"My Last Few Days"

We walked back to the clinic and by now I know my way around this place. But there was still one feat which I had to overcome, if I was going to be able to stay here a few more days and if I was going to be permitted assistance to find my way back to my world. I was at a point where I didn’t care about this thing that was calling out to me, I could deal with the nausea. Anything was better than here. Although I have been enjoying what little time I spent at this clinic with Dardrwin, I needed to get back to whatever life I thought I had. It was out of the question staying here.

When we arrived back at the clinic Dardrwin told me to head back to the storage room and to wait while he went and got “the boss lady”. I had no idea who she was, her name, age, nothing. But I was sure to find out soon. While I waited I walked over to a three story book case which was located in the room against a wall. It was a bit dusty, and looked like it hadn’t been touched in a decade. I have been eyeing it since I got here but haven’t got the chance to check it out. Now I thought it was a good time. I inspected each book, running my finger along the spine of each one. One book in particular caught my eye, “Anatomy and Physiology”. I'd always been interested in how everything coincides together in and out the body to work and function. I wanted to read this book. I slid it off of the shelf, dust along with it. I brought it back over to the cot with me dusting it off as I walked. I sat down, eyes locked to the book. I opened the cover and the name “Vireth” was signed in black ink, prestige cursive. I guess this person owns the book. I opened the first page and began reading. It was much more difficult trying to read a book with a sprained wrist. The book envelops me, keeping me drawn. I don’t take my eyes off it, the words endlessly written. I’m about three chapters in, when I feel someone place a hand on my shoulder. I jumped back, a bit startled. I didn’t even notice that Dardrwin entered the room, and with him a woman. On the older side, maybe in her mid thirties? I close the book, and place it beside me on the cot. Dardrwin speaks,

“Kiku, this is Marlai. She is the chief of our village. Marlai keeps us safe, and keeps order.”

I speak with confidence, “Hello, Miss Marlai. It’s great to meet you. My name is Kiku. I’m 16 years old, from the earth world. I came here looking for whatever was calling out to me on earth, but I think it’s best if I just find my way home. But, I was hoping that you'd allow me to rest here for a few days, and if so, I’d appreciate that very much.”

Marlai stands in silence for a moment, her stature tall and intimidating. The look on her face was serious and analytic. I fix my posture and maintain eye contact with her. She takes a breath, about to speak,

“I don't know anythin bout somthin callin out to you...But of course you can stay here a few more days! Dardrwin has told me alllllll about youu, it’s wonderful to have you as a guest here! It’s a pleasure to meet you Kikuu, welcome to Astocia!”

Her demeanor completely changed. I was so taken aback. Her high pitched voice rang in my ears. How could someone with such an intimidating aura, switch up as quickly as she did? That was skill, and it scared me. Was she sincere? Whether she was or not, she was welcoming, and I was grateful for that.

“I thank you.” I speak.

“Aww, don’t be so formal, Kikuu. Put a smile on that pretty face of yours!” Marlai expresses.

She holds up a smile on my face by grasping the sides of my face with her hands and her thumbs pulling the corners of my lips into a smile.

“Alright, Marlai. You're scaring her.” Dardrwin remarks.

Marlai pouts, stepping back away from me.

Marlai spoke with enthusiasm, “Sorry bout that, Kiku! It’s been so long since we’ve had a guest, and Dardrwin a friend! He went on, and on, and on, bout you! He couldn't stop smiling, talkin bout you, you know! I can’t believe it!”

Marlai stopped for a moment, realization on her face. She sucked her teeth as she smiled and giggled a bit.

“Oh! I see! Heheh. K! I have to go now! Bye bye!” Marlai spoke.

With a cheerful stride, she left the room. All I could think about was what she said about Dardrwin. I guess he put in a good word for me?. Does he really think of me as a friend?. Dardrwin spoke,

“Hey, I hope she didn’t make you uncomfortable haha.. It's good that she’ll let you stay.” He chuckled awkwardly.

I spoke timidly, “Hey uh. Am I really your friend, Dardrwin?”

He looked a bit taken aback; confused. He paused for a brief moment before speaking,

“What are you talking about, Kiku?”

I spoke, “Well uh, Marlai said that-”

Dardrwin cut me off,

“No, no. I-I know what she said. I’m just confused as to why you're asking that? Of course we’re friends, Kiku.” He smiled sincerely.

I haven’t had a friend in awhile, I suppose I just assumed we weren’t friends because of that fact. Friends, huh… that made me happy to hear.

“Thanks Dardrwin.” I smiled

His gaze didn’t leave my face for a moment, before he smiled back, his eyes softened.

Dardrwin spoke with curiosity, “So Kiku, 16 years old, hm?”

“Yup, that would be correct.” I spoke assuringly, nodding my head up and down.

He chuckled a bit, “I’m older than you, Kiku.”

“You are?” I spoke with a hint of curiosity.

“Yeah! I’m 17 years old.” Dardrwin spoke.

So I was right, he is about the same age as me. That’s cool I thought, my first friend I’ve made since early middle school and he’s an elf… The realization made me break out in laughter. Something about that was just ironic to me,

“Hahahahha!! Ahh.. never would I have thought.”

I think that was the first time I laughed since I got here. The first time I’ve laughed in years actually.. It felt nice. I haven’t been this happy for years either.

“Kiku. Are you feeling alright?” Dardrwin spoke with concern, tilting his head to the side a bit.

“Haha… Yeah. Yeah.. I feel great actually!” I spoke with a wide smile across my face, and my eyes a bit watery from all the laughing I’d been doing.

“Okay.. If you say so. It just seems as though you're a bit more joyful than normal.. You should smile more, Kiku. Your smile is quite beautiful.” Dardrwin spoke softly with a soft smile on his face as well, his gaze locked with mine.

…

A few hours had passed, I spent the rest of the day reading because Dardrwin told me to rest. Dardrwin was out doing who knows what. Wasn’t my business I figured. But I eventually finished the book, and got bored. I know there were plenty of other books to read, but I just wanted to find Dardrwin. I was growing a bit curious. I got up off the cot bringing the book along with me. I walked back to the bookcase sliding the book into the spot at which I found it. I turned around and walked towards the door, opening it and closing it behind me. I made the right to leave into the bay and I spotted Dardwrin sitting on Aiveria’s bed. They looked to be having a conversation and Aiveria was sitting upright this time. I wasn’t sure why but, seeing Aiveria laughing...and Dardrwin… nevermind. I stood in the frame of the bay for a bit before Aiveria turned her head and noticed me.

“Hey, Kiku! Come over here would ya!” Aiveria remarked with a wide smile on her face.

I walked over to Dardrwin and Aiveria, my demeanor relaxed. I wondered what she could’ve wanted?

Aiveria spoke, her voice was a bit deep but cheerful, “Kiku, I just want to thank you! I’m pretty sure I didn’t formally state that. You know… you're like a replica of Dardrwin with your medical knowledge. We could really use another one of him around here, haha!”

I laughed awkwardly, “Ahaha.. Thank you. I didn’t really do all that much though.. and I can’t stay here.. I have to get back to earth.”

“Hey! Take pride in your skills. Not just anybody can suture! And, I was pulling yer’ leg about the staying here thing, I know you gotta get back. But it’d be cool if you could stay.” Aiveria spoke enthusiastically.

“Aiveria is right, Kiku. You should be proud, but I told you that already, didn't I?” Dardrwin spoke reassuringly.

I had a flashback from when me and Dardrwin hugged, and when I was crying. Ugh. The embarrassment. I wanted to die thinking about it.

“Yeah, I guess you did, hm.” I spoke timidly.

“Hey Kiku, I get out of this place tomorrow. Let’s hang out!” Aiveria suggested.

I was taken aback. Aiveria wanted to hang out with me? Why? I was nowhere near against the idea, but I just couldn’t help but wonder why she wanted to. Aiveria looked only a few years older than me. But still, I must seem like a kid compared to her.

“Kiku?” Aiveria spoke with curiosity.

I was caught up in thought. Analyzing the situation too much.

“Y-yeah! Sure. I’d love to.” I spoke hesitantly.

Aiveria spoke, “Great! I’ll see you tomorrow then, right? Just come find me here in the morning around eight.”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow, Aiveria.” I spoke and smiled softly.

By this time, the sun was setting. Everyone in the bay started getting ready for bed while Dardrwin did one last round making sure everyone was set for the night. I convinced Dardrwin to let me help him, and so that is what I did. Checking heart rates, blood pressures, getting water and food, giving nightly medicine, and etc. When we were finally done and about to head to bed, the front doors to the clinic shot open. I jumped a bit startled, my gaze shot to the front doors. Two people entered the clinic, one of them was unconscious and was being dragged by the other conscious one. Dardrwin rushed over to them, his reaction was quick and his demeanor completely changed.

“Tell me exactly what happened.” Dardrwin spoke seriously.

Out of breath, the conscious man spoke. His voice trembled, “O-one of our guys mistook Kalrin as a Dwarf and sh-shot…the poor bastard in the leg with an arrow. H-had to drag him all the way here, h-he lost a lot of blood, man.” 

“Help me bring him to the back.” Dardrwin spoke quick and assertively.

I watched as they dragged the poor guy. Does this happen often?. Are they at war or something?. As they were passing me, Dardrwin spoke,

“Kiku. You're with me.”

I fixed my posture, and quickly followed behind them. I didn’t question anything, nothing else mattered more than helping this man.

When we got into the storage room(the back), they laid the man on the cot which I had been sleeping on. Dardrwin directed the man to go wait in the bay, I watched as he walked away. Then Dardrwin looked at me, his gaze piercing,

“Kiku, I need my tray of surgical tools and gauze. Put on gloves first.”

I did exactly as he directed. I knew I was not qualified to operate on someone, so I wanted to help in any way I could. I ran over the shelves and put on gloves, then I grabbed the tray of sterile surgical tools and patiently waited while Dardrwin quickly washed his hands and put on gloves of his own. He spoke,

“Damn! The amount of blood he’s lost is too much… his pulse is weak.”

I saw a new side to Dardrwin, he was focused and nothing else mattered to him right now. He was not going to let this man die. I was amazed at how his demeanor changed. He knew when something needed his full attention. I watched as he kneeled down to be leveled with the cot.

“Scalpel.” Dardrwin spoke.

I handed the scalpel to him and watched as he created an incision on the upper leg where the arrow entered. I wonder why he did that…

Dardrwin stood up - placing the scalpel back on the tray and placed both his hands securely around the arrows body. He slowly pulled the arrow out, placing it on the floor next to him.

“Light.”

I handed him a flashlight. He kneeled back down and inspected the wound, likely looking for debris and how bad the damage was. He handed me the flashlight to put back on the tray.

“Suturing materials.”

I handed him the suturing materials next and watched as he quickly and skillfully sutured the wound. He was a pro. I was amazed. How could he say my suturing was some of the best he’s ever seen, when he was this amazing. I was nowhere near his skill level...I snapped out of it as he spoke concerningly,

“Kiku.. He needs blood. We need to find a donor.”

“What’s his blood type, Dardrwin?” I spoke.

“Not sure, we need to test his blood. Put the tools in the sink, take off your gloves, put on new gloves, and grab a blood type card and syringe.” Dardrwin spoke assertively.

I did as he instructed - placed the tools in the sink, took off my gloves, put on a new pair of gloves, and brought the card and syringe to him.

“Kiku, do you know how to do this?” He asked.

“Yeah. I learned it in one of my classes.” I spoke confidently.

“Take it away then.” He instructed.

I took the syringe and inserted it into the brachial artery(inside elbow), and with the syringe - placed blood drops on each spot with each antibody reagent. The test takes a few minutes, so we had to wait.

“Not a lot of people know their blood type here, so we’ll need to test a lot of people as usual.” Dardrwin spoke with concern.

So, this does happen often... I wonder how many people he has to test before finding a match... must be draining... But he was willing to do all that for this man, it was eye opening to me. I want to be like Dardrwin one day. Resilient, perceptive, and competent.

The test came back.

B- (B negative).

“Dardrwin, the results came back as B negative.” I spoke.

“Good. Now let's find someone-”

I cut Dardrwin off,

“We’ve already found someone.”

“We have?” He spoke with curiosity.

“Yeah. Me.” I spoke.

Dardrwin asked, his gaze locked to mine, “You’ll give him blood, Kiku?.”

“Of course.” I assertively said.

Dardrwin smiled as he chuckled a bit,

“Of course you will.”

Dardrwin cleaned the area of the man’s wound, wrapping it in bandages. He took off his gloves, washed his hands, and put on new gloves. I pulled a chair over that was in the room, and placed it adjacent to the cot. I sat down and waited for Dardrwin to come over to start the blood transfusion.

“Kiku, you weigh over 110 lbs, right? Only because you need to for the transfusion.”

“Yup, and I know. No need to worry. And I’m not on any medication. Oh and don’t ever ask a girl her weight for any other reason that doesn’t involve a medical procedure, hahaha.” I chuckled.

“I’ll take your advice, Kiku. haha.” Dardwin chuckled.

Dardrwin walked over with a tray holding, an IV catheter with a needle on one end, an empty blood bag connected to the other end of the catheter, an alcohol wipe, a tourniquet, and two bandages.

He pulled up a chair as well, setting the tray on the cot next to the man. I intently watched as Dardrwin took the tourniquet and tied it about 3 inches above my inner arm. He took the alcohol wipe and disinfected the area in which he would insert the needle. Dardrwin supported my elbow with his hand, while using his other hand, his pointer palpitated my inner arm trying to find my artery. Taking the needle end of the catheter, while the empty blood bag sat in the tray - He inserted the needle in the brachial artery and then disengaged the needle so only the plastic part remained in my arm. He took the bandage and placed one holding the needle in place and the other a bit further down keeping the catheter attached to my arm.

“Nothing phases you, hm.” Dardrwin spoke curiously.

I've had blood work my whole life due to me being a sick child. This was nothing new to me, so I guess I'm just used to it. I began to explain to Dardrwin,

“I guess since,”

Dardrwin cut me off,

“Except when I do this-”

Dardrwin leaned in a bit forward, tilting his head, and getting just a few inches away from my face. I darted back, my face flustered. My eyes locked closed. Ugh. He’s annoying, why would he do that.

“Haha, told you.” He chuckled.

“...” I stayed silent, my eyes still closed.

“I’m only kidding, Kiku.” He stood up patting my head which caused my eyes to open.

I looked up at him, he was softly smiling... But. Still... Why did he look so sad?...

He walked over to the sink taking off his gloves and washing his hands.

“I’ll be back, Kiku. I’m gonna speak with the man who brought this guy in.” Dardrwin spoke.

I watched as he walked out the door, closing it behind him. I let out a long sigh. I gaze went to my arm, watching the blood run through the catheter into the blood bag, filling it up. I believe the whole process takes about ten minutes as Dardrwin is likely drawing one pint of my blood.

I await the ten minutes to come, and for Dardrwin to return.