Tommy Woke Up Screaming

The hospital bed shook with Tommy’s violent thrashing. “Let me up!” He cried.

Restraints had to be applied when he was first admitted, and, to protect himself and everyone else, the decision was made to keep them in place. That only added to Tommy’s frustration and determination to get up and find Marilyn.

“Where is she??” Tommy shouted toward the door, hoping a nurse would hear him. It worked. Two nurses quickly appeared.

“Calm down!” One nurse said softly, but firmly. “You’ll hurt yourself!”

Tommy turned to her, desperately, with tears in his eyes. “Where is Marilyn? What happened?”

The nurse, named Susan, nodded to the other nurse that it was okay to leave. She then pulled up a chair next to the bed. In a very gentle voice, she began, “Marilyn was brought in to the hospital at the same time as you. She had extensive injuries.”

“How is she? Can I see her?”

Susan looked down, and then, impulsively, reached out and took hold of Tommy’s hand. “Despite the best efforts of everyone here, Marilyn did not live.”

As if struck by lightening, Tommy felt pain in every pore of his body. He visibly tensed his entire body. “No!” And then, “But I lived? And Marilyn died???” Tears were now freely streaming down his face.

“Tommy, I am going to go to call a doctor. I’ll return in just a moment.”

True to her word, Susan was right back and resumed her place in the chair next to Tommy. “I know that this is a shock. But if you lived it’s for a reason. That should be clearer to you in the days to come.”

Tommy shook his head. “I can’t believe that!” And then, “It was a blur. One moment were celebrating our engagement, and the next something tore apart the restaurant. It was big. Like it was everywhere at once. And that smell…..like….like….rotten eggs!”

Susan looked at him sharply. “Rotten eggs? Do you mean like sulfur?”

“Yes.” Tommy turned to her. “That’s exactly what it smelled like.”

“And then? Do you remember anything else?”

“People running and screaming. The wall in the building broke open and people tried to run out. Marilyn. Marilyn. I lost sight of her right away. Like she was surrounded by some kind of blue fog. But, it was a fog that growled!”

About Marilyn

At that moment Dr. Charles walked in. After a few quiet words with Susan, he approached Tommy. “Glad to see you awake, Tommy. How are you feeling?”

Tommy shot him a look. “Like I’ve been run over. And lost my fiance in the process.”

“Yes,” Dr. Charles nodded in sympathy, “I imagine you must be going through a heckuva time. The good news is that your injuries were shockingly less than anyone else who survived that tragedy. It will take time, but you will recover. You’ll walk and gain most or all of your physical strength.”

“I think I’ll need it.”

“Why is that in particular?”

“Because I have to hunt down whatever this thing is that attacked. There’s a monster out there and it needs to be stopped!”

Dr. Charles. “Well, it may be some months before you can do any monster hunting. You’ll be here for at least a week more. There will be tests run. And physical therapy prescribed. I’ll get you on meds that will help you sleep.”

Tommy shook his head. “I hate sleep! I keep having these bad dreams! It’s like it happens all over again! People screaming. Me, frantically searching for Marilyn!”

“That’s normal after what you’ve been through. The bad dreams should subside over time.”

“Tell me,” Tommy took hold of the doctor’s sleeve, “was Marilyn alive when she came to the hospital? Did she live at all after this attack?”

“Yes, she was.” Dr. Charles gently took his sleeve out of Tommy’s grip. “But it was only for a short time. Her injuries were extensive.”

“Did she say anything?”

“She tried. But all that came out were a few choked words. Something about a blue ring, as far as we could tell.”

“Her engagement ring! I couldn’t afford a diamond! It was a blue sapphire – and small. Did she have it on?”

The doctor shook his head. “No. We couldn’t find it anywhere. I’m sorry.” He wisely left out the fact that Marilyn did not have hands left on her arms, among other horrible injuries.

Tommy closed his eyes. “Then it has it. It took it! I’m going to get it back! I swear I will!”

Dr. Charles looked confused. “What has it?”

Tommy took a deep breath and in a moment seemed more calm, more determined. “The monster that attacked. That blue devil!”

Read more: Blue Future