he's ever given.It makes me feel better.I think I had an anxiety attack.Maybe I was seeing things.A snake?In the hospital?Really?Donnie says “Daddy,it's been a long time since we've seen you.Are you okay.Are you still sick?Mommy said that you were sick so they put you here.” Donnie says.He's a little cuttie pie.”I'm not sick anymore,Donnie.In fact,I'll probably be coming home soon.Won't that be great?” “It will be great daddy,real great!.” Now it's Jacks turn to say hello.He almost seems nervous.I don't really blame him.

“Hey dad,I'm so glad you're up.When can we go home?I want to play with you again.” “Well,Jack o'boy,I think we'll be going home pretty soon.” He gives me a big hug too.Hmm,lots of big hugs today...I like big hugs.Kelsey comes in.”Well,looks like we got the whole family together again.” “We sure do!” Sarah says with a big smile.”What's your name?” Jack asks Kelsey.”This is nurse Kelsey and she's been helping daddy get better.” I respond.Jack puts out his hand to shake Kelsey's.Kids do some funny stuff sometime.”Hey Kelsey,when do I get to go home?” I ask her.I don't want to be here much longer.”Well,I think we'll let you out in a couple days.3 tops.Listen,I know you wanna get back to living,but better safe then sorry.” “I understand.” I say.I do understand,I just want to go home.

“Alright guys,we got to get going.Jack,you've still got baseball practice and Donnie,you have your vocal lessons in an hour.” Sarah says.She looks at me.She's disappointed,she wanted to stay longer.I wanted her to stay longer too.They get together their things and head out the door.”Love you!” They all say as the close that pale,grey door again.Once again,It's me with my thoughts and some cockroaches.I certainly hope I don't have another anxiety attack.I guess I'll just try to relax.Relaxing has always been hard for me.I usually end up thinking about stuff and worrying about the future.Needless to say,i'm not getting very relaxed.See,this is what I do,I jst think to myself.It obnoxious.

I start looking around the room.I guess I better get used to it cause this is where I'm going to be spending a little time now.If they really wanted their patients to be comfortable,they'd put me on the beack somewhere.Somewehre were it's sunny and I can hear the sound of waves crashing onto each other.See there,I wouldn't be having a freaking anxiety attack.But they stick you in this room where all the colors are bland and it's dark and slighly chilly.Oh well,who am I to complain?I realy might not even be alive right now.It's a scary thought.I don't want to think about it.

I'm starting to wonder if those bugs and other creatures were real.I mean,maybe they were and I was just making a big deal out of it.I mean,they're just bugs.Little bugs that are probably more scared of me then I am of them.And yet,I'm laying here freaking out about them.I guess it wasn't just the insects though.I had this feeling that something awful was going to happen.Like I was about to die or something.I felt like something wanted to kill me,or maybe just eat me.I don't know.It still scares me a little.I can feel it in my chest.My teeth chatter from time to time too.I think I'm over thinking this.How about this,I'll just try to ease my mind and just lay here and relax?My mind is silent.There that's better.I'm starting to feel okay.But,what if theat serpent comes back?No,stop,you're not going to think about that no more.I just gotta keep this mind blank.Flashes of images streak across my brain.Bugs and insects,guts and juices.It' all so horrible.I feel like something's watching me.I'm fighting to stay awake now.I feel like I'm falling asleep.My eyes are closing.It's going black.I've got to...

I wake up.I look at the clock.It's 2:38 in the morning.I feel dizy.I feel sick.I feel strange.I hope nothing bad is happening.I hope that I'll go back to bed and wake up tomorrow to another beautiful sunrise.That sounds good.It sounds like heaven.

I look back up at the ceiling.There's all kinds of small creatures.Thy're all running acrossed each other.Theirs snakes and catipillars.Fruit flies and and other small winged insects.I feel like there is something crawling down my leg.I lift the cover and see two large orange beetles.They're excreeting some sort of fluid and leaving a trail anywhere they crawl their miserable bodies through.I start to freak out.I feel their legs scratching up against mine.Should I kill them?I pick up a cup that was sitting next to me.I fend them off and they fall on the floor.I hear a smack and then the legs pick themselves up.Who turned off the lights?It's all dark.All of these horrible beasts are glowing in the dark though.A beetle pushes itself up onto my bed.It crawls inside of my mouth almost.Should I bite down?I don't want to,but I do.It tastes discusting.Why would it taste good?I spit out the remains.The other runs away in fear of being devoured.I sit up.It's awful

I hear voices now.They want me to get up.I don't want to get up,but I don't want to remain seated.Why are they telling me to stand up?I stand up.I'm getting the feeling that this place is haunted.Like I'm in a nightmare.I'm walking around now.All of the creatures are gone.I sit down in a chair.I pick up a picture.It's a picture of someone I don't know.I don't know how it got here.The picture starts to move.The person in it turns to me and says “Scared yet?” I drop it and the glass shatters.I hear insane laughter as the pieces scramble.I'm terrified.This place must be haunted.I don't believe in ghosts,but something is happening here.It's gonna be a long night.

I lay back down in the bed.It almost feels fake.It almost feels all to real too.I think it's simple;I think I'm over-reacting.Seeing things.That makes sense,doesn't it?I mean,ghosts and goblins aren't real.They just aren't.I look out of the window.It's black I see nothing.My heart is pounding.I'm nervous.Really nervous.I turn to my left and there is a small child standing nxt to me.She's a little girl.Her skin is as pale as pale can get.Her hair is blonde...or maybe just wite.She has dried blood caked on her arms and around her mouth.She reaches out her hand;wants me to go somewhere with her.Opens her mouth.It looks like there's a bat inside of it.”It's time for a physical exam,Mr.Martin.Come with me.” I jump back.She grabs a hold of me and wrestles me down to the ground.She picks me up and carries me to a room.The room looks like an operating room.There are more children,they're just like her.

2 more of the kids come and take me to the table.”What's wrong with him?” I hear a cild say.”Maybe he needs an organ transplant.Here,he can have some of mine.” The child somehow opens up it's chest and organs seep out.It's disgusting.”No,no,no,Mr.Martin needs some bones removed.I think this scapel will do just fine.” The little girl lifts the scapel.I feel it dragging it's way acrossed my skin.They're cutting me up like a piece of meat.It stings and burns.”STOP IT!!” I begin to yell.This only makes them laugh.Is this actually happening?I close my eyes.I open them again.The children are gone;all of them besides one that is.It's the same little girl.

“What is happening?Who are you?Why are you doing this to me?” I begin shouting.She shrugs her shoulders and says “I don't know.” You don't know??You just don't know???” She looks at me.”You look a little stresed Mr.Martin.Perhaps a warm meal will help soothe you.” She says to me.Then,a furry animal comes passing by.She picks it up and gobbles it down.”Yummy,Yummy.Mr.Martin,it's your turn.” She throw another onto my body.It scratches my face with it's gnarled and twisted claws.”What's wrong?Do you not like it.” She smiles.She's smiling at my dismay.A surgeon walks in.He looks dead.He's wearing a mask.He drops it and his jaw and teeth come poring out.He has a saw in his hand.”I got a call about an amputation.” he says to the little girl.”That's right.Mr.Martin needs a few limbs sawed off.” She's now giggling.”Don't you even come near me.” I yell at him.He drags his dead body to me.”We just want what's best for our patients.” The surgeon says.He lifts the saw like he's about to saw my legs off.I kick it out of his hands.”Looks like I'll have to use the chainsaw then.” He pulls it out of nowhere,sort of like in a cartoon.He revs it up.I hear that sound,that loud buzzing noise chainsaws make.I kick it down with my feet.It falls onto his legs.Chops those off instead.Blue blood is now on the table.

“Well,since you refuse to co-operate Mr.Martin,we'll take ya upstairs.The phsyc ward.” that little girl says.That unholy little girl.More children come and carry me into the elevator.It's so dark.There aren't any lights on.They speak but it's to loud to understand.I hear grumbles and high screetche.The door opens.The carry me to a new room.This one's made of rubber.How did I get this straight jacket on?I see a clown come through a door.”Are we ready to play some games?What kind of games do you like Eddy?” I can't speak.It pulls of it's face and a whole horde of flies come flying out.They attack me.I can feel them sucking me dry.Everything here feels so dead.So lifeless.I think it is all dead.I think I'm in some sort of haunted hospital.Then I see another figure some in.It's,why,it's Kelsey!She approaches me.The lights come on.”Mr.Martin,wake up,wake up.It's ime to get up.” I hear her say.I knew I was dreaming.Then,her head rolls off and more of the childrens laughter comes bashing through the walls.I though I was asleep.Everything is just so dead.I close my eyes.I open them.I'm in a cart now.I'm being wheeled by someone.I look bhind me.It's another surgeon.He looks dead too.I'm wheeled out of the window.I crash to the earth.I close my eyes.I open them again.Everything has gone wrong

In no time,everything has gone wrong.I think I'm dreaming.Maybe.Probably not.I'm on the ground and there's all kinds of things on top of me.So many horrible,beastly things on me.I'm scared.It's real thouh.I can feel there pressure.In dreams,you can't feel,but I feel it all.That's what I always wanted,was just to feel life.I wanted to feel inside.That's really all I've ever wished for.Now,I know,be careful what you wish for.I think the way life should feel,I think it should feel natural.I never took life naturally.I always wanted to be happy.I always waited for that surreal moment where i felt.Happiness doesn't work that way.Happiness just doesn't.I think I looked for happiness in the wrong places.I looked for them in some many places,they led to nothing.God,have mercy on me because now I feel.It feels horrible.The beasts are eating me.I feel it.They're tearing me limb from limb.I close my eyes.

I wake up in the hospital bed.It's slightly breezy from the window being opened.What happened?Was I dreaming?Did I dream?

THE END

“No man knows till he has suffered through the night,how sweet and dear to his heart and eye the morning can be”-Bram Stoker,Dracula

“...For I have learned,in whatsoever state i am,therewith to be content”-Philippians 4:11