Blackout: a semi-fiction
I came round. But dared not open my eyes. My brain throbbed, I could count my pulse. My fingertips felt cool starchy cloth by my side and across me. My whole face was now throbbing as my blood pressure rose. There were no voices but I could sense someone’s presence. They lifted my left hand and I felt a tugging on my skin. My face winced which hurt as my brow and nose furrowed. My eyes opened with the pain. Bright white light made my pupils sting. I squinted through the lids. The nurse lowered my hand along with the drip line. I was laid on my back. Each breath I took made my ribs crack like a hens egg. I became very conscious that everything hurt. There was the familiar smell of vodka and vomit mixed with anti-septic disinfectant. Why always pine or lemon? I peered out from the smallest gap I could make in my eyelids. I tried to inhale enough air to ask a question. My mouth and throat were powder dry. Memory started to drip into my mind. Just drops at first. Watching TV, some music th