Chapter 16: The infirmary
1336 Words
Badley's POV
I tried opening my eyes but quickly shut them as the lights stung them. My head was hurting a lot and my body ached all over. I slowly opened my eyes again to adjust them to the light.
I noticed an IV line attached to my left arm. My right wrist and left ankle were in bandages. I looked around the fairly large room and saw other beds. I was trying to sit up when someone walked in.
Officer Benson.
He walked in quick strides to where I was and he looked worried.
"Benson...where am I?" I groaned weakly.
"You're in the infirmary. You got hurt pretty badly, but you'll be fine. I'm sorry I couldn't get to you earlier".
"Thanks". I tried sitting up, but I groaned in pain again, unable to do so.
"No, no...lie down. Don't sit up for now. Your body can't take it just yet".
I obliged. I rested my head on the pillow and had a good look around me. There were other beds in the room where I was kept–some occupied by other inmates. They had also sustained various degrees of injuries.
The man I'd seen two weeks earlier was also there. He had an IV drip in his arm too. He stared at the ceiling looking lost and deep in thought.
Benson brought out a food pack from a carton bag. I hadn't noticed it with him earlier.
"Here," he said, stretching out his hands towards me with the food pack. "It's homemade. My wife made it".
"No Benson, I can't—"
"If you refuse it I'll be offended. You're sick and need your strength. You've been out for more than 24 hours".
"What? I have?"
"Yeah".
I still wanted to protest when he dropped the food by my bedside table.
"Dig in. I'll be back soon".
"Why?" I asked softly. "Why do you care about me?"
"Prison life is hard. But much harder for someone with your background. So eat up and stop worrying about the whys".
I sighed. "Thanks, Benson."
"You're welcome." Then he turned and left the room.
I opened the food pack and the contents looked appetizing. Steamed pork ribs, broccoli, and brown rice with chopped livers and mashed potatoes with a pack of juice and bottled water.
My mouth watered. I ate the food hungrily as I hadn't had such good food for some time now. I finished eating and Benson came to clear the plates away. He encouraged me to rest, but I stayed up for a while and fell asleep shortly after.
The next day I received an unexpected visitor. It was Draco. I recalled now that it was his face I had seen before I'd blacked out. It surprised me because he had always been impassive, regarding me like I almost didn't exist.
Why was he here?
He strode forward with two others behind him.
"Hey, boy...how are you feeling?"
Did he just...speak to me?
"Um, well I'm alive."
"You look terrible," the one behind him said.
"Shut it, Garvia...Anyway," he cleared his throat, "I've got something with me that belongs to you".
I was taken aback.
"Something of mine?"
"Yes".
He dug into his pants and brought out a brown hardback.
My journal!
I snatched it from him and kissed it, pressing it close to my chest. It felt like a reunion between a lost child and its parent.
"This must mean a lot to you," he said.
"Yes. Thank you so much. Where did you see it?"
"On the night those guards came? When I went to relieve myself, I came out and you were gone...But I found this on the floor", he pointed to the journal in my hand. "I knew it was yours because I've seen it with you, so I kept it safe".
"Thank you."
"So did you resent me so much that you even refused to speak to me after that night?"
My forehead creased in confusion.
"I don't understand. What do you mean?"
"I told the guards to take you to me, but they told me you didn't want to speak to me."
"No, that's not true...no one ever told me that."
"Hmm... They've got some nerves. I will call them and ask."
"No, please don't. Just let it slide."
"Alright. When you're done recuperating and out of the infirmary, we will have a discussion".
"About what?"
"Don't worry about it just yet. Just focus on getting better first".
"Alright".
He said goodbye and walked out the door.
I was feeling a bit better after the next two days, but I had yet to fully recuperate as I'd suffered a mild concussion.
Officer Benson walked in with another pack of homemade meals in hand again. This time, I insisted we eat together. We laughed and had small conversations in between while at it.
I caught the glances of other inmates who were in the infirmary. Some looked at me with malice—clearly because Benson had been giving me special attention. I understood though, but I didn't want to bother myself about that. I just need to focus on getting better, so I'll get back to coding.
As we were about finishing the food, I heard some chatter and an alarm sound outside.
"What's going on?"
"Oh nothing much. It's just the volunteers here on outreach again".
"What?" I dropped the spoon I was holding in my hand. "Why didn't you tell me? Is she here? Did she ask about me?"
"Slow down, Bradley...one question at a time."
"No. There's no time for questions. I have to see her and I need to do it now."
I ripped off the IV line connected to my arm. I struggled to stand up from the bed, but the pain was still there.
"Bradley!" He called out in shock. What's the matter? Why are you so worked up?"
"Please. Help me get up. I need to see her".
"See her? See who?"
"Now is not the time for questions. Just help me get up!" I half yelled.
He sat still, looking at me, shocked—dumbfounded by my outburst.
"I'm sorry I raised my voice just now, but I promise, I'll explain everything to you later. Please...just help me up".
"You'd better have a good explanation for this. You know you're not yet strong enough to move about".
"I know, Benson. Thank you so much."
He nodded and helped me up. I ignored the pain with each movement I felt-I had to see her.
He walked me to the hall where they had gathered. I scanned the faces of the volunteers but I couldn't find her.
"So...have you seen who you're looking for?"
My face fell.
"Sit here," he sighed, removing my arm from his shoulder. "I'll go call one of them so you can make inquiries".
"Ok".
He went and came back with a young man who looked to be in his late twenties.
"Who did you say you were looking for?" he asked.
"A young lady. She's a brunette, with a silver-streaked hairline".
He looked puzzled.
"Sorry, mister. I don't know who you're talking about but I'll go ask my other colleagues". He walked off and came back.
"Sorry, but they don't know who you're asking of".
I tried forcing myself to stand up so I could make the inquiries myself when Benson stopped me.
"It's ok. She's not here. Just let it be".
Has she forgotten about me?
"No, I-"
I was cut mid-sentence when I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"What are you doing out here? Are you strong enough to be here?"
It was Draco.
"I...not really. I'd stepped out to look for someone".
"You should rest some more. You could always look for the person later".
I sighed in disappointment. "Yeah, I guess you're right".
Someone called the attention of Officer Benson so he excused himself.
As soon as he left, Draco turned to me and asked me a question that left me stunned.
- Writer
