Invisible Tears
My ears perked up at the sound of mechanical beeping. "Where am I?" I called out sitting up in what felt like a bed. I tried looking around to find out where I was, but no matter which way I ended up turning my head, my vision remained black. I know that my eyes where open, but yet I still couldn't see. My paws flew up to my eyes and searched frantically. "What is this," I whined weakly catching one of my claws on what felt like a piece of cloth fabric covering my eyes.
I squeaked sacredly as I heard a door creek softly open. "Oh, you are awake. Good afternoon Mr. Obrien. I'm Doctor Young," An aged male voice greeted me happily. I heard the door close, followed by the new voice walking towards me. "How do you feel Travis?"
"Where am I and why is thing over my eyes?" I asked ignoring the new voice's own question.
The male voice sighed before answering my question. "You are inside Twin Rivers Hospital. You and your family were in a tragic car accident. You have no memory of this, do you?" The voice responded softly avoiding the second part of my question.
I lowered my head trying to remember anything about a crash. The last thing I can recall was my family driving home from the beach before everything became black. "No, I don't have any recollection of the crash. Does it have anything to do with this thing covering my eyes?" I said trying to dispel my fears.
"Your parent's car was sideswiped. You were the only survivor from your side of the accident," At that moment I could feel tears wanting to break free and pour down my cheeks. "How you survived is a miracle. Unfortunately nothing will ever be the same anymore. The window you were sitting next to shattered and the shards dug deep into your eyes. They are permanently damaged; you will never be able to see again."
My tears started falling and dampening the cloth within moments of the doctor finishing speaking. I frantically searched from something to grab a hold of. Unsuccessful at finding anything, I drug my knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them. I continued to cry until my head started to ache.
"Travis, I need you to answer some questions for me. Do you think you can do it?" Doctor Young asked placing a paw on my shoulder.
"Yes sir. I can try to answer your question." I responded rubbing my paws against my silky leg fur.
"Alright then, what is your date of birth?"
"August 27th, 1995" I responded without thinking.
"And what's your mother's name?" The doctor asked furthering his questions.
"Vivian," Again, I answered without though. "Do you think I could get up and stretch my paws? I feel really stiff," I asked trying to stretch my shoulders.
"Of course, just one last question, then I'll help you stretch your paws. How many siblings did you have before the accident?"
My voice started to chock up as I went to answer the final question. "Three, one sister and two brothers. My older brother Curtis wasn't with us that day, he was with his ... his boyfriend. Can I please stand up now?" I asked agitatedly biting on to my bottom lip softly still trying to stretch.
Doctor Young remained silent for a while and the silence started to bother me. I was about to ask if everything was alright when he finally responded. "Just wait a few more minutes. I need to drop off these papers really quick then we'll work on getting you used to your surroundings," The elder man said removing his paw from my shoulder and walking away from the bed.
Hearing the door shut softly behind him, I impatiently reached out for the support bars I had seen on these beds last time I was in a hospital. Quickly, my right paw found the cold metal bar. I shoved off the covers with a sharp kick. The cold hospital air rushed up inside the hospital gown tickling my lower body. Shaking off the chills, my other paw found its way over to the same bar that my right was still holding onto. I pulled upon the bar and lifted my feet paws over the edge of the bed.
I bent my knees and let them dangle weightlessly in midair. I felt a wave of warmth flood my body as my blood began to rejuvenate my legs. Maybe this won't be as hard as it looks. I thought as I slowly lowered myself to the floor. As my paws came in contact with the tile floors, I couldn't help but smile. Finally after a few slow movements and test steps forward, I stood confidently at the foot of the bed. Delicately, I started to walk around the bed with small baby steps. The whole time, my left paws held onto the metal bar for security and balance.
The door unexpectedly open and I could hear footsteps followed by a subtle, yet audible gasp.
"Oh, it seems like your brother was right about how active you are," Doctor Young's voice came out in a soft chuckle.
"You called my brother?" I asked eagerly turning towards the voice.
"No, I wasn't the one who called your brother. It was one of the police officers who helped bring you to the hospital made the call. Ever since the accident however, your brother has come to visit you every day after he gets out of work. He does nothing but speak highly of you. Now there is one last test I would like to get done before he gets here." The elder said leading me to a different part of the room.
"Now let us see if you can identify some objects teens are quite familiar with. If you sit down and reach out forward, you will find a table with the three objects. Try your best to identify them, but it's alright if you have problems." The old male's voice said reassuringly.
Curiosity took control and I slowly bent my knees until my paws could touch the ground, then I went the rest of the way down with much more ease. My paws went out and immediately found a circular object. As I explored up the object, my paws felt something familiar almost bristle like. "Is it a fur brush?" I asked continuing to move my paw over the object I was holding.
"Correct, now what about the other two?" The doctor replied as the brush was removed from my paw.
I soon found another one of the objects and this one was far more recognizable than the brush. "It's a flip phone," I said confidently fumbling with it until I open it up.
"Very good Travis, now figure out the final object."
I felt around for the table and set the phone down while my other paw searched for the final object. After a few moments, my paw found the last object. It was thick, pulls of paper, and had metal rings around one edge of it. "That's easy, it's a notebook."
"Correct you are," A different, but familiar voice applauded from behind me.
"Devon? Is Curtis with you?" I asked softly starting to whimper. I never talked much with my brother's husky boyfriend, but hearing his voice awoke some many emotions. My parents had rejected both Devon and Curtis after finding out my brother was gay. I had never agreed with my parents' decision and I was so glad to hear his voice again.
I suddenly found myself encircled by two strong and protecting arms. "I'm right here Travie, I'm right here." My brother said unexpectedly pulling me into his arms and holding me as tightly as he could. I buried my face into my brother's chest and started to cry.