The Café

Chapter 5

When I open my eyes all I see is white. White ceiling, white walls, white bed sheets, white. A machine is beeping next to me and I feel an oxygen mask on my face. Groggily, I reach up to remove the mask and feel stabs of pain across my stomach and arms as I move. I feel indents on my nose from the oxygen mask - it must have been on for a while.

Memories from the attack flood my mind.

The scratches.

The force.

The smell.

Slowly, I move each part of my body assessing the pain of each limb. Seems it has been mostly contained to my abdomen and left arm. My right arm has obviously started healing and I can feel some of the scratches on my chest already scarred over. Soon they will be invisible - a bonus of being a werewolf, fast and thorough healing.

A nurse opens the door startling me.

"Oh, I'm so sorry my dear!" She apologises whilst putting the tray of food next to my bed. I realise how hungry I am - practically salivating at the hospital food next to me. I wonder how long I have been here?

The nurse moves around the bed taking my oxygen mask from me and turning the monitors off beside me.

"I'll just go let the doctor know that you are awake. He will want to see you before you have anything to eat I'm afraid... " The nurse explains apologetically as she noticed my longing stare at the food. Who would have known a ham and cheese sandwich and custard would be so appealing. "...is there anything you need while I'm here? Painkillers?" She adds.

"I'm ok at the moment. Thank you." I thank as she opens my window to let some sunlight into my room.

The nurse walks out the door, smiling to me on her way out.

I take a deep breath and feel myself drift back to sleep when the door opening disturbs me. It feels like I was only asleep for a few seconds but the TV was on a new show so it must have been at least 30 minutes.

"You're awake!" Sam calls as he pushes the door open. Mum follows closely behind him.

"Honey! Are you feeling ok?" Mum asks while rushing to my bedside to grasp my hand in hers. She stands beside me examining my wounds without touching me.

"I'm fine, Mum. Just a bit sore." I answer honestly, grimacing as she accidentally rubs one of my scratches.

"Oh! I'm sorry Tess!" She exclaims as she realises her movement.

"Didn't you use any of the Kung Fu I taught you Tess?" Sam teases earning a stern glare from Mum. I laugh but can feel the pain instantly. I shift my position to take the pressure off of one of the wounds on my back. Mum hurries to help me move the pillows and tuck the blankets back around me. I feel like I am 5 years old with the chicken-pox again, I am soothed with Mums presence and attention.

"You are very lucky that group of boys was passing by at that time." Mum says, nodding to herself in agreeance and brushing my hair over my shoulder. "I wonder where that doctor is?" Mum wonders voicing her thoughts out loud.

Mum told Sam to go and find me a jug of water for when I'm allowed to eat again. With a huff he dragged his feet out the door on his errand.

Almost as soon as Sam has left, the doctor walked in. He was an elderly man who greeted me with a large smile. I recognised him from the time Sam broke his arm and they had to make sure it was healing correctly. Due to our rapid rate of healing sometimes bones can heal in the wrong position if not put in a splint.

"Tess! I am Dr Francis. I'm glad you're awake, how are you feeling?" He asks while assessing my chart at the end of my bed.

"I'm ok thanks. A bit sore, but I can feel the healing." I reply.

The doctor nods, "Some of your wounds were significantly deeper than the others so they may take a little while longer to heal than the others. No stress though, won't be more than a few days I would think." He then does his own assessment. asking to look at my wounds nodding happily when he examines their healing. He checks my temperature for infection and listens to my breathing. Dr Francis states that he is happy with my recovery and should be able to go home tonight if I can keep some food down. This was the best news I had ever heard - I was practically drooling over the food placed so close.

Exiting my room, Dr Francis turns to my Mum and gives her instructions on what forms to fill out with the nurses to take me home.

When he has gone, Mum wheeled the food in front of me.

"Don't eat too fast Tess... you haven't eaten in a while - you don't want to make yourself sick." I roll my eyes in response but heed her advice.

I take my bite-ful and realise I still don't know how long I have been in here.

"Mum, How long have I been here?" I ask curiously.

"2 days. Its Monday now." Answers Mum. I can see the stress in her eyes as she answers. "You're cuts were pretty deep. They think the rogue had partially turned into his wolf resulting in his claws causes quite a lot of damage." Mum pauses to swallow down the tears threatening to slip down her cheeks. "I am so glad your ok Honey. I was so worried." She smiles at me and sits down on the couch to let me eat.

I shudder at the memory. Not wanting to think about it anymore, I turn back to my food.