Faline

Once up, I give him the dry towel to wrap around himself. When covered in body waste, you don't exactly want to be seen, so I give him as much dignity as I can. When he has trouble knotting it, his frustration turns to anger. Wrapping an arm around him and holding the towel to him, I get him walking before he can lash out.

Heart pounding much more than it should be, we head down the hallway. Tears are running down his face, but he doesn't seem to notice. His constant wincing has me asking if he's hurt, which after I ask I want to kick myself.

"Everything hurts."

Nodding, we keep going. If everything hurts, there's not much I can do but knock him out. Actually do plan on that, but not right this moment.

He's steady for the most part, only stumbling when the shaking of his body becomes so violent that it jerks him. The teeth-chattering is a bit confusing, but I've never gone through withdrawal, so I have no idea what all is involved. When his feet touch on the cold tile, it's almost like a mix goes on of it feeling good, yet hurting at the same time.

The shower is going to be a test of endurance, 'cause there's no way I'm waiting on the tub to fill and bathe them myself. He's aware enough to do that on his own. Elena might be different, but I'm still not waiting for the bath.

While he moves about freely inside the bathroom completely nude, I stand at the entrance. Both to keep an eye on him and prevent him from taking off. Doesn't really show an inclination to do so, but drugs make you do weird things.

He's got plenty of time while we wait for his room to be cleaned. If there weren't a corner that had to be gone around, I'd be able to see them all. Corners make me think of Max. I really hope he isn't creeping about right now.

Maybe I could get Kell to puke on him, the whole Exorcist deal. No, he would probably kill the boy. Madaline perhaps? Nope, same problem. Oh well.

I watch him pace from the toilets to the shower stalls, to the tub, then back to the toilets. Feel like a pedo myself watching him, frowning as I call out to him. He glances up, his body shivering and clenching as muscle spasms make their way through him.

I'd leave him to walk, to tire himself out, but he's still covered in his own waste.

"Kell, why don't you get under the water? You might stop shivering."

Not totally sure about that, but always worth a try, and I really want him to get clean. He looks over at the shower area, looking confused for a moment, then whimpers before he starts crying in earnest. Crap. I'm no good at this stuff.

Just as I start walking towards him, he whirls to face me, anger on his face. I stop abruptly.

"I can do it myself, I don't need to be babied!"

Someone's moody. Raising my hands, I retreat back to the door frame. My leg touches against a warm body that's rumbling low in its chest. My Changeling doesn't appear to like loud voices. Well, it does echo in here.

The teenager stomps over to one of the shower heads and turns it on, his abrupt movements a testament to his mood. Not sure he's really paying attention to the temperature as he lays his head against the tile. His weeping has me at a loss for what to do.

Kell's heart is still pounding and through his crying, he does start washing up. Really is a private moment, so I look down at Leidolf. Movement catches my eye to show Thessily on the other side of the hallway, crouching down in a resting pose.

The only thing I see in her eyes currently is what you'd see in any cat that's semi-sleeping. Keeping an ear on the boy, he's angrily scrubbing himself. Wolf is watching him, ears quirking.

Reaching out, I sink my fingers into his scruff. Wolves look all fluffy and soft, but their fur is actually a bit coarse. Not overly so, it isn't wiry, but it isn't downy either.

Kierra's fur was a little softer, but not by much. Asher, on the other hand, he was soft. With his dislike for Vamps, I tried to be as unimposing as possible. He had warmed a little, but one can only go so far when hatred runs as deep as his.

One brunette ear flicks over at me for a moment before moving forward once more. A smile quirks my mouth. Big bad wolves all seem to like a little pat now and then. Quite amusing, really.

A groan has me turning back to Kell, who's crouched under the spray, holding his stomach and rocking back and forth.

"Kell? Once you're done here and your room is cleaned, I'll have Trisha give you something for the pain you're in. Is there anything you want before going back?"

He doesn't answer for a while, a look of concentration on his face. Find out soon on why, as he bolts upright and runs for the toilets. Slippery tile and wet feet don't mix, causing him to stumble multiple times in his mad dash.

I don't know if he'd want my help or not, and knowing how males can be, I'd wager he doesn't. Not for this. I wince and step out as I hear the expelling of both ends. I have no cookies to toss, but the sound isn't exactly soothing to the stomach.

Ten minutes later, he's back under the water. His face, hell, his whole body, is pale. Hopefully, Trisha will know if giving him food is a good idea or not, maybe some Pepto before knocking him out.

Asleep, you can't feel the horror of not being able to control your own body.

Asleep, you don't feel any pain or craziness going on with your system.

Asleep, you can remain oblivious to your body's attempt at keeping you alive from what is killing you internally.

Another ten minutes go by with him mumbling to himself. For the most part, it sounds like he's giving himself a pep-talk, but I'm not entirely sure. The male sentry from earlier approaches and lets me know the room is ready. Finally.

"Kell? You up for going back? Or did you want to walk around for a bit?"

His head shakes, looking exhausted and weary.

"I want to sleep. I'm hungry, but the thought of food makes me sick."

"We'll see if the healer has anything that can help."

The boy nods, turning the shower off and wrapping a fresh towel around himself. When he stumbles on the way out, I move to help him. He shakes his head, but I ignore it and move us towards the rooms.

"Why are you helping me? You don't know me. I don't know you. Who are you? Where am I?"

A gag sounds good right about now.

Soon as that thought goes through my head, I instantly feel ashamed. This isn't his fault, he has done nothing to ire me in a way that he deserves to be treated that way.

"My name is Faline and there's plenty of time to get to know me after you feel better. Right now that's all that matters and I'm helping you because I want to. Don't have to worry about that stuff right now. Right now you have to keep reminding yourself that you are strong and that you will get through this. Pain is temporary."

Think that should be put on plaques around the place. Sure seems to fit most situations. Even with everything I hope to accomplish, pain will ever be present, but it hopefully doesn't last long.

When we reach the room, not only is there a fan, but a strong scented candle has been lit and put inside. Lavender, I think. Kell's blond shoulder-length hair is still dripping wet, but it doesn't seem to bother him.

Once inside, he looks at the bed disparagingly.

"Don't worry, you'll be asleep, remember? When you wake and need anything, call out for me and someone will come and get me or Trisha, okay? You're not alone Kell, someone is always just outside the door."

He nods, but I think it's just out of tiredness and an unwillingness to argue. Either way is fine. Tears are falling again, but they don't look like crying tears. More like his eyes are draining. His constant blinking to clear his vision has that thought confirmed...for the most part. Doesn't look too thrilled at the new silk ropes either.

"These aren't meant to harm you, they won’t be holding you down. They're to keep you from ripping out the IV and injuring yourself. Restriction, but you can still move. Do you understand?"

"I understand."

Voice is thready and full of sleep, but his eyes don't seem to want to stay closed. Once I get him tied, I nod for Trisha to come do her thing. Pulling the towel off of him, he wiggles for us till he's situated in the right position.

"My ass is cold."

I smile, unable to keep from chuckling. He looks at me in annoyance but does give a weak smile after a moment. Pulling a fresh sheet up to his waist, I pat his hand.

"May feel cold, but it's only because of the fan on damp skin. It's a balmy seventy-something degrees in here. Besides, once you're sleeping, you won't care all that much."

No response is given as he watches the healer attach his replenishing fluids. I undo his free arm so he can drink some water and take the sleeping aid. Ties are loose, but not enough to where he can reach his mouth, since they're kept short to prevent being able to reach the needle.

Don't think I've ever had a need for an IV to be put in my hand, and it sure doesn't look very comfortable. Trisha gets tape happy to prevent any movement of it. Think she's worse than I am when it comes to that stuff.

I stay in there for a few more minutes after she's all done. Getting him to nibble at some crackers is like trying to convince a three-year-old that broccoli is good for them. Think the three-year-old is less moody though.

Whatever the sleeping agent is that she gives them works pretty fast. I managed to convince him to eat two whole crackers, but he went at them like a damn bird. Least it's something though, if for nothing else to have something actually come up when he vomits.

Dry heaving is painful as hell, stomach acids aren't much better. We'll probably try soup next time. Isn't soup supposed to cure everything? Chicken noodle, right? Don't think cream of mushroom would work right, it being fungus an all.

When he's passed out I get his arm tied back up. The room still smells but nowhere near like it did before, so I doubt human noses can pick up too much of it. I have the candle taken out, don't need any accidental fires when just wanting to make the room smell pretty.

Besides, if left in there, it will mingle with any future smells and will ruin lavender for anyone who gets a whiff. Walking out, I shut his door softly. Not like it would disturb him if I slammed it, but I'm not looking forward to the next one.