hex

[pixiesweat]

Manuel’s first ever ambulance ride wasn’t one he was going to remember very well; most of it had already faded into a blur. He vaguely remembered sitting in an alleyway listening to the sound of sirens getting closer and thinking he should move before they reached him. He remembered lights. It seemed like it was only a few seconds later when they arrived at the hospital.

By the time they got there he was already more alert. He was actually focusing on what was going on around him, watching the world with wide, frightened eyes. He was finally able to keep a train of thought going long enough to realise how big this mess had the potential to get. He was sure he remembered the woman who’d been with him mentioning a “possible mugging” to the emergency services – were they going to send the police? He really didn’t want to try to explain a vampire bite to the human police force. Or the human medical staff. And he didn’t have the first clue what he was going to say if somebody asked to call his parents.

He wished he’d managed to disappear into the night when he’d had the chance.

He was still pale and sweaty. There were red, already swollen marks on his upper arms and left wrist from being manhandled by the vampire. They weren’t serious injuries, but he was going to have some impressive bruises. His neck had already stopped bleeding, but whoever looked underneath the blood-soaked gauze was in for a bit of a surprise.

((Relevant thread is here, btw c:))

Comments

[just_hex]

"Manuel, I don't mean to upset you, but you've been hurt. That's a crime and we should really stop whoever did this to you. Was it someone you know? Is that why you won't tell?" Hex asked.

[pixiesweat]

"No," Manuel said, then immediately wondered if he should have lied and said yes. Would him protecting someone he knew have been a plausible lie? "It's not that bad. Really."

He was so used to violence and getting hurt that he didn't understand why Hex thought it was such a big deal.

[just_hex]

Manuel had made his wishes clear and Hex had to respect that, though he didn't want to. Manuel wasn't hurt enough to be admitted and he only wanted to go. He obviously wasn't going to answer any questions.

"All right, then," he said. "I reckon I'll get your discharge paperwork and the doctor will be in to look at you and sign you out," he finished.

[pixiesweat]

Manuel hadn't expected Hex to give up so easily. He visibly relaxed and sniffled. He didn't have much to say, and he was exhausted, so he just waited quietly while Hex got things sorted out.

[just_hex]

The doctor came in shortly, asking all the same questions Hex had, but much more brusque, much less gentle, and far more demanding. He didn't let up, pushing and pushing and pushing. Hex stood at the doorway in silence.

[pixiesweat]

Manuel's relief was short-lived. He answered the doctor's questions much the same way he had Hex's: by dodging them awkwardly. Pretty soon he was crying again, and he glanced at Hex where he was standing in the doorway, a pleading look in his eyes.

[just_hex]

When it became clear the doctor wasn't going to get anything out of him either, Hex cleared his thraot. "Best to just sign the discharge, doc. I think we need the room."

The doctor sighed and then signed off, passing Manuel his discharge instructions which included following up with his family doctor.

"I'll show you the way out," Hex said once the doctor had left.

[pixiesweat]

Manuel wiped his eyes and started to get up, slowly, a little worried that his legs still wouldn't want to hold him.

[just_hex]

Hex stood close by, ready to help him if needed. The doctor signed off and left, too busy to bother with an uncooperative patient. There were too many others in A&E.

"Manuel...will you be safe if I send you home?" he asked, still concerned this was a domestic.

[pixiesweat]

Manuel grabbed hold of Hex's arm at first, but after finding his legs were much less wobbly than he expected, let go.

"Yeah," he said. Not that he felt particularly happy about going back to his lonely apartment.

[just_hex]

"Will you follow up with your doctor like the discharge papers say?" he asked, sure the answer was no.

[pixiesweat]

"Yes," Manuel lied. He didn't even have a doctor.

[just_hex]

Hex really didn't think he would, but there was little he could say about that.

"Well," he started. "You come back if anything changes. If you start hurting or...or anything the discharge papers say," he said.

[pixiesweat]

"Yeah," Manuel answered. He wouldn't do that, either.

[just_hex]

Hex escorted him all the way to the doors and hit the button to make them open automatically.

"Take care of yourself," he said, sorry he couldn't do more.

[pixiesweat]

"Yeah," Manuel said, again. He paused on his way out, seemed to think for a moment, then turned back to Hex. "Thank you," he added.

[just_hex]

Hex nodded and watched him go. He was always sorry when he couldn't do more to help- especially someone like Manuel who so clearly needed it.